It's time to get yourself ready for the new year and one of the best ways I've found to do so is what John Reese calls "Rebooting Your Brain"

Here is a brief step by step exercise you can do to get your brain clear and your thoughts organized.

You will need 3 legal pads, your favorit pen, and at least an hour in a quiet place where you will not be interupted. This may take you quite a bit longer, especially the first time, but at least get started.

Step 1 - The "To Do" Expedition

Take your first legal pad and write down everything that you think you need to do in your life. Keep going until you can't think of anything else. Take a short break.

Step 2 - The "Desire" Adventure

Take your second legal pad and write down everything that you want in your life - materially, emotionally, spiritually, physically, relationships, etc. Don't get side-tracked and don't limit yourself. Write as if you had the means to have absolutely anything you want.

Focus on only this until you can't think of anything else.

Take a short break.

Step 3 - The "Fear" Discovery

Take the 3rd pad and write down absolutely anything you are afraid of. Small fears or big, write it down.

Keep going until you can't think of anything else.

Take a short break.

Step 4 - Read all of your entries out load in the order you put them down on Pad #1, #2 and #3. Don't skip this step. There is something about writing these by hand, then saying them out loud that helps in the process of rebooting your brain.

Step 5 - From this point on, write down any new things you think of on the appropriate list whenever it pops into your head.

Step 6 - Examine your "Fear" entries and think of possible solutions that can alleviate them. If you think of "To Do's" or "Desires", add them to the appropriate list. If you think of a complete solution to a fear add it to your "To Do" list and strike it off the "Fear" list.

Step 7 - Examine your "Desire" entries and think of possible solutions to acquire them. If you think of things "To Do" or "Fears" add them to the appropriate list.

Step 8 - Prioritize your "To Do" entries and make a master "To Do" list. You can type this up if you wish.

Then sit back and relax for a while.

Finally, take action on your Master "To Do" list.

Start at the top. When you complete an item cross it out. Note when it was accomplished and why if the item is part of a bigger reason. When you complete an entire page, file it so you can look back at how far you have come later on.

Keep your master "To Do" list nearby and write down any items you want to add to it whenever they occur to you. Do the same with your "Desire" and "Fear" lists.

Repeat this process at least once a month. Just add the new things to your legal pads. It will go a lot faster and you will be surprised at how quickly your life starts changing.