It’s hard to believe 2010 is over and a new decade has begun—no arguments please about whether 2010 or 2011 marked that turning point.   

For the sake of argument, let's just call 2011 the start of a new decade and a new year with new resolutions, or likely some of the same resolutions made last year that fell to the wayside.

If unemployed, underemployed or unhappily employed on Jan. 1, 2010, I'm guessing at least a few of your resolutions had something to do with career, job, money, your passions, your true calling—along with doing your due diligence and follow-up work to make these things a reality. Considering the state of the economy and unemployment, it is highly probable that your situation today is the same as as it was a year ago and so are many of your resolutions. So, in the unforgettable words and voice of Peter Brady—it's time to change!

In 2010, I participated in a job search group through Lives in Transition, a group designed for people experiencing career transition that regularly met at Rye Presbyterian Church. A fellow member of the group who has successfully landed a new position in her field that is closer to home than her last position (see it does happens) emailed an idea for shifting your perspective. Instead of focusing on promises, commitments and wishes for 2011, she suggested we start with “The End.”

I suggest putting all your thoughts on paper. To begin, review and reflect upon the events of the last 10 years. Limit yourself to just the highlights and lowlights so it doesn't take you as long to do the exercise as it did for you to live it.

Think about your accomplishments and failures, your joys and disappointments in all areas of your life.  For the good stuff, relive it.  Remember it, feel it and re-experience the happiness it brought you. Reflect upon how you've grown and what you learned.

Now, consider the things that didn't go well and think about why. Own only what belongs to you, forgive yourself and then let go. Identify what negatively affected you, but is not yours. Yes, bad things happen to good people all the time and that's lousy, but what's worse is when good people internalize those bad things. If you are holding onto grudges, anger and resentment, let them go. Next reflect upon how you've grown from them and what you've learned. Give this as much time as it needs. It will take however long it takes.

It is now time to put “The End” behind you and begin “The Beginning” right now. But the start is not in January 2011. Rather, we start on Dec. 31, 2011. Jump forward 12 months past the hoping, wishing and praying for things to change, and pretend they have already happened. 

Define what you want—which is always good to do—and while you may think you have done this a zillion times in 2010, 2009 and every year before that, every day brings us new knowledge and insight, so review, edit and refine your desires.

Instead of focusing on where things lack, your attention should be on abundance. Feeling a joyful appreciation is key. I particularly like a quote from Loretta LaRoche that states: "if you think the worst and get the worst, you suffer twice; if you think the best and get the worst, you only suffer once."

My job support group friend said that it was much more inspiring for her to consider her desires from this sense of completion or progress rather than from a point of wishing for “ifs” and “maybes.”  So dear fellow unemployed, underemployed and unhappily employed readers, I shall congratulate you all now on your incredible accomplishments and the great joy you experienced in 2011.  I know that for all of us, it was a uniquely fantastic year.

Lives in Transition provides support, networking, and information on strategies for finding new employment, addresses the impact on family, and helps explore alternative career paths. The group meets biweekly, on Thursdays between 7-9 p.m., at the Rye Presbyterian Church. The group hosts a series of practical workshops, small group discussions and networking opportunities with successful executives and entrepreneurs.

Lives in Transition is free and open to all members of the community.  For more information, a schedule of events, or to participate in the program please email: livesintransition@gmail.com