Q: Each December, I set resolutions to prove to myself I can still get my important needs accomplished. Rarely do I succeed. For 2009, because I feel the clock is ticking, I am determined to be successful. What's the trick to do so?

A: Wake up your subconscious. Tell yourself, "It will be done."

To begin with, write down your most important goals. Then list them by priority — from most important to least. Keep the list short, specific and realistic. Realize you must have the desire, energy, and support to make them happen. In football, the team that wins is usually the one that wants it the most.

Don't make yours a wish list, but a "CAN-DO AND WILL-DO" list.

Goals should not be negotiable unless absolutely necessary. You will be tempted to procrastinate, to quit, or to give up. That's when a written list comes in handy. Keep your list handy and review it first thing every morning. Be methodical. Breaking down your objectives into small, easily achievable steps reinforces your goals and encourages you to move forward.

Keep in mind that unexpected changes are inevitable. There will always be demands put on your time by things such as relationships, health issues, financial demands and other unplanned events. Remain positive by preparing yourself mentally for potholes on the road ahead. By anticipating them, you will be able to overcome them.

Remember, 90 percent of your success will be determined by your attitude. You will find, after accomplishing your objectives in 2009, that achieving your 2010 goals will be a piece of cake.

Remember, you don't want your year-end black book to show all the names end in M.D.

Q: Until recently, life for our grandson and his wife was a merry-go-round of fun, cruises, hot cars and expensive entertainment. Both had well-paying jobs and considered them permanent. Their bubble has burst. Their home is gone, along with their credit cards. Today they are living in a small apartment. This holiday season will be a downer for them. How can we cheer them up?

A: Life is like a ladder and that there will always be difficult rungs to climb. Assure your grandchildren they are not alone; seniors are experiencing similar challenges.

Once upon a time, the older generation believed the world was their oyster. But they too hit times and were forced to adjust their lifestyles. In the Great Depression, and the hard times since, families learned to share their pain. In many cases, our parents and grandparents learned by necessity how to survive when things went downhill. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Life requires re-prioritizing. Common sense is the new reality. Learning to balance expenses versus income is mandatory. The entire world is on sale and the prices of stocks, cars, real estate, and almost everything else is being renegotiated. Cash is king. One only needs to see the parking-lot activity at Wal-Mart and 99 Cents Only Stores to see that times are tough.

Self-denial has become a virtue. Whining is a waste of energy. Learning how to manage and survive, although not easy to accept, is its own reward.

Explain to your grandchildren that their positive attitudes will be the most important influence in their futures. Assure them they will find a way to handle their basic needs for love, food and shelter. Remind them of your lifetime downers and how you handled them.

One last thing, the answer for your cheering-up question could be a generous check!

Doug Mayberry makes the most of life after work in a Southern California retirement community. Contact him at deardoug@msn.com. To find out more about Doug Mayberry and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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