What were you doing nine years ago? It was just a few days before Y2K. I actually believed some (not all) of the hype and stored some extra food in the garage. What a big nothing that turned out to be.

In just a few days, it’ll be 2009. I blinked and somehow nine years passed.

My oldest daughter, Rachel, went from being 13 to married and living in California. In nine more years, she’ll be 31 and will probably have a couple children. She might even have one in second grade by then. (Think about that, Rachel!)

That means someone will be referring to me as grandpa. And I’ll be married to a grandma!

How different will your life be in nine years? Will you have an empty nest or will it just be filling up? Mid-career or nearing retirement? Try to picture what your life will be like. Got it?

Now here’s the critical question: What if you don’t have nine years?

What if you only have one year? (Even that’s not a guarantee, is it?)

Since you have no idea how much time you have left, try this little exercise:

What changes would you make in your life if 2009 was going to be your last one on earth? Write them down and make it an action plan for this coming year.

I suspect it’ll be your best year ever.