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Hmmm according to my calendar it's New Year's Eve but for some reason it sure doesn't feel like it to us. I'm not sure why that is ... at this time of year we're usually very busy with work and we are. I live in a tourist town that's usually packed with tourists at this time of year ... and it is. We usually have great plans for the New Year ... and we do ... but somehow it's different this year.

Still, whether it feels like New Year's Eve or not the calendar says it is and the calendar never gets it wrong. So it's time for all of us to have a look back to see what's worked for us in the last 12 months so that we have some foundation to build on for the next 12 months.

As I mentioned yesterday, Steve and I already have some plans for the coming year and we've based those on more than just a gut feeling. We've been watching what's happened over the last 12 months with the big three search engines and we can see some interesting trends beginning to show up so we're focused on being ready for when those trends become more concrete.

We've also been looking at some of the economic trends over the last 12 months and what forecasters suggest is in store for us and we're getting into a position to make those economic trends work for us.

If you're an overseas webmaster and happen to live in a country with a strong economy then things may stay the same for you for the next six months. The US dollar will be down and may go much lower than it is right now but in the second half of the year things may begin to change and the US dollar may start to rise.

That doesn't mean that the world economy is going to get better in the second half of the year, that just means that the rest of the world may not sink to the level that the US is at for another six months. When you compare those economic forecasts with where you do your business you may see that some of the focus of your business may change over this coming 12 months. That's certainly the way we're looking at it and even though things could get rather tough we're excited about the challenges we'll be facing.

You may think that the thought of getting excited about economic challenges is either crazy or just plain bullshit but the fact is that we do get excited about that. We do thrive on challenges and it's when we're facing a challenge that we can do our best work. Of course if you like things to remain comfortable and warm and cozy then maybe you're in the wrong industry ... but that's something that you'll have to decide for yourself.

So with those forecasts and suggestions in mind what are your plans for the next 12 months? Is it going to be more of the same old same old or are you going to push the envelope, trying something new, be a little daring and tackle something that is both challenging and stimulating?

I guess that, realistically speaking, what you do focus on next year will ... and probably should ... depend on where you are in this industry. If you're an experienced webmaster with lots of years in this industry then you should be looking at pushing the envelope and taking on new challenges. On the other hand, if you're new to this industry then you should be looking to focus on developing your skill levels as a Webmaster.

If you're new there's not much point in pushing the envelope until you understand what the envelope really is. And because you probably won't have much of a solid financial foundation to support you, turbulent economic times are not the time to be too daring. But even if you are like that you should never lose sight of the fact that volatility offers opportunity.

Sometimes when you have nothing lose there's no point being cautious and grabbing an opportunity when it presents itself can give you a quick boost to the next level while others who started with you are left struggling just to survive.

So with the New Year just a few hours away don't be afraid to face up to the challenges ahead. It's an exciting time to be in online marketing so be ready to face it when the sun comes up tomorrow morning.