The champagne corks haven't yet popped, but divorced women all around the globe know it's just about that time to make resolutions again.

So, what should it be this year? A sharper focus on health and fitness? Maybe a vow to show more appreciation of family and friends? How about a promise to do greater good for mankind? OK, for 2008, I resolve to cease procrastinating!

What does that mean? For starters, it means I just called my attorney and scheduled an appointment to review and update my last will and testament. After all, it's been 10 years since it was last updated, so on Jan. 7, 2008, this will be done.

Secondly, it means that I'm conducting a careful review of my insurance policies by getting quotes from three other carriers. I'll finish the comparison by January 15 — no excuses. For the record, I'd promised myself that I'd undertake this review in October (when my policies renew), but Halloween came and went, and just like last year, I renewed without shopping around. I justified it by telling myself, "I'll do it next year when I have more time."

Here's the big one — the one I've been tap dancing around for three years now: I'm going to the computer store during lunch today to buy software to help devise a renovation and construction plan for my basement. As much as I hate to do it, I know it must be done, so here goes: I resolve to completely renovate my basement by March 30.

Now, let's recap. What did I do?

1) I recognized that I needed to stop procrastinating.

2) I set specific goals, and I made sure everybody knew about them. You see, a goal isn't a goal unless it's written down and everybody knows about it. Without this, it's merely a wish.

3) I established a deadline for each goal. Further, I set goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, and compatible. I know what must be done, when it must be finished, and that each can be accomplished given all that's already on my plate.