(Adapted from my recent blog post)

2009 was bumpy for me both economically and emotionally, but I got through (as I assume you did) and I'm a stronger, more resilient person for it.

Now, I'm fired up and ready to tackle a new year with all kinds of tenacity and focus.

During the last two weeks of each calendar year I do an annual review of the achievements and results I've generated over the last 12 months.

This is an important exercise for every entrepreneur and you may even wish to do this with a personal coach.

Speaking of using a coach, I have decided to hire a personal coach in 2010 to help me along on the next phase of my evolution as an entrepreneur and to help me meet new challenges more effectively.

My coach is an entrepreneur and an action/result kind of guy that also understands how our own minds can create obstacles or blockages to getting what we want and that all it takes sometimes is a little outside perspective and coaching to correct limiting thought patters.

Like me, my coach has accumulated many different professions and entrepreneurial experiences during his career, so when we talk he knows exactly where I'm coming from.

The only difference is that my coach is more than twice my age and thus has accumulated perhaps twice the amount of knowledge and wisdom that I have.

Do you use a coach?

If so, I'd like to hear about it and the results you've been able to achieve as a result of working with him.

Now, if you're an entrepreneur that has not used a coach and is either closed to the idea or you have simply never made this investment in yourself, then it would be a good exercise for you to ask, "why?"

Can you name one high-performing athlete on this planet that does not have a coach?

Do you have the attitude that your too good for a coach and that you should be able to figure this entrepreneurship thing out on your own without any outside help?

If this last question resonates with you then I think you absolutely, positively must immediately hire a coach because this kind of egocentric thinking is exactly what you need to become aware of and what you need to eventually suppress if you are to achieve your highest potential.

OK, I said that last year was bumpy.

What I really meant to say was that last year sucked severely on many different levels for many different reasons.

However, there were also plenty of examples of people doing well and achieving new highs in life and in business...some of these were personal friends of mine.

These stories and examples are what kept me alive and inspired throughout the year.

One thing I've recently come to grips with is that my true passion lies in helping young entrepreneurs succeed at business startup, something I pursued very diligently several years ago but strayed from due to other opportunities.

When I thought about this recently during a goal planning session, I realized how juiced I get when I can inspire or educate an entrepreneur with much less experience than me.

So, my top goal this year is to get back to my roots which is helping young entrepreneurs through my writing and coaching.

Look for a lot from me in this area this year...

OK, back to the annual review.

A few of the questions I like to ask myself at the end of each year are as follows.

(I suggest you find a quiet place where you can be left alone for a few hours so you can really think about these questions and get all your feelings and observations out on paper without interruption.

What am I most proud of achieving this year? (It's important to start out with something positive like this to get your mindset right before moving on to some of the more reality based questions. And, don't discount the little things!)

What results have I achieved this year that have moved me measurably closer to my goals? (This is where reality kicks in and you have to look critically at your actions during the past year. Did you really move closer to the goal line? Or, did you just spin your wheels and do a lot of nothing?)

What actions did I take (or not take) that yielded these results? (It is important to identify and analyze the specific actions or behaviors that got you the results because then you can take steps to change them if necessary.)

What results do I want to achieve in the New Year? (This is a soul searching question. What do you really want to achieve? Are you sure it's what you want to achieve? Or, is it what someone else wants you to achieve?)

What have I learned this year? (Of obvious importance...reflect back on the knowledge and skills you've gained.)

Are there any nagging issues that need to be dealt with in the New Year? (This is stuff you put off dealing with last year that may be blocking you mentally from performing at your best in the New Year. Get it done and move on.)

Are there any habits or behaviors I need to change in the New Year to get better results?

These are just a few questions to get you thinking.

There are many more questions you can ask yourself to stimulate your goal setting mechanisms, but this will get you started.

If you have any particular annual review rituals or specific analysis questions that you'd like to share with your fellow young entrepreneurs, don't hesitate to join the discussion.