We stand on the cusp of a new year, a new January.

The month January takes its name from the Roman God Janus. Janus is typically depicted with two faces — one looks forward and one looks back.

On this last weekend of the year, take some time to learn from Janus. Look back at 2017 and honestly assess what went well and what did not. Look back at the resolutions or goals you set last year. (this is why I always recommend that you write them down) and see how you did. Did you meet your savings goals? Did you meet your fitness goals? Did you complete the tasks you wanted to finish? Did you read your "to be read" shelf? Did you get back in touch with old friends? Did you learn something new? Did you dispel the clutter in some part of your house? Did you pray more? Spend more time with your family? Entertain more?

The point of this exercise isn't to make you feel bad about what you didn't accomplish. Instead, use this year's information to plan for 2018. What do want to accomplish? In setting goals for 2018, follow two basic rules: be specific and write things down. For example, it's not enough to say I want to work on my health. Instead, set a specific goal. Maybe you want to reach a target weight or commit to thirty minutes of exercise three times a week. Once you have your final list of goals, write them down and put them somewhere you can see them regularly. You might keep them in your phone or other device. I tape mine to the back of a door. They aren't in the way, but I can review them regularly to make sure I stay on track.

You don't have to have your list finalized before midnight on January 1st. Instead, use this weekend to think and reflect. If you don't come up with any ideas or if you need some help, check back in here next week. I'll be suggesting four types of goals you might want to set for the new year.