I love New Year’s Day because that’s when my husband and I consider all the travel and vacation ideas we’ve conjured over the past year and transform them into decisions.

The difference between a decision and an idea is specificity and commitment. While we can’t nail down all the details of each vacation or trip, and probably don’t want to, our goal is to make the choices and set target dates so we can block time on the calendar and start planning in earnest.

I don’t want the year to slip by while we simply ponder ideas. I don’t want my calendar to get chewed up with scattered commitments that make it impossible to get away for sufficient chunks of time. And I don’t want to lose a year by discovering that a favorite option required a reservation far in advance. In addition, I want to be able to prepare so I can enjoy each adventure to the max. For example, in preparation for hiking across Provence this past September, we climbed 34 mountains in New Hampshire, gradually increasing distances, elevation gains, and frequency. As a result, we felt great while in France and enjoyed each day’s hike without aches and pains of any kind.

What are your hopes for 2020? What new destinations do you plan to explore? What experiences have you longed for? What would you like to change? In short, what would make 2020 a great year for you?

New Year’s Day is the perfect time to transform some of those ideas into decisions. Get specific, get them on your calendar, and then start the work of making those dreams come true!

Wishing you a healthful, peaceful, and rewarding New Year!