What a weird December.

The Leafs are winning. The Steelers are flailing. Tiger’s “Woods” are finding the sweet spot…in more ways than one.

It’s been a weird year. Twelve months ago the sky was falling. Today? Never been busier. Never.

Last winter it was layoff city. Now? I have at least five great, and I mean great, jobs in my inbox from clients looking for referrals.

So come this holiday I suggest we all party like its 1999. Maybe you haven’t noticed but 2010 isn’t just an Olympic year. It’s the start of a new decade.

I love milestones like that. 1,000 yard rushers. 50 goal scorers. Becoming a millionaire. (Okay I’m 0 for 3 on this list personally). But I do.

It seems to me we haven’t given this new decade its fair due. Its 2010 in a few short days. Think about that.

First of all we get 365 days to write out the letters 2-0-1-0 every time we date something. Or for those of you who prefer other date formats, try this one on for size 1-Jan-10. Cool. 1/1/10. Onederful! Or 10/10/10… now that’s a day for a party. 10-10-10.  Hmm… I think there is a promotion concept here. Don’t steal it from me.

Secondly the start of a new decade brings in a whole new era. Think about what could be created in the next ten years. What will be the next iPod? Facebook? Twitter? Yesterday I was in a meeting when a web guy actually said, “In the old days we would use an email list to update consumers”. The OLD DAYS? What is he talking about… 2002? If I could remember that far back… maybe.

It would be nice if some peace could be created in the next ten years. Iraq. Pakistan. All over Africa. South America. You name it. How about eradicating AIDS, poverty, world hunger, and child abuse. Add to this list as you see appropriate.

Thirdly, a new decade brings a canvas of opportunity to mind. Its one thing to set New Year’s resolutions. But what about creating your Grand Plan for the next ten years. I mean honestly think of how much change you could create in your own life by writing a ten-year plan. Ten years ago I did not have two beautiful kids. Ten years ago I was stuck in a business partnership that was draining my soul even faster than it was draining my pocketbook. (Thankfully my beautiful wife made me vow to get out…, which I did, and it saved my professional life).

Ten years ago I hadn’t won a playoff game as a high school coach (now I have two city championships). Ten years ago I had hair. Ten years ago I had never taught a university class. Ten years ago TrojanOne wasn’t the name of my company. Ten years ago I was participating in a “dot com” (for you kids, that’s a no longer used term for internet business!) that later failed miserably. Ten years ago I wasn’t living in my dream house.

Ten years ago I am not sure I knew what I was good at. Ten years ago I really didn’t know what I was bad at.

Ten years is a long long time. It’s a an opportunity of a lifetime.

No we can’t look at this turn of the calendar as just a new year. Its much much bigger than that. So fasten your jock straps. Adjust your goggles. Pop your motion sickness pills. Get ready; you’re about to get a whole new set of playing cards. You’re about to get ten amazing years to shape, paint, and create.

Happy New Decade everyone.