I don’t do New Year’s resolutions. Promising to make major life changes beginning on an arbitrary calendar date? That’s a set up for failure.

But there is something nice about taking this time of year to reflect on where you’ve been, show a little gratitude and fine-tune where needed to keep on the right path. I’ve used this long holiday weekend to do just that, and to ask myself some important questions that have helped me recommit to, and refocus, my writing goals. (Totally not the same as resolutions. Says who? Says me.)

Among the questions were these two that I came across in some old journals. At two very different points in my life, two different mentors suggested I ask myself:

• If you could do anything in life, and it was guaranteed that you would not fail, what would it be?

• Imagine yourself five years from now, and you haven’t taken the steps to fulfill your greatest desire. How would that feel? Now how would it feel if you had taken action, and you succeeded?

They’re powerful questions that help shake off the cobwebs and realign your goals. Here’s to a productive 2012!