It’s time to take stock of 2010. Many of you are probably doing the same thing about now. There were funerals, graduations and new beginnings. From the good-byes, came lasting lessons learned. From the beginnings, came a hope and promise for the future.

My mother-in-law died in September. She was someone I loved and who for many years taught me about life, loving family and friends with a full-heart, the importance of thrift and giving back.

World Banker, a beautiful horse I cherished and who taught me about trust and the bonds of partnership, no longer gallops in her field either. But her young filly lives on. And she won her first blue ribbon this year.

Two of my nieces embarked on major life transitions-one graduated from high school and started her freshman year at college. Another began her first full-time job with benefits. Saving for retirement is already on her mind.

My sister and her family broke ground on a new home in South Carolina with a dream of the future and family gatherings. And my mother flew into her 80s on a head of steam and a smile, publishing an award-winning cookbook this year.

But a yearly look-back goes beyond the personal, of course. Your annual retrospective will too, particularly if you’re self-employed. No one else is going to do it for you.

Take the time in the next few days to give yourself a report card and an action list for the coming year. Even if you don’t work for yourself, think of your employer as your primary client, and follow the same exercise. You need a plan, especially if you’re in the midst of a career transition, planning for one, or already building a new business in your second act.

For my review, I pulled out last year’s business plan and goals. Chances are, your list had similar ambitions.

• Grow business platform. Check. I launched a new product–my latest book on career transition for boomers. I added five new clients, and I started two blogs. No one gets a pass on the need to continually seek new business opportunities.
• Get webby. Check. All five of my new clients are web-based publications. We all need to keep pace with changes in our industries.
• Build niche. Check. I fired one long-time client because the work sapped time and was no longer a good fit moving forward. Don’t be afraid to do the same. Hard to do, but you need to stay focused.
• Sharpen personal brand. Check. I hired a photographer for professional head shots. I had business cards and letterhead designed to promote my book. I hired a web assistant on a monthly retainer to tweak my web site frequently with new content. This is business 101: You have to produce a top-notch product or provide a stellar service, but you must tend to the whole package, which includes marketing.
• Be more aggressive about networking. Check. I made it a point to spend time each day on social media sites-Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. And I pushed myself to engage in the community by commenting on posts, re-tweeting, and so on. But I didn’t stop there. I made at least one lunch or coffee date each week to physically meet and get out of the office. Bonus: Unexpected new business resulted. This is critical for all independent business operators.
• Help others connect. Check. Virtual introductions are easy and a win for everyone. It comes around. Do unto others and all that. Plus, it feels good.
• Invest in business. Check. I spent money on book publicity and ran Facebook and LinkedIn ads. I learned my most effective marketing was what I did myself from my contacts. I bought an Apple iPad and wireless keyboard to go with it. Spending in a tight economy is really hard, but you have to take a calculated risk if you want to build your business.

This list will remain on my 2011 action steps, but I will add some new ones:

• Set up a self-employed retirement plan, a so-called solo 401(k). Many brokerage firms and mutual fund companies offer these plans free-of-charge. The plan must be set up by Dec. 31. No need to make a contribution until the tax return deadline in 2012 to qualify for a 2011 deduction.
• Prepare a financial snapshot. Write it all down-investments, retirement accounts, outstanding debts. How are the investments balanced from a risk perspective? Is it appropriate for my age? Tap into a retirement planning calculator like the one on AARP’s site.
• Save more, spend less. Skim 10 percent off each pay check for savings. Write down monthly business expenses from office supplies to transportation and meals instead of just shoving in a file folder to review at tax prep time.
• Keep a vision box. I write down my goals and desires on tiny pink pieces of paper, fold them and stick them in a special silver box. Sometimes I slip a photograph or other reminder to keep the dreams and end goals alive, say, the New York Times bestseller list, or a picture I took from a little villa overlooking Marigot Bay in St Barth’s. As my dad always said, you have to dream to get there. I open it up every few months to see how things are going and tweak the contents.
• Stay in shape.
•  Believe in success.
• Strive for peace of mind-and not from setting up secure autopay for my bills.