Your 2009 dating plan

At the moment your chances of meeting the love of your life could be better than ever! New singles are coming on the scene all the time. So go on, make the affirmation. Something like, "I want to be in love."

Here is an action plan that can make your commitment a reality in 2009:

Imagine if you didn't have a job and needed money.

Looking for a job would be your absolute top priority. You would spend hours posting and searching sites like Yahoo!7 Jobs scanning the want ads, calling recruiters, asking your friends and jumping on any leads.

In contrast, finding love ranks pretty low on your to-do list. You come home from work, run errands, answer some emails, call your friends, play with the dog, watch your favourite show, and maybe spend 15 minutes browsing your online dating site.

Most of you are better at planning your weekend or vacation than planning your dating life.

Yet study after study has shown that relationships are treasured above all else when we reflect on what has the most meaning in our lives. So make finding love a top priority.

Invite all your friends to come over for a "new you" party where they give you a makeover.

Order a bunch of pizzas or something simple like Chinese food. Have them go through your clothes and accessories, getting rid of unflattering stuff and putting together some hot new looks for you. Ask them for referrals to great hair salons or clothing shops.

Find a look that makes you feel great.

Don't feel like you are imposing -- there is usually nothing your friends like more than giving you advice! Of course, tell them you are looking to meet someone special and to keep you in mind. Email the same message to any friends who did not make the party.

Throw out your old photo and profile.

Have a friend who is a good photographer take 100 headshots of you in order to get one that looks especially warm, attractive and inviting.

Ask some opposite-sex friends to help you pick out the best photo and work on your profile. After you post them, spend at least three hours a week looking around the site, sending and responding to messages and connecting by phone and in person with people. Block out time in your daily calendar to work the program.

Sign up for two ongoing classes or activities that interest you that have lots of potential partners in them.

Finance, investing and leadership classes at your local college, rock-climbing, golfing, snowboarding, skiing, hiking and wine tasting are all great for meeting men.

Women are plentiful at cooking, growth, spirituality and yoga courses. City sports teams are great and usually have an even mix of genders.

There are many other activities, classes and clubs to consider, so search online. Try Yahoo! 7 Groups to connect and share. If you're so inclined, look into volunteering for a local or national political group.

Find and say hello to three new men or women every day.

Assuming you are in a safe or public place, make eye contact, smile, say hi, or ask for some help.

If you don't encounter a lot of men or women in your daily routine, make sure to try a new grocery store, dry cleaners, pharmacy or coffee/sandwich shop at lunch. You can start with saying hello to the less threatening types and work your way up to the ones who are "out of your league." You will be surprised how receptive the hotties can be!

Most people do not find love with the type of person they imagine for themselves.

The guy who only wants a petite blonde winds up with a brainy brunette. The woman who dates starving artists marries a rich, balding lawyer.

Look at photos and profiles that you would ordinarily pass on. If you always go for the sleek metrosexual, give the country guy who just moved to your town a try. If you go for the hotties, try someone who has a heart of gold instead. You may be very happily surprised!

Even if you are not exactly blown away by a person on the first date, remember to stay open.

You cannot know what secret goodies are hidden in someone just by meeting them once. You have to let a potential partner unfold and show you his/her different sides. If there is any connection with this person at all, give it another chance.

Love almost always comes in a surprise package.

If you do meet someone and have a really good time, send a quick text or email the next morning to let the person know that the door is open to getting together again.

This is especially important for women to do. Write something specific about the date that points to the connection between the two of you or refers to something you both loved.

For example, if you went to a comedy show, write a message about a particular joke you both enjoyed and add, "Let's do it again sometime."

Now you have your love resolution and plan.

Most importantly, commit to the first step and make this plan the number one priority in your life. Chances are, before too long you'll be kissing the one you want.