Remember who loves you. Create a list of your top supporters. Your list should include your best customers, mentors, friends, business colleagues, and any others who think you're great, and who play a leading role in your success. Make a point of contacting them at least once a month with a phone call, a handwritten note, an email, or other meaningful communication that lets them know you value them.

Seize surrendered ground. When armies retreat, they leave territories open for uncontested invasion. Similarly, as competitors retreat to defensive positions, they may well be leaving opportunities open behind them. Obviously, this is not the time to shift all your resources to a new segment, but it's a great time to explore new opportunities.

Increase your value. Do you know everything that's going on with your best customers – recent changes in their companies, their plans for 2009 etc? You should. Call your best customers now and do an annual review with them. Find out about major changes, added or dropped product lines, major initiatives, changes planned for 2009, and so on.

Finish what you start. Salespeople often have Type A personalities – in constant motion, working on the next big deal, and juggling a thousand great ideas at the same time. The problem with this is that many wind up with many unfinished projects. In 2009, commit to finishing the projects you already have cooking – and to see anything you start through to the end.

Have a great year!