Gordon Kaye, Publisher and Editor, Graphic Design USA

"I learned that the world does not end when you are forced to let go of some long-held beliefs about how things should be done; in fact, letting go and moving out of your comfort zone can lead to better ways of doing things – or at least stressing less."

"My resolution is to stop filling my day with tasks that make me feel productive but actually provide an obstacle to tackling the really hard business issues that we all face these days."

Emily Ruth Cohen, Business Consultant to Creative Firms, http://www.emilycohen.com/

"Those creative firms that have always paid attention to their 'business' and plan for the future – and simply don't respond to current demands – survive and even thrive, despite current economic challenges."

"Build my business to respond to global clients; expand beyond the United States."

Von Glitschka, Illustrative Designer, http://www.vonglitschka.com/

"Have a system in place for consistent marketing to promote your business/services regardless of the economic climate. Make it a policy to get half-down deposits on all new work regardless of the client."

"Finish developing new creative business pursuits to facilitate residual income streams – and to make sure I'm having fun doing it."

Ilise Benun, Marketing Mentor

"I learned this year that resolutions don't work without a different way of thinking. And in a difficult economy, it's easy to get discouraged and negative."

"For 2010, I'm surrounding myself with people I trust who can be objective and will give me honest feedback. I also will be working on shifting my mindset instead of making resolutions."

David Langton, Principal and Co-founder, Langton Cherubino Group

"'Business as usual' no longer applies. In the midst of one of the most difficult economies we've ever faced, the technological revolution continues to astonish us. Just doing the same old thing is death to your business and to your livelihood. We must evolve, create communications with social networking elements, build interactive tools and expand opportunities for content-management-based websites."

"My one resolution is to follow these four key goals in 2010:

• Our design and marketing must support our values.
• Remember that technology rules. Use technology to support and distribute our communications effectively.
• Sustainability is a key ingredient. Long-term planning must include green awareness and use resources intelligently.
• Our brand must be consistent yet unexpected. The same old thing is not a marketing plan; be original, be unique, go out and produce something unexpected that will take hold of the imagination in the new year!"

Tim Heyer, Advertising Project Manager, Pantone

"Be flexible. When tough times mean reduced staff hours, be ready to drop what you're doing and chip in wherever you're most needed."

"Pay attention to the lessons that 2008 and 2009 had to teach, as well as the recovery in 2010 – when history repeats itself down the road, we'll be better able to respond and recover!"

Michael Strassburger, Co-founder, Modern Dog Design Co.

"The idea of passive income and getting away from strictly trading hours for dollars. If we are able to generate passive income (i.e., an online store that sells downloadable products), we can do our regular work as designers with a reduced level of stress. That will translate into better design and generally contented happiness."

"Really work to develop our passive income avenues."

Lee Silber, author of 15 books including The Wild Idea Club and Rock to Riches, http://www.leesilber.com/

"As much as some things change, they stay the same. That is certainly true about money. When it comes to your career (or business) the goal should be to make as much as you can, spend as little as possible, and invest the rest in things that earn money. Simple, but hard. Everyone wants to earn money, but how to do it is the question. I made several changes this year including using the motto, 'Show me the money.' I dropped a lot of things that ate up time but didn't pay off and turned my time and talent toward things that had the probability to pay off. It worked. It was also socially acceptable to cut costs, and I slashed everything I could. I reviewed all my expenses and found creative ways to reduce or eliminate a lot of them. Finally, I invested in things that helped me grow my career (software, training, marketing) so I could make more money."

"My theme for the year is to be better. I aim to improve on everything in my career. That means I will pick up the pace and work harder (and smarter) to do more, make more and be more."

Jeff Fisher, Engineer of Creative Identity, Jeff Fisher LogoMotives

"In times of severe economic challenges, a signed contract or gentleman's agreement for design project work, a speaking engagement, writing of a magazine article or any other business arrangement doesn't mean a whole helluva lot. My contract cancellation or 'kill fee' specifications should have been more clearly defined and worded more strongly. I should have required such clauses in the contracts of others as well."

"My career resolution is to not get into situations where a signed contract or gentleman's agreement for a design project, work, a speaking engagement, writing of a magazine article or any other business arrangement doesn't mean a whole helluva lot. My contract cancellation or 'kill fee' will be more clearly defined and worded more strongly. I will require such clauses in the contracts of others as well."

Steve Gordon Jr., Designer, RDQLUS

"This past year was a big one for me in terms of learning more about promoting myself, and having a voice and a 'take' or a message as I began to speak and relate back to my colleagues and counterparts in the industry. My first book was published and released in May of this past year (100 Habits of Successful Freelance Designers, Rockport) and it was the first time that my ideas and thoughts had been shared on such a wide scale. It really makes you think about your voice and views because you are now more than just a guy at the wheel of the mouse. But I feel right at home in this new role, learning that the self-promoters get noticed . . . the ones who do it with style, class and a bit of honest, candid and fun personality get remembered."

"This year, I'm working with a few friends to start a very small, collaborative space in my area for just a few people – most of whom do a different discipline as a 'creative.' From there, the sky is the limit for what we'll do in the space – from promotional events to theme parties, and, yes, a little bit of work. But the energy and flow that comes from being around like-minded people who do different things is amazing. More of the same gets boring . . . I want 'more of the different' in 2010."

Carol Gardner, Creator, Zelda Wisdom

"Though the past year has been difficult for many companies, the canine/pet business has actually thrived. Consequently, I would say that the career lesson I learned this past year was that sometimes, in business, there can be a silver lining when you least expect it and that there are infinite possibilities for positive results even in tough times."

"My career resolution for next year is to continue to look for new opportunities and to finish the children's book, Princess Zelda and the Frog, that we are in the midst of producing for Macmillan Publishing."