Meet Your Match in 1 Year or Less
by Linda Rains January.

The time of year for fresh starts and resolutions. Promises to improve thyself, break bad habits, and get thy act in gear. Some people go for the weight thing. Others vow to exercise more often. But if you're here, reading this article, you're probably in need of something even more important: a date by Valentine's Day.

Granted, Valentine's Day 2002 may be slightly out of reach - it does arrive in a mere two weeks or less. And while I'd never doubt the power of persistence, determination and drive, becoming coupled in this amount of time may be challenging for even the smoothest among us. So for the purposes of this article, we'll focus on Valentine's Day 2003, giving us one full year to meet our match.

Impossible, you say? Hardly. But you will be required to apply a certain amount of effort. Because while finding love does happen spontaneously on occasion, it's ever-so-much-more-successful when you've got a plan of attack. Think about it. You don't shop for groceries without carefully considering which aisles to tackle first. And you'd never buy a car without study of features, benefits and available options. Should love be any different?

The plan is simple. You'll be out there, senses tuned, looking, networking, dating, meeting, and eventually, finding your match. Sound like fun? Well then, let's go!

Organize your time.
Get a daily planner, invest in a palm pilot if need be. Because your social calendar is about to explode. Remember, your goal here is to find a sweetie by Valentine's Day 2003. So to start, you'll need to schedule a variety of first dates ("screenings" if you please) until you meet Ms. Right or Mr. Wonderful. Make lunch dates, dinner reservations, even meet for coffee before work. And if you've got more than one rendezvous in a day... well, lucky you!

Make a list.
And check it twice. Write down every person you know (coupled or otherwise) with access to eligible singles. Think friends, family, business colleagues, school acquaintances, fellow churchgoers - they're everywhere. Let them know of your new mission, and spread the word that you're available for blind dates, setups and the like. Be ready when they call, and never refuse an offer.

Concentrate on Couples.
Married friends (or those in long-term relationships) often make the best matchmakers. In my experience, they're eager to acquaint single friends, and as a bonus they may even accompany you on your first date - easing tension and breaking the ice when necessary. Let them know of your new mission and put that twosome to work for you.

Spruce your sweet self up.
You look great. You do. But perhaps it's time to update your appearance with a trip to a REAL hair salon - not your $6 corner barbershop. Of course, style is an individual preference. But attraction is a factor when meeting your match. It pays to look your best. The gals among us might consult the expertise of those behind the makeup counter at the local mall's anchor department stores. They're often aching to share the latest beauty tips and advice. Finally, check that wardrobe. Make sure you've got at least a couple weeks worth of date-worthy clothes.

Log on for love.
Surveys show that over 65% of singles use online dating as a source to meet their match. Are you among them? If not... why? Love@AOL by Match.com offers incredibly easy, anonymous and FREE access to millions of eligible singles. A special two-way matching feature finds your best matches, and an advanced search tool lets you search any part of the country or world by over 22 characteristics. So what are you waiting for? Over 200,000 singles post their profiles every week. If yours isn't up there, you're missing out.

Circulate for a date.
Some people have been known to meet their match at random places, during unexpected times. So after a long day at work, resist the urge to set your hind end on the sofa seat. Get yourself out there during the after hours for spontaneous meetings. For best luck, consider your own special interests to meet someone like-minded. Bookworms might browse the aisles of Barnes and Noble. Jocks, take to the sporting good stores and jogging trails. Dog lovers, try PetSmart or a nearby dog park. Set up happy hour events with coworkers. Join a gym, take a class, find a cause... just do something to get out there and meet people who share your interests!

Know your boundaries.
Or lack thereof. Keep your eyes open and you may find love outside your zip code - be it during a business trip in Boise, or a seminar in Cincinnati. I, in fact, know of one couple who fell in love via conference calls between Dallas and Chicago. Within months, her bags were packed and she was headed for the Windy City, permanently.

Get down to business.
Finally, once you've narrowed the field and found someone who catches your interest, don't waste time with games, the rules,î or any of the like. Focus your attention on that potential mate, make unexpected phone calls, send emails to simply say hello, make contact early in the week for weekend plans. The key here is to let them know you're interested, without being overbearing... until you're certain they return your interest. Once that's established, the relationship's acceleration is between the two of you!