Are you writing for publication?

Thats a great resolution. Mine is similar, although I've added the completion of a novel to the mix.

From my perspective, it depends on it your goal is to simply be published or to be published in either a particular genre or a particular type of publication (print, online, prestige, etc).

If you have a specific genre, I would study that in great detail, looking at what nuances are really selling (i.e. in print) right now. If not, you might simply look at what genres publish the most stories. It seems to change a bit depending on what publishers are still afloat and what people are buying.

I hate to ever say write what sells, but if your goals is simply getting published, I'd start there. Beyond that, try to refine your style and develop the most original stories within your genre that you can. And be willing to wait, since many publishers take upwards of 6 months to respond, so that might hurt your 2006 chances.