The Pleasures of Sharing Information

Do you find yourself amazed at how quickly the months pass? Do you find yourself in a small panic over all you know you have to do and how little you feel you are actually accomplishing? Join the crowd! We live in a busy world where our time, priorities and energy are constantly challenged. The reality is that there is simply not time for everything and we don’t have enough energy to complete everything. Bummer, I know! If only God had created the world with 8 days in a week or 30 hours in a day.. sounds good? Maybe, but really we would just quickly absorb that time too and be in the same spot.

What do we do? There are 5 simple steps to create greater success by managing our time and getting things done in business and life that are important.

1. EVALUATE. What do I really want? Where am I headed? What am I doing now?

2. GET REAL. What is really important that will impact and support your long term goals the best? What is not important? What is distracting me? What is not really supporting my long term goal?

3. PLAN. What do I need to do to accomplish my goal? What are the KEY action steps? How will I do this? What schedule or strategy will keep me focused?

4. FOCUS. Who do you need to be and what structures do you need to have to accomplish this (mindset, attitude, accountability)?

5. MONITOR/EVALUATE. Am I doing little, unimportant things? Am I procrastinating? What is working/ what is not? How could I streamline what I am doing?

What happens with good intentions and goals.

Plans begin as ideas in our head; we desire to have or do something. The key to the success of the idea is a plan. You know the saying, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Sometime our ideas will make it to paper in the form of a SMART goal and sometime not. If we do write a goal people sometimes we will create some action steps, but rarely do they take the time to thoroughly think through what actions are actually needed at each stage to accomplish the goal completely.

Sometimes people will start planning and get overwhelmed at how much work it will actually take or get overwhelmed with the process and give up. Often our goals remain our dreams because we fail to carve out time to make them reality. A management tip is to create a plan from start to finish. With this plan, decide if you have the time, energy, resources and desire to bring it to completion. Next, estimate HOW LONG each task will actually take. It is common to underestimate how much time each step will take and therefore it never gets done. Remember, if you are going to add something to your schedule, you must also plan to say “No!” to something else to make time to accomplish your goal.

Step 1: EVALUATE.

To create an effective plan, begin with a careful evaluation. Most people are constantly evaluating their present state without much problem. We are constantly assessing, “What do I really want right now?” We look at things around us and talk about what we would like to be different in our life. We talk about our goals, New Year’s Resolutions, current intentions, etc. We often state them as fact and sincerely intend to accomplish those in our life. We see how they would make a positive difference and desire for them to happen.

There is a small percentage of people who also evaluate the questions, “Where am I headed?” and “What will it take for me to get there?” Evaluation is a tool that allows you to anchor where you are now, determine where you want to go and create markers along the way to ensure you stay on course. Without a longer term vision, we tend to react to current situations, “I need to make more money, I need to lose weight, I need to get this business off the ground, etc.” This leads to wandering through life without focus or purpose. Evaluate the present and then also evaluate the future and what it would take to get there.

Step 2: GET REAL…

Then, get real. Does this fit in with where you are headed with your long term goals in your life? What is doing this going to get you? What is the cost (consider time, money, energy, emotional, etc.) Are you willing to pay it? If you do really want this, what is going to be important that you do? What is distracting you from making this happen?

Identify Key Result Items:

• Write exactly where you are headed and what this is going to get you.

• Identify what you will have to do and write that down.

• Identify what you will have to say “no” to and commit to 3 things you will have to stop to make this happen. Identify what this will “cost” and write down how you will “pay” for it. (This is not just financial, it may be something intangible like - COST: time with the family, PAYMENT: work later during week, but home Friday for dinner and family day all Saturday.)

• Identify 5 main distractions and how you can eliminate those.

Step 3: PLAN.

Next, plan what it will take to make this happen. You already have some Key Result Items from your Get Real Exercise. Take those and add to the list other ideas of what you know you will need to do to accomplish your goal. What are specific action steps you will need to take? Stop a minute and in your mind focus on your long term goal. See it in full and complete form. What is there? What are you doing? What do you notice about yourself and your actions? Now, in your mind walk backwards what did you do to get there?

For example, if part of my long term goal is to have a thriving independent business, I may visualize myself in an office with the flexibility to be remote. Part of what I would need to do is establish an office, design portable systems, have a virtual assistant, have tools and resources for office work, etc. This becomes one Key Result Area: A functional Office. Then I walk backwards and plan steps I would have taken to create this functional office. Put dates on each broken-down action step and estimate what it will take to make each step happen (time, cost, etc.). Allocate completion targets accordingly.

Step 4: FOCUS.

Now that you have your plan flushed out and in place, who do you need to be to accomplish this? Going back to your vision of your completed goal, what mindset and attitude did you have throughout the project? How did you do this? What schedule or strategy kept you focused? What systems of accountability did you have in place? What kept you on track and focused? One of the most common errors people make is IF they get their plan complete, they begin work and get caught up in the rush of life again and start reacting and forget about their plan. When you created your plan you were looking at the big picture. When you are working in the trenches of life, you are limited to see what is in front of you, unless you stick to the plan.

There is nothing wrong with evaluating and refining your plan as you go, but only when you are looking at it in perspective of the whole picture and not the short term moment. The story is told about the caravan crossing the Sahara desert. The desert was barren and large. Many parties got lost crossing the great plains as they could not see their destination over the horizon. A team went in and put in markers for travelers to focus on as they crossed so they would use each marker as a point of reference until they could see the city. This allows many parties to cross the treacherous desert in the most direct and efficient path. This is your plan. Plan it well, establish milestones to focus on, trust them and stay the course!

Step 5: Monitor.

Step back occasionally and evaluate what you are doing. Go back to step one. How are you doing? What is working what is not? Are you on track or off course? Make adjustments to get on track, re-design what is not working to new solutions and refine the plan in area that would increase efficiency or results toward your goal. Keep your long-term goal in mind and check to make sure your short term goals are supporting the long term goals. Notice your behavior. Accomplishing big goals is hard work. Plan first and keep your eyes on the pre-set short term goal that position you to reach your bigger vision.

Bottom line.

None of these strategies are rocket science. The challenge is to maintain the discipline, focus and clarity to implement these basic strategies. Evaluate your long term goal, be realistic, plan, set structures for focus and have check points to monitor. Invest your time in your plan and maintain the course once it is set. If you are serious about these goals, take action today. Insure your success by developing an accountably system for yourself. Hire a coach as your strategic partner to run with you. Find a buddy in a similar situation. Whatever it is, build environments to support your vision. Take the time to plan and design structures for success and you will see a difference! Here’s to you and your success! Have fun!

About The Author

Christy Geiger is a Business and Life Strategy Coach. Christy is the owener of Synergy Strategies, A Business and Life Coaching Company that works with IBO’s and small companies to impliment your 1000’s of great ideas through strategies that will maximize and give the biggest bang for your buck, time, energy and effort! www.synergystrategies.com, christy@synergystrategies.com

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It seems as though so many people are seeking more, wanting more, and expecting more in their lives, yet when pressed about what “more” would look like, rarely can they give a definitive answer.

They say things like, “I want to be happy,” or “I want to be rich,” or “I want the perfect mate.” To be honest, as wonderful as those statements are, they’re far too vague to ever be reached.

What does happiness look and feel like? What’s your definition of rich? How would you describe that perfect mate? Each of us has a different interpretation of what those things mean.

For example, I define happiness as having the freedom to do what I please, when I please to do it. Being rich means having tens of millions of dollars in the bank, and that perfect mate has movie actress charm and the heart of Mother Teresa.

To you, however, these descriptions could be way off course. For you, happiness could mean taking a long-needed vacation. Being rich could mean not having to struggle to make ends meet. Your perfect mate might be the one beside you all along.

The point is, we all need to define our goals, and most important, what they would look like if we saw them. Once we do that, the rest becomes easy. Once we know what we’re seeking, it’s simple to devise a plan to make it happen.

By saying, “I want to be happy, and that means taking that trip,” all you now have to do is get out your calendar, circle the date you want to go, get some brochures on the desired destination, and then plan a course of ACTION to make your dream come true. You might do it by asking your boss to take $50 a week out of your paycheck and save it toward the vacation. Or you might want to work an extra job to gain some additional cash.

You see, once you have your vision, you can create ways to make it happen because . . .

The easiest way to hit a goal is to give yourself one to hit.

Gregory Scott Reid, The Millionaire Mentor,Inc.
#1 best-seling author, speaker and radio personality.
Please visit my website at http://www.AlwaysGood.com and sign up for my free monthly newsletters.

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IF I WON THE LOTTERY, I

WOULDN’T NEED TO JOB SEARCH!

Let’s take a look at how many people
win lotteries in a year’s time. We all
know the numbers are small.

But what if you won a lottery with oodles
of money at your disposal. What would
you do?

A lot of people immediately say: “They
would quit their jobs”. Others say: “They
would travel”. Some say: “I’d pay off
my debts” A few say: “I’d help the world
reduce its problems of disease, poverty,
etc.” It’s possible for others to say: “I’d
help my relatives”.

Whatever the reasons for using lottery
money, these are the reasons you need to
use to job search, regardless of what financial

state you find yourself in.

Try it this way. As you make mental plans
about how to spend your imaginary lottery
winnings, look at your choices. They are
your life values. Don’t discount them!

Whether you have won the lottery or
not today, do some of the things that
you ascribe to the values you believe
in. If it’s in helping Uncle Joe, then
just do it!

This is a small tip to help you decide
where and how you want to use
money. Your values will always rule!

c, 2004-05

Marilyn J. Tellez, M.A.

Certified Job & Career Transition Coach

Email: doitnow@nwinfo.net

Web: http://www.doitnowcareers.info

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Note: This article was originally written at mid year so it is good reminder around June but the principles are applicable anytime.

In a sporting event, the players are given a break at the half in order to refresh themselves, look at how they played in the first half, and set strategy for the second half. So as you approach halftime, here are some thoughts. Do you have a vacation planned in the next two months that will give you the needed break and refreshment? If not, schedule one this week! How did you “play” in the first half of this year? Have you met your goals that you established at the beginning of the year? Here are a few ideas to evaluate where you are at with your goals as you approach the halfway mark.

Take some time to sit down alone and review your goals. How many are you on mark to make? How many have you not even begun on? How many have you achieved?

For those you haven’t even begun, my suggestion would be to reset your goal at 10 percent of the original goal. Obviously this goal hasn’t been a priority, for whatever reason, and most likely won’t suddenly become so. But you can make some ground. Set a small increase for the remaining six months and get ahead a little in these areas.

For the goals you are on pace to achieve, try to stretch about 10 percent. So, to give it a numerical value, if your original goal was 10 and you have already reached 5 after halfway, stretch yourself to try to achieve 11 by the end of the year. This will give you a good reason to kick into high gear as the year progresses.

For those goals you are on pace to break strongly through, try an increase of 50 percent.

And finally, for the goals you have already reached, try to set the new goal at 100 percent of the original goal.

In all of these remember that it is better to try hard, and even fail at a higher goal, than to take the easy route and attain nothing at all!

Best of luck as you re-evaluate your goals!

About The Author:

Chris Widener is a popular speaker and writer as well as the President of
Made for Success, a company helping individuals and organizations turn
their potential into performance, succeed in every area of their lives and
achieve their dreams.

To see Chris “live” at the upcoming Jim Rohn Weekend Event as he speaks on
the subject of Secrets of Influence go to
http://Chris-Widener.InspiresYOU.com/ or call 800-929-0434

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Another year has flown by and here you are at the beginning of another year. This is a time when many people assess their life and make “new year resolutions” or set goals for the New Year. Sometimes they are the exact same resolutions as last year!! Did you make some of these?

I will:

* Lose weight, get into shape, and exercise more
* Spend more time with my family
* Stress less & relax more
* Get more sleep
* Save money
* Change jobs
* Be happy

If any of these resolutions sound familiar this is because these are some of the most popular resolutions made each year according to “How To Keep Your New Years Resolution.com”

The Oxford Dictionary definition of resolution is to decide firmly or have great determination, but most people are lucky if their resolution is kept until the end of their holidays. It’s no wonder many people find themselves making the exact same resolutions the next year. So how can you be successful in sticking to a resolution or successfully achieve any goal?

FIRSTLY…work on one thing at a time. Goals or resolutions involve change and sometimes it’s easier to give up and sink back into our old life patterns than stick to change. So only do one thing at a time or you may be tempted to give up!

SECONDLY…PLAN..PLAN..PLAN..you’ve heard the saying “People who fail to plan, plan to fail.” Think about your goal. WRITE IT DOWN!!!! Put it where you will see it everyday. Set a start date. Develop a strategy. Write a list of points to help you reach your goal-break it down into manageable pieces and tackle it one piece at a time.

THIRDLY…Prepare for those obstacles that you know will come up. You know what I mean-if you have decided to lose 10kg you know someone will bring a chocolate cake to work on the first day of your diet. So think about what obstacles will come up and a plan to tackle each one. If you slip up-don’t let this make you totally give up. See it as one step back among all the steps you have taken and will take forward!!!!
Remember to reward yourself for every step forward you do take-this will keep you in action and motivated.

LASTLY……GET SUPPORT…this is a must. It’s much easier to stay in action if you feel supported and also accountable to someone. You could buddy up with a friend or relative (as long as you are definitely sure they will support you). Or for unbiased support chose a Personal Life Coach to keep you motivated and in action.

Lisa Branigan specialises in coaching women who are stressed, tired and overwhelmed with their busy lives. Lisa is the author of “Life Solutions” a free monthly e-zine providing tips, advice and information on self-care and wellbeing.

For further information:
Phone: +61 89757 3750 or 0439 828 594
Website: http://www.quantumcoaching.com.au
Email: lisa@quantumcoaching.com.au

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– The One Pager Shortcut Series –

Much has been written about achieving your goals. For the Solo Entrepreneur, pursuing goals can be an even bigger challenge than most. The very independence that appeals to Solo-E’s often leads to an extremely full plate. The weekly 168 hours is not enough to do everything on the list, to say nothing of pursuing goals. Stop for a minute and consider what could be different.

1. What Are My Goals? This sounds simple, but the answer can hinder your progress if not related to values and stated very specifically and written down.

VALUES Goals reflect your values and what’s important to you. For each goal, make a clear link to one of your values. Some common values are achievement, balance, commitment, honesty, self-respect, and risk-taking (there are many more). Therefore, you must know your core vales FIRST, and then see how your goals relate to them.

SPECIFIC The more specific you are about your goals the more likely they will be achieved. A goal of “more money” is not specific enough. How much money? Name an amount, for example “$10,000 each month”. A goal of “more clients” can be more specific. For example, “20 new clients within 3 months” is clearer.

WRITTEN Another simple guideline that is regularly ignored. The value of getting goals out of your head and onto paper cannot be underestimated. Don’t think about this one, just do it!

2. How Will I Get There? Consider these two important elements; a plan and an attitude.

For the plan, create a written document. It should be no longer than one page. The format that I recommend includes answers to the following: A. What is the goal? (relate to values) B. What are the alternatives? C. What are the action steps? D. What could get in the way? E. What will I do and by when? On a regular basis, plan to review it and update it when needed.

For the attitude, adopt an optimistic outlook and be open to surprises. Since even the most well-written plans have unexpected outcomes, stay flexible and open to opportunities while working your plan.

3. What If I Don’t Have Time? This is the most common complaint. A CALENDAR MAKEOVER is the way to create time. Look at your calendar for the past week. Identify something that was “Urgent but not Important”. Here is an opportunity to delegate to someone else, automate it with a system, negotiate for a different outcome, or just eliminate it. Now, think through last week and identify time wasters such as web or TV channel surfing, chatting on the telephone, or any activity that you did instead of your “to do” list. Most people can free up at least 2 hours/week or 8 hours/month with a rigorous calendar makeover. Imagine what could happen if this time were spent on your goals!

4. What Gets In The Way? Excuses for not taking action such as “being too old” or “too late to start”. Sam Walton built the first Wal-Mart at age 43. Many people use previous rejection as a big barrier because they fear failure. The bestseller “Chicken Soup For The Soul” was rejected by over 33 publishers. What gets in your way? Identify it upfront and decide what to do to address it.

TIMELY TIPS

– Write it Down

– Pick a Partner

– Get Very Specific

– Create a Visual Cue

– Practice Saying “NO”

– Practice Self-Care

– Be Willing to Try Again

– Celebrate Milestones

Copyright 2004, Charlotte Farrior

Charlotte Farrior of Coaching Connection (http://www.corporatecoaching101.com) and Founder/Team Member of Solo-E (http://www.Solo-E.com) is a corporate and professional coach. She works with professionals, entrepreneurs, directors, and executives to define and achieve the personal and business goals they set for themselves. She coaches in the areas of goal setting, skill development, priority management and career transitions.

Find more articles like this at http://www.Solo-E.com, the lifestyle-inspired online learning and connection community. Visit now to receive a free copy of our special report, The Four Secrets of Solo Entrepreneur Success, plus a complimentary 30-day membership.

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“I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul.” - William Henley (1849-1903)

Our lives are only as good as we decide to make them. We should make short and long range plans and then follow them through, reviewing them as we go. It is our design and determination that decide our destiny, and this is our responsibility. When things are not right we should blame nobody, for that only dodges the problems that are our own and that we must fix ourselves. Let’s examine our own actions and decide how things will be.

“Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be.” - Thomas Kempis (1380-1471)

We should make a special effort to be what we want to be, giving consideration to what others might wish of us. We must do our duties, complete our tasks, be kind and honest.

When there is the temptation for an immediate pleasure that may be harmful to us or to others, we must resist. Where there are injustices we must speak up.

“It is not alone what we do, but also what we do not do, for which we are accountable.” - Moliere (1622-1673)

We are individuals and should do what we believe in, taking responsibility for our actions. A good critical look at ourselves is very helpful in determining what needs changing. It may also see much good to be proud of.

Not in the clamor of the crowded street,
Not in the shouts and plaudits of the throng,
But in ourselves, are triumph and defeat.
- Henry Longfellow (1807-1882)

© Read Ken McIsaac’s 32 KEYS About Life at www.32keys.com or his rants on marketing and consumerism at www.axiom.ws/unethical/

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It’s exactly 12:37 on a sunny Friday afternoon. A woman steps inside her usual lunch time caf©. The restaurant hasn’t changed. It’s still jam-packed with a stampede of employees from surrounding office buildings from this busy section of town. The usual “Today’s Special” is listed in blue dry eraser ink on the same white dry eraser chalk board. The usual grill men are grilling, the cashiers are cashing and the same smell of pasta, hamburgers and bacon fill the air. Like I said it’s a regular day and nothing has changed in this caf©, nothing except one thing: the women who walked in this caf© has changed.

This familiar lady has a new attitude. Her radiant smile lights up the room. Her head is held high. What happened to her? I’ll tell you: Last night with tears of pain and relief she decided once and for all that she wanted more out of her life. She was sick and tired of being sick and tired.

She looked in the mirror and said: “I’m going to bet on ME!” Don’t worry; she doesn’t usually talk to herself out loud. This was a huge moment for her. I’d call her it her moment of “Clarity”.

The world didn’t stop spinning, HBO is still playing reruns of “Sex In The City” and “Girl Friends” is still on UPN. No one else on the planet knew about her decision, only her.

This woman now did something that was long overdue, she picked up the phone and called her man of exactly 15 months, 3 weeks and 4 days. 11 days earlier she asked him to make a decision about committing fully to their relationship. He asked for a week to think it over. It was now 4 days pass the 7-day thinking it over period. When he answered the phone she dumped him. Puzzled, he asked: “Why are you being so cold baby?” She smiled, looked at the phone and slowly responded: “This is my life and I’m claiming it; starting tonight”. Click.

Then the woman did something else she’d been meaning to do. She placed a second call; this one was to her big sister. Six months earlier the sisters had a terrible argument over money. The big sister had it, and as usual the little sister needed it, but this time big sis’ refused to send it. On several occasions big sis’ saved the day so of course the argument was silly. The lady also knew the cruel words she spoke to her sister were uncalled for and hurtful.

Tonight,she apologized from her heart. The sisters cried, laughed and made up. Big sis’ offered to still send the money, but Little sis’ refused; “Treat yourself to something nice for a change, you deserve it!”

The point of the story is; We all have the power to take back our lives. Our most important decisions are made during our moments of clarity.

Embrace your moments of clarity. Claim your life today!

The woman walked out of the caf© feeling brand new so “why not try a new spot?” Across the street sat a new Thai restaurant that she’d heard was fabulous. Today she was going to try it. She strutted into the restaurant. A smiling waitress kindly led her to a charming table seated near the window. “Are you ready to place your order?”, Our friend smiled and responded: “I’m feeling spontaneous today, do me a favor sweetie, surprise me!”

Timothy Crawford is a motivational inspirational public speaker, writer and trainer. Timothy’s an expert in customer service and communications, as well as public speaking. Be inspired. Contact him for more details on how his motivational messages for individuals, groups, associations and organizations can benefit you.

Timothy Crawford is a professional motivational - Inspirational Speaker. Timothy’s inspiring messages, natural charisma and engaging personality leave his audiences with a sense of urgency to make positive changes in their lives. An informative, writer and empowering speaker with a sincere interest in people equips Timothy to impact his audiences with an optimismtic “Will Do” theme. Timothy’s motto is simply “Claim Your Life”. For more information about this exciting writer and speaker visit his website. Be Inspired.

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When I was a teenager “good kids” had to sneak around to drink and most of them thought drugs were something that only the bad guys in the movies did.

But the media exposes today’s teenagers to substance abuse everywhere they turn. In films drinking and drug abuse are often glamorized by attractive movies stars. When young people see their role models playing addicts but remaining healthy, popular the beautiful, they can lose sight of the dangers of substance abuse.

Many young people have money at their disposal, making it easy to get liquor or drugs. As a result teen addiction and substance abuse has actually become a rite of passage for some wealthy teens.

The media isn’t solely responsible, but if parents can help their teens see the real-world consequences of substance abuse, there’s a fair chance that the good kids will stay that way.

When I was a teenager “good kids” had to sneak around to drink and most of them thought drugs were something that only the bad guys in the movies did.

But the media exposes today’s teenagers to substance abuse everywhere they turn. In films drinking and drug abuse are often glamorized by attractive movies stars. When young people see their role models playing addicts but remaining healthy, popular the beautiful, they can lose sight of the dangers of substance abuse.

Many young people have money at their disposal, making it easy to get liquor or drugs. As a result teen addiction and substance abuse has actually become a rite of passage for some wealthy teens.

The media isn’t solely responsible, but if parents can help their teens see the real-world consequences of substance abuse, there’s a fair chance that the good kids will stay that way.

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