Last Day of 2008

[Stacey]

It is a time to reflect on what we have accomplished in the past year. Was it what you had planned at the start of 2008? Did you reach the goals you set for yourself last January 1st. If so, Congratulations! What caused you to be successful? Ready to make new resolutions to overcome this year?

If you did not reach your goals, why not? What sidetracked you? Was it one of the big four of Fear, Focus, Life, or Lack of a Plan? What do you need to do differently in 2009 to make this the Best Year Ever for you? What changes would you like to see for yourself this year?

Like many things, deciding what you want and putting it into action can be uncomfortable. Think of this as a present that you are giving yourself. What would you like to give yourself this year? What do you deserve? Do you want something better or do you want more of the same? All it takes is a little planning, action, and sustaining it until it becomes your habit.

If you want change, but need help with support or working toward your goals, then you have several options. Find a friend who will support your endeavors. Someone who will be honest with you when you are not doing what it takes to get you where you want to go. Someone you value and will listen to.

If you feel like you would respect the voice of someone who knows, understands, and helps others reach their goals, then hire a coach to help you attain yours. People use coaches to become the best in sports, careers, and just about every aspect of their lives. Why not you?

Most people need support to change their lives. Think of the last time you added something new to your schedule. You probably needed some form of support to remember it. Whether you used a calendar, notepad, or other form of reminder, you used it until you were confident that you would do what you needed to do on automatic pilot. We all start out something new consciously incompetent move to consciously competent, to unconsciously competent. It is only when we are unconsciously competent that we are on automatic pilot again.

However you decide to go after your goals, I wish you much success in 2009. May the rewards of your endeavors be ten fold what you expect.

From Stacey Chadwell~Goals to Create Success

[Jeffrey Dietsche]

Stacey,

Happy New Year to you as well! I'm sorry if I did not clarify my point well enough. What I meant to say was that MANY people trying to start an online business want the business to instantly make them riches. MANY online programs lead people to believe that this is possible and extremely easy. ( i.e. Ad Surf Daily ). In a sense, both sides are demonstrating "greediness". However, you are correct in stating that many people are not concerned about the money and they need work in other areas. This is extremely true about all of us. There are many good, honest people in the world. I believe that this particular site attracts many good-hearted and intelligent people. It is too bad that some businesses believe that there are no "morals" associated with business. I can think of 3 more companies in addition to the one you are referring to! :)

Also, I am very impressed with your credentials as a business and life coach, just as Larry is a very well accredited business consultant. There are a lot of smooth talking "pretenders" out there positioning themselves as "Leaders". People need to be very weary of whom they can trust these days. Great job Stacey and keep up your great work!

[Stacey]

Greetings Jeffrey~

Happy New Year to you. I would have to respectfully disagree with you on the point "that people let their 'greed' lead their goals". Quite a few of the people I have been fortunate to work with didn't have money/greed as a concern. They were more interested in other areas of their lives. There are all kinds of people. On the internet, in different circles you will experience different results.

Having said that, there are people who are taken in by those who take advantage of the goodness of their hearts. Unfortunately, it happens online, on the street, and anywhere there are people. One company comes to mind that has been selling people a garage full of products since I was a little girl, which is a long time before the WWW. So, I am glad you mentioned it and pointed out what people need to hear.

Thank you for taking the time to respond Jeffrey. I do appreciate your viewpoint.

[Jeffrey Dietsche]

Stacey,

I believe that people let their "greed" lead their goals. In other words, they put up very unrealistic expectations and have no plan of action that will support it. MLM and Internet marketing Gurus feed off of these people's mindset and even take advantage in certain situations. I have been on calls where the so-called "Leader" asks someone, " How much do you plan on making in the next 90 days? ". The person most likely responds with something like, " $10,000 ". Then the Leader will say something like, " An easily attainable goal and I'm going to show you how to get there ". In the mean time, the company is getting you to set yourself up with a garage full of product, because you can't retail unless you have product on-hand right? They are also training you to think like a business man so you have to set up merchant accounts, websites, auto-responders, oh and don't forget all the "Motivational Training CDs and DVDs". On top of that, you are supposed to replace products you are currently using with "YOUR" products because what business owner wouldn't use THEIR OWN products right? All of this and the person either realizes they are going too far into debt and quits, or goes into endless credit card debt chasing a dream that they were probably never set up to accomplish.

I recommend that if you want to start a business in the New Year, like you said, start with one or two affordable and attainable goals. Most people are not set up financially to incur all of the expenses that go with running a business. Spend only as much money as you can AFFORD to lose. Do not put yourself into credit card debt, no matter how much someone is pushing you to " Use credit now, worry about it later ". Although making $10-30,000 in the next 90 days is possible, for 97% of everyone on the planet it is highly IMPROBABLE. People that make that kind of unheard of money have set themselves up to do so. Set yourself goals like " In the next 30 days I plan to break even, and the next 30 I will profit $500. The next 30 I will profit $1,000. " Follow through with a "game plan", stick to it, and this is a very attainable goal.

Also, everyone on the internet has branded themself as an "Expert" or a "Coach", even if they really are not one. Choose wisely and investigate someone's character and their level of knowledge before paying them $300 an hour, or whatever they charge, or you might find yourself in further debt with no more results.

[Stacey]

Happy New Year Julieann!

You had quite a deep, soul searching year in 2008. Good for you for reaching into yourself and finding what you want, believe, and need in your life! Yours was a journey of self discovery. No doubt it was full of challenges. Yours definitely was not an easy one.

Congratulations on deciding what you think and believe is most important for you. Not everyone learns that lesson. You have been set free of others norms and needs. In moderation this is a wonderful thing.

What an accomplishment you have for last year! I'd love to hear what you plan to focus on this year!

[Stacey]

I completely agree with you, Larry. Understanding and appreciating ones limitations requires some good analysis when setting goals. Too often people try to change too much. It works best to attempt only one or two reasonable goals to start with, then build upon one's success.

When I looked at the goals you set for 2008, they looked quite ambitious for most people. However, for you, they looked like the perfect fit. Personality, desire, and purpose are important when trying to decide what one wants to accomplish.

As always, I appreciate your comments. Thank you for contributing!

[Larry Brauner]

Thanks for this post Stacey. May I add that people need to work on their expectations. When they set their goals, their goals may be ambitious, but their internal expectation is much lower. In other words, their goals aren't consistent with their beliefs about what's real for them. Consequently, their subconscious minds will sabotage their efforts before too long. People need to upgrade their beliefs and expand their comfort zones as well.