There are three kinds of people:

1.   Those that make things happen.

2.   Those that watch what happens and,

3.   Those that wonder, what happened?

If you want to be a part of something big that is happening you have to take action.  This article defines step by step instructions to help you formulate your goals and develop a plan which will help you achieve them.  Excerpts below taken from www.virtualassit.net

1.    Write them down. How many dreams lie dormant or dead because we don’t write them down? How many people in later life regret that they didn’t follow their youthful dreams? You don’t have to turn all your dreams into firm goals, but write them down anyway. What you might think is impossible now, may well become possible at a later time. It can be very effective to keep a goal journal in which you not only keep your list of goals but all your planning, lessons learned and anything else pertaining to them.

2.    Make a firm decision to pursue or forget goals on your list. All goals have their possibilities and their obstacles. One of the criteria for successful goal achievement is that your goals should be realistic. It can be helpful to write a list of pros and cons regarding each goal so that you can determine which ones are worth pursuing and those that are not. If a goal has too many cons you may choose to forget it completely or transfer it to another list to be reconsidered some time in the future.

3.    How do you feel about the goals on your list? Once you have narrowed down your list, you need to be honest about how you really feel about each of the goals. It can be helpful to actually write these feelings down on paper so you can think about them carefully. Sometimes, the time is not right for some goals because of your life circumstances. For example, if you have small children to care for you may feel overwhelmed at the idea of starting a law degree. Perhaps this goal can be moved to a future list. Alternatively, you decide to set a lesser goal to work as a paralegal in the meantime.

4.    Create a realistic plan to achieve your goals. Do this for every goal on your list whether or not you intend to start working towards it immediately. If you take the time to create a step by step plan to achieve a goal, when you are ready to begin working towards it you will already have a plan to follow. This works well for both short and long term goals. Sometimes the initial steps towards one goal are the same as for another. When this happens it is easy to work towards two goals at the same time.

Tip: If you are new to goal setting, it is a good idea to focus on one or two goals initially and leave the others on your list for later.

5.    Chunk it down. A large goal can be so daunting we don’t even want to begin. Our plan should be chunked down into ‘bite size’ pieces so we can handle them. Not everything has to be done at once. Taking smaller steps and creating milestones for the achievement of your goal, breaks it down into smaller goals which are more easily achieved. As each step is taken and each milestone reached, you will be moving closer and closer to the achievement of your goal.

6.    Get Started. The most important part is over. You have established a plan that makes achieving your dream easy. Now you just have to take one step at a time and keep moving forward.

It’s easy to take action to achieve a goal if you work through these action steps. By deciding on the best goals to pursue, creating a workable and realistic action plan, and then following through on it, you will be able to move confidently towards your dreams. You now have a direction and the roadmap to get there. Simply cross the steps off your list as you achieve them and you’ll accomplish your goal before you know it.  (Full article can be viewed on www.virtualassit.net)

paul@corp-success.com

www.corp-success.com

REMEMBER: Cell Phone Numbers Go Public this month.

REMINDER…..  all cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sales calls.

…. YOU WILL BE CHARGED THE MINUTES FOR THESE CALLS

To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone:  1 888-382-1222.
It is the National DO NOT CALL list.  It blocks your number for five (5) years.

You must call from the cell phone number you want to have blocked. You cannot call from a different phone number.

It takes about 20 seconds.

paul@corp-success.com

http://www.corp-success.com

Now that we are into the new year.  It is time to check on the progress of our resolutions.  Here are some excerpts I have found that can help you stay on track.

Bad habits are easy to make, but extremely hard to end.  Good habits, on the other hand, tend to take more time to make.  Scientists agree that the average person needs at least 3 weeks to form a good habit.

Go for consistency rather than performance.   For example, if your goal is to do daily pushups, it’s better to start by doing one push up EVERY DAY for a month than by doing 20 pushups for two days and then giving up. After you have done one pushup consistently for a number of days, you have formed the habit. Now increase the number of pushups gradually from there, all the while striving to do some number of pushups EVERY day.

It can be tough to muster up the motivation you need to change your lifestyle.   Pick up a good habit like exercising or drop an unhealthy one like quitting smoking.   Using each Monday to recommit if you fall off track;  that way, you have 52 chances to get motivated to make a change in your life. Healthy Monday is a non-profit national public health campaign that encourages people to use Monday as the day for all things healthy.

Set your own goals, and reward yourself.   Write the goals down, and post them all around. In your kitchen, bedroom, office, even the bathroom if necessary.   Once you’ve met those goals, treat yourself to a movie or a pizza. As long as the treat isn’t anything you’re trying to quit.

To form a habit all you need to do is repeat the activity. With enough repetitions it becomes a habit. A habit can be formed in as little as 10 days, depending on the amount of repetition. The more you do it after the habit is formed, the more reinforcement you give to that habit and the stronger it becomes.

You can make the process easier if the habit activity has some good rewards associated to it.   A good work out is often rewarded with endorphins; a good study session gets you a better grade. But the reward does not make it a habit.   That comes with repetition and the neurological pathway.

Perform the habit activity over a 2 to 4 weeks.  Two weeks should establish the habit and an additional two weeks will provide good reinforcement strength.   Ensure you repeat the habit activity at least 3 times a week, daily is better. Make sure there are no disruptions from the schedule.   After the habit is formed, you can skip a session, take a break for vacation, or even stop the activity for years and it will still easily come back to you upon request.

The definition of ignorance is doing the same thing repeatedly and anticipating a different result.  Remember it takes at least 3 weeks to form a good habit.

paul@corp-success.com

www.corp-success.com

Vision is defined as an .. Unusual competence in discernment or perception; intelligent foresight.  In the Book of Proverbs it is said, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” This is as true in business as it is in life. Organizations whose leaders have no vision are doomed to work under the burden of mere tradition.

A sense of vision grows out of a set of values, experiences, individual reflections, and organizational wisdom and direction. If we see how our work supports and contributes to the larger vision, our work will seem more meaningful and can be more directed. For leaders, a vision is not a dream; it is a reality that has yet to come into existence. Vision is palpable to leaders; their confidence in and dedication to vision are so strong they can devote long hours over many years to bring it into being. In this way, a vision acts as a force within, compelling a leader to action.

Leaders have vision. They share a dream and direction that other people want to share and follow. The leadership vision goes beyond your written organizational mission statement and your vision statement. The vision of leadership permeates the workplace and is manifested in the actions, beliefs, values and goals of your organization’s leaders.  Vision requires passion;  compelled by, or ruled by intense emotion or strong feeling.

Deepak Chopra says,  “To have passion, to have a dream, to have a purpose in life. And there are three components to that purpose, one is to find out who you really are, to discover God, the second is to serve other human beings, because we are here to do that and the third is to express your unique talents and when you are expressing your unique talents you lose track of time.”

Vision is a topic which can often be overlooked, when setting goals. Creating a vision is one of the best steps any goal setter can take.  It gives a leader purpose, and the power of the vision and the leader’s devotion to it work to inspire others– who, sensing purpose and commitment, respond.  The abstract, becomes concrete details, as we can see a vision of life. Exactly how we want it to be. This can only happen with a vision, and the vision is what will drive your life and actions.

When you create a vision, you automatically feel passionate about it. Over time, you will find that more and more parts become reality, and the only way to make that work is through visualization and then a system of goal setting to get your plan of action ready.

As you set forth in life….  What are you passionate about ??

paul@corp-success.com

www.corp-success.com

When life is busy, or all your energy is focused on a special project, it’s all too easy to find yourself “off balance”, not paying enough attention to important areas of your life. While you need to have drive and focus if you’re going to get things done, taking this too far can lead to frustration and intense stress.

Goal setting is a powerful process for thinking about your ideal future, and for motivating yourself to turn this vision of the future into reality.  The process of setting goals helps you choose where you want to go in life. By knowing precisely what you want to achieve, you know where you have to concentrate your efforts. You’ll also quickly spot the distractions that would otherwise lure you from your course.

Many entrepreneurs start their own businesses because they want to be their own bosses. But many sole proprietors aren’t just their own bosses; they’re also their own sales staff, secretaries, accountants, publicists, customer service departments, financial planners… you name it.  Running your own small business means wearing many different hats – sometimes all during a single day! But all the myriad tasks associated with running a business don’t have equal value, especially if we look at them in terms of our personal Return On Investment.

A New Year. The air is full of hopes, dreams, and new possibilities. It is the time of year when we start thinking about our goals for 2010.  Remember your goals are the first steps to knowing and acknowledging what you really want from life. They are a reflection of who you are and what you can achieve.  Your goals should be treated seriously and paid attention to. Here’s to achieving work life balance in 2010 and reaching all of your goals!

“Do some sort of check of yourself in which you re-evaluate what exactly it is that you are working for. If it is fun and relaxation that you are after, maybe you are actually passing it by without even realizing it.  “The fun you seek is right there in front of your face, and it would be best if you take advantage of it now instead of waiting until some magic hour at which point you feel you have earned it.  Remember to live in the Moment.”  “Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, I would  rather to skid in broadside thoroughly used up, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming…. Wow what a ride!”

Paul Bonnallie is noted for being one of “The World’s Foremost Authorities on Membership Websites” and has helped propel companies to the Inc 500’s list of fasted growing private companies. He is highly acclaimed as a brilliant innovator and marketer.

Paul has given presentations and speeches to corporations at all levels from CEO/Chairman on down to colleges, universities and high schools all the across the United States during the last 20 years.  His years of business experience and international travel make his insights are invaluable.  Paul Bonnallie is a trainer and speaker who offers street smarts, real world business experience with a straight talking approach to solving problems.

The greatest mental achievement is succeeding under your own power; knowing that it wasn’t handed to you. Paul Bonnallie is a self confident and extravagant businessman that has made himself instantly recognizable wherever he goes.

Paul Bonnallie says,  “I have made the tough decisions, always with an eye toward the bottom line”.  Paul has shifted many companies focus away from the traditional trends and onto the new and creative energies that were immerging within the internet.  He harnesses the creativity of the internet and brings his clients to the marketplace.

Paul’s experience with business gave him the strength and knowledge he needs to build clients marketing campaigns to leverage the power of the internet.  Through a corporate coaching program, He empowers executives to achieve success that’s balanced and helps employers create a more supportive work environment for their valued employees.  Paul is currently serving as the COO/CEO of Success Architects, A Strategic Management Think Tank. (http://www.corp-success.com)

Paul Bonnallie is a coach who guides professionals, entrepreneurs and small business owners to enjoy professional success and a fulfilling personal life.  Clients report that they are better able to effect change and accomplish goals.

Bonnallie says  “I’m excited about life – every day. I’m excited about what we can do in our relationships, our careers, our businesses, and how much fun we can have! And….I’m grateful to be living a truly amazing life.”

As a noted executive coach, leadership consultant, Paul Bonnallie engages smart, capable, people in meaningful conversations about their personal growth and professional development.  Paul’s customized, coaching, mentoring, and consulting are particularly well-suited for executives and mid-level managers interested in increasing their organizational impact and influence. Those looking to improve their confidence, creativity, charisma and work/life balance, benefit from Paul Bonnallie services.

http://corp-success.com

paul@corp-success.com

“Mr. Paul Bonnallie is known to be a modern day “Rain Maker” propelling business onto the internet and launching aggressive marketing campaigns and leveraging ecommerce platforms. His unique ability to understand and use both new and traditional technologies while maintaining the motto “Ride the Wave, not the Bleeding Edge” brings an invaluable asset to any organization and its goal to use the best technology to provide the best quality product at the best price. He is consistently involved in shaping strategic direction; and operates with a straightforward, result oriented management style, which is backed with a philosophy of “influence with integrity”. These strong facets are further complemented by his uncompromising standard of excellence.“