Putting It All Online

Making 2009 the Year You Reach Your Goals - Part 4

The last day.  Are you excited?  

If you take the time to write out these steps and do the thinking required, you will be find that you are much more effective and efficient.

This last step may seem tedious, but will be the icing on the cake.  

If you will do this once, it will change the way you take action forever.  You will be able to analyze an activity, determine if it will get closer to you where you want to be, and clearly see whether it is worth doing.

And, if you write it out now, it will become second nature to you later.

A Review:

Step 1 - You listed in current terms what will happen in your business in the next 3 years, in the next year and over the next three months (with dates attached).

Step 2 - You inventoried your positive traits that will help you reach your goals and the negative traits that might hinder you.  And for these, you gave yourself dates by which you want to be rid of them.

Step 3 - You inventoried your time, finding the "negotiable" time you have to work toward your goals.  And hopefully, you determined you have a reasonable amount of time to work on these goals.

Now, we are going to put all of these things together in this last Step.

First, take the sheet titled 'Steps Inventory' and determine the top 10 steps you need to take in your business that will move you toward your Immediate Goals and your 1 Year Goals.  (These can include removing the negative traits you listed.)

Write these down in current terms, such as "I have 15 new clients in my offline business." beginning with those that are directed at your Immediate Goals first and ending with those directed toward your 1 Year Goals.

Now, you will need 10 copies of the last page 'Steps Analysis' because for each of the 10 steps you listed, you will want to analyze how you will fulfill the step.  This includes determining the requirements for each as well as the skills you need (or need to hire) to complete this step.

This last step will keep you from feeling overwhelmed.  When you have 10 steps that you want to take and you know what is required to get you there and help you complete them, you have the tools necessary to analyze your activities.

When a new opportunity or activity comes up, you can consult your compass.  Will this move me closer to completing these 10 steps or not?  If not, I can say "NO".  If yes, go for it.

Changing or adopting a new habit is never easy, but then nothing worthwhile ever is!  

This was a life-altering part of becoming more productive for me - learning to evaluate my actions based on what I was determined to accomplish.  With these tools, I have a roadmap to follow with clear directions toward my goals.

Here's to an Inspired 2009!  Let me know if I can be your accountability partner - I would love to encourage you in reaching your goals!

Making 2009 the Year You Reach Your Goals - Part 3

Step 3 is to inventory your time.  If you have not done Steps 1 & 2, it might be helpful to you to go back to the first 2 parts of this series.

In the Goal Inventory Sheets, there is a Time Inventory.  This is the sheet we will be talking about today.

You probably already have a calendar or system you use.  This one is not intended to replace yours, but if you need one, it is very handy!

This step should be much less painful than the last one - unless you are over-scheduled which most of us are - then it may make you tired just to look at.

Since you must know when you can work on the goals you have, you need to know what time is available. You are going to lay out a typical calendar week to find the "negotiable" time in your week.

I use different colored pens and highlighters for each activity.  And, I use a different color for each activity - work, family event, my son's activities, church responsibilities, volunteering, etc.  I draw a square around the time that is blocked off for that activity.  I even schedule hubby time, personal time and family time. The hours that are not blocked off then are the time that I can work on these goals.  (Some of these will be worked on during my working hours, of course, but if you work a separate job, you may not be able to do that).

Now, I can see what time I have to work within.  If I see I only have 3 hours of "negotiable" time per week and one of my 'Immediate Goals' is to create a 6-figure income within the next 6 months, I am going to have to adjust something or be extremely efficient during those 3 hours. 

HINT: You really must have at least 10 hours of "negotiable" time to put toward a home-based business, at least in the beginning, to create a stable, successful and solid one.  Once in place, and, if done correctly, it is possible to maintain it with less time.

Now, your turn.  Lay out a typical week with your non-negotiable activities blocked off.  Remember that your family (especially your spouse) is also non-negotiable.  You are making a life, not just a living!

Now, inventory the time you have available and make it as efficient as possible!

Learn to Dominate With PPC Advertising (even if you are a beginner!)

Does writing Google Pay Per Click Ads scare you half to death?

It did me. 

Probably a result of reading too many ‘what not to do’ rules and how easy it was to spend a small fortune without seeing results.  Or, maybe it was because I just didn’t know what to write that would get my ad clicked on!

So, I put it off and thought it was a skill I would learn “someday”.

My someday came when I saw the course by Jim Yaghi (Magnetic Sponsoring’s Mike Dillard’s PPC go-to guy) offered as a BETA product to a few that would test it!

It is fabulous!  Jim is amazing at breaking down this information into manageable bites and step by step sequences that make sense.  He makes it easy enough for a beginner, but offers tips and strategies that will allow the experienced ad-writer to significantly improve their results.

I used the mind-map and 12 videos to launch my first PPC campaign in an afternoon.  I had so much fun watching the results come in - I was able to produce leads in this first campaign literally in a couple of hours.  And they were from people who were raising their hands to say they were interested in what I was offering!

But, and I am a bit embarassed to say this, I paused the campaign with plans to come back and add another test to it and add another website.  Then due to time-consuming work on another product that I needed to get out, I haven’t gotten back to it.  But I am so confident in my newly learned PPC Domination skills that I can’t wait to apply them to this new product.

So, why, if I am not offering specific, measureable results, would I even be talking about it?  Because other people have them! And I know this works.

AND because, on Monday, January 19, PPC Domination is being offered to the public.  

I don't want you to miss it!

If you have ever wished you knew how to use Google AdWords or other Pay Per Click advertisement or you want to learn how to Dominate Your Market – you need to watch this video this weekend, pick up a copy on Monday and get up and running by Tuesday.

Here is but a sprinkling of the incredible value you will find in these 12 jam-packed videos:

• A walk- through, newbie-proof, guide to setting up quickly with the short-cuts to learning quickly
• The easiest way to make money with Google AdWords from the beginning
• How beginners are often at a huge advantage over experienced ad-writers
• How to excite your customers or prospects about your site….before they click
• A secret, but very easy function on your keyboard that will make your Google ads draw twice as many clicks
• How to write strong ads quickly even when you can’t think of what to write
• Find the perfect keywords, phrases or ideas that instantly grab attention and test them without spending a fortune
• What you must NEVER do in Google AdWords
• Jim’s top Secret bidding strategy – that keeps your costs down
• How to make your advertising FREE or even allow you to make money! 

There is so much more, these are just the things that stood out to me, and made it easy for my small success!

But to really hear how powerful it is, you need to hear this FREE video that Mike Dillard put together showing what this husband and wife team of “newbies”  (to this type of advertising) who had no idea how to use PPC advertising used Jim’s course to do.  They were able in four months, to produce over 90 FREE leads a day.  They are sponsoring people every day, making money 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You need to check this free training video out.  Make this your “someday”.

Inspiring Stuff!

I'm a Certifiable Twit - and You Should Be Too!

Dang this Twitter thing is addictive!

I am writing a very quick post to tell you that if you don't - you should be.  Tweeting that is.

Six months ago I kept hearing about Twitter from Carrie Wilkerson - the Barefoot Executive and I looked at it, but could not understand what she was talking about.  It seemed to be like standing at the top of the stairs at a big party (realllllly big party) and just overhearing snippets of conversation.

Then, because I am a big proponent of actually listening to the people I actually respect and actually doing what they are doing, I joined.  And at first, I just watched.  (That by the way is how I have approached a lot of life - watching).

But then, I decided that I have spent too much time watching and not enough participating.  So I began to join in.

I was shocked that I got responses from some of the very people I highly respect and had been "watching" and reading about from a distance.  They were now at fingertip distance and were willing to communicate with me.  This was eye-opening and changed my view forever of the role social media can play and WILL play in business in the future.

Warren Whitlock (http://TwitterHandbook.com Author, Publisher, Blogger and Social Media Guy) describes the 3 stages of Twitter Acceptance in this blog post.  So very true!  If you are in stages 1 or 2, you probably don't yet see the big picture, but hang on.

Because though I cannot even do the topic of Twitter justice, Michael Stelzner's blog post does a fantastic job of explaining How to Use Twitter to Grow Your Business - an absolute must read!

Are you Inspired to try?  Follow me on Twitter - HBlackwell

NO Complaining

I love it.  This is my first read of 2009 (well new book anyway, I am in the middle of others!).

I love the premise and can't wait to review it.  Check it out and read it with me - I would love to talk with you about it.

Making 2009 The Year You Reach Your Goals - Part 2

Did you print out the Goal Inventory Worksheets?  Yesterday, we started with aspirations and today is our inspiration.

The next two steps are probably the hardest part.

You will have to dig deep and consider your strengths and weaknesses.  When I sat down to do this the first time, every ounce of my body tried to find something else to do!  I could have cleaned the clutter out of several houses to avoid thinking about this.  Somehow I don't like to self-evaluate.

But, because I made the goal a fun one (see the article "3 Ways to Kick Procrastination Now"), I did it.  Now, it is kind of a fun task each year to see what new skills I have aquired and decide what I need to get rid of.  I tell you in the article about how to make it positive.

This year I have become the co-director of a non-profit organization (www.stepUPballroom.com) and have gained some unintended but very useful skills through that job.  I have learned through several courses more about general marketing, internet marketing, social media and have been working on my skills there.  So those go on the list.

What new activities have you been involved in this year?  What have you read, researched or learned?  Write those down.

I also have a few things I want to lay down, get rid of or change - I have resumed chewing  my lip when I work (ouch) and I need to stop that one!  I also want to have better control over my finances, specifically track advertising results and declutter my house one drawer at a time.  So those go on the list (with dates).

What about you?  What do you see that is in your way?  Or what habit is something you would be better of without?  Write them down.

Dig deep.  Take some time and meditate on this Self-Inventory.  It really does help.

Making 2009 The Year You Reach Your Goals - Part 1

This is the time that everyone is evaluating what they did in 2008 and looking forward to 2009.  It is a valuable skill to learn how to map out what you want to accomplish.

I told you I am so very excited about this year and I am going to be learning right along with you and sharing what I learn.

I can't wait!

The Goal Inventory Worksheets are perfect for getting us off on the right start.  I have used these sheets for the past few years to take an inventory of my current skills, likes, dislikes and habits to determine which might need to go and which need to be enhanced.

Click on the link to the right and print these out and we will walk through them together.

The first page is one I make several copies of and I brainstorm what I would like to see happen long-term,  mid-term and short-term.  I then put the top 3 things down on the lists.  I make several copies, because I make goals for several categories.  

I have heard lots of arguments for not writing down goals, but the truth is that successful people write theirs down and unsuccessful people debate whether there is any value to writing them down and I am going to do what the most successful do!

Listing what you want to accomplish within certain timeframes gives you a compass.  You can then evaluate your actions based on that compass. 

For example, I will have 35 new customers in my offline business within the next 3 months.  I will have my online business completely automated by the end of Febuary and I will have a new website and forum established by the end of the summer.  Now I know what I want to accomplish and by when, so I am ready for the next step.

Please share what you are doing with me.  I would love to be your accountability partner in implementing new skills to rocket your business forward.

Here's to Inspiring Goal-writing!

What's Working for 2009

I hope everyone had a fabulous Holiday Season.  I had such a better one than last year that I let it last until today!

Whoops!

I set up my blog with a few prewritten entries and did not set it correctly.  And then, I never looked at it again until this morning.  Ah, well, they can be deleted and it is a Lesson Learned!

I am so excited about 2009.  I love what I do and saw such an explosion in my business in 2008 - despite the horrible beginning - that I cannot wait to see what this year holds.

What are your goals or resolutions?

I generally do not like the word resolution, because I know that my resolve to do it will fade once my normal schedule kicks in.  So, I resolved to view them more as goals than "things I must do to change my entire life around" or something like that!

Instead of a resolution to clean out all the clutter in my house, I am making a goal of cleaning out two problem spots in January.  And every time I have a little down time (while kidlet is working on homework, I am on hold on the phone, or waiting for dinner to cook...etc).  Then we will assess results - I am hoping to be so excited about having a clean drawer, that I will clean 3 places in Febuary.  I know me, if I make huge resolutions, once I break them - they are out the door.

But, I can clean one measly drawer!

Can you relate?

This might be a good time to check out my article about kicking Procrastination for Good.  I may have clutter, but I really have been able to wrestle the procrastination monster and kick it out the door for good.  And I know with my techniques, I can get those drawers and closets cleaned.

See what you can do with them.  Sign up for my Inspired Ideas Newsletter and you will get a Free Copy of the report "3 Ways to Stop Procrastination Now" plus a bonus book that has played a huge part in the success of many entrepreneurs.

Then, e-mail me and tell me that you are working on stopping your procrastination and I will be your accountability partner!  You can cheer me on while I clean those drawers.

No, do it now, you won't come back to it!

Here's to an Inspired 2009.

Merry Christmas

No, this is not Thanksgiving, but I was reflecting yesterday how thankful I am for this last year.  And as I sat with my husband drinking coffee and watching my son play with his new toys - three, because that is the number the wise men brought to Baby Jesus - this morning, I began to name them:

My ever so patient, ever so wise husband

My beautiful, precious and oh so precocious son

My family and friends which defy description they are so wonderful

My no-mortgage house

With an unbelievable view of hills and live oaks

My relationship with God and the knowledge that now I really know the meaning of Phil 4:13

My job with BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) - what a privilege to be able to teach the bible and see lives transformed!

My business I can run from home which allows me to set my own schedule

The leaps and bounds that I have made in learning how to do business online

My restored health

God is good.  He sent His son to bring peace and goodwill toward men.  No, we don't have peace between men, but that is not what He said.  He said toward men.  The opposite of peace is war and we no longer have war with God if we choose to accept the gift He sent so long ago.

I hope that is one you have unwrapped and accepted!

No sweeter words have been uttered than were voiced in this 1964 video about the True Meaning of Christmas.

Merry, Merry Christmas 2008!

What a Year!

My kidlet has spent yet another night with his grandparents and I got up to peace and quiet this morning.

Actually, as nice as that is, I am going to be glad to have him back tonight.  Not that I mind, it is a fabulous thing to have a great relationship with your in-laws and live close enough for him to go over there often. And with this, I am highly blessed.

I was also blessed to have some quiet time this morning, just me, my coffee and my Bible (and my yellow labrador with her head in my lap - she was in heaven too).

And as I read Psalm 18, I got to thinking about my past year - 2008.  It has been one of the best years because it was one of the worst - hmmm, sound a bit like C. Dickens "It was the worst of times, It was the best of times....."  May sound completely ridiculous, but I think it is all a matter of perspective.

Starting in Nov 2007, I went on the worst downhill slide I have ever been on and hit rock bottom in April of 2008.  I may talk more about the actual journey sometime, because it is amazing what I learned going through the medical system that changed my perspective forever when dealing with any health issue.  And if I can help someone with that information, it would be an honor and privilege.

But that is a dissertation and not what I wanted to dwell on this morning.  Now, having come to the other side of this issue - I wanted to dwell on my thankfulness!  

God was with me through that dessert and the transformation that has taken place in my attitude, my ability to deal with difficulty and learn from it and my desire to live a life that matters is the gift He gave me for taking His hand and focusing on Him instead of the heartache and pain.

It is all a matter of perspective.  I could have focused on the complete lack of "fairness", the inability to change what was happening or the fact that my body felt like it was being ripped apart from pain (can you tell excrutiating pain was involved)  OR  I could focus on the One who mattered.

God "heard me from His sanctuary; my cry reached His ears" (Ps 18:6).  This time last year I was at a point at which I could only be on my knees and the only words I had were "I know You are faithful".  And as the Psalm says "THEN, the earth quaked and trembled; the foundations of the mountains shook; they quaked because of His anger.......... He reached down from heaven and rescued me; He drew me out of deep waters.  He delivered me from powerful enemies, from those who hated me and were too strong for me..." (Ps 18:7-17).

God heard my cry and began His plan to rescue me.  I have heard it said that if only we could see the unseen war that goes on when we pray, we would pray more often.  The plan was laid out and was tough, but I had to walk it.  I just didn't have to walk alone.

And this reminded me that over 2000 years ago, God heard another cry from His sanctuary - the cry of humanity to rescue it from destruction.  And thus His Plan of Salvation was born and the most perfect plan ever put into place was begun.

Tomorrow, we celebrate Christmas.  And most of the world gives but a nod to the reason we celebrate.  (Yes, I do know it started as a pagan holiday and I know that we should celebrate His birth all year AND that it is too commercial- I am not going to debate all that).  But, it is good to make a specific effort to think about what this season means and why we celebrate at all.

I, for one, have a lot to celebrate!