Happy New Year

I encourage everyone to set aside a little time this weekend to review and reflect upon 2006. Focus on your accomplishments and all of the things you have done positively during the last year.

Sure, ponder those things you didn't achieve yet, and possibly certain things that you might even consider failures, but remember that failures are just learning opportunities so we can get it right the next time. The best hitters in professional baseball fail around 70% of the time they are up to bat. So learn from those things in your life, and reflect on all of the positive things 2006 brought you.

Then shift focus to 2007 and plan your goals for the upcoming year. Determine just what you want to make happen, and think of the reasons you want it. We need to know what we want, and we also need to know why. A powerful why will help you achieve your goals.

Then make an action plan of how you are going to make those things happen. What steps need to be taken? Plan it out and break your goals into chunks that you can easily achieve. You won't lose 50 pounds in January. But if your goal is to lose 50 pounds and you determine to lose 5 pounds a month for the first 10 months of the year, it is much easier to grasp and then achieve. Then you just need to focus on losing one and a quarter pound a week. You can do that!

Make sure you look at the different areas of your life and plan accordingly. You must have balance. Look at both personal and career areas. Family goals, spiritual goals, financial goals, fitness and health goals, educational goals, and personal development goals may be some of the categories you choose to plan.

Remember, if you do not plan your life, who will? You might not like what others plan for you, so take charge and make things happen. It starts with reflection on what you have done, and then planning for what you will do.

May 2007 bring you health, happiness, and prosperity!

Alain

Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays!

I have not made any posts for a while. Due to some illness and other projects, my writing and blog posts took a back seat for a while as I took care of other matters.

Now I am back at it, and you will see more frequent posts again.

I am spending quite a bit of time working on some martial art, self-defense, and safety products. However, I also care about people being productive and making things happen, so I'll continue to post things in that realm and work in this area too. I will be continuing to write monthly columns for the Montana Lawyer on negotiation, and negotiation skills definitely help make things happen, so check back here and at http://www.burrese.com/ to see new negotiation articles.

I had an interesting conversation this morning with a fellow member of a business networking group I belong to. We were discussing how the holiday season should be one of joy, happiness, giving, and caring - not of stress! However, it seems in our busy lives that the holiday season becomes more stressful each and every year. Did you notice how many stores were offering Christmas sales before Thanksgiving this year? Busy, busy, stress, stress.

It does not have to be that way. Take time out to think about what is really important. The holidays should be a time for family, friends, and giving. The holidays should be a less stressful time of joy.

Remember, each and every one of us has the exact same amount of time. It is up to each of us to choose how we spend it. We must take time to relax and enjoy ourselves. We need to have fun with our friends and families. When you really think about it, much of what people get stressed over is not that important anyway. Does that loved one care about time with you or the perfect gift you are worried about being able to find? I bet they care more about the time, but too many people worry about what gifts they will buy for others. Or worse yet, think of those people that worry over what gifts they will receive.

With each passing year, it seems time flies by faster and faster. Life only becomes more hectic with each passing month. It seems that when later comes, the list of "to dos" is always longer and longer. Because of this, it is important to remember what is really important and to take time to focus time and energy on these important areas.

In the coming year, I will share things here to help you achieve just that. You deserve to make things happen. You should make good things happen. And I hope to help you a little along the way.

Have a Very Wonderful Holiday Season!

Alain