Therefore, knowing your lifestyle goals is just as important as making your financial goals.

What do YOU want out of your life? Yes, you need money to get there, but there is no “do over” button to go back and take time to live your life once the clock runs out.

If you like this, please share.

Have a GREAT day!

Warmly,
Nicole Dean

I don't know if it's because of the downtime and rest during the holidays that gives me an opportunity to reflect. Or if it's analyzing my financial reports for the year. Or if it's just sitting back and taking time to be thankful that makes me really appreciate my lifestyle, my business, my friends, and all that is yet to come.

Even when we were broker than broke, I still looked forward with anticipation, because I never accepted the option of NOT having a successful business. It just wasn't even a consideration. If you haven't noticed, I'm stubborn to a fault, and so I was either going to make money online or make money online! Those were the only two options available. lol.

To me, the goal of having a successful online business is similar to my life goals:

– Have a  happy marriage full of laughter and respect.

– Raise children who are full of laughter and respect.

I do not plan to give up on those goals, even when it gets tough. (And, sometimes it gets tough. Two words: Sibling Rivalry – Lord Help me!) But, I don't wake up and say “You know, maybe this parenting thing isn't for me. I think it's too hard. I'm outta here.”

Of course not. I wake up every day and think “This is what I'm going to do. My BEST. Whether today is hard or whether it's easy, I'm going to do my best and I'm going to be thankful the whole time.”

It's the same with my business. Some days really pretty much suck. Other days are amazing!

And, no matter what – I look forward to the next with anticipation.

So, as I look forward to the new year with giddy anticipation, like a child on Christmas morning…

At the same time, I see the people that I care about beating themselves up like crazy. It's almost as if you can see the looks of defeat on their faces and the big black eyes from punishing themselves so brutally for all of their missed resolutions and goals from the previous year.

I challenge you to make a list of EVERYTHING that you DID achieve this past year.

• Personal
• Family
• Relationships
• Business learning
• Business application
• Health

I was going to get into this further and write a big post about making a list of all of the positive things you've accomplished this year, but my dear friend, Bob Jenkins, beat me to it, so instead, I'll share his post with you:

• http://askbobtheteacher.com/blog/2009-report-card

My list of things that I did NOT achieve this year is huge.

For instance, due to some medication that I'm on I certainly did not meet my weight goals. (Yes, I'm working my way off this medication, but withdrawal is horrendous so please send me lots of good thoughts.) Hopefully I can get that sorted out soon, while I still fit in this swivel chair.

Actually my list of things that I did not accomplish is pretty colossal, BUT you know what? My list of things that I did accomplish is pretty darned impressive, too. I'm proud of me. And, I am EXCITED about the opportunity that lies ahead.

I'm excited for YOU, too. And, I want you to take a moment to be proud of yourself, too.

Just soak in the applause for a minute and relax.

I also really enjoyed Paul Lemberg's blog post about Strategic Planning for the New Year.

My favorites of his resolutions are:

“…keep not only my promises to others (easy), but to keep my promises to myself (harder). I also resolve to come clean when I break my promises, and make amends when necessary (hardest).

…make this year a masterpiece.

…have a blast doing it.”

You can read the rest of his post here:

• http://www.paullemberg.com/blog/new-years-resolutions-strategic-planning-one/

And, now for my resolutions…

On the business front:

1. My main goal for my business is to continue to make sure that my financial goals and my lifestyle goals are in sync. This means that every business decision must pass my “Is this moving me closer to the lifestyle of my dreams or trapping me into more work?”
2. To continue to assess Pareto's Principle and use that to become more productive.
3. To help other marketers and online business owners to become more productive, more profitable, and to work toward their own financial and lifestyle goals, as well.
4. To help my business partners and my helpers to achieve their goals.
5. To attend marketing events. (Already have two on my calendar: NAMS & Bob Jenkins' SIMPLE Live.)
6. To continue to provide quality and remain a trusted source of information and a person of integrity.

On the personal front:

1. To continue to exercise and eat well.
2. To do everything in my power to make sure my family is happy and healthy.
3. To travel with my family. (Cruise planned in January. Summer plans are underway.)

Those goals have caused me to make some pretty big changes in my business that I'll be announcing soon.

I've got one more blog post that I'd like to mention. If you need some inspiration, I'd like to share my good friend, Lynn Terry‘s post:

• http://www.clicknewz.com/2187/back-from-my-holiday/

Especially be sure to read the comments.

Whether 2009 was a huge success or a sequence of tiny successes, I am proud of you.

You are taking a chance.

You are doing what so many others are afraid to do.

You are REMARKABLE!

Aww… heck. How about one more round of applause for all of us DOers out there!

Warmly,
Nicole Dean

PS. Please leave a comment about your goals, your feelings about 2009 & 2010 and the blog posts that I've mentioned. I'd love to read them.

It causes us to examine our current day-to-day living and activities at a deeper level.

It forces you to dissect your moment to moment thoughts and actions.

On my desk, I have two index cards taped above my monitor. One says “Is THIS bringing me closer to my financial and LIFESTYLE goals?” I glance at it throughout the day, and it's my way to make sure that I'm spending my “Computer Butt” time wisely.

If you've ever heard me talk on a podcast or teleseminar about goals – you know I'm very adamant about setting lifestyle goals along with your financial and business goals.  Of the two, the lifestyle goals are much much more important in my humble opinion.

I can't imagine laying on my deathbed counting the pennies that I've earned like Ebeneezer Scrooge. I know that I will be counting the memories with my kiddos, my wonderful husband, my family & friends, and my amazing mother.

On that note, Professor Randy Pausch was asked to give a “Last Lecture” speech at Carnegie Mellon. You may have heard of it, because it was, in fact, his last lecture. He had pancreatic cancer and was given 3-6 months to live prior to writing the speech. So, his last lecture speech caught the attention of many.

Here's a quick recap for those who are in a hurry.

If you have time for the entire video, here it is:

While it may be depressing (and it is) to think about, whether you watch it or not, I hope you'll think about your last lecture and your last moments on earth and make sure that your actions today are bringing you towards your financial goals, but — also making wonderful memories.

Warmly,
Nicole

PS. Mom, thanks for our chat last night and for the years of quiet memories behind closed doors where no one could see but you and me. Love you!