Today I spent an hour or so creating a gift that may last a lifetime... or maybe will only last until we buy a house... or maybe only until I tire of a sage green and chocolate brown bedroom! But this gift will be a gift to my husband every night we go to sleep and every morning we awaken in our bed...



I tell him I love him a lot - and he enjoys hearing it; but, I want to remind him, with silent words, just how much he means to me every day.

So, did you get your love a gift that "keeps on giving"? Or - perhaps more importantly to the purpose of this blog - did you get YOURSELF a gift like that? If not, I'd like to offer some suggestions...things to do for yourself this year to develop / strengthen your personal and professional goals.

1. If you have not joined a networking group yet... first, ask yourself what's holding you back and OVERCOME IT!  You know I use "The Success Principles" to get me past supposed "stop signs". You may just need to do some soul searching...or you may need a book or a mentor to help you - but networking will help you develop in so many ways - AND you'll be a benefit to others! Someone is looking for an answer to a question... someone is looking for an expert like you!
   This can also lead to helping community-wide, and being known community-wide... you never know who knows who you know! A former employer of mine told me once to not be afraid to tell people what I'm good at - because "someone needs what you have and you wouldn't want them to miss out because you can't  "toot your own horn"!
   I'm a member of a small mastermind group, a local woman's organization and a regional group of women entrepreneurs, as well as participating in the Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce Membership/Ambassador committee - pick a couple groups: one with very common interests (entrepreneurs) and one with a broad range of members (Chamber of Commerce) - I have helped facilitate interactions between the two groups that hadn't happened previously - and you can too!
2. Make a plan to be healthier!  Yeh - this is tough... putting this in writing as a way to motivate myself too! It's only as easy as we think it is (if we say it's hard - it will be!) so let's make a pact to say, "I can do this!" and then DO IT! I'm going to join the local YWCA - I believe that's where I want to put my money and time - I need a variety and inspiration, so hoping that's the spot.
   Go on a tour of a few fitness centers - most will give you a guided tour and a day or a week free! Wow - my local Y is on Twitter!
3. Make a plan to be wealthier!  Many women have issues with making money - GET OVER IT!
   Do you spend hours and hours planning the family vacation or researching where to save money on a high ticket item? We spend loads of time on how to spend money.... but have you ever spent that much time actually laying out a plan on how to make more money? I just thought of that... and it has created several emotions... fear (can I do that?) anger (that's stupid, why haven't I been doing that?), frustration (how long is that gonna take? I'm already busy enough!) [see this link for free planning tools from Jack] 
   

Wow - you know I'm on this journey with you when the self-discovery mode kicks in! I believe I have great success in #1, but it appears I have two other areas that I'm lacking in... but I'm not supposed to focus on lack (or I'll get more of it). I suggest that both of us celebrate the areas we're successful in and make positive plans/goals for the other areas!

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah (Chanukah), and a Peaceful, Prosperous New Year to you all! I'm grateful to you for joining me on this journey and looking forward to another year of sharing in your entrepreneurial journey!

V-