Are You Ready for 2010?

As the calendar year of 2009 comes to a close are you prepared to start the new year off successfully? What have you done to make sure 2010 begins with you ready in your life?

Have you put the last month on hold because you just knew that people did not want what you were offering? How about you just decided to take the past few weeks of and enjoy your family and friends? If so now is the time to get yourself moving again. No time to waste on getting a jump start for 2010!

What goals have you written down for you and your business to reach this next year?

Who have you share these goals with?

What steps do you have in place to go after these goals and be committed to achieve them?

Who are your accountability partners? How will they hold you accountable? When will they hold you accountable?

If you are looking for a great accountability partner let me know.

Visit http://www.bealegacy.com/classes.htm for more information on coaching and consulting to keep you accountable for 2010.

12 Days of Christmas Gifts That Be A Legacy Gave To Me

Last year I started the 12 Days of Christmas program and have decided to keep it as a tradition.

Many people celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas as the 12 days leading up to Christmas Day. The true 12 Days of Christmas actually came as the 12 days after Christmas and began December 26 with the feast of St. Stephen a traditional day for giving leftovers to the poor and ending January 6 with Epiphany. Each day a gift was presented to the world with celebrations to serve others in the world.

I would like to offer you some special gifts to keep you moving forward in life.

The cost of these great gifts is only an email to dreamteam@bealegacy.com saying
"Yes sign me up for the 12 Days of Christmas!" Don't forget to put your name in the email.

It is as simple as that!

January 11, 2010 is the drawing to win Prize Gift Pack

THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS GIFTS BE A LEGACY GAVE TO ME...

► 12 Action Steps for Success (Dec.26)
► 11 Networking Tips For Growth (Dec.27)
► 10 Tools to Resolving Conflict (Dec.28)
► 9 Ways to Think Clearly (Dec.29)
► 8 Team & Group Ice Breaker Games (Dec.30)
► 7 Areas to Create Life Balance (Dec.31)
► 6 Ways Of Getting Out of Debt (Jan. 1)
► 5 Goal Setting Strategies (Jan.2)
► 4 Behavior Style Tools (Jan.3)
► 3 Ways for Effective Follow-Through (Jan.4)
► 2 Articles on Creating Joy (Jan.5)
► and a Life Assessment Form (Jan.6)

Everyone wins with great tools and information. Join in on the fun today.

► Sign Up To Receive the 12 Days Of Christmas Gifts From Be A Legacy For A Chance To Win A Prize Gift Pack

Prize Gift Pack Includes:
Books, Audio CD's, Business Tools, Special Gifts & More. (Value over $400)

How to win the gift pack?

For every referral who signs up you receive tickets, by signing up you get a ticket, when you respond back to each of the 12 Days you get tickets. It is up to you on how many tickets you get.

1 Ticket for replying "Yes"
2 Tickets for each person you forward this message to and they sign up to receive by Dec. 23.
3 Tickets for reading information sent each day and replying back to let me know how you will use something from each day.

(Possible 3 tickets per day = 36 or more tickets)


I look forward to giving these gifts and celebrating the gifts of the New Year with you.

Brainstorming Business Ideas

Brainstorming is about expanding your thinking and generating new ideas. Bringing people together to brainstorm with you around your business and personal life can be very powerful and rewarding. Brainstorming has been proven effective with in businesses, relationships and personal goals. Brainstorming helps people over come the desire that they are alone in solving the challenges of their lives. It also promotes ideas that no one may have thought of without the proccess of the team.

Everyone tosses out ideas on a given subject. Having a scribe to put down all the ideas either on paper or on a white board is helpful so the team can be throwing out ideas and one person takes down all the thoughts. Again not in any particular order. This process may look like a lot of ideas going in all directions. This is normal and later in the process you will prioritize the ideas that you feel you can work with.

An important piece to this process is to speak out all ideas whether you think they will work or not. Whether they fall into your personal or business values or not. You can cross those off the list later. If you stop and evalute during the brainstorming process you will cut off the flow of creativity and the process will be less effective. These are just ideas and later in the process you can eliminate what you are not willing to take on.

Here are some steps to get you brainstorming.

1. Gather the troops - be it friends, mastermind teams, similar business owners or other direct selling team leaders.
2. Establish a topic to work with.
3. Set a time limit.
4. Communicate ground rules on what can be discussed and what is off limits.
5. List all ideas or suggestions that are made and encourage creativity.
6. Do not evaluate ideas. Allow what ever is said to come out and be listed.
7. As a group consolidate all like ideas and/or categories.
8. Prioritize all the ideas based on what you would commit to.
9. Put a plan of action into place to do.
10. Thank your brainstorming team for supporting you and make a plan to do this on a regular basis such as quarterly, semi-annually or annually.

Have fun brainstorming and allow others to support you in your growth as a business person and in personal development.

Visit Be A Legacy http://www.bealegacy.com for more information on coaching and consulting.

Summer Group Coaching Program

Applications are being accepted for the Summer Group Coaching Program with Be A Legacy.

Only 6 applications will be accepted to be coached on your goals in this special summer group format.

Program Includes:
Goal setting
Accountability
4 - 1Hr. weekly group calls
2 - 30 minute individual calls
Unlimited emails
You choose your goal and we support you in reaching it.

For an application email dreamteam@bealegacy.com get your space reserved quickly. Best bargain for the summer.

Upon receiving your application we will review and contact you with 5 days to let you know if you are selected into the program.

Once you are selected into the program full payment must be paid no later than 7 days prior to the start of the program. An invoice will be sent to you when your application is accepted.

The program begins last week of June and will complete 4 weeks later.
Individual coaching dates will be set with each participant and coach.

How Efficient Is Your Home Based Business?

If you work out of an office you probably have most of the tools needed to run your business. However you might want to read on for some tips for the home based office that may entice you to make a couple shifts to your space at the office.

A home based office can be simple to elaborate! You may have a room at home dedicated to your office space! You may have a TV tray set up that you are using. Either way is not as important as what you do with your space.

What does your space look like?
Does it reflect the great traits about you?
Simple is great as long as it is functioning great as well!

Do you have a calendar to set up appointments, see what is happening today, planning for the future or logging your work hours?

You may or may not have a computer in your space. If you do, how is it set up? Can you use it for all of your business? Is it shared with others? I found a lap top works for portability however use what ever you have available and find the best ways to make it work for your business. A computer is helpful to make up flyers, keeping track of your customers and clients and do research to improve your business.

Get a cork board to pin up your goals, invitations, encouraging notes, up coming events and reminders. Put up pictures of the places you want to go in the next year or two. These could be the incentives that keep you going. Use this space to keep you going on those days you do not feel like working yet know it would be the best thing to do to be sucessful.

Is there a telephone near you? Many people are using their cellular phone as their business phone. Cellular phones are great however may not be cost effective anymore. Check with your provider to see if you are on the best price plan or would a land line work better for you! Remember a land line can be forwarded to your cellular phone if you need to leave. Find what works best for you and use it to its fullest!

Have a business log for yourself. Log your incoming and out going calls for your business. How long did you spend on the calls and in what way did that call serve your business. Log where you go for your business. What meetings did you attend? How long was the meeting and how did that meeting serve your business? Log your mileage, gas purchases, any meals with clients and travel expenses. Log your accounts receivables and your payables. There are many computer programs to support you with this however if you do not have a computer put it all in a log and keep track of it! (Do not just wing it and hope it all works out!) Think for a moment on why I would suggest logging everything. How do you see logging as a benefit for you and your business? Ok now that you came up with your own reasons why, here are some reasons why I do it! I log to see how much time I am spending in my business, where I am spending my time and is it cost effective for me to be in business or make some shifts. I also get to see what my average time I spend on calls, with clients, traveling and thus an accurate picture of what I make per hour in my business!

When you go out do you have a business card to give to people? There are several free options for business cards! There is no excuse to not have one! This is how you will be remembered when you leave. Always carry business cards! You may need to hand one out to the person in the grocery line or at a restaurant! You never know who you will run into so be prepared! The basics to have on your business card is your name, phone number, email address (different from your personal email) and maybe a reminder of what your business is! The rest is extras! You may want to put a PO Box on your card for privacy reasons, if you have a web page or blog page you can add that onto your card. Adding a quote that serves your business may be a good asset also. Remember you can always change your business card so do not get stuck in it having to be perfect the first time out! Just get one done and get it out to people who are potential customers/clients for your business!

Set up a system for your receipts. Use envelopes, accordion file box or a filing cabinet. Just create a system so you can log everything for your taxes at the end of the year! Trust me you can file your taxes quickly and not get stuck in looking for everything at the end of the year. Create something that you will use! I like to use envelopes. I categorize them as.
Expenses
Supplies
Utilities
Travel
Meals
Training
Insurance
Licenses
Trade Associations & Memberships

One of the most important tips I have for having your home based business is to treat it like a business! Get up in the morning, get dressed to go to work, get into action and work your scheduled business hours! Many times I hear “I like that I can just sit in my pajamas and go to work!”. That is fine if you are the kind of person that can truly take that on. I would suggest testing yourself. For two weeks go to work as you currently do. Log all your calls and new business. Then test getting dressed, add a little make up and making the calls and logging everything there as well. You may find that you accomplish more when you get yourself ready instead of just as is. If you are sitting occasionally in your pajamas ok! But what is your standard business practice? Remember you are in business. A hobby is something different and thus treated differently!

Being a business owner is a great way to be independent and fulfilled! The question you will want to ask yourself is “Do I want to be successful too?” if so, then get out there and go for it!
Know that Be A Legacy is here to support you in your success.

Who taught you about goal setting and achieving?

On January 14, 2009 I was reminded about the person who taught me about goal setting and achieving with the passing of Ricardo Montalban. As a young child I would watch Fantasy Island. Mr. Roarke would grant people their fantasy. He would take a dream and turn it into an opportunity for people to achieve. He did not just give them the dream. He actually made them work for. Fantasy Island was a place for people to take action on their goals.

I remember watching one episode where Mr. Roarke was (of course in his white shining armor suit) dancing a waltz with a beautiful woman. I watch as they danced around and how elegant and graceful they danced together. I was mesmerized by the eloquence and connection they had together. I knew in my heart that I wanted that! Hence a dream was born. For many years I would visualize myself dancing with Ricardo Montalban. I would see myself dancing gracefully and enjoying each step that I would take. I would daydream about dancing the waltz.

Of course this was not the typical thing a young teen was involved with. Many people thought I was nuts. And despite what other people thought I had a dream to fulfill. I started going to a place to dance. I picked up lessons when I could. Did not have money for lessons so when I could go and someone would show me a couple of steps I would be thrilled. I was committed to learn how to waltz. I was lucky to have a mom who also liked to dance. So every Sunday the two of us would go to a place called Little Switzerland. The Gruber family owned and played the Oktoberfest style music. For about five years I was dancing the polka, waltz, tango and any other dance you see on the ballroom competitions. I became a wonderful dancer. I had a lot of fun and met many great, supportive people who wanted to see me succeed. I learned a lot about myself through dancing and still have the opportunity from time to time to waltz with my husband.

I read about Ricardo passing away and took a few moments to honor him in my heart. I still vision myself dancing with him in his white suit. I still visualize the opportunities of someone setting up your dreams and goals and then hands that opportunity to you to reach the desires in your heart. Fantasy Island was for me the beginning of setting and reaching my goals. Because of his character and his personal demeanor I too wanted to be like Mr. Roarke. Set up other people’s dreams and goals in such a way that they could take action on them and reach the desires of their heart.

Thank you Ricardo for teaching me how to visualize what is in my heart and taking action to my dreams. You will be remembered forever in my heart and thank you for letting me dance with you in my dreams.

So, again I ask you, the person reading this message, who taught you about goal setting and achieving? Are you acting on your dreams? Do you visualize success? Are you surrounding yourself with successful and supportive people? Do you let other peoples views stop you from going after what your heart desires?

If you could use support in this area contact me. dreamteam@bealegacy.com I had a great teacher to start me on the journey of setting and achieving goals. I have found other great teachers to work with to improve my skills along the way! Dreams are meant to be fulfilled! How will you take action today towards achieving your dreams and goals?

What Is Commitment

Does commitment come when you say you are committed? Does commitment come when you think you are committed? How do you know you are committed? Is it just a feeling or just something you decide?

I attended a wedding this weekend and allowed myself to dive into what commitment is for me. So I took a glance at my life. I have been married to my husband for 15 years next month. We have been together for 19+ years. There have been many times when I was ready to leave the marriage and I know that my husband has felt the same upon occasion. So how have we made it through the last 15+ years without walking away? How has commitment shown up? Besides the obvious we are still together it has taken many times of truly choosing and acting upon staying married. We have consciously made a choice everyday to remain married. When times have been hard and circumstances have been difficult we each have made the choice in the moment to work through what ever challenges have come to pass. We have loved and hated each other through the rough times and still remained committed.

I use to come from a place that if I could make my husband mad and he left me then he would leave me on my terms! I would challenge his love and faith by pissing him off so he would leave while I was in control. He would just tell me that he married me for life and he is not going anywhere so I might as well knock it of. Trust me I tested that also. I will give than a lot of credit when it comes to commitment. He has taught me great lessons. Now mind you my husband is not perfect. Oh and neither am I! Yet we remain married in spite of ourselves.

What actions have we taken to be committed to this marriage? We have given each other space when needed. The space to cool off and rethink our circumstance. We have looked at ourselves and how we have reacted to what ever has come before us. We have sought out counselors to get us through some of the really rough times. We have re-chosen to our marriage at least a million times and will continue to do so. Every five years we get married again. We send out invitation, have a vow exchange and renew our commitment to each other. People ask me why we renew our vows ever five years and I tell them this. When we first married I knew just enough about him and was willing to marry him for what I knew about him up to that point. Every time renew I am vowing to accept what I now know about him. As we grow together and learn more about each other we can now say that I will marry you for all the weaknesses and strengths that have come to surface in the last five years. It is an opportunity to heal from the challenges and reward ourselves for the successes. I now desire the long term commitment with my husband and I have stopped testing him on leaving me. I enjoy being around him more and love to go just about anywhere with him. Our commitment has not only grown our marriage it has continued to grow our business. We have been in business together for over 15 years and it has been the actions that we have taken that continues to keep that business moving forward.

Commitment without action is just like a hope, wish and want. It is something we desire yet are afraid or lazy to take action on. Just waiting for life to happen around us and hoping we will survive is not very rewarding.

Commitment with action is work and perseverance. You will usually learn a lot about yourself in the process and will most likely be rewarded for your courage to take it on. Actions can be big or small and still it is a step with forward momentum. Commitment with action has a lot to do with people following you as well. The saying “do as I say not as I do! “ Those are the words probably of a lazy, non action person. I have found that when I am acting on my commitments people want to do the same. I am a leader and a follower of greater leaders. So be a leader of excellence and keep acting on your strengths and challenging your weaknesses until they become strengths.

Mind you all action steps may not seem like successes. However if you are willing to really look at the ones that were not successful and learn the lesson they have to offer then you will find a small success there too.

What are you committed to take action on? What actions will you take for yourself? Whether it is a job, a relationship, a goal for yourself or a dream what will you take action on today? What will you end the day with? A notice of action or a day when you felt like you did not make much difference because you chose to just wait for life to happen or you took action to create your life? Which one will feel better for you? I am choosing to take my life to the next level and with that I will continue to take actions in life. My desire is that you will join me and create the life you desire and be committed to yourself by taking actions for you!

Creating a Goal or Dream Board

Do you know what a Goal Board is? Do you know what a Dream Board is?
You can create a way to view and see your goals and dreams everyday by creating a visual of what you want or are committed to. Using magazines, newspapers, photos or what ever creative ideas you have to create a daily visual board. A collage of what you want to create for yourself and your loved ones that show your goals and dreams.

Some people will use a poster board to do this. Others will use a wall in their home or office, one wall of a cubical or utilized the refrigerator. I have heard of people who have painted a wall with magnetic paint so they can use magnets and add or take away what they put up on their goal/dream board. Be creative how you do this. This is something you will see everyday and remind you of what your goals and dreams are.

When you have your goals in front of you your subconscious sees this as the only option. You are constantly reminded of what you have set out to accomplish. A daily reminder of what is in your heart. The more you see your goals and dreams the more likely you will keep going in the direction of reaching your goals.

Why would you want to put your goals and dreams in front of you each and every day? Do you think it would support you in reaching your goals? Most people who set up goal and dream board are more likely to achieve their goals and dreams. Having a visual everyday keeps you more focused and therefore more likely to achieve.

Some ideas to add to your goal or dream board would include your dream home, car, spouse, children, jewelry, money, bank account totals, career, art, hair style, motorcycle, computer, Olympic gold medal and what ever else you dream of. You get creative and enjoy seeing your goals and dreams right before your eyes.

Why not give yourself the best possible chances to reach your goals and dreams?

Have You Heard of Becky Hammon?

Have you heard of Becky Hammon?

Becky Hammon is the basketball player from North Dakota who has been a professional athlete with the WNBA. At 31 years old she still had dreams of playing basketball in the Olympics. Half of her years playing basketball she spent in the US playing as a powerful team member. The other half of the year she was in Russia playing basketball as a powerful team member. When the opportunity came to play on the Olympic team Becky was ready to fulfill her dream. The challenge that has come from her accepting her dream and playing out her dream with the Russian team! The US team did not ask Becky to join the Olympic team until Becky’s allegiance was challenged. Becky had already made a commitment to the Russian team.
Becky since saying yes to her dream has been called a traitor, selfish and unpatriotic just to name a few. She has stated that she was raised to love her country, God and her heart is American.

I write this as I look at people out in the world going after their dreams. How many people will call others names because getting a goal or dream is suppose to look a certain way? How many people are wiling to take the heat? How many people will do what ever it takes to honor their dreams and goals? How many people will give up because they are called names? How many people are more committed to looking good, not offending others or worse yet giving up to satisfy others?

I am not talking about something that would hurt another human being.

I would like to just put out there that getting your dreams and goals is about what is in your heart. Are you worth getting your goals? My heart says yes. Can you handle the criticism that others may put out there? My heart say yes. No one is alone in this journey. Who are you going to put into your life to support you? Becky had two teams that she loved, respected and won for. The US team did not choose Becky on their team until her patriotism was challenged. Becky already had made a commitment to the Russian team. Besides all the negative comments and challenges Becky has remained strong in her commitment. Becky’s goal was to play basketball on an Olympic team. Is she unpatriotic really? Is she a traitor? Each person could be a judge and decide for themselves. I am going to leave that up to Becky and God. Becky said she loves the country that she was born in and still believes in the values of being an American. She also stated that the cold war was over years ago. This is about her dream to play basketball and she is reaching her dreams!

I say hats of to Becky for honoring herself and her commitments. What will you be challenged with to reaching your dreams?

Setting Goals Is Easy! Or Is It?

Setting goals is the easy step. People set them all the time. Many people set goals for a New Years resolutions. Setting goals, putting goals on paper, saying you will reach a particular goal does not mean you will succeed. Setting goals can be a lot like a hope, a wish and a want.

Acting on the goal is different than setting the goal. Acting on the goal requires you to do something about the goal. Putting goal accomplishments into action can be challenging for some. The biggest challenge could be being truly committed to the goal. What are the action steps you will need to take in order to be truly committed to the goal?

Get up everyday and get to work no matter what the circumstances are. You are tired, do not feel good or busy working are all great excuses to not work on your goals. However, they become great excuses for you to not be committed to your goal. To reach your goal you will need to get past all the great excuses and circumstances. When you allow all the excuses and circumstances to slow you down or deter you from reaching your goals you tell yourself that you are not worth reaching the goals.

Each time you set a goal, act upon reaching the goal and accomplishing the goal you tell your subconscious that you matter. Setting and accomplishing goals reward you with greater confidence, acceptance and commitment. The value of letting other people know that you set and accomplish goals allows others to build trust and respect in you.

Setting and accomplishing goals is a great way to reward yourself and others around you. As you allow people to see you step into your life and you create success you also lead the way for them to do the same. They will want to achieve goals in their life as well.

Go out and make a bigger difference just by setting, acting on and accomplishing your goals in life!

Setting "SMART" Goals

Why is it important to set goals?
Goals allow us to stay focused on what we are committed to achieve.
Setting goals connects us to our dreams for better jobs, homes and material items, relationships and connection in the world.
When you set and achieve a goal you tell yourself “you deserve it and you are worth it”.
Setting and achieving goals shows others that you are serious about the life you live.
Achieving goals allows you to build self esteem and fuels your passion in life.

Setting SMART goals is the best way to stay on track with a goal. Many people have set goals only to find out that they were really just a hope, wish or want and because they were not realistic they did not work. Once they do not work most people will say “see what is the point of setting a goal?” then they quit setting goals all together. When you set a SMART goal it supports you in being specific. Thus creating a space for you to really win with your goals.

SMART Goals

• Specific – This means get very specific with what you are going after. Example is do not just write “I want to buy a house”. Write specific details about the house you want. “I want a two story, five bedroom house on ten acres of land in city and state.” The more specific you are the less likely you will feel like you settled for less down the road. And being specific helps you really see what you want.

• Measurable – This means that there must be a way to measure the accomplishment of the goal you set. How do you measure a goal like “I have a #10 relationship with my spouse” verses “I have published my first book”? To publish a book is easy to measure because you can have the book in hand. Measuring a relationship can be done and you really have to put some creative thinking into measuring it. You want to allow others to hold you accountable to your goals, so measuring the goal is important in the success process.

• Attainable – This is something that many people may not pay much attention to. If you are over 25 and 5’10” tall setting a goal like I will be 6’tall in 1 month is not likely to ever happen. This is not something that is attainable. We can not change out height! So really paying attention to what you goals are and how attainable they are is key to setting successful goals. “I have released 20 pounds in 60 days” is something that is attainable.

• Risk Taking – You want to set goals that have some level of risk for yourself. When you set a goal without a risk behind it there is less of a sense of accomplishment. Putting risk behind a goal can keep you in tune with why the goal is important. You can ask yourself “if I tell someone about my goal is there a feeling they will not like it, support it or judge me?” This is a great indicator if there is a risk behind the goal. If you answer yes then it is likely you feel there is risk in setting and telling others about your goal.

• Timely – Setting goals with a specific time frame on them puts more edge to achieving them. I am committed to reaching goal A by specific date and time. Is a specific step in achieving the goal. Setting a time frame allows others to hold you accountable and you to hold yourself accountable. You will stay more focused on the impending event and more likely to reach the goal.

Big goals are great! Underneath every big goal is a lot of mini goals. You can make a Big Goals list and then break them down into smaller goals. Some examples would be: Buying a house – you may need to clear up credit score, start a saving account or decide where you want to live. So break the big goals down and then they do not feel so overwhelming and out of reach.

Lastly, make sure you let other people know about the goals you have set. As humans we are usually much more accountable to others than we are to ourselves. We are more likely to let ourselves of the hook for not reaching our goals. Yet when we know about others goals we will watch to see if they get them. Tell people what your goals are. Put them before yourself at work. Hang your goals somewhere you will see them everyday. Put them where others can see them. Display your goals at the office, in your bedroom or on your car dash. Where ever it is that you can see so you will stay in tune with what you set out to accomplish.

You can also hire an accountability partner. If you do not feel someone around you could hold you to what you set your goals to hire some support. An accountability coach will have great tools to support you in reaching your goals. They can be a great asset to get you started in your new goals setting and achieving life!