Top 10 Tips to Give Your Newsletter Impact!

There are thousands of email newsletters or "ezines" produced every week, and most of them have great material and are written by passionate people who want to share valuable information. 
Unfortunately, very few of them have many subscribers.
 

Perhaps the biggest problem they face is that many of them are too hard to read! They are (let's be honest), ugly! As my newsletter has grown, I've learned some things about formatting and presentation. Here are my Top 10 tips:

1.  Use lots of white space. Surround your best ideas with blank space, to draw the eye to them.

2.  Use shorter sentences than you would on paper. Keep ideas simple, and clear.

3.  Use much shorter paragraphs. Most of my paragraphs are less than 6 lines, and I very rarely have a paragraph longer than 8 lines. On paper, a longer paragraph is fine, but not on a computer screen. Keep it short!

4.  Use lists! Use numbers or bullet points to keep things clear. As people scroll up and down their screen, give them reference points. Make it easy to navigate your material.

5.  Use a standard "masthead" for your letter. The first screen (first impression) of your letter must be consistent from one issue to the next. Make it pleasant, give the essential info (title, your name, perhaps the date or issue number), and keep it simple.

6.  Use a table of contents. Again, think in terms of easy navigation. Use clever titles to catch the reader's interest, and give them a map to help them find the material that interests them most!

7.  Use simple words and clear language. Particularly in email, most of your writing should be at about the 6th grade level.

8.  Use a clean lay-out, with distinctive marks to separate each section. I generally use a single row of either "====" or "++++" marks between each section of the newsletter. Some people use more artistic separators, and that's a matter of personal preference, but each section must be clearly delineated.

9.  Take a moment before you send your email to insert line returns manually. You can't count on your reader's email program to calculate and place line returns where you want them. You decide, based on your sense of proportion and what you want to emphasize, where to put each line return.

10.  Keep your lines very short. I manually insert line breaks in all newsletter articles. I recommend breaking your lines at about 60 characters, and I often break them as short as 50 characters. Again, think about white space, and look for ways to make your letter easier to read.

Denis Waitley used to tell this story about the importance of presentation.

Suppose I invited you to my home for an elegant dinner. When you arrive, I invite you in, and make you comfortable as a guest in my home. I tell you I am fixing your favorite dinner, with all the trimmings. You can smell it cooking! But, when the dinner is ready, I slop it onto your plate right out of the pan, splashing some in your lap in my hurry!


You'd be disappointed (at the very least!) and probably never come back. In your newsletter, it's vital to have great cooking, but in many ways it's even more important to present it elegantly. Take the time to present your great ideas as attractively as possible.

"Written by Dr Philip E. Humbert, author, speaker and personal success coach.  Dr Humbert has hundreds of tips, tools and articles on his website that you can use for YOUR success!  It's a great resource!  And, be sure to sign up for his FREE newsletter!  Visit him on the web at:  http://www.philiphumbert.com"

Top 10 Tools for a Strong Personal Foundation

Coaching is about living great lives. It’s about living lives based on our values, our priorities and our choices.  And, as in building a great building, it takes a very strong foundation. In fact, the more spectacular the visible parts of the building are going to be, the more time and precision has to go into preparing the supporting structures and systems underneath. But one of the most difficult things in life is spending the necessary time on the foundations.

Most of us are eager to build, to start living the life of our dreams, and the temptation is always to neglect the details of a strong personal foundation. Here are my Top 10 Tools for creating the foundation that will support whatever else you want in your life:

1. Get plenty of sleep.  I know, that wasn’t on the list when I was younger either, but as Vince Lombardi noted, "Fatigue makes cowards of us all." Tired people are cranky, they miss opportunities and make careless decisions. And, getting plenty of sleep suggests a fairly regular pattern to your day, some structure and orderliness, and that’s a good thing!
   
   
2. Eat well.  Yeah, I know, another boring one. But the body needs good stuff to keep it sharp and ready to serve you. Some people go a long way on this, carefully nurturing their bodies with organic fruits and vegetables. I don’t have that discipline, but replacing potato chips with carrot sticks, sure does seem to help. Cut down on fat, drink more water and fruit juice, and see what happens!
   
   
3. Exercise.  Even a walk around the block does wonders to clear the head! At least 30 minutes, 3 or 4 times a week, and more if you enjoy it. Work up a sweat, huff and puff a bit. They say you’ll live longer. I know it gets me out of the office, away from the phone and computer for a few minutes, and my dog loves the chance to run! Enjoy it.
   
   
4. Read a lot.  Read magazines and history, read biographies and cheap novels, but read. Follow politics and the economy, keep up with current films and take a moment to follow sports and those funny short stories in Reader’s Digest. It gives you perspective, broadens your point of view, and, like exercise, it gets you away from the phone and computer for a few minutes. It may even make you wiser!
   
   
5. Meditate.  Keep a journal, or pray. Develop your own style and preferences for making peace with your world, and do it every day. Find the time and place that works best for you, sit quietly, settle into your routine, and take time to notice. Stuff will come up. You’ll have ideas, you’ll fall asleep, you’ll remember what’s really important. Whatever happens, be at peace with it.
   
   
6. Eliminate tolerations.  Keep your nest clean! There’s no excuse to be tripping over the same clutter every day. It slows you down, and it wears you out. Some people are "neater" than others, and this isn’t about having a clean desk, unless that’s important to you. This is about eliminating those annoying frustrations that come up every week. Get a housekeeper, a bookkeeper, a gardener, and at least have your car washed! If it annoys you, deal with it.
   
   
7. Keep relationships clean.   It’s not possible to be best friends with everyone, and some relationships do end, but that’s not as expensive as having a strained relationship that drains you every day. If you have "friendships" that need to end, take care of it. If you have an intimate partner with whom you need to spend more time, schedule it tonight. Stay on good terms with those you can, and end those relationships that are never going to support you. Just do it.
   
   
8. Do work you love.  Doing a job you dislike is exhausting. I often talk with folks who are eager to change careers "as soon as…." They usually finish the sentence with something that will happen in a few years. Why wait? Life is too short! I suspect the time lost is a greater risk than making the change right now! Do what you love!
   
   
9. Laugh a lot!  Humor and warm friendships, love and laughter go further to maintain "balance" than all the programs I’ve ever tried. Life is either a wonderful, strange and funny dance…or it’s too scary to think about. Either way, laugh all the way through!
   
   
10. Develop your "Daily 10".   Have a regular pattern of 10 wonderful things you do every day for your own vibrant personal foundation. Find your own little rituals that just make you feel good! Every day, do 10 simple things that remind you how special, powerful, alive and wonderful you are! Delight in them!

Here's to you, and to building a strong, deep and lasting foundation that will support you for many years to come!


"Written by Dr Philip E. Humbert, author, speaker and personal success coach.  Dr Humbert has hundreds of tips, tools and articles on his website that you can use for YOUR success!  It's a great resource!  And, be sure to sign up for his FREE newsletter!  Visit him on the web at:  http://www.philiphumbert.com"
 

The Top 10 Ways to Improve Your Diet, Your Health & Your Life!

Because I believe diet and exercise are so important, I'm often frustrated with the recommendations I receive. Nutrition and natural health ideas are often so negative (don't eat this, watch out for that) or so rigorous (be sure to eat some raw, natural, organically grown vegetable I've never heard of) or so complicated, I end up ignoring them. And yet, I know diet is critical to my health and well-being, so I made up my own rules. My objective was simplicity, so all of you with greater will-power and more discipline, cut me some slack, OK? For the rest of us, I hope you find them useful.

1.  Eat less. I used to eat until I was full, and then snack as a hobby. And, sometimes I still do. But, more and more, I decide when I've eaten enough, leave room for a treat later, and simply choose to eat a little less. I think it helps.


2.  Drink more water. I used to try to drink 8 glasses a day, but I usually ended up either losing count…or just going to the bathroom a lot. Now, on my way to the table I stop by the sink and grab a glass of water. I figure that's more water than most people drink, it probably helps me eat less (see Rule #1), and sometimes it reminds me to drink even more. Close enough.

3.  Eat more fruit. Benjamin Franklin said, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." I just know apples, a banana, some grapes or something "exotic" like a mango or a kiwi tastes good, and it's the fastest, most portable and convenient food I've found. A handful of those little baby carrots beats a sandwich by a good 90 seconds!

4.  Eat your vegetables. Yeah, still listening to my mother. But on the positive side, they're so easy! No sauces, no mixing or blending or nothing! Raw, steamed or microwaved, they're great for adding color to a meal (greens, yellows, and beans in all sorts of colors). I know fresh and organically grown is best, and sometimes I buy them that way….

5.  Eat more rice and baked potatoes. I score points with my doctor, my "significant other" and again, it's about the easiest cooking I've figured out.

6.  Stretch when you feel like it. I used to follow a routine that recommended stretching and yoga for about 30 minutes every morning. Wonderful stuff! Very healthy. And someday I'm going to give it another try! For now, every morning, and several times during the day, I stand up and try to reach the ceiling. I bend, twist, shake my shoulders, breath deep, whatever seems to feel good at the moment. Then I get back to work.

7.  Avoid exercise and elevators. OK, I believe jogging and sweating and lifting weights are good for me. And I do some of it. But I also find it useful to walk around the block to get the mail (the box is across the street) or take the stairs instead of the elevator. I walk the dog, push the lawnmower and play tennis and golf with my friends. That way I figure I'm exercising and leaving the gyms open for the rest of you.

8.  Spend time with friends. Talking, sharing dreams, giving and receiving support, solving life's great mysteries and debating politics or religion with a friend does wonders for the soul. And, hugs are good. And if you have a life-partner, I find talking regularly seems to avoid a number of other problems, as well!

9.  Laugh every day. Tell a joke, wrestle with your dog or play with the kids next door, but have some fun! Life's short.

10.  Plan for dessert! At the end of the day, I really like something special to top it all off. So, I plan for a bite of chocolate or a cup of low-fat pudding or yogurt or a handful of fresh grapes. It sure seems to beat restlessly searching the cupboards and refrigerator for "something" and ending up with a big bowl of ice cream!

Finally, a few words of experience. It's OK to "slip" once in a while. At least it better be OK...I seem to do it periodically. Just get up again tomorrow, make the rules simpler, more fun or more appropriate for your situation and get right back on! I don't think the objective is perfection -- there's no point in having a heart attack getting all stressed out about the rules! Just go have some fun!

"Written by Dr Philip E. Humbert, author, speaker and personal success coach.  Dr Humbert has hundreds of tips, tools and articles on his website that you can use for YOUR success!  It's a great resource!  And, be sure to sign up for his FREE newsletter!  Visit him on the web at:  http://www.philiphumbert.com"

Top 10 Strategies Of Highly Successful Professionals

Last Thursday evening, I was the guest of a group of therapists who interviewed me about how I’ve built my businesses over the years – both my therapy offices and my coaching business. Their probing, and very pointed, questions dramatically helped me clarify exactly what strategies have worked for me and my clients over the years. I hope you enjoy it. It is as solid and tight a summary of what has worked for me over the years as anything I’ve ever written. I’m quite proud of it, at least as an accurate reflection of what has worked for me.

 1. Clarify the vision.  Many of us have a tendency to be lazy about defining exactly what we want and where we want to be in a few years. Set your course as clearly as you can! A vague desire to "Work less and make more money" may be a comfortable day-dream, but it is not a success strategy!

2. Turn the vision into a mission.   Once you know where you want to go, you have to be clear,  get passionate, get DETERMINED to arrive! Develop a series of vital reasons, personal motivators, personal drivers that pull you forward. Why are you doing what you do? If you only want to make money, get a job! (It's easier!) What’s your driving purpose?

3. Get a mentor.  Hire a coach or create a frequent, steady, EFFECTIVE working relationship with someone who has been where you want to go, or perhaps more importantly, has a proven ability to help others get there. (Great sports coaches don't have to be great athletes! But they do have to know the game and be experts at helping their athletes win!)

4. Get a map and a compass! Develop a detailed, specific working plan. Work with your coach on this, and write it down! It doesn't have to be long and detailed, but it does have to make sense, and it has to give you direction and purpose for getting from where you are, to where you want to be. It should be detailed enough to tell you precisely what to do first, each Monday morning.

5. Improve the plan whenever possible.   There is a contradiction here. Use and trust your plan, and rely on it! At the same time, life will give you unexpected opportunities, sudden short-cuts, and amazing possibilities. Be ready at any moment to jump on a "real" opportunity, but be very cautious about running off on every whim or impulse. How do you know the difference? Check with your coach!

6. Hang-out with talented people.   Pick up the phone and introduce yourself to people who have achieved want you want to achieve. Read about them, get on their mailing lists or take classes from them. If they don't teach, develop a class and invite them to be your guest expert! But find people who are walking on the same, or a similar, path to your own, and follow in their footsteps, or walk beside them, or encourage them to catch up with you. Success loves company!

7. Work very hard.  Again, there is a contradiction here. To achieve a high level of success takes an ability to play very hard, sometimes for a long time. If you've defined your vision accurately, the distinction between "work" and "play" will begin to blur, and you'll find yourself willing (eager!) to work a lot. It takes sustained, efficient, focused effort to achieve great things. I know of no short-cut.

8.  Keep good records!  This means accurate accounting, a personal journal of what works and why, notes about your best customers and the coolest things your competitors are doing. Jot down ideas, keep track. Especially, monitor the money.

9.  Work smarter everyday!  I think the biggest single thing in my success is that my family has no history of being in business, and even making money is a bit "suspect", but they LOVE learning! Early on, they taught me that everything I could ever need or want in life was in the local library. Learn from the competition. Learn how they did it 100 years ago! Read "Wired" and "Fast Company" to see how it might be done next year. Take the best, and leave the rest.

10.  Always be planning your "next" million dollars.  Whatever you’re doing today is already becoming obsolete. By the time you read the book or attend the seminar, someone has already found a "better, faster, cheaper" way to do it. Always be looking over the horizon, seeking the next opportunity and figuring out how to incorporate it into what you already have and love. Keep growing!


"Written by Dr Philip E. Humbert, author, speaker and personal success coach.  Dr Humbert has hundreds of tips, tools and articles on his website that you can use for YOUR success!  It's a great resource!  And, be sure to sign up for his FREE newsletter!  Visit him on the web at:  http://www.philiphumbert.com"

The Solutions to Life's 10 Biggest Problems!

Every day people tell me about their problems, often in great detail, and I've noticed patterns that show up over and over. For many people, life's problems are viewed as "not enough money" or "not enough time". For couples, the problems are often around " communication" or "parenting" or "sex". They think if only they had more time or better sex or a better job, things would be wonderful. But it doesn't work that way, because these things are not the BIG PROBLEM. From my experience, I suggest life's really big problems are:

1. Tunnel Vision. The tendency to focus only on the immediate crisis or sore spot. Under stress things look worse or more complex than they really are. The solution: Perspective. Ask if it will matter in 6 months. Ask what else is going on? How did I create this situation and, in an ideal world, what would I like to do about it?

2. Fear. The anxiety or terror that things will go badly, that we will fail or be embarrassed. The solution: Humor and Curiosity. Modern life has very few saber-tooth tigers. The situation is rarely life or death. Ask, What's the worst that can happen? What's the best? What can I learn? What would I do if I had no fear?

3. Confusion. The sense of being lost or unclear about our direction. The sense that we don't know our own priorities anymore. The solution: Responsible Choices. Choose your values and priorities and set your own path. Your life is yours. Check your moral compass, pick a direction and do something extraordinary!

4. Guilt. The belief that we have hurt or failed or sinned and deserve punishment. Guilt is either accurate, because sometimes we do behave badly, or it is false and simply an illusion. The solution: If we have transgressed, we must make restitution, ask forgiveness, learn from our error and move on. If it is false guilt, set it down as an unnecessary and irrational burden.

5. Shame. The belief that we are worth-less than others, that we have a terrible, incurable flaw. It is not that we have done something wrong (guilt), but that we are bad or wrong. The solution: Clear, rational thinking. Everyone has behaved badly, but no one was created badly! Any flaws only serve to make you stronger, more heroic or more compassionate toward others.

6. Loneliness. The belief that no one loves us, that no one cares and we must desperately cling to anyone who finds us attractive or acceptable. This creates dependency, not intimacy. The solution: Accurate Self-Assessment. Not everyone will love you, but many people will if they meet you, get to know you, and spend time working/playing along side you.

7. Resentment. Holding anger and refusing to move beyond real or imagined mistreatment in the past. Some people spend their whole lives as "victims", nurturing a terrible event in their past. The solution: Let go! Life is not fair and people do not always behave well or kindly. Use your trauma to make you wise, kind, gentle, and strong. Holding anger will not work.

8. Self-Doubt. The repeated, endless questioning of your own abilities, opinions or actions. The inability to take a stand, to act boldly, or to follow-through. The solution: Action! Think clearly, then take action and follow-through. Start small, but do it! You are the world's expert on your life! Use your wisdom to live well.

9. Stubbornness. The refusal or inability to re-assess a situation, change your mind, or admit you were wrong. The solution: Wisdom and Humility. Only a fool stays on a course that is headed for disaster! Search for new and better information, remain flexible, open and creative. When the situation changes, adjust accordingly and set a new course.

10. Addiction. Humans become addicted to drugs, but we also become addicted to our jobs, our opinions or our lifestyle. We can be addicted to people and need them rather than love them. The solution: Take a vacation! Periodically, walk in someone else's shoes. Break your habits, re-arrange your schedule, delegate those things that only you can do "right". Use habits and traditions to set you free, don't let habits enslave you!



"Written by Dr Philip E. Humbert, author, speaker and personal success coach.  Dr Humbert has hundreds of tips, tools and articles on his website that you can use for YOUR success!  It's a great resource!  And, be sure to sign up for his FREE newsletter!  Visit him on the web at:  http://www.philiphumbert.com"

Top 10 Tools to Reach Your Goals Quickly

We all have dreams and goals. Some of them are simply "wishes", like winning the lottery or sailing to Tahiti. But we also have goals that are vital to our futures and the well-being of our families. And yet many of us make little or no progress toward achieving our most important goals. We wait and hope, but get no closer to our dreams. It doesn't have to be that way! We all know people who soar from one project to another, achieving their goals and living the life they want. How do they do it?

1.  Clarity of purpose.  For a dream to become a goal, it must be specific. While it's fun to dream about being rich, it takes courage and hard choices to decide exactly how much money you want and how you are going to earn it. Being "thin" is an image; losing 23 pounds by your birthday is a goal. In life, we probably can't have it all. You can lose 23 pounds, or you can have the cake and ice cream. Your choice. Be clear.

2.  Commitment.  There's a story from ancient Greece about a general who landed his troops on the beach, then burned his ships.  He wanted each soldier to know there was no turning back, no retreat, no alternative to victory. Once your goal is clear, emotionally commit to achieving it. There are no alternatives.

3.  Talk about it.  This is called "accountability". Once you've defined your goal and committed yourself to achieve it, start talking about it! If you want to lose weight, don't blame your spouse for buying ice cream if they don't know and understand your goal! Talking about your goals makes them emotionally real and powerful. It allows people to help you reach your goal and support you along the way. Some people will also criticize or undermine you. Don't talk to them.

4.  Write it down.  This is basic, and one of the oldest, simplest and most powerful techniques for achieving any goal. Write it down! Describe precisely what you want, how you will earn it, when you will have it, and the benefits you'll receive from achieving your goal. Write the details. Write the colors, the shapes and the dates.

5.  Write it every day!  Every morning, use a small card or a corner of your appointment book to record a short description of your goal where you will see it all day long. Don't carry the same card day after day! If your goal is worth anything, it's worth a minute of your time to write a simple sentence describing your dream and focusing on your priorities. Do this every morning.

6.  Have a plan.  Create a map for getting there. And put dates on it! A goal to retire at age 40 has no meaning without a savings and investment strategy. A goal to create your own business is just a fantasy without a plan to attract investors, find a location, hire staff and sell your goods or services. The beauty of a plan is that it allows you to…

7.  Take action every day!  "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Any goal that is worthy of you, is worth a few minutes of your time and some of your energy every single day. To one day write a novel, write a chapter this week. To open your own business, read a business magazine today. To create a more loving family, give someone a hug today. To be salesperson of the year, make a phone call right now!

8.  Use constant affirmations.  One of my clients is a PGA golfer. From the moment his ball lands on the green until he sinks the putt, he repeats over and over "I will make this putt!" He repeats that phrase as many 200 times before every putt! Do you think he would be more, or less, successful if he spent those moments thinking, "I just hope I don't miss it."? Tell yourself what you want to hear!

9.  Review, and re-commit, often.  Never be afraid to review your goals, evaluate whether you are still 100% committed to them, and re-commit to achieving them. If your values, or your choices have changed, change your goals accordingly, and be honest about it! And if your goal still fits, run to it with all your heart!

10.  Celebrate each milestone!  Never wait to have a party! Each deposit in your savings account deserves a checkmark on the calendar and a hug from your partner. Each day without a cigarette deserves a smile and congratulations from your loved ones. Every step toward your goal should be documented and celebrated!   When you get discouraged or have doubts, your record of past successes will quickly get you back on track. Not sure about this? Ask any marathon runner whether they count each mile on their run to the finish line! Celebrate each and every milepost on your path to victory!

"Written by Dr Philip E. Humbert, author, speaker and personal success coach.  Dr Humbert has hundreds of tips, tools and articles on his website that you can use for YOUR success!  It's a great resource!  And, be sure to sign up for his FREE newsletter!  Visit him on the web at:  http://www.philiphumbert.com"

Top 10 Keys to Attracting More Clients!

It’s always easier to attract the things we want in life than to chase them down and catch them. My grandmother used to say, "You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar." I’ve never understood why I’d want a collection of flies, but there are many other things I do want.

One of the things many professionals and small business owners want is "more clients". While there are lots of strategies for getting clients, from Advertising to Workshops, one of the best (and fastest) is to be the type of person and provide the quality service that draws clients to you like flies to honey.

The following Top 10 Principles for Attracting Great Clients are borrowed from material originally developed by Thomas Leonard for Attraction University. I am a certified instructor at AU, and created the following list especially for readers of TIP’s. Enjoy!

1. Become incredibly selfish! Yes, it’s ironic, but as you take care of yourself, manage your time, your space and your life well, you have more to give and more to share. If you want more clients, take extremely good care of Client #1.
   
   
2. Over-respond to every event! This is the opposite of over-reacting. Respond immediately to phone calls, answer questions in full, take your time and thoughtfully and creatively go the extra mile.
   
   
3. Add value just for the joy of it! Do more, provide more, go further than you are paid for. Caution: Don’t just give more stuff, give more stuff that people really want and appreciate.
   
   
4. Market your talents shamelessly! Have fun with your marketing, be proud of what you do. Laugh and joke and yell and whisper, but tell everybody! If you aren’t excited, proud and energized by what you do, find another job!
   
   
5. Affect others profoundly. Abandon the roles and job descriptions we all have. Connect with people, question, respond, be silly, get "outside the box". Whatever it takes, make an impact on your world.
   
   
6. Eliminate delay. Time is expensive, and wasting it is unattractive and irritating. Think and plan carefully, but in the end, only action counts!
   
   
7. Thrive on the details. Pay attention to the subtleties, the small things. It’s the little extras that build you up, and little slips that bring you down.
   
   
8. Tolerate nothing! Clean up all the irritations, the daily frustrations and predictable annoyances of your life once and for all! Don’t just fix the problem, re-design your routine so those predictable irritations never bother you again!
   
   
9. Orient life around your values. When you spend your days living in harmony with your values, you become incredibly energized, peaceful, focused and attractive!
   
   
10. Develop more character than you need! Beyond being good at your job, and living with integrity, become very good at being YOU! Be a "real character", the unique, gifted, complex and unforgettable individual that you were born to be.

Have fun with this list, poke holes in it, expand it, even criticize it, but think about the idea that your professional relationship with a client must begin with a good personal relationship. When your clients experience you as a balanced, open, excited person who they enjoy being with...they’ll tell their friends! Count on it


Have a great week, and have some fun! 

"Written by Dr Philip E. Humbert, author, speaker and personal success coach.  Dr Humbert has hundreds of tips, tools and articles on his website that you can use for YOUR success!  It's a great resource!  And, be sure to sign up for his FREE newsletter!  Visit him on the web at:  http://www.philiphumbert.com"

5 Days to A Simpler Life

Of all the Attraction Principles, the most popular class I teach is "Simplify Your Life - Yes, You CAN!"  Based on class attendance, articles in the press, and requests from clients, it's clear there is tremendous desire to live more simply, be more productive, and have greater peace of mind.   While the details are different for each of us, the central theme is:  "I want less stress, more time and more integrity, and I haven't been able to get it!"

The core of this article is that in the next 5 days you can dramatically simplify your life without avoiding your responsibilities or reducing your output.   In fact, as you simplify, your life will improve and you'll contribute more, not less, to your work and loved ones.   In 5 days, I predict you can reduce your sense of "hassle" by at least 50 items, and add one new practice that will solidify your gains forever!

Monday:  Clutter.   This Monday, take 10 minutes and clear out 10 items that bug you.   That junk mail on your desk?  In the wastebasket.   Those old magazines on the coffee table?  Trash 'em!  The plant that's almost dead in your office?  Water it or trash it.  Don't worry about it, don't debate, just deal with these things!  In a quick 10 minutes, sweep through your home or office and clean out, throw out, put away or fix 10 small annoyances and make your environment a cleaner, healthier place.  You deserve the best.  Don't put up with clutter!

Tuesday:  Tolerations.  Tolerations are slightly different than clutter, although they over-lap.   Tolerations are things like putting up with a dirty carpet, a car that needs repairs, or a favorite shirt you can't wear because it's missing a button.  Choose 10 items, list them, and make commitments to get them fixed or replaced.  You may not resolve them on Tuesday, but in 10 minutes take steps so you never have to tolerate these 10 items again.  Clutter and Tolerations undermine our enthusiasm, waste our time, they create doubt and they discourage us.  Get rid of 'em!

Wednesday:  Tasks and Errands.  If your life is stressed and hectic, my bet is that you're running errands and doing things you don't need to do.  Take 10 minutes and choose 10 tasks you will stop doing!  Combine errands, or delegate them to someone else.  Simplify your wardrobe, take a bag-lunch and avoid the rush to the cafeteria.  Renting a video requires TWO TRIPS!  Read a book or play with the kids instead.  Hire a housekeeper.  Most of these things are not "rocket science", they are simple things we ignore because they are so small.  But they catch up with us and destroy the quality of our lives.  In 10 minutes, commit to eliminating 10 time wasters!

Thursday:  Update Your Rolodex!   All of us have relationships and "friendships" that no longer serve us.  And, on the other hand, if you don't have a great doctor, a mechanic you trust, an insurance agent and other experts you can call when you need them, you are not prepared for the inevitable surprises of life. Take 10 minutes to run through your address book and remove obsolete or unneeded entries.  Clean 'em out!  Then, get the phone book and jot down the names and phone numbers of 10 experts for your "support staff".  If appropriate, schedule a meeting to get acquainted.  Simplify your life - have your team in place before you need them!

Friday:  Saying, "NO!"   Most of the items this week are about getting rid of the self-talk that we "should keep that", or "I should run that errand."  Most of the complications in life come from thinking we "should" do things that make no sense!  If you don't want to, or it seems stressful or unnecessary, Just Say NO!  Before you can say "YES!" to your own life, you have to say "NO!" to other people's ideas of how your "should" live.  If you want to say "YES!" to art, music, love, laughter, and joy, you must first say "NO!" to a thousand things someone, somewhere thinks you "should" do.  Make sure you say "NO!" at least 10 times today!  It could change your life!

And A BONUS:   Say YES! to peace and quiet.  Whether you prefer to call it mediation, prayer, quiet time, or whatever, the principle is to nurture and renew yourself with 10 minutes of peace and quiet every day.  Get up a few minutes early and walk slowly around the block.  Read for 10 minutes after the kids are in bed.  Write in a journal or sip a cup of tea.  If you are serious about simplifying your life, slow down and be quiet for 10 minutes at least once a day.  You deserve it!

Have a wonder-FILLED week!   Slow down, watch a sunrise, do something nice for yourself and for someone else.   Above all, be true to yourself! 

"Written by Dr Philip E. Humbert, author, speaker and personal success coach.  Dr Humbert has hundreds of tips, tools and articles on his website that you can use for YOUR success!  It's a great resource!  And, be sure to sign up for his FREE newsletter!  Visit him on the web at:  http://www.philiphumbert.com" 

25 Super-Practical Steps to Build Your Business!

For the past several weeks, we have focused on some wonderful but (to my way of thinking) rather fancy ideas about life. I wrote about motivation (I don't believe in it). I wrote about sorting out priorities (I do believe in that!). And I wrote about the 4 traits of highly successful people. I love that stuff! But I believe most of you subscribe to TIP's for help in actually running your office from day to day. Most of you have told me you're professionals in private practice, or owners of small businesses, or a manager. And that means you must attract clients or customers, serve them very well, and earn their return business - and do it every single day. So. Let's talk about some practical steps that my clients have used to build their referral business quickly and systematically. I call it the "5-by-5" process. Let's walk through it.

Monday:   Take care of, clean up, and get rid of 5 tolerations in your office or work. Make a list! Look around your space, your car, your desk or office, and commit to spending an hour taking care of at least 5 small, daily annoyances that have been bugging you, robbing your energy, or making life difficult. Do that filing! Repair that broken light, or throw out those old magazines. Buy a new desk chair, or a whole new desk! You can't afford to be distracted by these things. Fix them. Do it on Monday!

Tuesday:  Contact 5 former clients or customers. Send them a letter, call them, even send them flowers or a small gift in cases where that might be appropriate. Invite them back, offer them a free follow-up or consultation. Ask them to help you evaluate your service by completing a questionnaire or ask them to come in for an interview. Tell them you value them as customers and want them to come back - and refer their friends! You can do this! Schedule an hour and do it on Tuesday.

Wednesday:  Contact 5 current clients. Follow a similar routine from yesterday. Call them up, or send a card or letter telling them they are valued customers. Invite their comments on how you can improve your service or expand your business. Let them know you appreciate their trust and value their ideas. Do it nicely, with tact and sincerity, but ask them to help you build your business. You practiced on Tuesday, so you know you can do this. Schedule an hour and do it on Wednesday!

Thursday:   Contact 5 potential customers or clients who have never used your services, and make them an offer they have to respect. Go through your rolodex, your list of friends, colleagues, associates and members of organizations you belong to - use the Yellow Pages if you have to - but pick up that phone and invite 5 people to check you out! If it's appropriate, tell them you want to grow your business and offer them a free sample (who could turn down a free massage or a free oil change, or….?) If that's not appropriate, tell them you want to grow your business and you'd love to meet with them, buy them lunch, whatever it takes. You've been practicing for two days, so you know you can do this. Schedule an hour and do it on Thursday!

Friday:   This is the hardest one of all: Do 5 wonderful things for yourself! You've worked hard all week, taken risks, put the word out that you are ready and eager to handle more business. That means you need to be healthy, energized, relaxed and ready. So, go for a walk. Take a long lunch and visit a friend. Read a great novel - or a trashy one, your choice! Enjoy the sunshine, or relax and listen to the rain. Spoil a neighbor's kids, then give them back! Schedule TWO hours, and do it on Friday!

This week, take 25 specific, measured steps to create more room and build your business. If you wanted practical, this is it. Now, it's your choice. My advice? Go get 'em!

Have a wonderful, productive and delightful week! 

"Written by Dr Philip E. Humbert, author, speaker and personal success coach.  Dr Humbert has hundreds of tips, tools and articles on his website that you can use for YOUR success!  It's a great resource!  And, be sure to sign up for his FREE newsletter!  Visit him on the web at:  http://www.philiphumbert.com" 

The Top 10 Steps to Extraordinary Personal Wealth

I recently came across startling figures about the average American’s finances.  Only 4% of us have significant savings when we hit age 65, and a majority of Americans have less than $1000 in savings. Perhaps even more troubling, nearly one-fifth of us have a negative net worth, meaning that we owe more in debt than the total value of our combined assets.  In a land of wealth and opportunity, and in an age of unlimited freedom, attaining wealth is primarily a matter of choice and determination.  The following are my suggestions for rapidly increasing your personal income and wealth.

1. Develop a healthy awareness of money.  Most of us either ignore our cash flow and don’t have a budget, or we think of money as a "problem".  Instead, begin thinking of it as energy, as a resource and as a tool to be managed and used wisely.
   
   
2. Develop a healthy desire for money.  Money is neither evil nor the source of happiness.  It is a tool that can be used well or badly, but most importantly it can be used to achieve many of life’s dreams and priorities.  Having more of it increases your choices, and your responsibility.
   
   
3. Develop a healthy personal foundation.  It is difficult to attract or keep money if your life is in chaos.  To achieve significant wealth, pay attention to your attitude, your relationships, your values and your integrity.  Money tends to flow to those who are prepared to handle it well.
   
   
4. Resolve ALL addictions.  Substance abuse will obviously undermine any real ability to attract and manage large amounts of money, but other addictions are equally dangerous.  Addictions to shopping, drama and excitement, to power or sex or a need to have the newest gadget will all destroy freedom of choice, and your ability to handle money responsibly.
   
   
5. Spend less than you make.  An obvious point that most of us ignore.  Have and use a budget, track your cash flow, decide what you need compared to what you want.  Unless you use credit cards as a tool to monitor your spending, avoid using them at all.  If you’re living on credit, juggling one card against another, get professional help!
   
   
6. Save a significant amount.  Most experts recommend paying yourself first and saving anywhere from 5% to 20% of your income.   The amount or percentage that you save is probably not as important as the principle.  If at first you only save 1%, make that deposit every single week, do it without fail, and congratulate yourself!  Even 1% is a great beginning!
   
   
7. Cut your spending by 25%.  That’s a huge amount!  For most of us, it’s also entirely possible.  Take your lunch, buy less junk, rent a movie instead of going to the theater, make a picnic instead of dinner at a restaurant, re-cycle and repair rather than throwing things away and buying new.   Live cheaper, simpler and closer to the earth.
   
   
8. Learn the principles of investing.  Most community colleges have courses on investing in stocks, real estate, commercial property and even collectibles.  Pick your preference, study hard, buy smart, and let your money work for you rather than you always working for money.  But, never try to get rich quick!  We’re talking about investing, not speculating.
   
   
9. Develop long-term passive income.  Whether this is interest from bonds, profits from a business, or residuals from your last TV commercial, develop assets that will generate positive cash flow for years to come, whether you are working or not.  Rental property has been a favorite, but so are stocks and mutual funds.
   
   
10. Develop wealth consciousness!  This is a conscious, specific desire to be aware of money, to have money, and to use money to reflect your values and your priorities.  Some of us virtually choose poverty because of our refusal to take responsibility for how we handle money.  Others, live as misers and never use money to expand their horizons and develop their lives.  You can decide to have a healthy, exciting and profitable relationship with money.  Choose wisely.  Start today!

"Written by Dr Philip E. Humbert, author, speaker and personal success coach.  Dr Humbert has hundreds of tips, tools and articles on his website that you can use for YOUR success!  It's a great resource!  And, be sure to sign up for his FREE newsletter!  Visit him on the web at:  http://www.philiphumbert.com"

Top 10 Ways to Coach Yourself to Total Success!

Coaching is about being your best. It’s about performance, about “staying the course” and, in the end, about creating and living the life you really want. Many people use coaches to make more money, win the gold prize or do something dramatic. That’s fun, and when it’s right, it’s wonderful!

But most importantly, coaching is about living up to your own standards. It is, in Henry Thoreau’s famous words, about “marching to the beat of your own drum, no matter how faint or far away.” So, do I recommend you have a personal coach? Well, duh!

But if you can’t afford one, or aren’t ready for one, why not be your own coach? Here are a few suggestions:

1.   Write down your goals.  Review and re-write them once a week. This is old advice, but there is power and magic in writing your goals on paper! Write them down, then review them, think about them and up-date them every week. It may only take 20 minutes, but it will double your rate of success, I guarantee it!
 

2.  Show up!  Many of life’s most important achievements simply require that we show up, pay attention, tell the truth, work hard, go the extra mile, and do our best! Superior performance is not about the future, or the past. It’s about doing a superior job right now, on the work that lies right in front of you.

3.   Eliminate Distractions.  Keep your eye on the ball. Life is full of frustrations and distractions. Successful people do NOT tolerate the things that drive most of crazy – they take the time to stop, solve the problem and eliminate the distraction once and for all. Stay focused!

4.   Manage your environment.  Top performers know that space management is more important than time management, and they have neat offices, clean cars, orderly appointment books, and they keep an extra suit at the office, just in case. Make your office (and your home) a space where you can do your very best work.

5.   Read every day.  Read something useful, challenging or fun every day. If you only spend 20 minutes with a book that motivates, excites and educates you, it will make a world of difference. I promise! Aim to read at least one book every month!

6.  Attend a “University on Wheels”.  Listen to educational, motivational and fun tapes while you drive. At least listen to soothing, appropriate music, rather than the “terror of the day” on talk radio! Fill your mind with the BEST information you can find!

7.  Use a Master-Mind group.  The term refers to a group of people who are committed to helping you be successful.  Often, they meet once a week. Think of them as your “Advisory Committee”. Bounce ideas off them, ask them for advice, let them coach you!

8.  Focus on values.  Take time every week to review your values, the things that cost you nothing, but make life worth living. Write them down, share them with a friend, and remind yourself of what’s most important to you. Remembering your values will get you back on course!

9.  Play more!  Play a game of tennis, wrestle with the dog, shoot hoops with the kid next door. Laugh, get sweaty, have fun. It doesn’t cost; it pays!

10. Practice Gratitude!  Periodically, ask yourself how many “good” days you’ve had this week. Notice what made the good ones good, and do more of the good stuff! And, be grateful. "I was angry that I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet."

Even the most sophisticated modern cruise ships must constantly monitor their course. On our last cruise, Mary and I took a tour of the bridge, and were told the ship had no less than 5 automatic navigation computers, and that at least 2 officers were on duty at all times. Why the redundancy? Because having a cruise ship get lost, even briefly, is a very bad thing!

How many navigation systems do you use to guide your path? Having a handful of books, journals, friends and daily routines to “coach” you is not expensive, it’s the best investment you’ll ever make! Set up routines and use the best resources you can find to stay on course. Coach yourself to the top!

Here’s to your success!

"Written by Dr Philip E. Humbert, author, speaker and personal success coach.  Dr Humbert has hundreds of tips, tools and articles on his website that you can use for YOUR success!  It's a great resource!  And, be sure to sign up for his FREE newsletter!  Visit him on the web at:  http://www.philiphumbert.com"

Four more keys to Super-Success

Recently, I was asked to write a Top 10 list about the secrets of success, and I spent time thinking about the most successful people I've known. There have been a thousand books and tape sets written about the "Secrets of Success", so the challenge was to see if I could add something new. I think I have at least found a new way of thinking about successful people.


When I think about the most successful people I've known, both as clients and as colleagues or friends, the following key traits stand out:


First, they are insatiable learners, and some have lots of formal education. But I'm talking about something different. They are incredibly curious. They are like little kids who never stop asking "Why?" And perhaps more important, they ask, "Why not?" These people read "Popular Mechanics" and poetry. They take classes in art appreciation and learn to scuba dive. They buy books on quality parenting and take broken appliances apart to see how they work. They are permanent fixtures at their local community colleges, the public library, a favorite bookstore, and they watch PBS


Second, they use all this learning to build creative contexts. They see how things are connected, and they see opportunities in terms of history and popular trends and new technology. They see ideas in the context of people and they make connections between ideas, technology, and the needs of individuals. How do they do this? I'm not exactly sure, but highly successful people can be reading a novel, which reminds them of a new technology they saw in a magazine, connect it with an idea they saw on PBS, and call a computer programmer to check out the new business opportunities, all in less than 30 minutes! They see a broader context than the rest of us.


Third, they assess risk accurately. Impulsive people under-estimate the level of risk and rush into foolish ventures with inadequate preparation. Cautious people have great ideas, but fail to act, often because they over-estimate the risk of failure. Highly successful people seem to evaluate both the chances of success and the costs of failure accurately and quickly. Because they correctly assess risk, they experience fewer failures and are not shocked or caught unprepared when things don't work out they way they hoped.


Finally, extremely successful people respond quickly. They don't over-react, rarely lose their temper or lose control, and yet they are seen as decisive leaders, as incredibly creative and energetic people. They don't seem to move very fast, and yet they accomplish more than most of us. They never rush, and they rarely hesitate.   They respond appropriately and impact or change situations in the direction they desire. They simply get a lot done and they do it successfully.
Highly successful people hunger to learn everything, they see connections, they assess risk accurately, and they respond quickly. Skills I plan to develop!
And one more thing:  Successful people enjoy themselves! As I look out my window, I see the trees are in bloom and my lawn needs mowing. Spring is here! Have a wonderful week, get outside, stretch your mind and your body, do something nice for yourself and someone else



"Written by Dr Philip E. Humbert, author, speaker and personal success coach.  Dr Humbert has hundreds of tips, tools and articles on his website that you can use for YOUR success!  It's a great resource!  And, be sure to sign up for his FREE newsletter!  Visit him on the web at:  http://www.philiphumbert.com"

Top 10 Traits of Highly Successful People - That You Can Learn!

We have all read about people who are successful briefly. They win a gold medal, make a fortune, or star in one great movie…and then disappear. Or, there are those like Marilyn Monroe and Howard Hughes who achieve extraordinary success, at the cost of their own lives. These examples do not inspire me!

My focus and fascination is with people who seem to do well in many areas of life, and do it over and over through a lifetime. In entertainment, I think of Paul Newman and Bill Cosby. In business, I think of Ben and Jerry (the ice cream moguls), and a local hardware store owner who is famous for the money he’s give to children’s charities. As a Naval Officer, husband, businessman, politician and now as a mediator and philanthropist on the world stage, Jimmy Carter has had a remarkable life. We all know examples of people who go from one success to another.


These are the people who inspire me! I’ve studied them, and I’ve noticed they have the following traits in common:

1. They work hard!  Yes, they play hard, too! They get up early, they rarely complain, they expect performance from others, but they expect extraordinary performance from themselves. Repeated, high-level success starts with a recognition that hard work pays off.
   
   
2. They are incredibly curious and eager to learn.  They study, ask questions and read – constantly! An interesting point, however: While most of them did well in school, the difference is that they apply or take advantage of what they learn. Repeated success is not about memorizing facts, it’s about being able to take information and create, build, or apply it in new and important ways. Successful people want to learn everything about everything!
   
   
3. They network.  They know lots of people, and they know lots of different kinds of people. They listen to friends, neighbors, co-workers and bartenders. They don’t have to be "the life of the party", in fact many are quiet, even shy, but they value people and they value relationships. Successful people have a rolodex full of people who value their friendship and return their calls.
   
   
4. They work on themselves and never quit!  While the "over-night wonders" become arrogant and quickly disappear, really successful people work on their personality, their leadership skills, management skills, and every other detail of life. When a relationship or business deal goes sour, they assume they can learn from it and they expect to do better next time. Successful people don’t tolerate flaws; they fix them!
   
   
5. They are extraordinarily creative.  They go around asking, "Why not?" They see new combinations, new possibilities, new opportunities and challenges where others see problems or limitations. They wake up in the middle of the night yelling, "I’ve got it!" They ask for advice, try things out, consult experts and amateurs, always looking for a better, faster, cheaper solution. Successful people create stuff!
   
   
6. They are self-reliant and take responsibility.  Incredibly successful people don’t worry about blame, and they don’t waste time complaining. They make decisions and move on. Sometimes they are criticized for taking this to extremes – Jimmy Carter carried his own briefcase and a President "shouldn’t" do that!  Extremely successful people take the initiative and accept the responsibilities of success.
   
   
7. They are usually relaxed and keep their perspective.  Even in times of stress or turmoil, highly successful people keep their balance, they know the value of timing, humor, and patience. They rarely panic or make decisions on impulse. Unusually successful people breath easily, ask the right questions, and make sound decisions, even in a crisis.
   
   
8. Extremely successful people live in the present moment.  They know that "Now" is the only time they can control. They have a "gift" for looking people in the eye, listening to what is being said, enjoying a meal or fine wine, music or playing with a child. They never seem rushed, and they get a lot done! They take full advantage of each day. Successful people don’t waste time, they use it!
   
   
9. They "look over the horizon" to see the future.  They observe trends, notice changes, see shifts, and hear the nuances that others miss. A basketball player wearing Nikes is trivial, the neighbor kid wearing them is interesting, your own teenager demanding them is an investment opportunity! Extremely successful people live in the present, with one eye on the future!
   
   
10. Repeatedly successful people respond instantly!  When an investment isn’t working out, they sell. When they see an opportunity, they make the call. If an important relationship is cooling down, they take time to renew it. When technology or a new competitor or a change in the economic situation requires an adjustment, they are the first and quickest to respond.
    

These traits work together in combination, giving repeatedly successful people a huge advantage. Because they are insatiable learners, they can respond wisely to change. Because their personal relationships are strong, they have good advisors, and a reserve of goodwill when things go bad. And finally, none of these traits are genetic!  They can be learned! They are free and they are skills you can use. Start now!

"Written by Dr Philip E. Humbert, author, speaker and personal success coach.  Dr Humbert has hundreds of tips, tools and articles on his website that you can use for YOUR success!  It's a great resource!  And, be sure to sign up for his FREE newsletter!  Visit him on the web at:  http://www.philiphumbert.com"

Top 10 Ways to Create and Manage Opportunity

Most of us are used to the concepts of risk management or time management. Many of the same principles can be applied to creating and responding to opportunities. Instead of thinking of opportunities as just "coming along", you can actually increase the number of opportunities available to you, and there are specific principles you can use to assess whether a "possibility" has real "probability" and "profitability" for you. In times of rapid change, increasing the number of options you have available, and a system for prioritizing and responding to possibilities are critical business functions.

1. Enlarge your circle of friends.   To increase the number of opportunities available, you need to go beyond traditional networking to generate friendships and trust with people who "aren't like me". Use any system you prefer, but be certain that your friendships include various ethnic, economic and social backgrounds, people who "think differently" - artists, engineers, teachers, "kids" and "old timers". Don't just "think outside the box"; network outside your circle!
   
   
2. Always be open to possibility.   Years ago one of my mentors told me, "Everything I have is for sale, except my wife." That may be rather crude and politically incorrect today, but his point was that any business opportunity, any creative idea or investment suggestion was worth at least a few seconds of his time. Look for the unlikely, consider the unthinkable and ponder the improbable. Life's biggest opportunities are often disguised.
   
   
3. Practice creativity.  Intentionally think of a way to turn every crack-pot, bad idea into something useful. This is not about finding a way to invest in every scheme that comes your way, it's about practicing creativity, turning ideas on their heads, finding the kernel of wisdom or value, and throwing the rest away.
   
   
4. Avoid being overly tied to your goals.  Goals, and plans for achieving them, can be extremely useful. They can keep us on track, focus our efforts, and motivate us when we're tired. But they can also blind us to new possibilities. Work toward your goals; don't let them run your life. New ideas and alternative possibilities will come along. Don't drive right past them in your hurry to finish last year's project!
   
   
5. "He who hesitates is a damned fool!"  This quote from Mae West is a classic call to action. Being "light on your feet", or in Muhammad Ali's old phrase, being able to "float like a butterfly and sting like a bee" is useful business advice. There are times when opportunity knocks, but only stays at the door for a moment. Be prepared to respond quickly.
   
   
6. "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread."  Being able to respond quickly is not the same as being foolish. About 95% of the opportunities, ideas and invitations that come your way will not be worth pursuing. If it's a good idea today, it will likely still be a good idea after a night's sleep and consultation with your trusted advisors. Balance, thoughtfulness and a healthy skepticism are also critical.
   
   
7. Assess the probability of success.  Just as risk management compares the odds of being struck by lightening (extremely unlikely) to the chances of a critical shipment being lost (more likely), and assigns different values to each, so opportunities have differing probabilities of success. Just because an opportunity could work out, doesn't mean it will.
   
   
8. Assess the potential payoffs.  Again, borrowing from risk management, it's essential to asses the potential for "winning big". The guy who invented the Frisbee had a strange idea with a low probability of catching on, but the rewards have been enormous! The same goes for turning a coffee bar into Starbucks or sneakers into Nike. What were the probabilities that a couple of college students could turn some computer code into an operating system and end up with Microsoft? Low probability of success, but huge payoffs!
   
   
9. Actively invite opportunities.  Let friends, co-workers, colleagues, competitors and customers know that you are receptive to new ideas. They are much more likely to share a possibility with you if they know you are always "looking for ideas", having fun with possibilities and trying to understand the "next big thing".   Let them know you aren't necessarily hoping to change careers, just open and interested in new opportunities. And don't ridicule anything! Every idea is someone's baby and, amazingly, most of them have some value hidden in there somewhere!
   
   
10. Assess opportunities in terms of your values.  You know your strengths, your interests and your core values. There will be opportunities that will ask you to become someone you aren't. You could make a fortune in stocks, real estate, software, or a thousand other industries, but you have to live with yourself. First, maintain your integrity.

The Top 10 Secrets to Achieving Any Goal

We all have goals that are important to us. They range from quitting smoking, to creating our own businesses, to raising great kids. Unfortunately, most of us also have the experience of being unable to reach our goals, of having them always seem just out of reach. We can see them. We want to complete them, but we never quite cross that finish line. Here are 10 steps that are almost like magic! They will help you reach your goals, every time!

1. Precisely define the objective. Exactly what do you want? Measure it, put a number on it.  How many pounds do you want to lose?  How many dollars do you want to earn?  No one can achieve a fuzzy goal.  Be precise.
   
   
2. Align the objective with your values. You won’t work toward a goal that conflicts with your values or sense of purpose.  Make sure your goals are consistent with your religious and moral beliefs, and with other goals that you have.  Internal conflict will undermine your performance, every time!
   
   
3. Develop appropriate affirmations.  A series of positive, powerful, present-tense statements that describe the benefits of having your goal and how you’ll feel when you’ve reached it are essential.   They should be short, active, exciting, and you will need to write them down and repeat them many times, every day!
   
   
4. Develop powerful reasons to achieve your goals.  "If you have enough why’s, you’ll find a way."  We reach goals that excite us, that stimulate our imaginations.  We reach goals that are vital to our health, our family and our future.  Find lots of reasons!  When it’s important enough, you’ll make it happen.
   
   
5. Write your goals and your reasons down!  Write them on file cards every day!  There is power, magic and mystery in writing your goals down.  Put the cards where you’ll see them through the day.   Put them on your mirror, or on your desk.  Carry them with you and read them, over and over, through the day.
   
   
6. Set a deadline. Again, have the courage to be exact.  Quit smoking by your birthday, double your income by the end of this year, get out of debt by September 1st.  A goal without a deadline is just a pipe dream!  Give yourself the discipline of a date.
   
   
7. Define intermediate targets. To lose 40 pounds in 4 months, determine to lose 10 pounds EACH month.  Having smaller goals makes each one easier to achieve, and you can track your progress to your larger goal.  A journey of a thousand miles is just a series of steps, one after another.
   
   
8. Make your goals public. Tell friends and family what you plan to do, and your target date.  Ask them to hold you accountable and to help you along the way.  Knowing your friends are rooting for you is a powerful motivator.  Set yourself up for success by making a public commitment to reach your goals on time.
   
   
9. Get a partner. High achievers rarely do anything significant by themselves.  Get a running partner, make a friendly bet with your spouse to quit smoking, make it a family project to get out of debt.   Always have at least one person who totally supports you, and make sure they are part of your campaign.  Hire a coach, if appropriate.
   
   
10. Celebrate every intermediate victory! Give yourself a reward for each day without a cigarette, have a family celebration for each bill that gets paid off.  High achievers find reasons to celebrate every day!  Like that journey of a thousand miles, you must celebrate – really celebrate! – each step along the way.

Remember, "if you can imagine it, you can achieve it."  Any goal that truly fires your imagination and fills your heart with joy, is reachable!  Set targets, develop an adequate support system, break large goals into smaller steps, and go for it!  You can do this!
Here’s to your success!

"Written by Dr Philip E. Humbert, author, speaker and personal success coach.  Dr Humbert has hundreds of tips, tools and articles on his website that you can use for YOUR success!  It's a great resource!  And, be sure to sign up for his FREE newsletter!  Visit him on the web at:  http://www.philiphumbert.com"