2015-Begin Your Changes Now

A lot of people make resolutions for the new year. They plan to make great improvements to their health, career, or spiritual lives, beginning on January 1st.
Then there are other people who refuse to make a resolution at all because they believe that nothing will change.

The first step to creating any lasting change is to begin. If a goal is really important to you, you don't need to wait until a specific day to begin it. Begin it now.
At the very least, you can prepare yourself for the changes you plan to make beginning January 1st.

Whatever your goals are, there are ways to prepare for them today.

If you are looking to make a career move:

• Create a new resume and cover letter.
• Look up jobs online for potential new positions.
• Post your resume on job boards.
• Buy a new interview suit.
• Sign up for a class to improve your marketable skills.

Looking to get in shape:

• Research health and nutrition information online or at the library.
•  Find a plan that you believe you can stick with.
• Create meal plans for the month of January.
• Sign up for the gym before the January rush, or buy 2-3 new workout dvds.
• Write a list of all of the reasons you want to get healthy.
• Look up success stories online.

Want to save money:

• Create a budget for the next six months.
• Open a savings account.
• Look up coupons to help you save money.

Whatever you want to do, please do not wait until January 1st to begin it. If you start taking steps now, it will give you momentum. When January 1st rolls around, you will be well on your way to accomplishing your goals!

What are your resolutions for  2015? What can you do now to get started?

Showing Kindness

"In separateness lies the world’s great suffering. In unity lies the world’s true strength." ~Buddha

There is so much pain and sadness in the world. There just is. From starving children, to terminal illnesses, from rape and murder, to the victim blaming of raped and murdered people. It is enough to make a person sick.

It is hard to watch humans see other humans as anything other than human. It is hard to wrap my brain around the idea of hating someone because of the color of their skin, their religion, the country they were born in, or their sexual orientation. Why are respect, dignity, freedom, and justice ideas that don't seem to apply to each and every human being?

During times when there seems to be nothing but pain everywhere you look and a sense of hopelessness, it is good to try and show more kindness to others.

Here are some ways you can reach out and help others in need, right now.

• Addie Fausett is a six-year-old little girl who is dying. This year her wish is to receive Christmas cards. You can send a card and spread some cheer to this young girl and her family during this tough time. Send cards to: P.O. Box 162, Fountain Green, UT 84632
• The Salvation Army has started their red kettle campaign for the holiday season. Take a look at the site to see how your donations can help the lives of others. Also, while you are out shopping be sure to donate when you see the kettles at the stores.
• God's Love We Deliver is an organization that was brought to national attention by the late Joan Rivers. This organization delivers healthy meals to people who are terminally ill and unable to cook for themselves.
• The American Red Cross has a holiday catalog you can shop from to help people in need. Not only that, you can donate blood, or money all year round.
• Mid-Ohio Foodbank provides food for families who would otherwise starve. Every day in this country children go to bed hungry. You can donate either to this food bank, or one in your city.
• Make-A-Wish Foundation grants wishes to terminally ill children. Check out the site to see how you can help.

There are many ways you can help people in the world, and in your community. Foster kids need Christmas gifts, someone else needs help paying for medical bills, another person needs a place to live. There is no shortage of needs to be met in this world.

Please look for ways you can show how much you care today.  Namaste.

31 Days

31. Yup. That's all we have. 31 days left to 2014. If you're anything like me perhaps you are wondering where the time went, or how we are past summer, and Thanksgiving already.

In any event, we have 31 days to work on the goals we came into 2014 with, or some we may have picked up along the way. Whether you have been successful at keeping a New Year's resolution or not, you still have before you 31 days to make something really great happen.

What can you do in the next 31 days that will put 2015 on notice that you are coming for it?

You could:

• Start walking
• Learn to cook new recipes
• Learn new computer software
• Register the name of your new business
• Work on writing a business plan
• Spend more time with your children
• Begin to meditate and/or pray 
• Learn yoga
• Journal
• Learn to crochet
• Clean out closets and storage areas
• Look for a new job
• Look for a new place to live
• Volunteer
• Begin writing your book
• Take a trip
• Do daily affirmations

There are so many things you can do in the next 31 days to help you leave 2014 on a good note.

So what will you do?

Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing you and your loved ones a wonderful day filled with good food, laughter, love, and gratitude.

What Is Your Vision?

Lately I've been really into creating vision boards. Not because it is a popular thing to do, but because there is something very powerful about seeing what I'm striving for in front of me.

"Visualize this thing you want. See it, feel it, believe in it. Make your mental blueprint and begin." Robert Collier

There are many ways to create a vision board. One is the cut and paste method. I like this method because it reminds me of doing projects as a child. 

Gather up magazines, or print out pictures from online, and cut out the ones that look like what you desire for yourself.

Want to get into better shape? Cut out pictures of really fit people, or exercises you want to be able to do, or even cute workout clothes. Want to travel the world? Cut out pictures of exotic locations you would like to visit. You get the idea.

Another way, is to do the virtual vision board. There are all sorts of ways to create these, and I'm not technologically savvy enough to know them all.

Recently I've begun creating more boards on Pinterest. I create boards based on my career and personal goals.

Something great really does happen in the mind, when you look at what you desire on a daily basis. It motivates you to do the work to make those goals a reality.

"Dreams are extremely important. You can't do it unless you can imagine it." George Lucas

Another great way to make a vision board is to write down what your vision is. Create pictures of your vision using words. The book, "Write it Down, Make it Happen" discusses the power of putting your goals down on paper.

Even if you don't know exactly what your goals are, write down how you would like to feel. This will help you to get clear and know what to work towards.

Without a vision, you are just blindly moving through life, rather than actively creating the life you want.

Take a quiet moment and see a vision for your future. Then create a board that will remind you of that vision each time you look at it.

Is Someone Holding You Back?

When it comes to pursing goals and dreams, we first have to believe in ourselves. We must believe in our ability to accomplish the vision we have for ourselves.

Next we need support. This support can come from family, friends, a romantic partner, or even coworkers. It is important to be able to differentiate between actual help and support and nay saying.

Sometimes people who love us think they have our best interest at heart when they tell us, not to move forward.

"Don't leave that job. I know you hate it, but the economy is bad. You won't find another more fulfilling job any time soon."

"Do you really think you should try and be your own boss? Someone I know tried it and failed miserably. They had to file for bankruptcy."

"Why do you need to stick to your diet? You did good all week, it's okay to splurge on the weekend. Go ahead and have that cake and ice cream."

"Why would you want to move to that new city, you don't even know anyone there? You might not find work and end up homeless, get murdered, catch a fatal disease, or be so lonely you will come running back. You might as well just stay put."

Statements like these, while laced with concern, are often just barriers to your success.

As people on a mission, we have to know when to cut the nay sayers, and fake supporters off.

I came across this article about a woman who was obese, and realized she had to break up with her fiance in order to lose weight. Her fiance didn't want her to improve her lifestyle even if it was killing her. So she had to let him go. Check out the article to see how she looks now!

The next time someone offers support that tears you down rather than builds you up, cut them loose. If you can't cut them loose, think about why succeeding at  your goals is so important to you. Stay focused and continue to move forward.

Gaining Work Experience

Whether you are looking to land your first job, or a job in a new career field, sometimes you have to think outside of the box.

Getting a new degree or certificate is often not enough to  make a career change. Employers usually will not hire someone who doesn't have experience doing the kind of job they are applying for. Not doing all you can to gain this experience can cause a frustrating string of rejected applications.

Here is my latest article written for Fastweb that details, "4 Ways to Gain Job Experience."

Change

"The only thing that is constant is change." Heraclitus

In life things change. Seasons change, we age, we marry or divorce, have children, children grow up, we start a new job, or leave a job. Every day we are presented with some form of change.

Some people fight against change, opting instead to stay in their comfort zones. I myself have been guilty of this. I've stayed in situations because I was used to them, even if they made me unhappy.

I've often remained in comfort zones so long, despite all of the evidence that I should leave, that the universe had no choice but to force me out of the situation.

The main changes I have avoided, turned out to be good for me. Even when I was forced out of a situation, I looked back and was grateful for the push.

Recently I have experienced a lot of change. This change has caused me to demand that I make decisions and move forward in my life, rather than stay stuck in stagnation.

Have you avoided making decisions or moves in your life because you feared change?

Today I came across "11 Calming Reminders That Change is a Good Thing" in the Huffington Post. It reminded me that change is imminent, and should be embraced.

What changes have you been avoiding or dreading? How can you look at that change differently?

Are You Overusing the Word No?

Some people have a problem saying no to people, situations, or obligations because they are afraid to be seen as "not nice."  These "yes" people often over-commit themselves and then feel worn down and unappreciated at the end of the day.

It is a skill to learn how to say no and mean it. People pleasers must learn how to say yes only when they truly want to. They must say no and not feel guilty afterwards.

As someone who is the oldest child, I was relied upon for almost everything growing up. This then lead to me feeling like I needed to be there for, and fix everything for, everyone. When friends or family asked anything of me the answer was almost always yes.  Yes, even if I was exhausted or sick, and I'd get angry about.

I too had to learn how to say no.  On the flip side, sometimes when it comes to ourselves, "yes" people say no too often.

Are you saying:

No to a job interview with a new company because you're afraid of leaving your current job?

No to a first date because your last relationship ended horribly?

No to relocating to a new city because you are afraid of the economy?

No to a night out with friends because you fear rejection?

No to going back to school because you think you will fail?

It is important to know when you are saying no, because you really do not want something, and when you are just holding yourself back.

Don't let fear make you stay in a constant state of misery. Practice saying no more often to what you do not want, and YES to new opportunities and adventures!

Get Healthy, Get Fit

I have struggled with my weight my entire life. I've lost weight and gained weight more times than I can count.

So here I am on my weight loss journey again. This time, however, instead of just being concerned about fitting into a cute pair of skinny jeans, I'm more concerned about my health.

When doctors tell me everything that is wrong with me, and how many pills they are going to want me to take, I realize how much I've taken my health for granted.

In my effort to get well, I began searching for ways that foods can help me to not only lose weight, but heal my body.

I watched great documentaries like "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead"  and "Vegucated" which show the power of fruits and vegetables.

There is a ton of health information everywhere you look. I try to just stick with what is simple and natural.

Here are some of the other things I have come across this week:

• Eight Foods You Should Eat Everyday  
• Because you can't accomplish any positive change with a negative mind, "How to Turn Your Negative Mind Into a Positive One"
• If you're just starting to workout, you may not realize that you are doing some moves the wrong way. "8 Exercises You're Probably Doing Wrong"
• Because all work and no fun makes for a boring life, "10 Cocktails With 150 Calories or Less."
• 55 Healthy Snacks Under 200 Calories
• Giving me something to aspire to, here are some fitness festivals happening next year.
• Yoga anyone? "Fat Melting Yoga Moves You Can Do at Home"

Is It Time To Move On?

How many times have you relocated in your life? Once? Twice? Never?  I've moved to new places a few times in my life and have always loved the experience.

In the past I would pick a city, make a plan and move. Lately, however, I've found myself hesitant to move to a new state.

Today, however, I came across this article, which talks about the benefits of living in different locations in your lifetime. It reignited my desire to get out of my comfort zone, and move on. Even a change as simple as a new apartment helps to open your eyes and gives you a fresh start.

This article written by Lauren Martin, lists reasons why moving and gaining a new perspective is always a good idea.

If you are ready to take the plunge and make a move, here is some advice from moving.com to help make your transition a smooth one.

For the truly adventurous, peruse internationalmoving.com for tips on moving out of the country.

Land The Job

Whether you are seeking your very first job, or you've had many jobs in  your life, it is always a good idea to brush up on your interview skills.

Everything from what to wear to the interview, to the way you behave before, during, and after your interview can affect if you get the job.

In an article written for Monster College, I discuss Seven Things That Can Ruin a Job Interview. Even with the best intentions, it is easy to make one of these mistakes.

The article Showcase the Right Attributes to Land the Job discusses how to shine beyond the information on your resume.  Often employers are presented with several candidates with the same qualifications. It is important to use your personal qualities to sway the hiring manager's decision.

Making the best possible impression  at a job interview, won't guarantee you get the job, but it will definitely help your chances.

What Oprah Knows For Sure

What I Know For Sure
By Oprah Winfrey
228 pp. Flatiron Books. $18.62

Essays written by Oprah Winfrey for  O The Oprah Magazine have been gathered into this small, yet powerful book.

Part memoir, part inspiration, this book contains lessons Oprah has learned throughout her life.

Recounting important moments from her talk show-- interviews, friendships she formed with influential people, what she learned from the guru's on her show-- Oprah relays important information that anyone can learn from.

These essays have been edited by Oprah in 2014 to reflect how she has grown since writing the original essays.

Reading this book has made me wonder what I know for sure.  One thing I know for sure is when the student is ready the teacher will appear.

We can  learn new things that will improve our lives from any number of sources, and in any number of ways if our eyes and ears are open.

What do you know for sure?

Weight Loss Inspiration

Weight loss can be difficult to achieve and even more challenging to maintain. One of the best ways to stay motivated is to see stories of other people who have lost weight and kept it off.

Seeing these people have success with their weight may be helpful because:

A) It shows that it's possible. Sometimes when you've been overweight for so long you fear that you will never get down to a healthy weight.

B) It gives you a visual to cling to, an image to keep in mind as you workout and make healthy food choices.

Here are some inspirational sites I've come across lately.

• The Weigh We Were-- This site features people who have lost huge amounts of weight through diet and exercise alone. Each featured person tells their own story in their own words.
• Black Women Losing Weight-- Featuring success stories, motivational articles, and monthly challenges, this site shows people who have lost weight both from diet and exercise and/or weight loss surgery.
• Huffpost Healthy Living -- This site features various articles about people who have lost weight. At the end of each article is a slideshow of other weight loss stories to choose from.
• CNN Weekly Weigh In -- CNN showcases weight loss success stories. There are video segments to accompany the articles. 

 
If you have been struggling with your weight, I hope these sites motivate you to get up and try again.

Begin Boldly

Pick an actor...any actor who is successful in his career, but  is actually not that great at acting. Got that image in your mind? Now imagine that actor never attempted to follow his dreams because he felt like he wasn't good enough. Where would he be now?

One day I decided to read a book written by a world famous author. I was ready to dive into the book and learn. I wanted to learn what made this writer's writing so good that she's sold millions of books in many different languages. What I found on the pages, however, was writing that broke every rule a new writer learns in Creative Writing 101. I was shocked! This writer's books are loved all of the world, and yet the writing isn't actually good.

What if this writer never submitted her first manuscript to a publisher because she thought she couldn't write as prolifically as Toni Morrison? Where would that writer be? What would her career look like today?

I admit to being hard on myself. I never think I'm ready to launch out and go after what I want. Always thinking that I need to know more, be more, have more, and I end up holding myself back.

"Start before you're ready." -Steven Pressfield

There's this notion that every person who does something great is confident, fearless, and perfect. What if they actually are afraid, but they go for it anyway? What if they know they aren't the best but they go for their dreams because they know they have something to offer?

"Every professional was once an amateur.  Every expert was once a beginner." Unknown

It's okay to not know everything...you learn as you go. Whatever you want to do, change careers, start a business, go back to school, get healthy, or complete a creative project, go for it!

There is no benefit to sitting on your goals and dreams.  You never know, the outcome just might be great!

"Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it." -W.H. Murray

10 Ways to Avoid Giving Up

 

 

This is a repost from last year on April 15th. I hope you are still hanging on, and making progress.
If you are currently struggling, as we all are from time to time, keep reading.


Don't throw in the towel just yet. I know, I know...it's hard. You feel like you've given your all and it is still not good enough. You aren't seeing the results you want and you wonder if the fight is even worth it.

It is.

Faith is a concept I love, but I often struggle with it when it comes to my own life. Oh you can relate? Yes, I thought you could.

So as I sit here contemplating all of my reasons to give up, I think of you. I think to myself, what would I tell you, if you were contemplating the same thing.

 Since giving up is not an option, here are 10 things you can do instead of walking away when things look bleak. None of these are groundbreaking or new, but it's good to be reminded.

1. Pray- Overly simple. Prayer I have found, can bring you back from the brink of despair. It can help you to find peace where before there wasn't any.
2. Meditate- Meditating or even just sitting quietly helps you to see and hear things you couldn't when you were fretting.
3. Journal- Writing down what you are feeling is a great way to get clear. Write it down and get it out without censoring yourself.
4. Be Grateful- Whenever I feel like everything is going wrong, and all hope is lost, if I say even one thing that I'm grateful for aloud, I notice that my attitude begins to shift for the better. Try it.
5. Run- Ok you don't have to jump up and run a six minute mile, but moving helps you to stay sane. Sometimes just sitting and thinking negative thoughts robs you of all of your energy.
If you get up and do even one active thing like unloading the dishwasher, or taking out the trash, or doing a workout dvd, it helps to elevate your mood.
6. Find a friend- Sometimes you can feel like you don't have anyone to talk to. A friend can be anything, from your higher power to a pet. Find a friend and lean on that friend when you are having a tough time.
7. Look to your list- When you are in a good mood, come up with a list of things you can do if ever a sad, stressful, frustrated, or angry mood comes on. Then when the mood does come, use the list.
8. Read or Listen- A lot of mood elevation can come from reading something positive or listening to it. Just seeing positive words can help you to feel more positive.
9. Work- Your problems aren't just going to solve themselves, you must do the work. In what areas can you improve? Work on those. Anything worth having, takes work including peace of mind.
10. Enjoy the good times- It is important to live in the moment and be excited about the good times. When things are going well, revel in it. Store up the memory for a down day-- which is sure to come around again-- and perhaps it will help you to remember that tough times don't last.


The lotus is one of my favorite flowers because it grows up through mud and blooms in the sunlight. I hope that you too will be able to rise above the muddy areas in your life and bloom in the sunlight.

Guest Post--New Reasons to Quit Smoking from the Surgeon General

Bad news for smokers: your habit might cause even more health problems than you previously believed.

According to a new report released by the Surgeon General, smoking increases the risk for diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, erectile dysfunction, impaired fertility, colorectal and liver cancer, and immune system weakness.

The news isn’t great for people who spend a lot of time around smokers either: according to the report, second-hand smoke increases the risk for strokes in non-smokers.

It’s been 50 years since the U.S. Surgeon General released a report officially linking smoking to lung cancer, and the knowledge of just how much damage smoking can do to your health has helped a lot of people kick the habit. We’ve come a long way, but smoking is still a popular habit in our country, and roughly 20.8 million people have died of smoking-related diseases since that original report in 1964.

For many of those people who smoke today, knowing the additional risk for the diseases outlined in the Surgeon General’s report won’t be a strong enough motivation to quit. After all, you’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who believes that smoking is actually good for them. People don’t smoke for their health; they smoke because it’s an addictive habit they get into, and trying to quit can lead to unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.

In addition to knowing the health risks, many people need a stronger motivation to quit smoking. Here are just a few that have worked for some former smokers:

Parents sometimes find motivation by telling themselves they don’t want their children to pick up the habit, and that they don’t want to die before their time of a smoking-related disease and miss seeing their children (or grandchildren!) grow up.

Recent studies have proved that exercise temporarily reduces cigarette cravings, and getting into a regular exercise routine has helped many people quit smoking. It also motivates people to stay smoke-free so that they can get in better shape and enjoy an active lifestyle.

One company now produces smoking cessation software that shows smokers what they would look when they’re older if they continue to smoke regularly. Since smoking a pack a day causes a person to take on the wrinkles of someone 1.4 times their age, some people are successfully able to scare themselves into quitting after seeing how their habit will impact their appearance.

A researcher from the University of Georgia recently found that smokers who use social media as a motivational tool during their quitting attempt are more likely to stay smoke-free than those who don’t use social media. Many people update their progress on Facebook, Twitter, or health-specific social media sites to give themselves a support network and greater accountability.

When it comes down to it, it doesn’t really matter whether people give up smoking because of health concerns or because of another motivational factor. What matters is that people find a tool that empowers them to kick the habit and live a healthier lifestyle.

 

Juliana Weiss-Roessler is a freelance writer and co-owner of Weiss-Roessler Writing with her husband Josh. She writes about a wide range of topics, including health, fitness, and running a small business. She currently lives in Austin, TX with Josh, her 20-month-old son, and two rescue dogs.

Is Grad School Necessary?

In my latest article written for Monster College I discuss several things students should consider before applying to graduate school.

When students first finish their undergraduate degrees, they feel a strong sense of accomplishment. New graduates often are optimistic about embarking on a new career.
A few months after graduation, however, some students get frustrated by their inability to find a job in their chosen field.
As a result of chronic unemployment or being dissatisfied with the job they do have, many people choose to continue their education in graduate school.

Here are some things to consider before going back to school:

Read the rest of the article here.

Intern to Employee

I'm a huge proponent of students working internships. Internships allow students to apply what they've learned in the classroom to a real job.

Some students are able to turn their internships into their first full-time job.  It is a great thing to be able to graduate college, and immediately be able to work in your chosen career field. Many college graduates aren't as fortunate.

In my latest article written for Fastweb, I give some tips for turning your internship into a paying job.

Find out what you can do to make your first job out of college a job you love by checking out my article here.

Self-Sabotage: Stop It!

In Steven Pressfield's book "Do the Work" he says that all people have a voice in their heads that attempts to sabotage their best efforts.

He calls this voice or urge to give up "resistance." Resistance doesn't want you to do anything new, or risk looking silly in order to achieve a goal or dream. It lists all of the reasons why you can't accomplish something, and causes you to find every opportunity to procrastinate.

Have you ever started out working on a new endeavor with gusto only to drop the idea half-way through? Do you long to take a new class, start a new business, or complete a new work of art or social importance, but can't seem to find the time? You are most likely listening to resistance and sabotaging yourself.

In his article, "How Not to Sabotage Yourself" Sam Ferrigno, gives a list of things you can do to ensure that resistance doesn't win.

We all have goals, dreams, and even to-do lists that we want to place check marks next to.

It is time to stop sabotaging ourselves, and start accomplishing what we set out to do.

Live Differently

"When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say, 'I used everything you gave me.'" -Erma Bombeck


This past week I've come across two things that speak of what people think about most before their life is over. Whether it is a list of regrets or things left undone, what is important in life becomes clearer just before it's over.

I was shaken by this list of things dying people say they most regret.  More than half of the things on the list are things that I often put off for "one day." There are also things on the list that I spend too much time worrying about.

Ric Elias was on Flight 1549 when it went down in the Hudson River. In this video he recounts the moment when he thought his life was over, and what he has learned from it.

“Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure. ” - Oprah Winfrey

The older I get, the more I see how fast time passes. I acknowledge that "one day" often becomes never.

There's a lot that I still want to do and accomplish in my life. I'm sure I can't be the only one who feels like there is so much more to be done. 

Whatever your goals or dreams are, you have to go after them. Today.

The time to do these things is now. Of course this is known in theory, but time doesn't wait for you to actually take action. That is up to you.

“Action expresses priorities.”-Gandhi

I've decided to do at least one thing every day that will put me closer to living my dreams and being the type of person I have always wanted to be.

What can you do to live differently NOW?

If you need a little push, here are some great quotes about life to get you going.

Under Pressure

We all know what pressure is. Pressure from family, friends, our jobs, even ourselves can cause us to fail at any goals we undertake.

Sometimes family members think putting you down is the best way to make you angry enough to change a bad habit. Having people close to you criticize you may not be helpful at all. Instead it may cause you to give up on your desired outcomes altogether.

There are, however, some ways that pressure can be good for you.

It is important to know which kind of pressure inspires you and which kind hinders you.

Deadlines: For me, I work best when I have a specific date and/or time when something must be completed. Whether I'm taking a college course or must turn in my latest article to an editor, having a deadline inspires me to get my work done.

Accountability: Having to allow others to view my work, makes me work that much harder to ensure that it is as near perfect as possible. Anyone seeing my work as half-done, or lazy is embarrassing to me. Just knowing that someone else will see and judge my work motivates me.

Growth: "If you're the smartest one in the room, you're in the wrong room." Richard Tirendi.

This quote fully illustrates the type of pressure that motivates me most. I love to be surrounded by, and held to the same standard as people who are smarter and more experienced than I am. It forces me to stretch and learn in ways I could not have imagined.

It is important to recognize when the pressure you feel is positive, and utilize it.

Leverage positive pressure to achieve your goals in 2014!

What kind of pressure motivates you?

Keep Your Resolutions Links

Have you created a list of new RESOLUTIONS for 2014? If you are like most people, some of your resolutions from 2013 may be the same ones you have this year.

In an effort to help us all achieve our goals this year, I went searching for some advice.

Here are a few links I've come across:

• Prepare to Receive- We all have things that we would like to have happen in our lives, this article talks about preparing yourself to receive what you really want.
• No Weight Loss Resolutions- This article from Spark People talks about making resolutions that focus more on your health than a number on the scale.
• Get Organized- Plan to succeed with these great organizers, and tips.
• Lean in 2014- Follow one woman's quest to become lean and healthier in the new year.
• Money Saving Tips for 2014- Some ideas for things not to buy this year that may end up saving you a lot of money.
• 7 Financial Habits That Will Change Your Life- If you are looking to completely improve your financial future, check out this article.
• Resolutions You Should Really Make- 25 resolutions that will really improve your year.
• 2014 Playist- Some music to get you motivated.
• Create a Daily Contract- This is an interesting article about things you can do daily to create a better life.

Dr. Wayne Dyer Seminar

From January 11-17th, Hay House, founded by Louise Hay, will have a FREE seven day seminar to help you Start the New You Now.

This seminar offers days of inspiration and instruction featuring Dr. Wayne Dyer and other notable life and wellness coaches.

This FREE seminar begins with four free videos which are already posted on the website.

This is a great opportunity to receive an extra push into being exactly who you want to be.

Registration is open now, and it's FREE.

Happy 2014!

Can you believe it? A new year is here again!

Here is a post from last year, which may still be helpful today. "This Year I Will" helps you to actually accomplish what you set out to do at the beginning of the year.   It is important to remember that each and every single day of this year counts.

So put in the effort, in order to reap the rewards.

What are your resolutions for this year? What can you do today to start off on the right foot?