2008 Greatness Plan

I want to wish you all a prosperous and wealthy 2008!

I expect this year to be the best ever. How is yours so far?

I've been working on my 2008 greatness plan. I really enjoy this exercise and I look forward to it every year. A friend of mine commented how she was sure it took me a whole day to complete it--to which I laughingly replied, "it actually takes me a couple of weeks!"

Seriously, I like to take my time with it. I start by reflecting on the previous year's accomplishments and giving thanks for all my blessings. I then take inventory of where I am personally and of my business, followed by the things I still need to work on and my new projections. Of course, this is all accompanied by actions and benchmarks.

I try my best to stay balanced. So I work on a comprehensive plan that includes relational, spiritual, health, business and financial areas. I always feel satisfied with the end result. This whole process serves not only as preparation for the year, it also gives me the momentum and inspiration to go forward. By the time I'm done I sort of feel like a Superwoman :-)

Last year I wrote an inspirational short article on goal setting that serves as a guide. Look it up on: http://ezinearticles.com/?Goal-Set-Your-Way-To-Wealth-And-Success&id=443249

If you know me and are a regular reader of this blog, you know how much I value the planning exercise/process. I consider it a must for entrepreneurs and those in leadership positions.

The late Peter Drucker said it best: "Plans are worthless, but planning is invaluable." Why you ask? Because it's all about the process! It is about what happens with and to you when engaged in a process of reflection, visioning, planning and action.

So if you haven't already, I encourage you to take time out to work on your 2008 "greatness plan" so you can be ready for the best year of your life!!

What do you do to prepare for the new year? I'd love to hear from you. Drop me a line in the comment section.

"Exhibe tu Exito en el 2008" (Showcase Your Success in 2008)

Boy, it sure took a while. I finally uploaded the "Exhibe tu Exito en el 2008" seminar pictures. Here's one of me with the participants - I'm the one in the center.


What are you up to these days?? I'm gearing up for 2008. I'll be sharing with you on that later. I'm also gathering information for a new project I need your help with.

I'll tell you more in a few days.

Much love always... Sandra

Was it a Culture Shock??

I just got back on Tuesday night from a mini vacation/work week in beautiful Puerto Rico. I shared in fun activities with a friend and was also able to spend some time with family.

The work event was a seminar I presented to young entrepreneurs in the beauty industry. The theme was "Exhibe tu Exito en el 2008". Translated, showcase your success in 2008.

And yes, in case you're wondering, the presentation was in Spanish... that's another story :)
It was an awesome experience. It was the first training I've conducted in Spanish in the last 5 years.

I took away some great lessons I want to share with you. They have to do with the importance of knowing the cultural makeup and/or idiosyncrasies of your audience/client.

Even though I hadn't been in front of a culturally different audience in a very long time, I quickly realized I had to adjust my "representational systems" in order to gain acceptance and rapport. I'll tell you more about representational systems and rapport in a different post.

It wasn't difficult but I have to say it was challenging. The person who contracted me had me wait and hour and a half for late arrivals who turned out to be "no shows".
This is a big professional no, no. This is especially unacceptable when conducting a seminar about success!

I was able to address the issue and how not starting on time impacted the process and the people who were on time. However, I was not able to cover all the material as planned.

All in all, the end result was good. It was a small group and their verbal feedback was positive. I guided them through the "5 Steps of Success and Mastery Outcome" process in preparation for next year. One thing's for sure... the people in attendance were ready and eager to work on their success plans for 2008!

They were all beautiful and I'm so very glad to have met them. I will post a group picture with some of their testimonies later.

So what's the moral of the story? Although it was a rewarding experience, there are several things I would do differently next time when working with a "culturally different" group:

• Communicate the work/partnership expectations ahead of time.
• i.e. Duration of training, set-up of room including temperature, and have confirmation of participants.

In addition, I recommend the following in case you ever find yourself in a similar situation. These can apply at work, business, family, community, etc.:

• Know who your audience is.
• Adjust your representational systems accordingly.
• Be flexible.
• Enjoy the experience.

Hasta la proxima!

Decisions, Decisions

We all have to make them. Small, big or life changing—the size doesn’t really matter. Decisions are hard to make.

When confronted with making financial, relational, career… you name it; it all boils down to one thing, we rather not deal with having to make decisions.

For the person agonizing over a difficult situation, simple everyday decisions can be a monumental undertaking. The decision to do and to be is often the most difficult part of their daily living.

Their perspective is blurred by lack of confidence and inability to see beyond that which presents itself as a problem. They become stuck in an emotional and mental rut.

Feeling nothing will get better, hopelessness sets in giving way to confusion and despair. A powerful combination, together they set up camp overtaking the mind and emotions -- resulting in irrational thinking that leads to devastating conclusions.

It is true... decisions are difficult to make. Especially when the decision to be made will have an impact on the way we do life. Oh, and guess what? Not making it doesn't make it better. Because believe it or not, not making the decision can have just a big of an impact, if not greater, on your life and perhaps the lives of the people around you.

Think about it… Does life stop because you're unable, for whatever reason, to make a decision? Does the problem go away? When you put off making a decision you're essentially saying that you are not going to deal with the issue you know you have to confront sooner or later.

So, what kind of decisions am I talking about here? Definitely not whether to make coffee in the morning or not. The decisions I’m referring to are the ones that require full consciousness. Because when you are fully conscious of your decision-making process, will you feel empowered and confident to make them.

Did you know that you have the power to decide to live a better life? And unless you do, you may never reach the heights and depth of all you were created to be! You may never succeed at what only YOU were created to do.

It all starts with a decision. Decide today to go on the greatest journey of your life. That fear will not stop you from experiencing it and receiving it because… YOU are destined for greatness, love, prosperity, happiness and success. The breakthrough to your destiny is within you.

Aaaah, it gets better. There are actually ways to ease the difficulty of decision making. I will teach you a decision-making formula on part 2 of Decisions, Decisions. Stay tuned.

I've Been Thinking About You

I haven't had much time to post lately. It's been a busy summer. But fall is coming along with slower days. I'm really looking forward to them.

I have some thoughts I will be sharing with you soon.

I will be posting about the process of decision-making, how to deal with adversity, coaching students for academic success and much more.

Oh, and soon I will be announcing my new upcoming *FREE* teleseminar series...

Stay tuned.

Love and success,

Sandra

Let Us Never Forget

I will never forget what I was doing and where I was the day we lost so many... The day the landscape of our country changed forever.

My heart and prayer goes out to all those who lost loved ones on 9/11.

26 Days Left...

Summer is well underway... I don't know about you but summer for me is always the time to lay back and relax. It is the season for contemplation, to re-charge and dream.

Summer is also the perfect time to plan ahead. Because let's face it -- even though the year officially starts in January, life really begins in September... Don't you think? It is the start of the hustle and bustle of children going back to school. And our return to what was left undone on our desk before we went on vacation.

Summer is also the perfect time for...
- Planning ahead
- To put in motion the actions that will turn your dreams a reality.

But let me ask you...
- Do you know where to start?
- What is going to take to make your dreams a reality?
- What kind of thinking?
- Planning?
- Actions?

You know I've said it before... The start of something great can be the most difficult. This is one of the main reasons I created the "Breakthrough." .

The "Breakthrough" offers an amazing opportunity for each participant to address the questions above. To think forward and to finally formulate the RIGHT kind of planning to make it all happen!

It will be a day and a half exclusively for you. You will be surrounded with like-minded people that share your desire to make their personal, career, spiritual, financial, and business dreams a reality.

Do you know what happens when 2 or more like-minded people get together?

- There's amazing energy
- The faith to do and to be is ignited
- We become an unstopable force!

Believe me... this will be a rare opportunity. And one you cannot miss!

But remember, the early bird catches the worm. Don't miss on the great savings and Bonus offers. There's very little time left. The SAVINGS and BONUS offers will end soon and space is limited.

The first step to make it happen starts TODAY!

**** Click here for the Special Bonus Offers:
"Breakthrough to Your Destiny." .


I hope to see you there.