2009 was a fantastic year for me in my business. As I end this year I am taking the time to create a deliberate intention for how I plan to move my business forward in 2010. I have been using a variety of tools to accomplish this task including one of Tony Robbins’ goal setting workshops to set some global goals that cover all aspects of my life, I am using Khama Anku’s DVD program, How to Build Your Business from the Ground Up, to put the finishing touches on my new business plan, and I am using La Shanda Henry’s, Create Your 2010 Action Plan to reflect on how my business went last year and how I would like to see it grow and move to the next level in the year to come.

It’s been fascinating to look at the numbers and really see where my business saw growth and where things could use some help. I’m also updating my marketing plan to include more of the marketing strategies that worked for me and some new ideas that I’d like to try in an effort to expand my reach and my visibility online.

If you have not yet created your 2010 action plan there’s still time. You can visit, to download your free copy of Create Your 2010 Action Plan. Because I have an affiliate relationship with La Shanda Henry, if you follow this link I’ve provided and you purchase any of the other excellent products that she has available, I will receive a commission. This is just one of the ways that I generate revenue in my business.

I believe that if you want to achieve a goal, the first step is to create a plan for how you will achieve it. I applaud you on taking the first step. So, here’s to an even more exciting 2010!

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The word resilience is defined by Merriam Webster’s Dictionary as, “an ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change.” Is resilience a skill that you were called upon in the year 2009 to display? I think of resilience as the ability to bounce back, to get back up again when you fall, to call upon strengths that you never knew you had and use them to carry you through.

As we come to the end of 2009 I am pleased to say that I have indeed been more than a conqueror. I have shown resilience in the face of a lot of adversity and I have come through. I am pleased to say that my business not only survived, but it is thriving and growing despite a recessionary economy. Most of all I am pleased to report that despite the passing of my beloved father and grandfather barely six months apart this year I am happy and blessed and thriving in my spirit.

2009 has been an amzing year full of challenges, but also full of joy. I learned many valuable lessons this year about business and about life. I thought that I’d take a moment nad share a few of them here.

Lesson #1: Be Me
There is tremendous value in presenting your true, authentic self. I make a difference in this world just by being myself and presenting my gifts, strengths, skills and talents to the world who is waiting to receive them.

Lesson #2: Value
The more value you create for others in this world the more value comes back to you exponentially. (pressed down, shaken together running over. . .)

Lesson #3: Energy
Everything is energy. Everything I write, say and do is infused with my energy. No one else on earth possess my energy. It is what makes me unique. My energy is what draws my clients, my friends–my good into my life.

As I stride confidently towards this new year and shiny new decade I wish nothing but the best of everything to all of those who I am privileged to come into contact with. It is my desire that you find a way to share your unique value with the world and that you are richly rewarded for it as I have been.

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I’m working on a manuscript in my ’spare time,’ which, as a work-from-home Freelance writer/single mom is a bit of a misnomer. My goal is to make progress on it each week, and I will not give up until I have it finished.

This morning, I saw this email from Julie Isacs in my Inbox. It inspired me so much I wanted to share it with you:

Book Cover

At the beginning of a book, or other long writing project, it’s
helpful to create a vision board or some other visual “touchstone”
to keep you inspired, focused, and moving forward on your writing
journey.

Your visual touchstone could be:

* A vision board of your book to put on your wall, or on your
computer as a desktop background or screen saver.It can include
your book cover,”NY Times bestseller,” or any other words or
images that excite you about your book.

* A mind movie: A vision board turned into a video, inspiring
thoughts and images moving to the beat of an uplifting song. You
could even record a voice-over talking about how you’ll feel when
the book is completed, and how it’s going to affect the people who
read it.

* Your book cover: If you don’t have your book’s official cover,
you can create a rough draft (it doesn’t have to be perfect) that
has meaning for you. Besides using the book cover on your computer
as your desktop image or screen saver, you can print out the cover
and put it on your refrigerator or near your computer. You can also
put your book cover on a 3-ring binder, paste it on a book-sized
diary, or create a physical mock-up of your book in some other way.

* Your book’s back cover: Put this where you can see it, or
combine it with the book cover described above to create your
“book.” Be sure to add a couple of testimonial “blurbs” to the back
cover copy saying how wonderful your book is.

* Your book’s table of contents: Print your TOC in a nice sized
font, so you can easily read the chapter headings. Put it where
you’ll see it often.

* A picture of the ideal reader you want to educate, inspire, or
entertain through your writing. It can be someone you know, or a
clear representation of your ideal reader (age, gender, etc.).

* A picture of something you’ve promised to buy yourself when you
finish writing your book. There’s nothing wrong with a little
incentive. Writing a book is a big commitment, and completing it is
a HUGE accomplishment. Celebrate the many little wins along the
way, and when you’re finished do something big and wonderful for
yourself.

* Or some other image that has meaning for you. It could be an
author you admire and want to emulate, or someone (or something)
that inspires you to do your best.

To keep me inspired as I write “Brainstorming Your Blog,” I’ve not
only created a book cover, I’ve put it on the front of a 3-ring
binder, created chapter dividers, and will be printing out the
book’s pages as I complete them.

The reason I’m doing this is four-fold:

1. To encourage me to finish each of the individual sections that
I’ve outlined.

2. To help me feel more connected to the book, and, therefore,
more committed to going all the way to a completed manuscript.

3. To get a visual and tactile sense of accomplishment as the
completed pages of the book grow.

4. To help with the editing, as there is something about having a
piece of paper to edit that helps me see things I might not catch
online (I don’t know why this is true, but it is).

Do you use any kind of visual touchstone? How has it worked
for you?

by, Julie Isac from the Writing Spirit.com

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