Its here again. The end of the year It arrives every year, same time, same place, and were stuck wondering if the new year will begin or we will just cease to exist. And every year, Im reminded of the back of the covered wagon medicine man selling his magic potion to cure what ails you, Step right up, folks! The Magic is waiting. One tablespoon before bedtime and your eyes will be bluer, your hair will be blonder, and youll have my name tattooed on your posterior! Step right up; there are only a few bottles left! Get your magic potion TODAY! Dr. Js New Year Solution to the New Years Resolution! You dont want to miss this opportunity!

You have NOT written your NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS? What are you last years old shoe? Well, okay the reality is, you dont have to write them. But, everyone else writes them?

As a businessperson, I always write one major goal I wish to accomplish during the year, with my business. Usually related to monetary gains, expansion, or customer service, this goal is posted along with my annual motto change (I always update it), on the bulletin board for all the world to see. (At least everyone who comes into my office and looks at the message board behind my computer.)

So, how do you achieve a goal? (Yes, of course I have a point.)

1. First you must have one. Write it down. If you dont write it down, put it in plain open site and boast about it so others will remind you of your goal.

2. Break it down to bite size bits. Make it doable. If you break it down into bite size bits, so you can do something toward your goal every day, you can achieve your ultimate goal on time.

3. Give yourself a deadline. Make sure you know what you want to accomplish and by when procrastination kills a good goal.

4. Put every step on your calendar and plan your day around the goal. Make it part of your every day activities to work on your goal. 15 or 20 minutes a day maybe but write it down.

5. Make it a habit. It takes 21 days to make a habit. So for the first 21 days of January you are going to do your goal work at the same time and place every day. Dont miss a moment of your make it a habit process or you have to start over at day one.

6. Celebrate the small steps. IF you accomplish the first step toward your goal. Tell someone about it, celebrate it, give yourself a slap on the back and announce your success along with your impending goal.

7. Just do it. Follow the steps, and make it happen. This is your life dont give up and dont let go of your dreams!

Set a goal. Make a New Years Resolution. Live the life you dream and make your dreams happen. It is achievable, whatever your goal, one step at a time!

Happy New Year!

Copyright (c) 2005 - Jan Verhoeff

Jan Verhoeff

Somewhere between college and life, Jan began to focus on other people. Her intense need to feel accomplishment in her life drove her to finding a deeper contentment than just existing in the hoot 'n holler of southeastern Colorado. While the beauty of the prairie never escaped her eye for color and beauty, the intensity of her desire kept her moving ever onward.

Summers in Michigan and Tennessee brought her closer to something, but it wasn't until much later, as an adult, mother of four that she began to understand that her need for accomplishment included sharing what she had learned along the way. It also meant that her talent for painting the dream and writing her thoughts had a lot to do with her accomplishments.

She began to focus on actually writing down her thoughts and ideas in journals, revealing her prayer thoughts and life events. Bits of paper became treasures of memory, and a notebook became an outlet of hope and a step of faith. Jan put her thoughts on paper, and began to publish them, where she found opportunity, including various magazines, trade journals, and local publications. Her interests in business and new enterprise became a resounding outlet for her talent, and wisdom for those who sought it. Jan's interest in business development became her trademark, resulting in her first book publication in !992, "Building a Business: From Scratch". This 22 page booklet was published by a local printer in a vertical brochure format, selling more than a thousand copies nation wide. It has resurfaced in college classes as the basis for college term papers, graduate thesis, and research documents for small business courses over the past 13 years.

Seeking more diverse outlets for her talents, Jan most recently has written several short stories published in various books, including: "Stories for the Trail" with the Lamar Writer's Group, "Prickly Points of Life" a combination poetry/short story collection of Jan's work, and "Coffee Clatter" a bound collection of written works originally published in a newsletter published by her daughter, Brenna, as a Sophomore Year Project when she was homeschooling at Buchanan Academy.

More recently her work is available in a newsletter she publishes weekly via email, and various blogs listed on the right side of this page.

You may contact Jan at: janverhoeff@yahoo.com