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Like most people, I have new goals for myself for year 2010. I really prefer not to call these New Year Resolutions, because that sounds to me like something that I’ll never achieve. I know that many people have New Year Resolutions, and NEVER stick to them. I’m not sure I know anybody who has ever stuck with one. There are some who would prefer to put a more positive spin on this term by calling their goals – destinations, but that doesn’t do much for me. So, I will simply call these goals.

I do believe that putting your goals out for others to see makes these goals much more likely to be accomplished…..and that’s what I’ve decided to do. I do have other (and more measurable) goals than what I’ve listed here, but these are what I desire the most. [Read more →]

Tags: Goals, Life and Interests, Personal, Personal Development by Anthony ∗ 6 Comments »

It’s been very interesting for me to watch others use the themes I’ve created for their sites. There’s an element of excitement that I’m not sure I could describe. It has something to do with having the initial idea for the theme, spending the hours it takes to form it, and then watching as the world accepts it.

I’ve been interested in Web Design for about the past year and a half……or maybe two years. That was actually the whole reason I built a website in the beginning – way before I got a blog. The day I discovered Blogger, was the day I modified my first blog theme. Ever since then, I’ve tried modifying every design that I’ve had…….and a bunch of them I never even used. In the process I started realizing how a WordPress theme works. So, naturally, I had to make one.

So, why make themes and offer them for free? There are several reasons that come to mind, some more important than others. The main reasons would include:

• Incoming Links
• Practice to Improve
• Creative Outlet
• Fun……….?
• Hopefully to bring me attention

That first one is important to anyone who offers free themes. You get to use the theme in exchange for letting me have my link in the footer. It’s been amazing to me how many people have activated one of my themes – and immediately took my link out of the footer. I’ve probably been guilty of doing the same thing (before I knew better). But, that can be a little discouraging.

As far as bringing attention my way, let me explain what I mean by that. The thought of doing freelance design appeals to me very much. I can only assume if I happen to build a theme that’s a hit(meaning that it becomes popular), then it can only bring opportunity my way. So in essence, attention = opportunity. Opportunity is a good thing any way you slice it!

I hope that sheds some light, if my recent design projects have thrown anyone for a loop. The ideas have been in the works for a long time. I already have two more themes that are almost ready. I may wait a while and spread the release of these out a little further apart. I’m excited about both of them. They’re very different from each other, yet are both very visually stimulating. I’m also *considering* redesigning this site, and offering this design. I’m undecided though, because I get a lot of compliments for it. We shall have to wait and see what the future holds…………

Tags: Goals, Wordpress by Anthony ∗ No Comments »

Jonathan at SmartWealthyRich is running this contest, where he’s giving away a copy of the book, Secrets of the Millionaire Mind. I’m not sure when the deadline is, but there’s still time if you would like to participate. I like to read, and I like money, so it sounds like a good deal to me.

So the question is, “Why would I like to be a Millionaire”? Well, I think it’s natural to associate money with less stress. In other words, “if I had plenty of money, I wouldn’t have to work, and I wouldn’t have to worry about how I’m gonna pay all my bills, etc.” However, I think having money would not necessarily be less stressful. It may be a different type of stress. Not stress to survive, but stress to manage and keep. I think having to manage and hold on to your money might be easier to deal with.

When I consider myself with a million dollars, I don’t really see myself in a fancy car or living an extravagant lifestyle. I think I would certainly pay off my debts immediately, but aside from that, I think I would want to figure out how to leverage that money to create an income. If you only made 10% per year off of it, thats $100k. $100,000 of debt-free income sounds pretty good! That would let me provide my son with the best opportunities and it would free me up to try new things, regardless of the profitability.

So maybe if I win this book, I’ll learn all the secrets…..

Tags: Goals, Money, Personal Development by Anthony ∗ 5 Comments »

Must I Play Golf To Get Ahead? is an article from Anne Fisher on Yahoo Finance from a few days ago. I think that’s a really good question.

I’ve read in business books before, that some of the best business relationships are made on the golf course. I’ve also witnessed it first hand to an extent. I see people move up the ladder, who are generally considered good golfers. Obviously, playing the game of golf is not a prerequisite for being successful in business, however it is a great tool, and that’s a fact.

I used to play golf, or played at golf may be a better way to put it. It is an enjoyable activity, leisurely playing the game surrounded by beautiful scenery. However, I felt that to really improve, I needed to devote more time to it than I had to give. I also felt that if I wasn’t going to actively try and improve, that the time and expense wasn’t worth it. That may or may not have been the best decision.

There’s no doubt that golf can bring new opportunities your way. Especially if you’re fairly skilled. The better you are at the game, the more people are interested in setting up a tee time with you. Golf is the game of the successful, and the successful like to congregate on the golf course.

I see one way that golf could actually hurt your career. If you wore those silly plaid pants to your job, you’d quickly become a laughing stock! Can you imagine this dude to the left showing up at the office looking like that? Can you imagine this guy trying to sell you an insurance policy or managing your portfolio? Personally, I’ve never understood why so many golfers dress so goofy…..

Tags: Business, Career, Goals by Anthony ∗ 7 Comments »

You probably know right off what your strengths are. This knowledge probably helps you make a lot of decisions. On the other hand, knowing your weaknesses is a little harder to come to terms with.

Every year at work, when my annual evaluation comes around, I’m faced with this. The term for weaknesses is “areas of opportunity”, but let’s call it what it is. Everyone has weaknesses. That’s a fact. It’s not something to be ashamed of. You can’t be great at everything.

Defining what those weaknesses are can be tricky. Some people can quickly name off a few, like public speaking or selling, but it’s easy to get confused between what you don’t like to do, versus where you’re actually the weakest.

Ben at the Instigator Blog, suggest that once you figure out what they are, there are many ways to turn them into strenghs. But figuring out what they are is key.

If you work for someone else, one way to figure out what your professional weaknesses are, is to directly ask your boss. I’ll guarantee you, that he/she already has an opinion on the matter. More than likely he or she will be more than happy to share their thoughts on this with you. If you do this, I’d suggest deciding up front that you aren’t going to get upset, and that you’re going to be objective in the spirit of self-improvement. The whole purpose is to identify them and then try and improve on them.

Identifying both your strengths and weaknesses can help give direction in life, can make you much more effective in setting and reaching goals, and will make you a more well-rounded person.

Tags: Business, Career, Goals, Personal Development by Anthony ∗ 4 Comments »

Do you ever feel like the best part of waking up, really is Folgers in your cup?

Personally, waking up in a *bad mood* can really keep me from getting much done. Maybe I should, but I’m not really one for making a daily to-do list.

Everyone has a general idea for what they plan to accomplish each day, whether it’s written or not. If you get up everyday to go to your job, that kind of takes care of your to-do’s for the most part. What about the days you’re not at work? What if you’re self-employed? Works gotta get done, regardless of your “mood”.

Here are a few ideas, to get you in do-it-anyway mode:

• Make a to-do list anyway, then follow it.
• Do something physical – whether it be excercise, yard work, housecleaning, etc. For me coming straight to the computer doesn’t help.
• Have a cup of Folgers – Classic Roast.
• Go ahead first thing – shower, get dressed, eat breakfast, just as if you have to be somewhere.

Tags: Goals, How To, Productivity by Anthony ∗ 2 Comments »