After the holidays and with the cold weather setting in you might be feeling exhausted.  You may even feel like pulling the covers back over your head on cold winter mornings.

• Stay connected with God.

He is the greatest energy source.  We were not created to function without a close connection to him.  Trying to move through life, without him, is like riding a bike uphill without any peddles.

• Keep a Positive attitude.

Negative thoughts deplete our energy.  Having a positive attitude doesn’t just happen we decide how we look at life.  Research has determined that we are the average of the five closest friends that we choose to be with.  This includes attitude, income, and most areas in our life.

• Feed your brain.

“You will be the same in five years as you are today except for the books you read and the people you meet.” – Charlie Jones.

“Garbage in, garbage out.”  This doesn’t just apply to the computer world; it applies to our mind as well.  Watch less TV, including news, and cut out some of the computer time.  Both of these can deplete your energy.  Reading produces creativity in ways that are remarkable.

• Exercise daily.

I know you are already tired or don’t have time to put in an exercise routine.  Wrong. The opposite is the case.  Regular exercise will boost your energy level. Exercise releases endorphins and we become energized and more creative.

• Get enough rest.

Everyone is different but most people need seven to eight hours of rest to be the most productive.  When you get run-down it is easier to get sick.

How are you handling stress? Do you get grumpy easily?  How are you resting?

Your energy level can be high.  You have more control than you think.  If you become deliberate at take action you can boost your energy level.

Question of the Week:   What do you need to cut from your life to have more energy?

Quote of the Week:   “Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.”    – Oprah Winfrey

One of the great joys this time of year is being able to give generously.  Gifts to family members are planned for Christmas morning. Stockings are hung expecting goodies to be inside. Giving generously has been going on from the time the wise men presented gifts to Christ over two thousand years ago.

Give to not only do good but to do well.

• Live on less than you make.

The first step in generous giving is to have extra to give.  If we live on less than we make we will have excess to help others.  We can help the single mom with three kids that is barely making ends meet on a modest income.  If we have a surplus, we can help the family that just lost a provider.

• Giving can lead to making new friends.

When we look outside of our family to be generous we meet new people. Sometimes this can lead to long term friendships. This may lead to a mentoring opportunity.

• Giving focuses you outside yourself.

Generous giving forces us to focus on others and consider where they are in life.  By the very process of thinking about someone else’s needs, it moves us from our wants. Researchers tell us that giving makes us happier, it improves our relationships with our spouse, and lowers our stress.

Be a grateful recipient of gifts.

Grateful people are always generous people.

We can view Christmas classics almost anytime and the lessons they tell.  Movies like Scrooge, It’s a Wonderful Life, White Christmas, and we can’t leave out Christmas Vacation.

• Scrooge – Lesson of a changed life.
• It’s a Wonderful Life – People matter most.
• White Christmas – A story of gratitude and helping others.
• Christmas Vacation – Be generous

On a personal note for this Christmas season.  I am grateful for my awesome wife of 34 years.   I am grateful for my grown children who are all amazing young adults. I am grateful that my daughter is married to a fantastic guy. I am grateful for a healthy new grandson!!!  Gifts are nice, but what else do I need for Christmas?

Question of the Week:  What are you doing this year to be generous?

Quote of the Week: “Giving frees us from the familiar territory of our own needs by opening our mind to the unexplained worlds occupied by the needs of others.”— Barbara Bush

Last week we discussed how to set achievable goals.  Let’s make this coming year the best year you have ever had.

Plan for the Best Year Ever

1. Consider where in business you are going to end this year and the last quarter.
2. Evaluate where you are in your life.
3. Honestly evaluate your business goals and where you want to be in the next year.
4. Create your new goals.
5. Establish measurable targets for the year, quarter, month, and weekly.
6. Consult wise counsel.
7. Get going.  Start right now.  Not tomorrow.

The next several weeks in December will become extremely busy with family, Christmas celebrations, and shopping for Christmas day.  Right now is the best time of year to prepare for the best year ever.

Question of the week:  What are you doing to make 2015 your best year ever?

Quote of the week:  “There is no passion to be found playing small – in settling for a life that is less than you are capable of living.” – Nelson Mandela

It’s all most time.   No it’s not that Christmas and the other holidays are almost here, we all love that. It’s time to slow down, reflect on the last year, and set new goals. Most of us that are in sales or are entrepreneurs do this naturally.

It’s easy to get distracted, discouraged, or derailed so we don’t achieve the goals we’ve set for the New Year.

What would happen in your life if you achieved the goals that you set for 2015?  Do you want more time, more money so you can send your kids to college debt free, get in better shape,  or a paid for house to enjoy?

How to Achieve Your Goals 

1. Write them down
2. Set a time for completion
3. Make the goal specific
4. Make sure the goal can be measured
5. Don’t have too many goals
6. Stretch out of your comfort zone
7. Identify what needs to be done

Set your goals for 2015 and make a difference.

Question of the week:  What are your goals for 2015?

Quote of the week:  “What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals.” – Henry David Thoreau