Do you ever feel like everybody but you is running your life? Whether you are an entrepreneur like me or working for someone else, today I want you to stop and take stock of your life. I spent the first part of my career doing what I “should” do. I obtained my bachelor’s degree, I worked for a large accounting firm, I got my license as a CPA, was hired in industry as an accountant. I had the perfect life…the only problem was, once I had Derek it wasn’t the one for me. The first two years of Derek’s life were very difficult for me. I was so busy doing what everyone else thought I should do and inside I felt like I was dying. I had this perfect baby boy, a fabulous husband, a “great” job that paid well, but I was not a happy camper.

Once I realized I was living a life that really wasn’t cut out for me, I went ahead and started my own business. Trust me, I know it is not nearly as simple as I have made it sound. It has been a long, tough road as an entrepreneur, but I have loved every minute of it. However, I have also realized that I have spent an enormous amount of my time as an entrepreneur listening to people that I really should not have been. I found myself in the same trap, just in a little different way.

As an entrepreneur, we are told we have to have coaches and consultants, and we should listen to people who are doing better than us. You will get advice like you would not believe. I spent the first few years of having my business doing what everyone else thought I should do, whether I liked the idea or not. This turned into me running around like a chicken with it’s head cut off. Once again, I was doing what I “should” do and I found most of the time I would end up chasing my tail.

Now, don’t get me wrong, having mentors and coaches is a good idea for everyone, whether you are in business for yourself or working for someone else. Just make sure you check with yourself before you change things too much. I have had mentors and coaches that have given me good advice and bad. I have followed both and had to redirect once I realized something was not working for me. That is how we learn and grow. One of the biggest lessons I have learned recently is to always do a gut check before I make any major decisions with regard to my life.

I am totally over blindly listening to someone. The most important asset I have in my reach is my heart and my intuition. Don’t just do what someone tells you to do because it has brought them success. Only do it if it feels right to you. We are not all climbing the same ladder to success, there are plenty of ladders for us all. Find the one that is right for you…

Recently I went to the eWomenNetwork International Conference and Business Expo.  What a great experience!  I highly recommend it for anyone that wants to be inspired and motivated.  I had a pretty big “aha” moment while I was there.  Here is how it played out.

Before we left, a group of us that were going met for dinner and “set intentions”, (pretty much another way of setting goals).  Don’t get me wrong, I think this is a wonderful idea.  It gets people focused and helps them stay on the course they want to go.  However, for some overachievers like me, I set so many “intentions” and I set them so high, I became completely overwhelmed when I got there.  I spent a good day of the conference in a funk.  I did, eventually, snap out of it, but I wanted to pass on what I had learned.

• Set “appropriate” goals! – You know yourself better than anyone else, so make sure you set goals.  However, set goals that are not going to overwhelm you and make you want to give up.  If that means daily goals, then so be it.  If that means larger goals, with baby steps to get there, then make it happen.
• Schedule time to reassess your goals – Think about how you work.  If you want to make sure you are on the right path…and are staying on the right path, you need to make time to reassess.  How frequently is completely up to you.  Are you someone that needs daily or weekly goals?  Or will setting aside time on a monthly basis suffice? 
• Evaluate how you are feeling – If you are completely overwhelmed by the goals you have set, chances are you are going to give up without accomplishing them.  The point of goals is not to give you heart palpitations.  It is very important to have those big goals, but sometimes you need to focus on the little steps it takes to get there. 
• Don’t put your blinders on – Part of my experience while I was in Dallas was that I was so focused on the goals I had set, I was not taking in all the amazing opportunities that were right in front of me.  Keep in mind, what may be your intention, may not be the Universe’s intention.  Stay open to other amazing opportunities while you are focused on your goal. 
• Recognize failure as an opportunity – Trust me, no one likes failing.  However, sometimes failure is a hidden opportunity to rise even higher than before.  It’s the people that recognize that and seize it that will rise to the highest levels.

In conclusion, yes, set goals.  But, do not let them get in your way.  Be open to the fact that life may have a different plan and be willing to be flexible.  The Universe may have bigger plans for you than you do!

Taxpayers who buy a new car or several other types of motor vehicles this year may be entitled to a special tax deduction when they file their 2009 federal tax returns next year. The tax break is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. From IRS.gov.

1. State and local sales taxes paid on up to $49,500 of the purchase price of qualifying vehicles are deductible.
2. Qualified motor vehicles generally include new (not used) cars, light trucks, motor homes and motorcycles.
3. Purchases must occur after Feb. 16, 2009, and before Jan. 1, 2010.
4. This deduction can be taken regardless of whether or not you itemize other deductions on your tax return.
5. Taxpayers will claim this deduction when filing their 2009 federal income tax return next year.
6. The amount of the deduction is phased out for taxpayers whose modified adjusted gross income is between $125,000 and $135,000 for individual filers and between $250,000 and $260,000 for joint filers.
7. The deduction may not be taken on 2008 tax returns.

Choices…One of the things that distinguishes us as humans is the fact that we are able to make choices. Have you ever noticed when you make the harder choice…eventually there is a great payoff? Like in poker, the more risk you take, the higher the payout? Now, I am not telling you all to start gambling, so, put those poker chips away. I am talking about life decisions. 

Every time we turn on the television or the radio, we are inundated with gloom and doom about the economy. I, personally, have found it a struggle not to get caught up in all the hype. Unfortunately, I have seen the effects of the economy in my own life, but, we just cannot keep letting this get us down. One way to help defend ourselves against this constant bombardment is to focus on the future instead of the past. Someone once said “If you are driving a car and all you do is look in the rear view mirror, eventually you are going to crash.” When put that way, it really makes a lot of sense. All of America, and even the world, is so focused on what they have lost, they keep forgetting there is a very bright future there for all of us to enjoy. There is so much we can do, we just have to let go of the past and focus on the future.

How do you do this? Set your financial goals. Make sure you write them all down and create them based on your own core personal values.

Some things you will want to keep in mind when you are setting those goals:

· Attainable. Make sure they are within reach. It’s okay to reach for the stars, but create baby steps first.
· Measurable. This way you know when you have achieved it. You want to make sure you get that sense of accomplishment when you are done.
· Realistic. Don’t set yourself up for failure. You will know in your heart what is realistic for you and your family. Follow your heart.
· Specific. State exactly what you want, how you are going to do it and when you want to achieve it by. You want it to be crystal clear!
· Trackable. Use hard numbers, this way you can see your progress…and celebrate when you achieve your goal. Take time to bask in the lime light. You deserve it!

The best part is you can do this for yourself, with your significant other, or as a family. Let’s get our eyes on the road ahead instead of the rear view mirror.