Are you excited about your goals? When you talk about your goals do you smile? Can you feel energy when you consider the possibility of achievement? Good goals generate excitement, passion, and happiness. If you are not excited about your goals then chances are you won't achieve your goals. You must link the great outcomes this goal will have in your life. Determine how much better your life, the lives of your family and friends, even the world will be when you achieve your goal. Get excited about your goals!

I have friends, relatives, and colleagues, however, that aren’t as fortunate. These good people have lost their jobs, seen their businesses evaporate, and are nearing the bottom of their financial, spiritual, and mental reserves. People are wondering how many resumes they will have to create to land employment, any employment. People are wondering how much they can do without to provide for their children. I know, and you know, that it’s like this everywhere.

So while politicians bicker, executives cash their bonuses, and thousands more line up for unemployment I’ve wondered what can I do? And how can I sell project management training for thousands of dollars to people that might be clipping coupons and saving pennies to make certain there’s food in the pantry?

The simple answer: I can’t. I can’t sell education to someone who doesn’t have the money to buy it. And I can’t stomach the thought of someone investing their needed money, in hopes of a project management certification, in hopes of a job. Hope is good, hope is needed, but you can’t eat hope. You can’t pay the bills with hope. You can’t live on hope.

So I’m contributing by sharing my PMP exam prep seminar online. Yes, the complete course is available absolutely free with no strings attached. While I still want to make a living and continue teaching project management, I believe this is a win-win for us all. Participants don’t have to spend thousands of dollars like some sites are charging for this material and I’m getting my name, my business, and books out there.

I struggle constantly with balance. It always seem to be too much work, not enough play or the other way around. People tell me everything in moderation but often the demands of my writing, teaching, and looking for opportunities get in the way of moderation. I'm trying to find balance, but try just doesn't work. I'm setting boundaries for myself: work these hours and then that's that. And then get away from the computer, from the Internet, and from the telephone. Balance, like Nik Wallenda in this photo, is so important.

First, you need to know exactly what it is you want. Vague, subjective goals aren't worth much at all: I want to lose weight. Someday I'll travel to Australia. I am going to save more. BUZZ! These aren't goals, these are wishes. To create a goal you must define exactly what you want to begin channeling your thoughts, your energies, and actions towards goal achievement. For example, I want to lose 25 pounds in fifteen weeks from today. Or, in January of 2011 I will visit Sydney, Australia for two weeks. Your goal demands a clear, mental vision of what it is you're going to achieve. See it in your mind's eye and it'll help you take the actions to bring it into reality.

I am a photographer and I love music.

While I'm no professional photographer, I love taking and making pictures. When I edit in Photoshop I always play music. In fact, whenever I'm working, reading, or lounging about I play music. Music and photography, I've learned, have much in common. Wonderful article from The Strobist:

In 1986 I walked into the photo department at The Gainesville (FL) Sun for the first time. I was 21, and it was like walking into heaven. Several well-respected photogs worked there. There was pool glass available for borrowing. There were huge photos on the wall. And there was a nice stereo with a pair of high-end (to me) speakers on top of the bookshelf. Looking back, I think they were Bose 301's. But I was impressed back then.They said that they paid for the stereo by pooling the money they received for transmitting AP specials and enterprise art over the wire. It was the first time the connection between music and photography ever hit me.Ever since, I have made an effort to install some sort of music into the photo departments where I worked -- stereo in the darkroom at Patuxent, amplified speakers in the studio at The Sun and now, multi-source music on demand in The Cave.Music and photography share a lot of concepts. And even more specific, there is actually a lot of crossover between music and light.

1. Music is Part Art and Part Science

2. Music is All About the Ensemble

3. Music Has Color and Feel

4. Music Can Alter the Way We Interact

5. Music Should Be Organic

via strobist.blogspot.com