Your Political Guru

Harry S. Dent is an economist who creates personal wealth.  Not only does he give market advice, he puts his own money into those markets.  I tend to listen to economists who actually have “skin in the game.”

One of his most famous comments is “Demographics is destiny.  It shows where a country is going.”  Ignore this at your peril.

For instance: Why isn’t Japan recovering from its economic slide?  Its population is aging.  It doesn’t have much in the way of youth and energy and that’s a major reason why it can’t shake the recession.  Japan is imitating what has happened to Europe.

When you look at demographics, you can often see where an economy is headed.  And you can also get a glimpse into the political future.

The Dec. 15 issue of the Financial Times of London has an article looking back at the fall of the Shah of Iran.

Back in the 1970s Sir Nicholas Brown (England’s Ambassador to Iran) wrote dire warnings of the pending fall of the Shah in Iran and the rise of radical Islam.  His analysis will be released to the public soon because the 30-year secrecy limit in England will expire.  His report should really become must reading for people who care about politics (and business).

Why?

The Hostage Crisis of 1979 and our continuing problems with Islamic radicals could have been recognized much earlier if leaders had been paying attention.  Brown’s report points out three key blind spots that all leaders should be watching out for.

One:  There is the problem of allowing short term money to drive policy.  One of the reasons the West overlooked the problems with the Shah is because he was buying a bunch of stuff, particularly military hardware.  He was a good customer.  And then there was cheap oil that we wanted to keep flowing.

Do you know activists who may be driving supporters away from your organization, yet because you like them or they help you personally, you overlook their detrimental effect?  How many problem clients do you allow to control your agenda because they are worth a great deal of money to you?

Two:  Not staying in touch with real people. Brown discounted the reports of agents who claimed to be “fresh from the field” who had clean shoes.  These people would claim the Shah is loved by everyone, but it was obvious that they were in areas with the elites, and not in the market squares where the vast majority lived.

How many of us start accepting as reality what people around us say, but never go out to see if others share the same view?  Are you caught in an “echo chamber” where 8–20 activists are all of like mind, but you are the only people talking about this issue?

Three:  Ignoring changing demographics. When the Shah’s family was set up in power in 1941, Iran had a much smaller population.  The Shah tried modernizing his country.   But he ignored a rapid rise in the birthrate that came with oil money.  A period of rapid uncertain change with a population bubble of rebellious teens was bound to create problems.

Khomeini started attracting a large following in the traditional Shia community and urged Islamic clerics to return to Sharia law and rule.  His message caught the imagination of Iranian youth with a vision of Islamic superiority.  Leaders in the West assumed that everyone liked our culture and ideas.  Actually it offended the sensibilities and traditions of so many people that it lead to a complete rejection of all things secular.

Are you ignoring character flaws or issue positions in your legislative leader that may be revolting to many people because he or she is great on your issue?  It is easy to excuse excesses in our own little gatherings but it ticks most people off.

These are tough questions.

It is not easy to ask how your leader is perceived by most people.  We often get our view of reality tainted by money, hanging around the usual crowd, and ignoring demographic change.

Since many of us have a tendency to leave our “political enclaves” during the holidays to meet with family and friends we don’t work with, take some time to ask them how they perceive leaders and issues AND LISTEN (don’t argue them into submission).

We really do owe it to our ideas to be in touch with reality.  I always love working with people who are enthusiastic, but not with zealots who can’t get along with others who are not 100% in support of their ideas.  Most people are polite and don’t argue back, but that doesn’t mean they agree with you.

Have a great Christmas, enjoy the season and rest up—because we need you next year!

The government reports that most people are just fine with naked pictures being taken of them when they fly.  And that might be true.  Most people don’t fly, so they don’t have to deal with this barbaric demand.

But are they willing for their wife, children, grandchildren or elderly parents to be displayed naked and ogled by near-minimum wage TSA agents?

The outrage amongst those who do fly is much higher than in the population in general and is skyrocketing in both groups.  Only 8% of Americans who fly do so more than seven times a year.  So the number of people affected on a regular basis is small.

So why isn’t the public as outraged as you and I are already?  Well they are getting there.  Part of it is not many know how potentially dangerous the scanners actually are. (See http://goo.gl/dTX4s). Your skin is getting hit with a significant amount of radiation and more and more people are seeing just how reveling the pictures are.

How many people would be getting in those things if they knew that if it got stuck, that beam of radiation would seriously burn your skin, or damage your eye?  And then there is the risks of multiple long term exposure.  Since this radiation is directed at the skin (and does not pass through you like most x-rays) the unknown question is what does this do to you in the long term?

The elites (corporate and government http://goo.gl/c5IrY) don’t fly commercial or go through the process, so they don’t run into this.

There are two travel periods when most people come into contact with TSA (read authoritarian government):  Thanksgiving and Christmas.  The airline owners and stockholders are watching the train wreck coming this holiday season to see just how bad the reaction is going to be.

I think before the end of the year many people will begin changing their spring break/summer vacation plans, (affecting even more associated industries) to avoid flying.  The TSA screeners are getting their hackles up and waiting for people who want their moment of internet fame by recording their government grope.

We the people have been suffering under government scrutiny and oppression since 9/11 (OK, before that too) at the hands of the federal government.  It has increased slowly, incrementally.  Now it is reaching an opportunistic tipping point.

TSA and Homeland Security is the most isolated bureaucracy the US government has created since the IRS.  They answer to no one, don’t have to share their procedures, are immune from prosecution, and their contractors and equipment manufacturers are immune from lawsuits.  And this leviathan is living up to our worst fears of what happens when you give government unlimited power.

In other words, this is no longer hypothetical hype and scare tactics; this is real, in your face tyranny.  Your freedom isn’t being incrementally stolen from you; the government is taking a baseball bat to our head and then demanding our wallet.

You have one of two choices in this type of environment—go down to your bunker and sulk, or you can see this as a great opportunity to grab power and get our freedom back.  This may be the best opportunity I’ve seen to get our freedom back.  I can’t believe the arrogance of TSA—they are defending the indefensible.  I think a large number of people give the government the benefit of the doubt, but this is pushing them over to our way of thinking.

And remember—we don’t need everyone.  There are 378 million airline tickets sold each year.  That is a large number of people coming into direct contact with government tyranny.

This is an issue where a local option won’t have any effect.   Since air travel legitimately is part of interstate commerce, its regulation is a Federal issue.

Why won’t the Congress act?  Well, part of the reason is TSA was smart enough to exempt some Members of Congress from searches.  But most important, the rage is growing while Congress is distracted with its Lame Duck session.  If you and I stoke this outrage through New Year’s, look for the new more Republican Congress to want to take the lead.

Will their leadership be sincere?  In many cases, no.  Same guys who voted for the machines and the Patriot Act will now be all for privacy, the Constitution and common-sense.

But so what?  Let them.  I just want to win this.

And, there is money in the fear business.  A bunch of the so-called “stimulus money” is being used to produce the scanners.  And producing these devises is like a license to print money with no risk, because Congress exempted manufactures of security devices from lawsuits (https://www.safetyact.gov/).

Remember from the Real Nature of Politics: “The greatest force in politics is inertia.”  Politicians don’t want to take action.  But now they are getting pressure from an irate public.  So what do they do?

Pretend like it isn’t their problem.  (http://goo.gl/lCrAJ) Rep. Mica wants to turn TSA gropers into private contractor gropers.  In other words—he wants to pretend to solve the problem but not do anything, while enriching his corporate donors.

Everything in life involves risk.  The question is what is the ratio of risk to benefit?  We have spent over $900 million on these machines.  What have they stopped?  According to TSA they have prevented some heroin and 129 other prohibited objects from making it onto planes.  That does not mean dangerous items were stopped.  Carrying a four-ounce bottle of shampoo is prohibited on a plane.  I strongly suspect that if TSA had stopped someone who was really dangerous we would have heard about it by now.

So we have inflicted radiation damage on millions, spent nearly a billion dollars, and found a small amount of drugs and 129 other items TSA says we can’t fly with.

And we now have a growing number of people who now “get” what we have said would happen when you give the government too much power.

We can now explain to people:  “Do you trust the same great people who gave you the TSA to be in charge of your health care?”

BTW, if you fly, or know someone who is, please pass along this flyer.  It outlines some risks the public needs to be aware of.  And if you care about TSA employees, tell them to quit rubbing their noses and rubbing their eyes between searches.

Tips for helping you Survive Your Government Grope

NOTE:  Even if you choose to go through a scanner (which will produce a picture of you naked and subject you to radiation)* you still may get pulled out for an “Enhanced Pat Down Search.”

Before a TSA employee puts their hand on you – insist that they put on a clean gloves.  Here is a short list of parasites and infections that could be transferred from an earlier passenger to you:

(* The only people who say that the scanners are safe are the government and the companies selling the machines.  BUT both made sure you could not sue them when you get cancer before they would put the machines in airports: www.SafteyAct.gov).

E. Coli

The symptoms of usually appear after about a week of being infected with the bacteria. Abdominal cramps followed by watery diarrhea are the first symptoms this infection. The dehydration caused by the loss of fluids makes an individual feel sick and tired. Soon, it makes sores in the intestines and the stools become bloody. An individual also might suffer from mild fever and nausea or vomiting.

Staph Infection

Staph skin infections, including MRSA, generally start as small red bumps that resemble pimples, boils or spider bites. These can quickly turn into deep, painful abscesses that require surgical draining. Sometimes the bacteria remain confined to the skin. But they can also burrow deep into the body, causing potentially life-threatening infections in bones, joints, surgical wounds, the bloodstream, heart valves and lungs.

Pneumonia, Colds and Flu

Small droplets of fluid containing the germs and viruses can be wiped off the person patted down ahead of you in line and transferred.

Body Lice

Body lice are unable to burrow into the skin. Although a few body lice may be seen clinging to body hairs, most are on the clothing of an infected person. Body lice and their eggs are most abundant along the seams of clothes worn close to the body. Someone infested with body lice typically will have 10 or fewer active lice on their skin at any one time, but the clothing may contain many dozens or hundreds. Infestations of body lice are more common in the winter months, when destitute people tend to wear many layers of clothing for long periods and have more contact with the clothing of others who may be infested.

Bed Bugs

The reason why this invasion is spreading is bed bugs get in the clothing of people at hotels who help bring them to their new homes.

REMEMBER:  The Enhanced Pat Down searchers hands runs up and down the moist private crevices of other travelers body’s before he/she comes to you.  Unless you want another person’s bodily secretions on you, then insist on a new pair of gloves.

Remember what TSA is touching

Ties: In 2004 University of Birmingham researchers studied the ties of 40 doctors and found that all had potentially dangerous levels of bacteria.

Hair: That’s where lice and their eggs are.

Crotches: At least one gram of E. Coli in this region

Inside Underwear: An ABC news employee reported a TSA Screener actually put her hands into her underwear.  The groping “felt like a gynecological exam.”

INSIST ON CLEAN GLOVES TODAY–WRITE YOUR CONGRESSMAN TOMORROW Demand your elected officials support Rep. Ron Paul’s American Travelers Dignity Act.  You can find out more about this bill and how to contact your legislators at: www.campaignforliberty.com

FYI:  Some Congressmen are given special treatment by TSA.  They don’t get groped and they don’t have to be scanned.

Are you feeling safer America?

In its haste to stem the tide of illegal immigration, the Arizona legislature gave unaccountable bureaucrats the power to turn over:

* Driver’s License Information

* List of concealed carry permit holders

* People with hunting licenses

* Tax records

* Voting registration information

I don’t know about you, but I get offended when someone gives away my personal information without my knowledge or consent.

Now, Oklahoma Gubernatorial Candidate Mary Fallin says she supports this Arizona law. In her rush to score political points and differentiate herself from her opponent, Fallin is putting your liberty at risk.

In 2007, Oklahoma passed legislation to enforce anti-illegal immigration laws at the state level that the federal government has not. (HB 1804, 2007)

What is important about our current law is that it protects the privacy of innocent citizens. This is a delicate balancing act. We know we can’t have terrorists and criminals being able to cross the U.S. Border with impunity. And we know it is wrong to have taxpayers pay for the room, board, and education of a non-citizen who just shows up and demands welfare.

But you shouldn’t have to worry about being constantly watched by the federal government in order to stop illegal aliens.

Elected officials need to think long term about laws and regulations they create. We need to insist they protect our private information. After 9/11, many Republicans rushed out the PATRIOT Act to “give President Bush the power to fight terrorism.” They trusted Bush not to abuse this power. How many would have felt comfortable giving that much information and power to President Obama?

Oklahoma’s laws allow law enforcement to check the citizenship status of people who are taken into custody, but it also respects the privacy of everyone else.

The Arizona law creates a loophole that allows bureaucrats to treat everyone as a suspect and turn over every bit of your personal information to the federal government.

I am not claiming that this is Mary Fallin’s intent, nor am I claiming that as soon as Washington, D.C. has a national ID system they will start rounding up people. But I am saying that the Arizona law makes it far too easy for a corrupt or inept official to make your life a living hell.

Eight year Cub Scout Mickey Hicks is on the terrorist watch list. Why? Someone at Homeland Security put his name in a database. Because this data has been shared from agency to agency, his family has not been able to get rid of this marker. As a result, every time his family flies, poor little Mickey is taken out of line and patted down and searched. No common sense, just continued confusion and humiliation for little Mickey and his family.

And that is just one of the problems with giving unelected bureaucrats power to share your personal information with other agencies. It gets worse when you realize that many times this information is handled by private contractors who may get your information wrong.

Consider the case of Tony Lee Green of Oklahoma. He was falsely listed as a sex offender in two private databases, and it took over two years to get it removed. In that time, his business was ruined, and, understandably, his private life suffered.

If you don’t think it can get worse, imagine if bad information is being shared by the bewildering labyrinth of databases at the federal level, who share some of their information with international agencies.

Right now, Oklahomans are protected from having their personal information sent to the Obama administration.

But Fallin’s support for the Arizona law could end this protection – unless you act now.

At this moment, Mary Fallin is going to be extremely responsive to the grassroots. We need her to publically denounce the Arizona law provisions that allow the personal information of law abiding citizens to be shared with other government agencies.

Please CLICK HERE to send an electronic petition to her. In less than a week, Oklahomans will start going to the polls to vote for our next Governor. Democratic Gubernatorial Candidate Jari Askins has already announced her opposition to the Arizona law; now it is time for Mary Fallin to announce her opposition on this dangerous section.

Special Webinar – America’s Productivity Guru, David Allen

When: November 8 (The first Monday after the election)

Time:  9ET, 8CT, 7MT, 6PT

To sign up for this webinar CLICK HERE

Are you overworked? Stressed?  Too many conflicting commitments?  Frustrated by missed opportunities?  Well grow up.  Suck it up, it’s part of life.

But what if there was a system for helping you to get your act together, manage your life, commitments and would allow you to see the big picture.

David Allen is the bestselling author of Getting Things Done, The Art of Stress Free Productivity. As a speaker, consultant and author David has helped millions get their act together.  His Getting Things Done (GTD) methodology will help you get a handle on all the commitments in your life and work.

Look the problem isn’t too much work.  We all have too much work.  The problem is not being able to enjoy what you are doing because of the lingering doubts that there is something else you need to be doing.  It keeps you from giving your full focus to the task at hand.  As a result we get caught in a busy trap trying to take care of the latest and loudest problems, but missing out on bigger and better opportunities.

Over the next few weeks I’ll be sending you sneak previews of some of David’s work to get you ready to take advantage of this opportunity to learn more from David.  Participating in one of David’s seminars would normally cost thousands, but this event is free.

For a quick overview of the GTD system please CLICK HERE.

If you want to read one of David’s three books, I have a recommendation for you.  If you prefer your information straight up with minimal illustrations, then I suggest you should start with Getting Things Done.  If you prefer to understand the thoughts and philosophy behind ideas you may prefer to start with David’s latest book Making it All Work.

To sign up for this webinar CLICK HERE.

Just because you think something is true doesn’t mean anyone else will believe it, nor does it mean that anyone else cares.

For instance–during the abortion debates in the 1980s there was a group with some good evidence that parts of aborted children were being used as “collagen protein” for cosmetics. It may have been true, but it was just too gross for the average person to believe, so it was never an issue in the debate.

I have a Jewish friend who says he has evidence that wine makers in France put blood in their wine to keep Jews from being able to drink it.  It could be true, but unless your family was rounded up by the Vichy French Government it is tough to imagine that a group of people would do that.  His crusade and information has yet to make a dent in French wine sales.

I heard a comedian say that “in marriage a man has a choice–he can be “right” or he can be “happy” but he can’t be both at the same time.”  In this case your choice is similar: You can be technically correct, or you can alter your tactics and rhetoric to fit the political environment to change the law, but you can’t do both.

Don’t waste your time seeing Oliver Stone’s Wall Street 2.  It may be the worst movie he has made – and while I don’t like Stone’s politics, I have usually respected his innovative film making style – which he didn’t use making this movie. (RE it was just boring.)

However, there was an interesting sub-message in the film that it worth expounding – “You have to worry about people who want to win for winning’s sake.”

The movie had the typical theme of idealist hero having his legs cut out from under him by forces larger than himself and his desire for revenge nearly costs him everything.  Stone’s message is that “greed is bad.”  I’m not against the message; the movie was just a yawner.

But I was intrigued by how Stone kept giving insight into the motivations of the leaders of the large companies.  These guys were smart, shrewd and driven.  They were also deceptive and causally used people as means to their own ends without worrying about the damage they were causing.

In short – they were people without conscious driven to win at all costs.  Ultimately they didn’t know what they were playing for, they just wanted to win.

I read a story about how boxing had become a popular sport on Wall Street because it was a good way to get in shape.  The owner of the gym lamented that he had to create rules that allowed both Wall Street executives boxing matches to win a trophy because if he didn’t “the idiots would keep fighting until one of them was dead.”

When I was coaching kid’s soccer I saw this same trait in one of my players.  It didn’t make any difference to him who was in his way, his uber competitive nature would take over and he’d run over his own mother to get the ball in the goal.  In one game the other team had a kid just like him and they dang near killed each other.  The other coach and I finally had to reach an agreement where the two would not be on the field at the same time.

What’s the lesson?  Recognize that some people are just like this.  This isn’t an easy trait to spot.  Many of these competitive jerks are darn charming until the critical moment.

In short, there isn’t a single way to spot them.  But recognize that these people do exist.  And they exist on Wall Street and at the Capitol.

This is a hard reality for those people who are driven not by power, but by ideas (and you know who you are).  The ultra competitive don’t care what they win, they just want to win.

So what does that mean to you?  In order to be successful in moving your issues forward be aware that not everyone’s motivations are the same as yours.  You have to sell what you want in a package that your customer wants to buy.

The ultra competitive wants to buy winning.  So don’t turn him off by talking about “what is good” instead sell “this will stick it to _____ (insert name of common foe).”

Jesus told his disciples “Be wise as serpents, but gentle as doves.”   Don’t get lost in your desire to create change by becoming part of the problem.  Know why you doing what you are doing, but know who you are dealing with too.

You need to be aware of the seasons, even if you are not a farmer.

People are moving into their most productive stretches of the year – the quarter from post-labor day to Thanksgiving/Christmas season.

Because of culture and climate we are used to certain times of the year being related to certain activities. Summer = vacation. Fall =Thanksgiving. Winter = Christmas.

What does that have to do with tactics? Timing. Timing can be everything.

Have you been frustrated by people’s lack of involvement and interest in politics the last couple of months? Your wait is over. Most people don’t pay attention to candidates until after Labor Day (not withstanding major Presidential campaigns).

This is also the time of year to propose training in your organization and to start teaching. Why? Because people are used to going to school this time of year. Most of us did it for 12-16 of the best years of our lives.

You can fight against tradition, but you will lose. We love our traditions. That’s why they are traditions.

You might want to start thinking tactically about your timing. This is a great season to think about things you want to do in the next few months.

· Best time to solicit for charity? Thanksgiving/Christmas

· Best time to discuss goals and long term objectives? New Years.

· Best time to talk to the significant other about a TV upgrade? College Bowl and Super Bowl season.

· Best time to start talking to people about the legislative session? January

· Best time to talk about romantic stuff? Early February.

PLEASE LISTEN CAREFULLY: This does not mean you start planning when it is that season. It means that’s when you pull the trigger and start talking to your audience about it then.

Let’s get romantic for a moment, shall we?

GUYS – don’t think you can talk to your spouse about potentially romantic things to do on February 14. You need to have already planned for that in January.

However, if you sell Valentine cards, putting them on display in December is dumb. Too early. But if you order them for your store in December you are smart.

If you planning your special Valentine’s Day marketing program to attract new customers today, then you are really smart.

So your job is to look at the calendar. See what will be happening in the next few months and plan now and get ready for what you will be talking to people about in three months.

On one of my MeetUp groups, one activist noted his frustration in creating change in Oklahoma:

“I am really questioning the logic behind the idea of working within the republican party. Not one single bill passed last session. Not one Liberty candidate made it past the primary. The OK republican leadership is laughing at us. And it’s not just Oklahoma … some pro-wrestler lady beat Peter Schiff, a man that predicted the economic crash! But I guess when it comes down to it there is not much difference between pro-wrestling and our current political system anyway. We need to rethink what we are doing and get back on track. We need to stop watering down our message for “conservatives”. I’m not saying I have the answers but I know the current plan is not working.”

My thoughts:

1)     Politics is a long ballgame and it is basketball, not soccer.  Political change is not:  we scored a goal and the game is over.  We are going to score and so are they. Who ever scores the most over time wins.

2)     Don’t give up on groups because of the leaders.  These groups have members that are screaming for change and may be as frustrated with you with the direction of the group; they just don’t know any alternatives.  “Like minded groups” provide you with the opportunity to create relationships with people who do share your views.  We will never create change by retreating into smaller units that don’t recruit or reach out.

3)     Yep we didn’t win with this legislature.  But the Tea Parties were created AFTER the election of 2008.  The people in charge of the Oklahoma legislature of today started 10 years ago to take over.  Tea Party people have not begun to fight.

When I came to Oklahoma 17 years ago to pass Right to Work we had only 1/3 of the legislature in support, it took nearly 4 election cycles to get Right to Work passed.  Every week someone told me, “you can’t get it done, just quit or do a referendum.”  If I had taken their “advise” it would have never gotten done.  They only beat you if you quit.

The question is:  are you going to learn to win, or are you going to keep doing the same things that lead to defeat and permanent minority status?  Are you seeking to be loved, or feared and respected by the political class?

Politics at one level is a game of manipulation, only because politicians are manipulatable.  Their behavior is predictable; hence you can create change IF you know what you are doing.

Kirk

GUEST COLUMN – This goes along with my thoughts above . . .

“Set your goals high, and don’t stop till you get there.”

Bo Jackson

The False Indicators of Success and Failure

By Bob Cox

There are three emotional levels most everyone experiences during their journey through setting and achieving their important life goals:

1. THE HIGH
2. THE LOW
3. THE PLATEAU

When a positive experience (the high) impacts one of our goals, we become very excited and say, “This goal is going really great!” When it happens to me, I usually say to my wife, Karin, “This is going to be easier than I imagined.”

I take that positive experience that moves my goal forward and extrapolate it out to a larger universe. The goal becomes a conceptual video in my mind that is now nearly achieved. However, though this high point in reference to my goal is good news… it’s not an indication that I’m going to achieve the goal without continued hard work and persistence.

When a negative experience (the low) impacts one of our goals, we become sad and a little discouraged and say, “This goal is not going well.” When it happens to me, I usually say to Karin, “This is going to be more difficult than I imagined.”

I take that negative experience that slows down my goal and extrapolate it out to a larger universe. The goal becomes a snapshot in my mind… frozen in time… and it seems as though I will never achieve it. However, though this low point in reference to my goal is disappointing… it’s not an indication that I can’t or won’t accomplish the goal.

The highs and lows are both great deceivers!

They are false indicators of success and failure, as they are simply moments in time.

The plateau is when you reach a point that makes you feel like you’re stuck in neutral.

For example…

Your goal is to lose 15 pounds this year. So far, you’ve lost 5 pounds, but haven’t lost any more weight in several weeks or months.

Or…

Your goal is to increase your income by $30,000. So far, you’ve bumped your income up by $10,000, but it no longer seems to be increasing.

The reality is that these flat spots are normal — and part of the goal achieving process!

What can you do to push past these plateaus? The best way is to take continued positive actions toward your goals.

If you feel like you’re stuck in neutral, here’s what I want you to do. Schedule 10 minutes with yourself (10 minutes of quiet time) each morning for the next week. During that time, remember WHY you set that goal. Visualize the benefits of achieving the goal. In addition, ask yourself these questions:

• Have I allocated enough time to accomplish this goal?

This is the most common problem that I have discovered during the one-on-one coaching calls I make to members of the Epiphany Alliance program. Make sure you’re not overreaching by trying to accomplish a goal in an unrealistic amount of time.

• Have I asked other people for their help?

There is no one right way or set formula for every person and goal. You need to be creative and open to suggestions and ideas.

• Do I have too many goals?

Making three financial goals for the year in addition to their health, personal, and social goals is too much. My recommendation is to make only one goal in each category.

My goal experiences have taught me to… make my promises to myself sparingly and keep them faithfully. This (which has become my simplified personal mission statement) keeps me from overextending myself — and, thus, underperforming.

A lifetime of success is at your fingertips. You merely need to reach for it. Turn your goals into promises… take continued, positive actions… and you will achieve success — and recreate success — in whatever you pursue, for the rest of your life.

[Ed. Note: You can change your life and accomplish all your goals with simple strategies like the ones Bob Cox just shared. For dozens more ways to turn your dreams into reality -- plus tons of goal-setting tools and motivation to get going -- sign up for ETR's Epiphany Alliance program.Learn more here.]