October 21, 2009

Say Goodbye to an Old Friend... The Powerful Practice of
Setting Goals... The Importance of Rewards... "Waste" Time
Online and Benefit Your Info Marketing Business... and More.

Each month, I get numerous offers from the credit card companies I deal with. For years, the offers were the same. Some would ask me to update to a basic card to "gold" or "platinum" level. Others would offer promotional interest rates on cash advances. For the most part, I simply recycled these offers, because they weren't useful to me.

However, the reason they kept sending these offers is that many, many people would accept them. The promise of a concierge service on "platinum" or higher cards for an inflated annual fee was what some people were looking for. Same goes for the cash advances that would result in interest rates skyrocketing back to their regular levels once the promotion ended.

As many people cried "foul" when they were caught in more debt from these offers, new legislation has been on the table to help protect those who couldn't see, or were caught unaware by, the long-term effects of these offers. Mainly, more, debt they can't repay.

In response to this new legislation, credit card companies are looking for new ways to increase their profits since the old ways are being restricted.

One way is to add annual fees to previously fee-less cards. And another tactic is to charge for inactivity on cards that you don't spend a minimum amount on.

As these changes take place, it is making it easier to point out that credit cards aren't the financial crutch many believe them to be. Credit card companies want to make money. Many people who are good at managing their money use credit cards without carrying debt and in turn avoid costly fees. The credit card companies want this to end. Can you blame them?

What this means is that, as we learn to manage our money in new ways, the old way of leaning on credit card companies and then repaying them heavily is looking less and less attractive.

Other options are available, such as micro-financing and peer- to-peer lending, which are growing in popularity online and in communities around the world. Many people felt that their credit card company was like having a rich uncle in their back pocket. Well, that rich uncle has felt the pinch of a changing economy and he's not as generous as he once was.

My advice today is to try to get rid of your "plastic" friends (credit cards) and make more real friends through lending communities and peer-to-peer lending.

Setting goals is a powerful practice that should fill you with enthusiasm and give you a clear sense of direction. If you do it well, it will turn your vague, undefined dreams into precise plans of action. There are essentially seven steps to mapping out your plan in order to achieve your goals:

Step One: Decide what you want. If you don't know what you want out of life, then you'll never accomplish much of anything. So, the first step in creating and achieving your goals is to decide what ones work best for you. The whole point of the goal-setting process is to look at yourself more closely and see where you are now, where you want to be in the future, and what you need to do in order to get there.

Step Two: Get excited about your goal. If you aren't excited about it, if you don't spend your days dreaming about accomplishing it, then your goal probably isn't the right one for you -- you should probably reevaluate what you want.

Step Three: Define your goal. Once you've decided where you want to be five years from now, for example, and are excited about getting there, then you are ready to break your dream down into the steps you'll have to take that are necessary to achieve it.

Step Four: Identify any obstacles that you will need to overcome in the process of achieving your goal. This is necessary in order for you to fulfill your goal. Nothing in life is accomplished without jumping a few hurdles first, so why should achieving goals be any easier?

Step Five: Make a viable action plan. Once you have determined all of the above information, you'll be ready to put together your action plan. Your action plan will be like a business plan: a detailed account that specifies exactly how you plan to achieve your goals.

Step Six: Examine the achievability of your action plan. After you have completed your action plan, reread it and ask yourself, "Can I realistically accomplish what I have set out to do within the timeframe I have stated?" If your answer is "no," then revise and fine-tune the parts of the action plan that are questionable. Remember that unrealistic expectations only lead to disappointment.

Step Seven: Be persistent. Once you have created your action plan, you must be persistent in following through with it. Don't give up if something doesn't go as planned; instead, analyze your goals, analyze your plan, decide where you went wrong, revise your goal, and try again. It is common knowledge that the highest achievers are those individuals who persevere the most. If they get rejected, they don't give up; they just keep trying harder instead.

The better you plan for your future, the easier your journey will be. If you want to see your goals achieved, then you need to have a clear plan of action in place before you even set out to make things happen.

Why can't my favorite news channels talk about something other than economic gloom and doom and a boy in a weather balloon? Sure, there have been signs of hope for the economy the last few weeks and signs that the American and global economies are beginning to slowly strengthen and improve, but, for the most part, the air of negativity remains.

If you're anything like me, this negativity's been getting on your nerves, too.

Of course, there are a number of reasons for this spate of bad news. Many people have lost their jobs, homes or savings. I know I've taken quite a hit in the past year or so. Even so, it's necessary to try your best to feel good, even if that means taking what little money you may have and rewarding yourself with something that makes you feel good.

Because of the economy, it's probably unlikely you've treated yourself to something a little extraordinary, isn't it? Well, if you've been able to pocket a little extra money over the last few months for a rainy day, why not take it and spend it on something that will enrich the lives of you and your family?

It doesn't have to be a major purchase; maybe something small that just lets you have some fun and appreciate life a little bit more. Perhaps you could take next Saturday and go to the movies and out for dinner. Maybe buy yourself a little gizmo or gadget that you've been wanting. It doesn't matter what it is, as long as it makes you feel good (and doesn't throw you into debt!).

With all the negative news and "don't spend" advice from various money specialists and tipsters, we're being bombarded with negative images of money. Just like anything, however, once you receive too much of the same, it's never good for business. The key is moderation.

If you give yourself a little reward every couple of months, it will do a lot to keep you sane and provide a fresh feeling toward life. The key is to make sure your reward doesn't stretch the budget to something that you can't manage, so think about what it is you're going to give yourself.

So, try to stomp out the negativity by doing something positive for yourself!

** "Waste" Time Online and Benefit Your Info Marketing
Business
By James Burt, Online Marketing Expert

Question: how much time do you spend on the Internet every day?

Don't worry. I'm not pretending to be one of those finger- waving, government-approved professionals who have come to tell you about the evils of being online, like many did about television and video games years ago. Actually, I'm all for it. Sometimes the Internet is used by many just to pass the time or for lightweight entertainment. My friend just got a new job at a yacht and social club after being laid off for a period of time. I asked him what he had been doing during the last week. Aside from walking his dog and cooking for his spouse, he'd been surfing the 'Net to death.

"That Internet, man, it's like...drugs or potato chips or something."

No question. He wasn't the first to say that. A lot of people get their daily kick from Internet blogging, downloading, and surfing. But don't forget why we have the Internet in the first place: it's a tool to help people get information. They called it the "Information Age' for a reason and it is there for everyone, including info marketers, to take full advantage of.

That said, there are a lot of "exclusive" sites for like-minded business pros to converse and exchange ideas. Sadly, joining some of them is like joining a Hollywood spa, as they cost an arm and a leg to be part of. Fortunately, there are some really good sites already in existence that you don't have to sell your dog to join. If you can pay for your Internet, you can access them for free. A lot of people overlook them, but they are often the easiest ways to get info marketing related material in just a few seconds.

Here are some common web sites that are good information marketing sources and that are easy to access on the 'Net:

-- craigslist: Looking for a new lead or job or outlet to build your portfolio? Want to post your services for free? Try your local Craigslist. There is a Craigslist site for every major city and/or region around the world and they have every listing from garage sales to dating. Best of all, they have job postings and sites to advertise your business for free. Just log onto the site that is closest to your region and set up a free account. Check it regularly for updates and new messages added by others like you.

-- YouTube: It's hard to believe, but this site is really helpful. I know what you're thinking: "What...videos?!" You're not wrong in thinking that. Most people I knew in the publishing office back in the day used it to watch new music videos and old movies while they worked. But there are a lot of videos posted by web designers, copywriters, and other industry pros that can help you do everything from getting new writing ideas to updating your web site. Again, it's free, and the use of an immediate visual can be a great assistant when you want demonstrated help fast.

-- Wikipedia: The online encyclopedia. It's hard not to get addicted to this site, as it has listings for just about every bit of history, information, and biography known to man. Some people dislike it a lot, as it is often updated by non pros. But, in my experience, especially for getting quick definitions and resource listings, Wikipedia can be a good info resource while you are already online.

-- Facebook/Twitter: I have written about using these sites in a previous newsletter. Business pros use them regularly and update them in order for customers or clients to see them. Already have a network on either or both? Make sure you check them regularly and don't be afraid to make your own postings if you have something worthwhile to share with others.

Obviously the Internet isn't perfect. A lot of the above sites are hacked into and their content changed, so you have to be careful to check all of your info sources. But, for my money, they are reliable in getting the info you need quick. And sometimes that's all you need to add the fast, special touches to make your info marketing business successful!