People set their goals differently, depending on their current situation, resources, physical capacity and other factors. You can, however, follow some guidelines to make sure that your goals are credible and possible. Too many individuals set their goals too high unknowingly, only to lose and get disappointed for life. Here are some tips for you.

Being Specific

Goals need to be specific, so that you know which part of the process you’re currently in and the particular ways on how you will achieve it. Most people have goals to get promoted, get rich, improve relationship and the like, but these are very vague and your mind can become confused about what you truly mean. General descriptions usually do not have boundaries, so you always leave room for mistakes and compromise. If you want results that you can be proud of, be specific.

To be specific, you need to include the full details. Write down something like, “I want to get $1 million by October of this year.” or “I need to become key supervisor of the sales division by next week.” or “I want my kids, Taylor and Chad, to become best friends beginning tomorrow.” Include the names, the position, the amount, the date and everything else needed to train your mind to start working towards that goal.

Being Measurable

Goals need to be measurable so that you can gauge how well you have done lately. To help measure your paths and goals, you should include measurable details. For your job, you can include details such as the number of hours you’re working, the amount you’re earning, the staff you’re handling, etc. For the goal of money, you can include details such as the amount you want to have as a whole, the number of companies or businesses you own, your contact persons, etc. Always have things and items to be measured so you can understand how close you are to getting your goals. If your goal is to earn $100,000 a month, then you know you’re halfway there if you’re already earning $50,000 a month.

Being Attainable and Realistic

Only set goals that can possibly be accomplished. Some people set goals that are too high to reach, that they are almost setting up things that are impossible. Make sure you only set objectives that you can reach within a given amount of time, provided the current resources and capabilities you have. Some examples of impossible goals are doubling your salary overnight, getting a promotion higher than your boss’s position, etc. Some goals can be achieved faster compared to others if you have some strengths and paths to back these up. Always include a strategic plan for big objectives.

Time-Bound

Set deadlines to achieve your goals or else you’ll never going to finish anything. Stay specific when setting timelines and schedules. For example, indicate things like “To spend an hour with my wife everyday starting tomorrow (indicate exact date and year)”. Setting the exact time and date will spur you to start working on your goals, instead of putting it off for another available time. Some goals can take years to accomplish so it is wiser to break these down into smaller objectives, still complete with deadlines. You can finish everything in a sequence to finally reach the biggest one.

To Register , go to Digital Strategy Primer 2.

The purpose of this 4 week virtual class series is to introduce and educate yourself on digital strategies and how they impact your business in a cost-effective way.

In this virtual class series, participants will learn:

• What is a Digital Strategy?
• Why do you need a Digital Strategy?
• Digital Demographics
• What is Social Media?
• How do use Social Media?
• What is a Virtual World?
• How do we use mobile phones to get our message out?
• How do we use blogs?
• How do these elements apply to our business?
• How do we set digital goals?
• How do we use video in our business?
• How do we connect all of these technologies together?

After the virtual class series, you will have some practical information on how to start using digital strategies for your company.

Class Structure:

We offer a 4-week virtual telephone class on digital strategy and how it applies to your business. Here’s what’s included:

• Four live telephone classes taught by Barbara Bickham.
• Support in defining clear digital goals that you’ll do through the class.
• Between class assignments and worksheets.
• A planning session that will help you find out your next steps after the class ends.
• Bonus: A 60-minute one-on-one session with Barbara to discuss your specific digital needs and get practical customized recommendations.

Class Details:

If you would like to reach more people and make more money for your business, you’re ready for a digital strategy.

Class Dates and Times:

The class starts September 10th, 2009 and meets weekly on Thursdays at 9:00am Pacific / 12:00 pm Eastern for one hour.

The class ends October 1st, 2009.

Class size: The maximum class size is 25 participants so you get most air time and support.

Between-class assignments: You’ll have assignments between classes take up to 90 minutes per week and help expand the material you learned in our virtual class session.

Costs: $175.00

Today anyone who has writing ability or is dreaming of being a writer has written a blog on the internet. There is blog software that is simple and easy to use so both the technically inclined and challenged individual can easily make a blog online.

For some individuals, blogs are their projects of everyday living, as they talk about their daily episodes as well as make tribute to friends and family. Further, blogs comprise and assemble political statements, supply information on products and services, and even offer tutorials. Any subject that is of interest, you can be sure that someone has written a blog about it.

Musicians, politicians, sports figures, novelists, newscasters, professional bloggers as well as other known figures write blogs. It is this blog fever that has raised controversy. Since anyone can write on any subject matter under the sun, complaints about certain write-ups are an issue. Names are mentioned in blogs. Bear in mind that although you can write anything that interests you in a blog, be careful and take responsibility about what you post. Do not make any statements which can become controversial; or else, be prepared.

Why a Blog?

1. For personal acquaintances, relationships and hobby.A person can write a blog about their daily life. Likewise, one may write a blog just so they can express what they feel about themselves, or about a certain subject matter that is of interest.

2. Topical.These blogs are committed to specific topics and often read like magazines.

3. For marketing. Corporations are blogging. When well written and implemented, it can be a powerful instrument for business communications. It can form eagerness and anticipation about the products and services offered, or used as tool within the company, keeping employees well-informed about company issues and news.

Why someone else’s software?

Many Web designer and creators will laugh at the belief and idea of using the software of someone else. This is can be correct especially when each software differs from the particular needs that a client may have. When referring to blog software, there is no reason for apprehension in the use of a package that is prewritten. Most blog packages were developed through years of study; not just knocked together over a couple of days.

In addition, one may study its feature set. For a developer, it would take time and effort to write and compose from “nothing at all” every single feature in the blog software packages of today. For most people, a blog is there for the main reason that chooses to publish or make known your literature and texts on the Web, so you want to spend your time more on writing than coding.

Many blogs are text based, but can include pictures, music, podcasts and videos. This can enrich the blog reader’s experience. Since blogs can be as complex as you would like, the features that you would like to have for your blog should help you decide which blog software and blog hosting to select. Create a feature list to help you select the correct blogging software for your needs.

Hosted Services

If you wish to start broadcasting on the Web, and does not have web hosting, consider looking into a hosted service, which includes Blogger, TypePad, Live Journal, Wordpress.com, and more.

These services are handled for an individual, so there is no need to worry about technical upkeep of the blog. Instead, you can concentrate on the blog’s appearance and content. In just minutes, after signing for an account, you can readily start blogging. Many such services are offered free, such as blogger. TypePad charges a small amount for monthly service fee.

Hosted blogs may allow for a fast start and easy maintenance. The downside is that you may lose flexibility in design and types of content the blog can have.

Self-Hosted

When you have web hosting, then you may want to consider a package that is self-hosted, which includes Movable Type, Textpattern and WordPress.org.

Some hosting companies permit blog installation with just a click from a control panel that is browser-based. It is important that you check with a hosting company to see if this feature is offered. Similar to hosted services, some self hosted packages are made available either free or for a certain fee. This depends on the package that you choose as well as the basis why you are using it.

Self-hosted blogs may allow for greater flexibility in design and types of content the blog can have. The downside is that you must maintain the blogging software.

Are you creating a positive, professional impression when you email your co-workers and customers? Or, is Miss Manners shrieking in horror every time you hit the send button? Are you being efficient and effective when you send messages, or are you wasting time? To find out, take this fun quiz. (Sign up for a f.r.e.e mini-workshop on email etiquette at http://www.KeepCustomers.com/EmailWorkshop.htm)

1. The tone of a professional email message should be:
a. Conversational.
b. Formal.
c. Casual – like the tone you use with friends.
d. “Yo, dude! Whassup?”

Answer: A. You may be as casual as you like with friends, breaking all the grammar and punctuation rules you want. But, that isn’t true for communicating with clients and colleagues. Business correspondence should be professional. In email, professional translates into conversational – not too casual and not too formal.

2. One method to achieve a conversational tone is to:
a. Use slang terms and jargon.
b. Use contractions.
c. Use acronyms.
d. Stand up and yell across the office. See if you can start “the wave.”

Answer: B. When you speak in a conversation, you use contractions. So, it’s acceptable to use them in email to create a conversational tone.

3. When beginning to type an email, start with:
a. The addressee’s email address.
b. The message.
c. The addressee’s name.
d. “Yo, dude or dudette!”

Answer: C. Starting a message with the addressee’s name is not only more personal, it will help avoid miscommunication and confusion. If you begin a message without the addressee’s name, the person won’t know if the message is intended for him/her.

4. When writing an email message, paragraphs should:
a. Be long.
b. Be short.
c. Be indented.
d. Be invisible – no one can mess it up that way.

Answer: B. People aren’t willing to invest time reading messages that appear too long or tedious. Short paragraphs appear easier to read because there is more white space. There is also less chance that the reader will miss a point.

5. The best way to make several points in an email is:
a. Include all the points in the first paragraph.
b. Include all the points in the last paragraph.
c. Use lists with bullets or numbers.
d. Put it on a banner and rent an airplane to fly over the office pulling the banner.

Answer: C. If you put more than one point in a paragraph, it may be overlooked. Lists and bullets make your points stand out. They are also easier for the person to see.

6. At the end of an email message, you should include:
a. Only your name.
b. Only your name and company.
c. All your relevant contact information.
d. A picture of your pet python and twin tarantulas.

Answer: C. Provide people with all the information they need to contact you – in whatever way is most convenient for them. They may prefer the telephone or regular mail over email.

7. If you know the recipient reads emails quickly and is often in a hurry, the best way to send a supporting document is:
a. Paste it into the body of the message.
b. Attach it as a separate document.
c. Type slowly.
d. Have it delivered by carrier pigeon.

Answer: A. When the recipient is in a hurry, he/she will be less likely to open an attachment because it takes extra time. The person is more likely to read something that’s pasted right in front of him/her.

8. When sending a message, you should copy (“cc”):
a. Everyone in the department – just in case.
b. Your boss and your boss’ boss – so they know that you’re working hard.
c. Only those people who absolutely need to know.
d. The whole world. Why not? Everyone else does.

Answer: C. The “cc” function is the most abused function in email. Don’t be a pain!

9. When writing a Subject Line:
a. Use something general, such as “Greetings” or “Hello.”
b. Be specific, but brief.
c. Use several sentences.
d. “If you don’t respond, I’ll send Uncle Guido to break your knee caps.”

Answer: B. A generic Subject Line doesn’t tell the recipient anything. The
more specific you are, the better chance you have of getting the recipient to
open the message.

10. To write a concise email message:
a. Omit wordy phrases.
b. Use very small font (8 point).
c. Type fast.
d. Omit every other letter. “Oi eey ohr lte.”

Answer: A. An effective method for concise writing is to omit unnecessary
words. For example, use, “now” instead of “in the immediate future” and
“twice” instead of “on two different occasions.”

11. When possible, email messages should be:
a. Extremely detailed, even if the message is quite lengthy.
b. Kept to one screen.
c. Forwarded to the author of a cartoon for future material.

Answer: B. Most readers won’t take time to read more than one screen. The shorter the message is, the better chance you’ll have of getting it read.

12. How much space can typically be viewed in the Subject Line?
a. 25 – 35 characters.
b. 25 – 35 words.
c. 50 – 75 characters.
d. 50 – 75 words.

Answer: A. Characters are defined as every letter or space. In other words,
every time you move the space bar, it counts as one character. The subject
line that appears in most people’s email will display approximately 25 – 35
character.

13. When responding to a message regarding the best time for a meeting, you should select:
a. Reply All.
b. Reply.

Answer: B. The “Reply All” button will send a response to everyone who was
sent the original message. They don’t need to know your schedule. You
should “Reply” only to the meeting coordinator. Then, he/she can select the
best time and notify everyone.

Score:

13 = You’re perfect. (But, you knew that already.) Keep emailing!

10 -12 = You’re okay. Be a little more cautious, though. You could learn a few tips from my book, Email Etiquette Made Easy (http://www.KeepCustomers.com).

7 – 9 = You could use some help. Try my book, Email Etiquette Made Easy (http://www.KeepCustomers.com).

Less than 7 = Ugh! Call me now! We’ll schedule your intense therapy immediately. (Test your email skills by taking a fun quiz at http://www.KeepCustomers.com/EmailQuiz.htm)

By email expert Kelly J. Watkins, MBA. Sign up for a f.r.e.e. Mini-Workshop. Discover practical tips and techniques to make your email messages more effective. Click here: http://www.KeepCustomers.com/EmailWorkshop.htm Hurry! This is a limited time offer. If you snooze, you lose.

To view tips on communication and customer service, or to order “Email Etiquette Made Easy” (a comprehensive guide filled with exercises and examples), visit http://www.KeepCustomers.com

How good are your email skills? Take a fun quiz and find out. http://www.KeepCustomers.com/EmailQuiz.htm

Article Source: http://www.article-buzz.com

Please see our article in Business Week from June 21, 2007:

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8PTAE1G0.htm