I enjoyed viewing this short video by Focus Partners, another coaching company. If you like what they say, you can download our Lessons Learned, Goals Form, and Activities List f.r.ee, until January 31, 2013 at And as a new subscriber to our newsletter, you'll also get a Business Audit and access to a video on how to create a One Page Business Plan(R).     We also have a business planning process you can do in 1 day.   Learn more at www.BusinessAndMarketingPlan.com   Merry Christmas from Maria Marsala and the Elevating Your Business.com  Team!

It's that time of the year to think about "gifting" your clients.  But please, send your "A" clients,  and maybe even some of your best "B" clients and colleagues something other than some fancy, expensive "preprinted" cards. Remember that you get 80% of your business from your top 20% of your clients.  Reward that 20%. About "A", "B" and "C" clients (if you still have any at this level -- think bigger for the "A's", smaller for the "B" and even smaller for the "C" clients. During the "card giving holidays" people get a card, say "oh how nice" and move on. Maybe they'll put it on their office wall, so as a business owner, you'll get a month or so

After another year promising not to work so many hours (or in so many different directions) and mostly disappointing yourself -- you might be wondering how to end this vicious cycle. Imagine… reaching your goals AND having a road map in place to exceed them in 2012.  Take it from me—re-focusing your business to reach higher-quality ideal clients and creating a road map can change your bottom line completely in 2012. As both a life coach and a strategic business advisor, I know that year-end can be stressful and overwhelming for several reasons: The holidays Unfinished projects Last-minute requests from clients Stats you’d like to improve by the end of the year Would having more focus

Somehow yesterday I found myself reading about Thanksgiving. Living in WA State and visiting Canada as often as I have, I did know that Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving in October. But I didn't know that in 1621 it was given it's name and place in the world. That although celebrations of the harvest took place, it's formal name comes from the USA name for the holiday. But I found these links and learned about Thanksgiving around the world. Time Line http://www.theholidayspot.com/thanksgiving/round_the_world.htm

Special thanks to Caryn FitzGerald  "The Manifesting Queen"   who published one of my articles on her blog! http://embracingmyjourney.com/50-ways-to-find-serenity-during-the-holidays-when-serenity-is-the-last-thing-on-your-mind.html