The Fabulist Flash

Issue 67

2006 Southwest Petroglyphs

In This Issue:

1. This Week
2. Idiots Guide to Goal Setting
3. 6 Simple Steps to Goal Setting
4. Do You Have a Website?
5. About The Fabulist Flash

1. This Week

Happy Winter Solstice! We've survived the longest night of the year and are heading back into longer days.

This week has been a little calmer, a little quieter on the promotion front. An interesting thing's been happening with the recent radio interviews, they've been going longer than my scheduled times. In some instances, I've gotten twice the scheduled air time. I'm taking this as a good sign that the hosts are interested in both the topic and my delivery. I'm also having more fun with the interviews. My growing comfort level with the interviews must be coming through.

In answer to the many emails I get on where to turn for services such as web domains, web hosting, autoresponders, business accounts, and shopping carts, there's a new feature at The Fabulist Flash called, The Fabulist Flash Recommends. If you're looking for online business solutions, writer's markets, or other fun sites, check it out.

As the stress, pressure, and excitement builds around the holidays, be sure to take a little time out for yourself and your writing. A moment here and there jotting notes and ideas, reading your ezines and magazines, and performing the usual daily tasks of life will help balance out the rush of adrenaline that comes with this time of year.

This week we've got two more goal setting articles for your inspiration: Idiots Guide to Goal Setting: 5 Steps to Success by Dr. Robert Eubanks; and, 6 Simple Steps to Goal Setting by CreateMyself.com

Until next week,

Gregory
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Gregory A. Kompes is a writer, photographer, professional speaker and author of 50 Fabulous Gay-Friendly Places to Live. Learn more about Gregory and his work at www.kompes.com

2. Idiots Guide to Goal Setting

Idiots Guide to Goal Setting: 5 Steps to Success
by Dr. Robert Eubanks

We've all read about personal goal setting. We've all tried it. According to the stats, most of the time we all fail.

I often used to slap hand to forehead and mutter through clinched teeth, Idiot! after realizing that I have, yet again failed to accomplish even the simplest of personal goals (much less the grand New Years goal). Over the years, though, I have managed to develop a cohesive method for curing this ailment (as well as curing the ever-present handprint on my forehead).

Making a positive use of the once negative pet name that I had for myself, I developed Idiots Guide to Goal Setting. Ready to cure the ever-present handprint on your forehead?

First, there is one pre-requisite before launching forth.

Before we even get out of the gate, we must first get beyond the list of things that should be our goals and first commit to making ourselves priority and believing that what WE want IS important! Too often we are convinced that what we should do for ourselves is what we want to do for ourselves. This is not the case.

Push aside the should thoughts and focus on what you passionately want for yourself. What are you willing to commit to and see through to the end?

In order for this commitment to be different from all of the others you must have a support system that will uphold you when the tide of daily life rigors begins to arrive once again.

This is the essential ingredient that most people dont include when they make a commitment to change. The following 5 steps are designed to help you create a resolution that is clear, specific, and planned out with the necessary support and accountability to make this swing at goal setting one for the records!

5 steps to success with goal setting

1. Keep It Simple!

There's a temptation, to generate a list of everything youve ever wanted to change. Don't fall for it! You'll have better luck fulfilling one or two goals than you will with a list of fifty.

2. Be Specific

Let's say your goal is to create a better balanced life between health, relationships, and work. Word this carefully. Try not to think of it as "I am going to balance my life." That's a tall glass of stress ready to be gulped! It forces you into thinking of the resolution as something you must do, not something you want to do.

Make it sound a little gentler: "I'm now going to explore different ways of balancing my life." This also suggests more of a plan. You will fulfill the goal by experimenting with strategies for life balance.

The first phrasing sounds as if you're going to force yourself to have a balanced life by sheer willpower.

3. Make the Plan

Once you know what your goal is, plan it out in clear steps. Your plan doesn't have to be a complicated one. Start by answering the question, What is the first step I need to take toward accomplishing my goal?

For life balance, it might look like this:

1. Work no more than 40 hours a week
2. Walk 3 times a week
3. Create a date night for significant relationships

4. Write it Down

Write down your goal and your plan of action. Stick it up on the fridge or in your office. Write in the activities in your day timer or wherever you know you'll see it. That way you'll have a constant reminder of the resolution.

5. Get Support! In order for this goal to be different from all of the others you have set, you must first have a support system that will uphold you when the tide of daily life rigors begins to rise. This is the essential ingredient that most people dont include when they make a commitment to change. All of the previous steps hinge on this one!

Personal (or Life) Coaching is a perfect example of such support. Accountability, guidance and clarity are the prime focuses of these practitioners. Coaching sessions are devoted completely to setting and accomplishing your goals. Unlike family and friends, a coach is objective, well trained and committed to seeing your goals come to fruition.

Regardless of the goals you set for yourself, what is most important is making yourself priority and committing to living the best life possible with the minimal amount of handprints on your forehead!

About the Author
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Dr. Robert A. Eubanks is the founder of Bridge to Solutions Coaching. He coaches people around the country via telephone to improve organization, time management, goal setting and to create the best darn life possible! For a free 30 minute coaching session, e-mail bridgetosolutions@yahoo.com or visit www.bridgetosolutions.com.

3. 6 Simple Steps to Goal Setting

6 Simple Steps to Goal Setting
by CreateMyself.com

Whether you are trying to revamp your life or complete a simple term paper, goal setting is a critical element in helping you succeed at whatever task you decide to accomplish!

How To Set Goals - 6 Simple Steps

1. Decide What You Want - This is the easy part !

2. Define What You Want - Go into detail, be clear and specific.

3. Write It Down - This is one of the most important steps to reaching your goal. The sheer fact that your goal is written down, puts you in the top 5% that succeed. Think of it this way " How can you hit a target you can't see ?"

4. Put A Date On It - Determine when you want the goal to be completed.

5. Set A Plan of Action - Review your goal, list what needs to be done to complete the task, and set a realistic plan for it's achievement. Break each action down into step-by-step, doable increments.

6. TAKE ACTION - Taking action now will be the determining factor for the outcome of your goal. Applaud yourself for every effort made towards it completion and decide you will succeed.

By making the simple decision to set a goal and following these steps, you can experience a renewed quality of life....today!

About the Author
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Createmyself.com is a free personal development resource for self help makeovers of physical, spiritual and financial development for the everyday person. Visit http://www.createmyself.com to learn more.

4. Do You Have a Website?

If you don't already have a website one of your New Year Resolutions should be to get one. As so much of my book promotion has indicated, having the tools and resources online has made the job of contacting me, learning about my book and personal background, and ordering my book easy for both the media and future readers.

There are many domain name services and web site hosts around and you can now add The Fabulist Flash to the pack. Check out FabulistFlashDomains.com for $8.95/yr .com addresses, plus a host of other essential online services.

5. About The Fabulist Flash

ISSN: 1554-0804

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Make plans now to attend the 2006 Las Vegas Writer's Conference March 30-April 2, 2006, in Las Vegas, Nevada.