Ten of the Best New Year's Resolutions You Can Make Without Letting Yourself Down

1. Resolve to Stay Brutally Optimistic. See the opportunity in every difficulty and anticipate the most a favorite outcome out of every situation. Whatever you look for, that's what you'll find. We can get better or we can get bitter. It all depends on the lessons we draw from each experience. Optimism is like electricity - very little happens without it. Know this truth. You have all the resources you'll ever need to handle all the challenges you'll ever have. In true emergencies the true you will emerge.

2. Resolve to identify the most powerful benefit you offer to the people around you and then deliver it. "The Purpose Of Life", said George Bernard Shaw, "Is a Life Of Purpose". What's your? Where are you investing your personal energy, self preservation or adding value to others? Here's the well-being paradox: If you're only concerned about yourself, you cannot take care of yourself. Only by helping others, can you succeed.

3. Resolve to pump up your personal vitality. In the game of life, it's not about who's right, its about who's left. Over 60 percent of us are more than 36 years old. The real currency of the new century is not cash, It's vitality! It's the ability to keep going every day of every week of every month of the year with vigor and verve. All you are to the people around you is a source of energy, and you cannot give what you don't have. Ninety percent of all adults do no physical exercise at all. More than half of us are overweight. A third of us still smoke. So, this year, resolve to enhance your physical, emotional and mental vitality. Take just a small step. First you'll amaze yourself, and then you'll amaze everybody else.


4. Resolve to be habitually generous. Success is not something you pursue. It's something you attract by what you become. The more you give of yourself, the more favors you attract from others. People have a deep-rooted drive to give back. So resolve to search for ways to contribute to others. Heres an interesting aphorism: Live life above the line. If the line represents others' expectations of you, consistently surpass those expectations. You'll develop what author Ken Blanchard calls "raving fans", people who become walking billboards for you.

5. Resolve to go on a mental diet. Sticks and stones can break your bones, but words can scar you for life. It is humans, not elephants, who never forget. So resolve to use language of conciliation, not the language of confrontation. Avoid the temptation to vent your negativity on others. Instead, use words that express your joie de vivre and connection with others.

6. Resolve to be a global citizen, fully open to the cultures and influences of others. There is a direct correlation between personal well being and openness to other peoples' ideas and cultures. If someone has a different point of view, they're probably right as well. There are no absolutes anymore, so welcome different opinions. Become a one-person champion of plurality. Not only will you make lots of new friends, but you'll also gather multiple reference points to help you resolve personal challenges.

7. Resolve to take control of your destiny! Don't be so busy trying to make a living that you forget to make a life. Decide who you want to be and what you want to achieve and then stride boldly toward your vision. The most precious human commodity today is confidence.

8. Resolve to increase your human connectedness. The person with the best connections wins. The wider your network, the more opportunities you generate. It's all about trust. And it's all about profile - your presence of minds of the people who matter. So invest at least 10 percent of your time broadening your sphere of influence. Connect other people to the opportunities within your network: cross-pollinate their potential. When you are with others, make every encounter a pleasureable one. When you listen, truly listen. And burn your fear of rejection.

9. Resolve to increase your creativity by letting go of the familiar. Nothing is as far away as yesterday. Try to see the world through fresh eyes every day. As Salman Rushdie writes, every year is the Stone Age to the year that follows it. Listen to your intuition and follow your instincts. They'll tell you what to do before your head has had a chance to figure it out. You are a Picasso or Einstein at something. Discover what it is and then develop it to the maximum.

10. Resolve to be you because others are already taken. You and I are at our best when we're being authentic. We're at our best when we're being positively spontaneous, because that's when all our energy is being invested in the task at hand or with the person in front of us. In a hyper competitive world, we cannot afford to second guess ourselves. Success in the new century is all about speed ... Speed Wins. So act now, because if not now, when?

Source: Can you believe its that time of year already? Ten of the Best New Year Resolutions you can make, without letting yourself down. By Mike Lipkin First published in December 2001

You can always use an extra pair of hands...

No matter what size your organization is, we have programs designed to assist you and your staff, so you can keep your business running smoothly.

• Looking for someone to handle legal pleadings? Look no further!
• Need some help setting up and implementing mail or e-mail campaigns? We do that!
• Need your audio tapes or digital dictation transcribed fast & accurate? Give us a call.
• Need help with Quickbooks? Organize your records for tax season? We can do that. We have a Certified Quickbooks Advisor on our team.
• Can’t keep up with the maintenance of your client database? Check out our competitive rates
• Want to start a regular mailing program of thank you cards, seasonal cards - Or newsletters?
• How about E-newsletters, announcements & Email Drip Campaigns? We can do all that or just the parts that keep you and your staff from completing other vital company functions.
• Want to get on Facebook, LinkedIn and other social media marketing sites in a BIG WAY! We can save you lots of time and effort as we know all the tips and tricks. (Certified in Social Media Marketing.)
• Don’t see it here? Just ask!

Rose-Anne Raies, President 561-795-2672

A+ Virtual Assistant, Inc. cell 561-307-6986

Royal Palm Beach, FL

See Us on Facebook: https:/www.facebook.com/APVirtual  

Linked In Profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/roseanneraies

http://www.apvirtual.com/

Tis the Season - to love technology

A good friend sent an article from You magazine with lots of tips on how to use technology during the holiday season. Here are some great excerpts. The full article follows:

Sharing the Holidays
In these challenging economic times, it may be harder to travel during the holiday season. But that doesn't mean you can't be together, virtually, with your family. Sites like http://www.dropshots.com/ make it easy for friends and relatives to view photos and videos of all your holiday events.

DropShots is a free site where you can easily upload photos and videos to share with a specified group of people. And one of the best parts about DropShots is that it is private.

Great Technology that will help you shop for bargains:

For comparison shopping online, check out http://www.pricegrabber.com/  (rated the top price comparison site by SmartMoney.com). PriceGrabber includes large, national chains as well as smaller merchants. You can search for products or browse through categories. PriceGrabber even includes a separate area for environmentally-friendly products called Shop Green.

If you're not near a computer and still want to find the best prices, just pick up your smartphone. For iPhone users, try the Save Benjis application. For a one-time application charge of 99 cents, Save Benjis allows you to search by product name, manufacturer or by the numbers on the product's bar code. Save Benjis displays multiple locations where you can purchase your product – listed from lowest to highest price.

For the BlackBerry and other Internet-enabled phones, check out Frugalytics. This free app (available from the BlackBerry store) allows you to search by product name or browse products by category.

While all of these comparison sites will show you the online price, many stores' websites include a place to enter a zip code and check the in-store availability for locations near you. And if you're just not sure what gifts to give this holiday season, check out Giftbee. On this site you can search for gifts by category (such as sports) or by a trait (such as pet lover). Giftbee also includes a list of all the hot toys for the holidays.
 
http://tinyurl.com/yjpqot6

Testing out a free blogging course

I'm evaluating a multi-media course on blogging from the folks at Simpleology. For a while, they're letting you snag it for free if you post about it on your blog.

It covers:

• The best blogging techniques.
• How to get traffic to your blog.
• How to turn your blog into money.

I'll let you know what I think once I've had a chance to check it out. Meanwhile, go grab yours while it's still free.

HOW YOU VIEW YOUR BLOG DIRECTLY AFFECTS THE BUSINESS YOU GAIN THROUGH IT

Service professionals – especially women - view their blog as an outlet for sharing their thoughts and their knowledge. And that’s it. If the way you view your blog is an outlet for your thoughts and your knowledge, than this is what it is going to be.

But if you also want to attract clients with your blog, you need to start viewing your blog and your blog posts differently. You want to view your blog as a tool that you use for both sharing your thoughts and your knowledge AND for inviting potential clients to learn more about your business.

To do that, first, use your blog to share – you share your knowledge, you share information, you share your expertise. However if you do not share information about your products and services, You are not doing a good job sharing EVERYTHING that your target market needs, When someone comes to your blog and reads your blog post, there are two possible outcomes:

1) Your blog post has helped them solve the problem they were having, and they are happy about that. This is great, this is one of the reasons you are blogging, you want to help your target market solve their problems!

2) But more often than that your target market wants more. After people in your target market have read your blog post, they want to know how what you are sharing and teaching can apply to them, to their lives, to their businesses, to solving their problems. And in order to learn that, they will start looking for help from you, which means they will start looking for your products and services.

Now, what if they are looking for how you can help them, but your blog does not list any of this information? In this case it is actually a DISSERVICE that you are doing to your target market by not providing information about your newsletter and your products and services on your blog.

So revolutionize how you are thinking about your blog. Once you start using your blog to both SHARE information and SHARE your products and services, you are going to create much more awareness about your business. And awareness leads to more engagement from your blog readers and engagement leads to more clients. When your blog readers know you and when they know what you offerings are, they are much more likely to do business with you.

Concierge Services of A+ Virtual Assistant, Inc.

As indicated in a recent newsletter, A+ Virtual Assistant, Inc. also offers concierge services of varying types.

One that most people would not think of is party planning, catering for dinner parties, etc.
Being married to a classically trained chef for 20 years, I naturally gravitate to food and the functions associated. Plus we love to have our own parties for friends, family and business associates.

Here is a great recipe, courtesy of Giada DeLaurentis of The Food Network:

ISRAELI COUSCOUS SALAD WITH APPLES, CRANBERRIES AND HERBS.

OF COURSE I TAKE A LITTLE TWIST OF MY OWN ON THE VINAIGRETTE. (SORRY NOT SHARING THAT ONE! ;-))

Ingredients
Couscous:
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups Israeli couscous (or barley or orzo)
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary leaves
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
1 medium green apple, diced
1 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted, see Cook's Note

Vinaigrette:
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup olive oil

Directions
For the couscous: In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil on medium-high heat. Add the couscous and cook, stirring occasionally until slightly browned and aromatic, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 to12 minutes or until the liquid has evaporated. Transfer the cooked couscous to a large bowl and set aside to cool. Add the parsley, rosemary, thyme, apple, dried cranberries, and almonds.

For the vinaigrette: In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, maple syrup, salt, and pepper. Whisk in the olive oil until smooth. Pour the vinaigrette over the couscous and toss to coat evenly.

Cook's Note: To toast the almonds, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Arrange the almonds in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes

Still unsure if LinkedIn is a good for your business?

Here is an ineresting post/article:  3 little known ways to use linked in to grow your target market, generate leads, & secure expert advise at no cost...… Excellent information for the beginner to intermediate LinkedIn user.  You may have to  have a LinkedIn account and/or paste the link to your browser.  Not like some of the fluff we get - some good meaty info here. 

http://www.linkedin.com/news?viewArticle=&articleID=78315154&gid=1829230&articleURL=http%3A%2F%2Fmycorporatemedia%2Ecom%2F2009%2F10%2F17%2Fthree-little-known-ways-to-use-linkedin%2F&urlhash=sVRT&trk=news_discuss

JUST SAY THANK YOU AND WATCH YOUR BUSINESS GROW!

Say you  made two major purchases this year. You were very pleased with both companies. Both of the sales people from Company A wrote thank you notes after your purchase. You never heard back from Company B.

Then a few weeks later, a neighbor approached us asking for a referral. They were interested in the product purchased from Company B. You were happy to supply the neighbor with the information but had forgotten the company's name and did not have the contact information readily available. 
After a couple of days, you found the Company B info...Here's the problem, the neighbor could not wait and had found another company to service their needs.  What is the lesson in all of this? Send a thank you note!
If you are like me you never throw away thank you cards. Had your neighbor asked for Company A's product, you could have produced the information in a matter of minutes.  A little thank you note would have doubled Company B's sale.
When your customers purchase a product or service from you, take the time to show your appreciation by sending a card in the mail. Give your client a tangible object to hold on to! If you don't think you have time, try using www.Sendoutcards.com/apvirtual ... you can try this service cost free and send two cards "on me."  See  how you like it.  You simply choose a card, type your message and click send. We do the rest.
Afterwards should you decide you want to use the product contact me.  The cost can be as little as $.62 plus postage.  No trips to the store, no hassle.  I can even help you upload your contacts from your computer.
Had Company B sent me a thank you note, they may have sold a second project for $2000. Let's see, spend $1.00 and make $2000. Looks like a good return on their investment.

Rose-Anne Raies, President, A+ Virtual Assistant, Inc. http://www.apvirtual.com/
http://www.sendoutcards.com/apvirtual
We are on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/APVirtual

Business Networking Blog: Business Networking Groups

I enjoyed this post about whether you should pass cards at networking group functions.  Thought my readers might too.  Interesting food for thought.  Comments welcome.

Business Networking Blog: Business Networking Groups

Read how to increase your bottom line in challenging times.

Many successful entrepreneurs and business owners are discovering a way to increase both their quality of life and their bottom line by utilizing the services of Virtual Assistants. 

A Virtual Assistant is an independent entrepreneur providing administrative, creative, and/or technical services. Utilizing advanced technological modes of communication and data delivery, a professional VA assists clients in their area of expertise from their own offices on a contractual basis.

Why should you hire a VA?

Growing a successful business takes time, commitment, and effort. When your business is doing well and your bank account is growing, other things grow as well - such as administrative tasks. By hiring a VA, you will lessen your burden without spending a small fortune for administrative support. Think of it this way:

If you charge, on average, $100 an hour for your services your time is better spent on revenue generating tasks.  Does it make good economic sense for you to be the one updating your website, readying a direct mail campaign for launch, or coordinating advertising copy? Of course not! With a VA, you can have all of these tasks completed - and more - for a fraction of your cost, or the cost of a full-time employee. By outsourcing to a VA, you give yourself the ability to create new business opportunities and focus on the things you love doing.

As a busy professional, your time is money. If you are spending your valuable time on tasks that do not generate income, allow A+ Virtual Assistant, Inc. to support you. Let us take on those projects that slow you down, distract you from more important things, and don't ever seem to get done. In addition, we can offer you value-added services that help your business grow - from marketing campaigns, to bookkeeping, to transcription, customer data base management social media networking, e-mail drip campaigns, e-newsletters and word processing support.

Visit our website and see "contact us"  http://www.apvirtual.com 

A 3 STEP PLAN TO TIME MANAGEMENT : Manage Your Time in 18 minutes per day

Having a daily plan is key to managing your time better. At the end of each day, I make a list of the top 5 things that need to be accomplished the next day. Fires come up, so the list is flexible and acts as my daily game plan. Also, I designate three periods during the day when I check and act on e-mail. 

Here is an article from Harvard Business (7/20/09) Written by Peter Bregman, Management Consultant and author.  I found it to be very helpful.  Hope you can implement and gain from it. 

http://blogs.harvardbusiness.org/bregman/2009/07/an-18minute-plan-for-managing.html

Are you a workaholic? See excellent article series from Success Magazine

Darren Hardy, publisher of Success magazine has written this excellent 12 step program for Workaholics.  He shares excellent insight to the challenges of executives, entrepreneurs, and many others - some of whom still believe they have to do it all themselves... Excellent reading!  Just do it in small bites though.
http://darrenhardy.success.com/2009/05/wa-step10-howto/

Interesting article on how to make your small business more profitable!

As an EzineArticles expert author, whenever I have time I read articles posted by other experts in my areas of interest. 

Here is an excellent article full of useful information on how to make your small business more profitable.  It is an easy read!  Cudos to the author!

http://ezinearticles.com/?Top-5-Most-Profitable-Small-Business-Ideas---Implement-Them-and-See-Your-Bottom-Line-Soar&id=2463241

Online Business and Social Networking

Business and social networking sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter et al can and do provide businessmen and businesswomen with an online presence and the ability to increase the return on their marketing dollar. These are services that can be peformed by a highly-qualified and well- trained Virtual Assistant.  

Furthermore, a good virtual assistant knows how to utilize them to the benefit of her clients.  Why spend time working "in" your business performing tasks that do not generate revenue when your time can be better spent and you can outsource these tasks to A+ Virtual Assistant, Inc., West Palm Beach, Florida.  

For an example please check out my profile on LinkedIn or look me up on Facebook. 

What is a Virtual Assistant? and... Why you might need one.

Although Virtual Assistants (online personal assistants) have been around for several years, many people still are unfamiliar with the term and do not fully grasp the benefits of hiring a highly qualified VA.  Read this article which I wrote for Ezine some months ago.  It may answer the question and furthermore it provides an example of some of the services offered by my company.  http://ezinearticles.com/?What-is-a-Virtual-Assistant?--Why-Does-Your-Small-Business-Need-One?&id=1354961

P.S.  My best and most loyal client was located through LinkedIn -  His business is my " biggest elephant" bagged to date.  We have never met face to face.  He is in Canada and I am in West Palm Beach.   

Are you good or bad at multi-tasking?

This article provides some interesting insight into multi-tasking... Can it really be done effectively? What does it really mean? Is multi-tasking another word for unable to focus? see: http://www.startribune.com/science/54579322.html?page=1&c= y