We invite you to forward this newsletter to your friends and colleagues. Average reading time: 3.8 mins.

CONTENTS:

1. TOP 4 REASONS NOT TO DO NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS
2. A GIFT AND WEBINAR
   (on 1/23/08 at 2: EST) ... at www.eLifePlans.com...
   Reserve your Webinar seat now!
3. PASSIONATE ACTION: book excerpt

1. TOP 4 REASONS NOT TO DO NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS

Perhaps you do annual resolutions and they help you focus on your goals. However, most people do not do them. Here is why you should not do New Years Resolutions:

1. They do not work. On average, within a week 24% of resolutions have failed. Within 12 months, 86% have failed. Consider whatever it was you stated you were resolved to do in 2007… You can argue with those percentages, but I ask, "Why commit to anything that is not likely to work?"
2. One reason annual resolutions do not work is that people rarely write them down. A private resolution is nothing more than a dream. That fact makes me wonder what would happen if you wrote down your goals. All successful people focus on their strengths. When you read the journals of Franklin, Carnegie, or Jefferson you can see that their success is a direct result of their goal setting. You could write your goals and post them above your computer and on your bathroom mirror… hmmm, but you probably will not do so. (?)
3. Another reason why annual resolutions do not work is that people rarely use an accountability partner or coach to reinforce their goals. That fact appalls me. We know that positive reinforcement helps us excel. We all know what we "ought" to do. If in doubt, ask your mother-in-law or last client. And we know that highly successful people use supportive teams, like a coach or mastermind or regular meeting, to reinforce their goals… but you probably will not do so. (?)
4. Another reason why resolutions do not work is that they typically focus on a problem, not a solution. For instance, if you resolve to stop smoking or lose 20 pounds, you are focusing on the problem of smoking or overeating without diet and exercise. Subliminally, you are reinforcing that problem in your brain, instead of stating the positive solution. A classic example is when you tell a child to "Not eat cookies" or "Do not hit Cheryl." Subliminally the child hears "Cookies" and eats. Or he sees Cheryl and hits her until she cries… Coaches focus on the solutions in your life.

Instead, ignore the craze of New Years resolutions. Instead, 1) write your goals, 2) share them with a coach or accountability partner, 3) and focus on your solutions and rewards.

YOUR HOMEWORK:

- One free gift resource is at www.eLifePlans.com, use code DG6479

2. A GIFT AND A WEBINAR ... at www.eLifePlans.com

One of my clients uses the structure of www.eLifePlans.com for his personal and professional goals. Then he shared it as a resource for his investment clients. The 30-day trial is free. The annual cost is minimal. The value is tremendous.

Imagine spending a few minutes doing what so few people do… writing your goals into a simple system that helps you stay focused on your dreams.

Imagine having a regular email reminder of your purpose. Something that tickles you- daily, weekly or monthly- that helps you stay focused on your dreams and your goals.

Imagine that you and I, or your accountability partner, could look at your eLifePlan at any time, and that we could help you attain those dreams and goals?

That is the value of www.eLifePlans.com. ENTER this CODE: DG6479

Successful people throughout time use accountability systems to 1) gain clarity, and 2) stay focused on useful actions. That is the core of Action Learning. The primary reason why I endorse www.eLifePlans.com is because I know that you will benefit from using it. Give it a try right now.

YOUR HOMEWORK:

- Go to www.eLifePlans.com, enter code DG6479. Forward this information to friends or clients who need more accountability or support.

Join us for a Webinar on January 23, 2008 4:00-5:00 EST

Register at https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/480465031

Are you still struggling to reach your goals and dreams? Do you want to be a successful person instead of just an average person with an average life? The best gift we can give you this year is the opportunity to help you Focus On Your Dreams and Be Great in 08!

Join Doug Gray with Action Learning, and Mike Harrison, Lead Coach and Trainer for eLifePlans.com!

During this spectacular event you will learn...

• To create your personal life plan to help you realize your dreams in 2008 and beyond!
• To put the right structures and systems in place to maintain your focus!
• To maintain the right attitude to succeed in a competitive year!

Each participant will receive the following Complimentary Gifts:

1. Personal Life Assessment to help you get focused on your top priorities
2. Complimentary 30-minute personal coaching session with a certified eLifePlans coach
3. Complimentary 1-month membership to eLifePlans.com (your peak performance coaching system)

Space is limited, so register today! At https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/480465031

Title: Focus on Your Dreams: Be Great in 08! - Hosted by Doug Gray
Date: Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Time: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM EST

System Requirements

PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 2000, XP Home, XP Pro, 2003 Server, Vista

Macintosh®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.3.9 (Panther®) or newer

Space is limited.
Reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/480465031

YOUR HOMEWORK:

- Call me at 704.895.6479 to tell me about your business.

3. PASSIONATE ACTION: book excerpt ... Bonus gifts at www.action-learning.com/pa.html

The need for passionate action in business is summed up by Steve Jobs, cofounder and CEO of Apple… "Unless you have a lot of passion about being a successful entrepreneur, you’re not going to survive. You’re going to give it up. So you’ve got to have an idea, or a problem or a wrong that you want to right that you’re passionate about, otherwise you’re not going to have the perseverance to stick it through."

Here is an excerpt from page 11 of Passionate Action; 5 Steps to Creating Extraordinary Success in Life and Work (2007):

The Passionate Action Model is based on the premise that each of us is on an adventure in life, and that we can influence some outcomes by making smart decisions. Sometimes your adventure, just like mine, leads to desirable choices. Sometimes those decision points do not seem at all desirable. Your adventure may have chaotic, muddy, cold, scary times, when you are not sure what to do next. Those are the times when you need to have a friend, or a coach, or your faith, or a support system. Those are the times when you need this guidebook.

I need your help promoting this book. My goal is to help hundreds of thousands of people find their passion, and experience more success. Actions lead to success! I want to get on Oprah!

You can help by forwarding this email to everyone you care about.

My sincere hope is that they, and you, will experience more passionate action-based success.

Please forward this newsletter to any of your colleagues or friends!

To add a colleague or friend to the action-learning newsletter: http://www.action-learning.com/contactus

For comments or feedback: click here

© 2008 All Rights Reserved
Action Learning Associates, Inc.
Phone: 704.895.6479