Is one of your new year's resolutions to upgrade your skills this year? Well how about signing up for one of my public workshops? Check out these photos of people enjoying themselves at my workshops in 2004

Call Sam Loo of Learner's Choice International on 6376 2018 or e-mail him on sam@learners-choice.com for details of my public workshops in Singapore. For January and February only, the first 10 participants at each workshop will receive a $10 Robinsons voucher. So sign up today!

19 January
Success Skills for Secretaries and Support Staff

26 January
Energise your E-mail Writing Skills

24-25 February
Power Up Your Business Writing Skills

This article is contributed by Lorraine Pirihi, Australia's Personal Productivity Specialist and Leading Life Coach. Her business Office Organiser specialises in showing small business owners and managers how to get organised at work so they can have a life! Lorraine is also a dynamic speaker and has produced many products including "How to Survive and Thrive at Work!"

Which of the following changes to your life do you want to make to your life this year?

1. To have a slim and trim body?
2. Find a stimulating job?
3. Take up a sport or hobby?
4. Buy your dream home?
5. Travel to an exotic destination?
6. Spend more time with your family?
7. Double your income?
8. Improve your skills?
9. Have more fun?
10. All of the above

To help you channel your energy into achieving this year's goals, here are some practical ways to get you started. After all, there is no reason why you shouldn't start immediately, is there?

Goalsetting - getting started

1. Write a list of what you want to achieve this year.
2. Make sure what you've written down is specific, measurable and attainable, eg lose 5 kgs by 30th April.
3. Write no. 1 against the most important goal. Write no. 2 against the next most important goal. Continue numbering the rest of the goals.
4. Look at the goal with no. 1 next to it, ie lose 5 kgs. Start a separate list with the heading 'Lose 5 kgs by 30th April', eg:
   • Join gym
   • Decide specific days and times you will attend
   • Purchase gym gear
   • See nutritionist
5. Write down the action steps you need to take to achieve this goal.
6. Enter the action steps into your diary/electroinic organiser on the day/s you will do them, eg:
• 15th Jan - join gym
• 16th Jan - book nutritionist
• Attend gym Mon/Weds/Fri 6am

To ensure your goalsetting is successful, it is imperative to write your goals first and then plan the appropriate steps to take in your diary. Otherwise your goals could end up being wishful thinking!

Goal/Dream Chart

Having visual reminders is a valuable part of the goalsetting process. It's a great way to prompt and keep you motivated to follow through. Cut out a picture of the body you'd like to have from a magazine and stick a photo of your head on top of it. Alternatively if you want to recapture the way you were some time ago, find an old photo of yourself. You can place these on your desktop, car dashboard and the fridge at home.

Do this for your other goals (minus the head). In fact having a dream chart with pictures or words of the things you want to achieve is a great stimulus for your sub-conscious mind. Sticking these reminders onto green paper is even more effective. I have one of these in my office and guess what? It actually works!

Action Is The Key

Once you've identified what you want, written it down, planned when you will take action and done your goal/dream chart, nothing will happen unless you get off your butt and take action towards those goals.

Avoid the 'Too Much Too Soon' Syndrome

Often people try making many changes at once then get disillusioned because there are too many things to do and just give up. If you've done this in the past, tackle one goal at a time. If you really have difficulty going it alone, you may benefit from using the services of a life coach like myself who will keep you on track.

Dare to Fail

In Billi Lim's bestselling book "Dare to Fail" he shares the following story:

A woman once walked up to a little old man rocking in a chair on his porch.

"I couldn't help noticing how happy you look", she said. "What's the secret for a long happy life?'

"I smoke three packs of cigarettes a day', he said. "I also drink a case of whisky a week, eat fatty foods and never exercise."

"That's amazing, the woman said. "How old are you?"

"Twenty-six", he said.

The Final Word On Goalsetting

You too can achieve your goals if you really want to. The goals you set must fit in with your values. For instance if you really value your health and well- being, then it will be easier for you to take action around this area.

Goalsetting is an ongoing process. Plan and get off your butt now to achieve what you want in your life otherwise you could get stuck in the usual rut and before you know it, another year has passed by.

Take action today!

Thanks to Lorraine for this stimulating article. To subscribe to Lorraine's free ezine visit www.office-organiser.com.au.

Here are the top 10 most common new year resolutions. Do any of them look familiar?

1. Lose weight
2. Stop smoking
3. Stick to a budget
4. Save or earn more money
5. Find a better job
6. Become more organised
7. Exercise more
8. Be more patient at work/with others
9. Eat better
10. Become a better person

That's your lot then for this first issue of Shirley Says for 2005. It's a brand new year, and I hope it will be all that you hope for. I'll be back in your in-box in February - see you then!

Love from Shirley xx
PS: This is me at a recent fancy-dress party! Thought you might like a laugh at my expense!!

PPS: You may reprint this newsletter or forward it to your customers and colleagues. However please keep this copyright and contact information intact:

Copyright Shirley Taylor 2005. Shirley Taylor is author of several popular books on effective communication and business writing. She lives in Singapore and works as an international trainer, seminar leader, professional writer and conference speaker.