I love this time of year. My creativity seams to flow much better after I’ve done a good round of goal setting.

I’ve done goal setting for years. In 2005 I wrote down “new business”, and two weeks later we got a call about YTB. In 2006 I did a round of goal setting and within minutes of putting down on paper the word “writing”, I got a call about some new thing called a blogging. Two years ago I started our Newsletter, complete with a full “7 Day Quick Start” guide to help team members get up and running. None of these ideas were anything more than a thought that was transferred from my head to a piece of paper and then circled as one of the things I wanted to focus my time on.

I couldn’t tell you if any of these opportunities would have come to me if I didn’t spend time thinking about what I wanted to do in my life. Ever since I was introduced to “The Secret” some years ago, I have found some compelling evidence both from personal experience and from what I’ve read that what the mind can conceive it can achieve.

One of the things I’ve learned over the years is to take “inspired action”. Joe Vitale (as well as many others) tell you to follow your small hunches. You may not know where it will lead, but if you do – you’ll be doing exactly what you suppose to do. I know there are many “Christians” who read this blog, and you call that force God. For others who feel more comfortable with “The Universe”  – you can use that terminology if you want.

Think about this phrase for a minute.

“Ask and you shall receive.”

What kills me is that so many people ask for things like a new car, a million dollars, a new soul mate and then just sit there waiting – and waiting – aaaand waiting.

Then end up complaining that it never happens.

That’s because they forgot about another quote that I know they’ve heard over and over again – but never actually do.

“Faith without works is dead.”

The point here is that when you ask for things like a new car, a million dollars, or a new soul mate and focus your energy thinking about those things, opportunities begin to present themselves to nudge you in that direction. It’s up to you to not only recognize what those opportunities are, but to actually move in that direction. If you do, you’ll find that thought an “inspired step” in the direction you want not only moves you closer to your intended goal, but this simple step turns out to be a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

Why? Because that’s what God (or The Universe) wants you to do!

Look…here’s a recent example of what I’m talking about.

One of the items on my list of goals was an overhaul of our newsletters auto-responder “7 Day Quick Start Guide”. I’ve changed this guide a few times since I first created it two years ago. One of the nice things about auto-responders is that once it’s written it works on auto-pilot from then on. That being said – it can often take a back seat because it’s done and you really don’t have to think about it much longer.

This series however has been in need of an overhaul or some time. With all the changes to YTB since it was first published there were areas that needed to be updated and produced to provide a more timely and effective program.

Thanks to GoodDay@YTB and Andy Cauthen’s Goal Setting Tips that I published here on the blog and also provided in our Newsletter a brand new stream of subscribers have been opting-in to our Newsletter. I see spikes in subscribers from time to time, but this particular spike got me thinking.

“What if all these subscribers could get that new series I want to do from my goals list?”

That one little hunch or thought – prompted me to actually start my overhaul of the series – and as a result my series has been taken to a whole new level. It’s like being in “The Zone”. New ideas – new topics – new documents – a completely new look and feel that I feel really – really good about. The more I dive into this project – the more I know that this is exactly what I should be doing right now.

What I first thought to be a major “chore” and really didn’t want to do because of all the work it entails has completely turned around to be a truly inspiring and moving experience for me.

Why? I took “Inspired Action”. This thought – opportunity – project – whatever you want to call it – was presented at the best possible time for me because without knowing it – I was ready to do it.

But I would have never known unless I followed up on this hunch.

I think back a rainy night in January some five years ago after our introduction to YTB with an Opportunity Meeting. I remember talking with Ronda about this business as we weighed the possibilities and the obstacles that presented itself during our drive home. I had no idea if this business was for real – nor was it a proven leader like it is today.

But that one small voice – a hunch – a gut feeling told me that this was the right place at the right time for me.

Based on that hunch am I a millionaire? No.

Do I live in some mansion sitting beside the water? No

Am I financially independent with no worries or problems? Hardly.

But I DO have a business that’s provided for myself and my family. Not only that,  I’ve probably grown more as a person and as a business man over the last five years than any other time in my life. I also have a closer relationship with family and more friends than I could ever ask for. It’s been one of the most rewarding, most productive, and most enjoyable times of my entire life.

I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Stop and actually think the next time an idea or thought comes and rattles around in your head. Most of the time our past programming automatically negates it as either too hard or even worse -  impossible.

Kennedy wanted to put a man on the moon before the end of the 1960′s. Was that too hard? Was that impossible?

Just because you set a goal or state an intention of what you want doesn’t mean it’s going to happen. There’s work involved in anything worth while and many times you have to swim out to it instead of just having it was up on shore.

But if you follow your hunches – your gut instinct – not only will it lead you in the right direction – but you’ll have a blast doing it.

Take hold of that thought and use it to take Inspired Action. You’ll never know until you do how enjoyable life can really be.

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

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Doug & Ronda Bauknight AKA: TravelPro Travel Agent / Networker Phone: 678.458.5812

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So, how do they look so far? Remember – “If you aim at nothing, you’ll hit it every time”.

We spent the majority of Saturday ‘De-Christmasing’ the house. As we were packing all the ornaments and lights for another year, we kept thinking about our goals and got more and more excited about the new year. While the Holiday’s have been great, we’re ready to get back to work!

We sent out our Monthly Newsletter on Friday and also posted 76 “Goal Setting Tips” that President and COO of YTB Marketing Andy Cauthen put together. We checked some of our stats late Saturday night and were completely blown away over how many people actually downloaded Andy’s “Guide”.

It’s EMPOWERING isn’t it??!!

Now that your goals are out of your head and onto something you can see like paper our thinking and perspective has changed dramatically. It makes a big difference – and somehow these goals that have been nothing more than passing thoughts have substance and passion behind them.

Believe it or not – the hard part is over – actually taking the time to write these goals down. Now comes the fun part – going after them.

To some, this may seem like a daunting or impossible task.

Jack Canfield, author of “Chicken Soup for the Soul ” and one of the teachers of the hit movie “The Secret” expressed in this same movie that we can drive at night only seeing the next 200 yards in front of us to reach our intended destination. Reaching a Goal is much the same way. You know it’s there, but you find your way a little bit at a time.

Just remember that the impossible can be broken down into possibilities. Napoleon Hill said “Whatever the mind can conceive and believe – the mind can achieve.”

Everything you see and use today was first born as a goal. The computer you’re reading this on – the software used to enable this communication – the house you live in – the warm air from the furnace – all conceived first from thought – as a goal.

So how do we turn our goals from paper into reality?

Andy’s Goal Setting Tips has some great tools attached in helping you. Here are some great tools from the list and a couple of our own that we’ve learned from experience.

• Use a journal to keep track of your goals: Keep daily or weekly records of your progress including affirmations, successes, appreciations for your hard work, rewards, resistances, obstacles, etc. We found that writing at night, just before bed is very effective. Many times we dream about what we’ve written in our journal. What that means is that you’re subconscious is working on your goals – even in your sleep! (How easy is THAT?!)
• Create a collage to support your vision: To make a goals collage, cut out pictures and words that you like from magazines and glue them onto a piece of paper the size of a placemat. (We use a cork board and pin them up – both are hung in our Master Bath.)
• Use your computer to support you in reaching goals: There are many ways you can put your goals on your computer. Scan your collage or a poster/picture that inspires you into your computer, and use it as wallpaper. (You can also use Google Images and search key words) Create a screensaver with your images or just put up a digital “post it” with your goals list.
• Carry your goals with you and read them out loud: We purchased a pack of 3X5 index cards and write down our top ten goals for the day. We write them in the present tense as if you have already achieved them and say them out loud at various times of the day. It’s important NOT to use the same list from the day before. Don’t just copy them, start with a new sheet and write down the most important goals of the day. (Some can remain the same goals from the day before, but don’t use your previous list to remind you.)
• Be grateful for what you have NOW: This is probably the most important aspect of attracting newer, more meaningful aspects (or Goals) into your life. It puts you in a positive frame of mind – what’s going right – not what’s going wrong. Ever notice how people who complain about not feeling well are always sick? People who complain about bills and money are always broke? Likewise, the people who always talk about being lucky are the luckiest people in the world. An attitude of gratitude puts you in a vibration that attracts more things to be grateful for.

These tools work – and while we don’t have the time or space to document the science behind them, there some very compelling studies that prove they work.

It’s a new beginning – a clean slate. Life is meant to be fulfilling and enjoyable – not some chore or filled with excuses to do just enough to get by.

You have no idea the POWER you possess within you. We put men on the moon – communicate with each other from all corners of the world instantly – and sit in the air at 30 thousand feet while surfing the internet at the same time.

Look at your list – what are YOU going to do that makes your life outstanding?!

You’ve taken the first – and probably most important step in achieving your goals. That’s writing them down. Now it’s time to go after them. You may not have any way of knowing just how yet – but until you doing something to move towards them – you’ll never reach your intended destination.

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

Doug & Ronda Bauknight AKA: TravelPro Travel Agent / Networker Phone: 678.458.5812

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For those who went to the 2008 Convention last summer, or if you’ve been to a Red Carpet Day over the last year, you are aware of YTB’s work with Flags4Vets. Fred Moore and Linda Brown head up Flags4Vets and YTB has supported this fine organization through contributions from our Reps and RTA’s.

Since YTB began it’s outreach with Flags4Vets at the 2008 Convention, YTB has provided enough donations to supply over 75,000 flags in support of this enormous undertaking.

Flags4Vets is a non profit organization that believes it is our duty as citizens (as opposed to the Government) to privately fund all the U.S. flags for Military grave sites all over the world to honor those who served our Country. Some of whom gave the ultimate sacrifice. We are proud that we have been able to support this noble cause of the U.S. Flag for those who have secured the freedoms we enjoy today.

Flags4Vets relies on support through public outreach programs to the general public, schools, scouting groups, and other organizations with similar interests. If you would like to donate for this worthy and honorable cause, you can do so from their web site. Donations are tax deductible.

You will also find the piece below in GoodDay@YTB. This daily communication sent to the field was started not long ago by Andy Cauthen, our President and COO of YTB. Andy has taken on this task and has done an exceptional job with his “90 Seconds” of wisdom and leadership. I look forward to reading this e-mail every morning and find it an invaluable tool. It engages the right mindset because it provides quotes that not only inspire, but teach. The stories, messages, and quotes found there are in vast contrast to the bathroom wall material you sometimes find on the internet. Undoubtedly, GoodDay@YTB is a far better use of time and energy.

When thinking about Flags4Vets last week, I contacted Andy about the number of flags we have been able to supply for this organization. He shared with me what is being sent to the field this morning. I found it very fitting for today and wanted to share with everyone what was sent to him from Fred Moore, the founder of Flags4Vets. I hope you are as proud of “Old Glory” and what it represents as Andy, Flags4Vets, and I am.

My Name is Old Glory

I am the flag of the United States of America.

My name is Old Glory.

I fly atop the world’s tallest buildings.

I stand watch in America’s halls of justice.

I fly majestically over great institutes of learning.

I stand guard with the greatest military power in the world.

Look up! And see me!

I stand for peace – honor – truth and justice.

I stand for freedom

I am confident – I am arrogant

I am proud.

When I am flown with my fellow banners

My head is a little higher

My colors a little truer.

I bow to no one.

I am recognized all over the world.

I am worshipped – I am saluted – I am respected

I am revered – I am loved, and I am feared.

I have fought every battle of every war for more than 200 years:

Gettysburg, Shilo, Appomatox, San Juan Hill, the trenches of France, the Argonne Forest, Anzio, Rome, the beaches of Normandy, the deserts of Africa, the cane fields of the Philippines, the rice paddies and jungles of Guam, Okinawa, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Guadalcanal

New Britain, Peleliu, and many more islands.

And a score of places long forgotten by all but those who were with me.

I was there.

I led my soldiers – I followed them.

I watched over them.

They loved me.

I was on a small hill in Iwo Jima.

I was dirty, battle-worn and tired, but my soldiers cheered me, and I was proud.

I have been soiled, burned, torn and trampled on the streets of countries I have helped set free.

It does not hurt, for I am invincible.

I have been soiled, burned, torn and trampled on the streets of my country, and when it is by those with whom I have served in battle – it hurts.

But I shall overcome – for I am strong.

I have slipped the bonds of Earth and stand watch over the uncharted new frontiers of space from my vantage point on the moon.

I have been a silent witness to all of America’s finest hours.

But my finest hour comes when I am torn into strips to be used for bandages for my wounded comrades on the field of battle,

When I fly at half mast to honor my soldiers,

And when I lie in the trembling arms of a grieving mother at the graveside of her fallen son.

I am proud.

My name is Old Glory.

Dear God – Long may I wave.

by Howard Schnauber, Fort Collins, CO
© 1994 the author

PS - If you're involved with YTB, sign up for our FREE Newsletter. As a Website Owner or Website Seller, we'll keep you up to date with all the latest news, acquisitions, and developments with YTB.

PPS - Subscribe to the Just Picture It Now RSS feed, (including e-mail) for all the latest posts and updates found right here!

Doug & Ronda Bauknight AKA: TravelPro Travel Agent / Networker Phone: 678.458.5812

Book Your Travel & Vacations With

TSO #588629