A sense of responsibility

"I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul." - William Henley (1849-1903)

Our lives are only as good as we decide to make them. We should make short and long range plans and then follow them through, reviewing them as we go. It is our design and determination that decide our destiny, and this is our responsibility. When things are not right we should blame nobody, for that only dodges the problems that are our own and that we must fix ourselves. Let's examine our own actions and decide how things will be.

"Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be." - Thomas Kempis (1380-1471)

We should make a special effort to be what we want to be, giving consideration to what others might wish of us. We must do our duties, complete our tasks, be kind and honest.

When there is the temptation for an immediate pleasure that may be harmful to us or to others, we must resist. Where there are injustices we must speak up.

"It is not alone what we do, but also what we do not do, for which we are accountable." - Moliere (1622-1673)

We are individuals and should do what we believe in, taking responsibility for our actions. A good critical look at ourselves is very helpful in determining what needs changing. It may also see much good to be proud of.

Not in the clamor of the crowded street,

Not in the shouts and plaudits of the throng,

But in ourselves, are triumph and defeat.

- Henry Longfellow (1807-1882)

5 tips to increase your chances of actually achieving your new year s resolutions

Even in January, more and more people forget about the well-meaning resolutions they made on New Year's to improve their lives.

Here are five tips from my new book, Inside Every Woman, Using the 10 Strengths You Didn't Know You Had to Get the Career and Life You Want Now, to turn resolution road kill into a thing of the past.

1. Stop being a commitment queen. Eliminate one or two items from your busy schedule to free up time to pursue your passionate interests. Which will they be?

2. Do something even if it's wrong. Ninety percent of success is showing up. Whether you're selling an idea, trying to land a new client or learning how to paint, the point is, you have to show up. What idea will you pursue this year?

3. Plan for growth. In life, as in business, when you neglect growth, the passion inside you cools. Plan not only for a bigger house or an updated vehicle, but for inner growth. Try to reinvent yourself on a regular basis. You don't want to wake up five years from now and greet the same woman in the mirror. You want to see a new person who has transcended former boundaries.

4. Challenge your obstacles. Let go of the notion that you don't have enough time, energy, money or discipline to do what it takes to succeed. When you challenge that thought you will magically make more things happen.

5. Stick with it and endure. Many women who fail in reaching their goals simply turn back too soon. The path is long and the terrain is tough. When your endurance is tested and you're tempted to give up, remember this: You will miss not only the gold at the end of the rainbow, but also a wealth of other treats along the way.

Here's wishing you a Happy New You. And remember: We are women and we can do anything!

Setting smart financial goals

Managing your money wisely is the best way to make sure you and your family gain financial security. Money management is also extremely important if you own a business. All business owners need to understand how money comes in and goes out of their business-if you ignore budgeting details, your venture might not be successful. There are many similarities between budgeting for yourself and budgeting for your small business. When you understand the basics of money management for yourself, you will be more prepared to set up a budget for your company.

To manage your money wisely, start by setting financial goals and establishing a budget plan to help you achieve those goals. Financial goals are simply statements about things you wish you could afford; for example, you may have a goal to establish an emergency savings fund of $2,000 by the end of the year.

What are your personal financial goals? If you had $2,000, what would you do with it? Would you invest it in your small business? Would you buy a car? Would you make a home improvement?

You will be able to accomplish your goals if you manage your finances and put money aside on a regular basis. The key is to setting financial goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Trackable (SMART):

Specific. State exactly what you want to achieve, how you're going to do it, and when you want to achieve it. For example:

General Goal Statement: I want to improve my finances.

Specific Goal Statement: I want to pay off my credit card bill in 8 months by negotiating a payment plan with my creditor.

Measurable. A financial goal should be measurable so you know when you have achieved it.

General Financial Goal Statement: I will pay off most of my credit card debt soon.

Measurable Goal Statement: In the next six months, I will pay three of my five credit card bills in full.

Attainable. Make sure the financial goal is within reasonable reach.

General Goal Statement: I will save money.

Attainable Goal Statement: I will save $1,000 in a year by putting aside $3 each day.

Realistic. Is the economic goal realistic for you? Don't ignore your limitations. Your economic goals need to be tasks that you can reasonably accomplish.

General Goal Statement: By managing my money well, next year I will become a millionaire.

Realistic Goal Statement: By managing my money well, next year I will be debt free and will have an emergency fund equal to three months of living expenses.

Trackable. Being able to track your progress encourages you to keep going and reach your fiscal goal.

General Fiscal Goal Statement: I will increase my savings goal every year.

Trackable Statement: Each year I will save 10 percent more money than the previous year.

If you are SMART about setting financial goals, you will be well on your way to managing your money in a way that will provide financial security for you and your family for years to come.