For today’s post, I’d like to provide you with a simple tool you can use to estimate how much money you will make and how much money you will spend next year. With this tool, you can forecast your income and expenses and see how much money you will make (or not) in 2009.

Why should you do a forecast? First of all, it’s an element of a good business plan. Here are some other benefits:

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Do your days run you? Do you feel like you spend a lot of your time reacting to what’s going on around you right now than deliberately planning your day? Are you ready to slow down and take control of your schedule? Are you ready to do more meaningful activities and live more consciously?

The Big Rocks

Stephen Covey’s "Big Rocks" story is pretty famous. He does an exercise in his presentations where he fills a clear container with big rocks, and then pours in pebbles and sand, which fills up all the spaces. When he tries to do the same thing with those same three materials but starts first with the sand and pebbles, the big rocks cannot fit.

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Over the past three days, you have reflected upon the last year, created a list of your core values, and have revealed  how balanced you are in your life. Today we’re going to explore why you are here.

Stephen Covey, the author of several "7 Habits" books, writes in "First Things First", writes about how humans have four fundamental needs to feel complete. They are:

1. Physical - our basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter, health and economic well-being.
2. Social - our need to relate to others, to love, be loved, and to belong.
3. Mental - our need to continue learning to develop and grow.
4. Spiritual - our need to have a sense of meaning, purpose, contribution and personal congruence or alignment.

In a simple sentence, Covey says the "essence of these needs is captured in the phrase ‘to live, to love, to learn, to leave a legacy’."

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Dear Savvy Doula,

With Thanksgiving just two weeks away, you have some time to prepare for this marketing and relationship-building tip. Show your appreciation by sending cards to those who have supported you and your business in some way.

Who should you send thanks to?

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Dear Savvy Doula,

If you read this week’s newsletter, I wrote about living and working BIG. I just received a newsletter from Kendall SummerHawk, my newest favorite marketing guru. I really connected with her message and was so glad to learn that I can share it with you. Don’t let her talk of "Million Dollar Business" strategies intimidate you. Her suggestions can really help to build your confidence and change your outlook to prepare you to attract more business. Until next time, I really want you to take in Kendall’s suggestions and challenge you to implement them into your life and business so you can live and work BIGGER!

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