Are you Ga Ga For Google?

Google is an office professional’s best friend. I remember the days when you could use Google as a search engine only. Now Google can help you do things like……

Google Docs – Create and share your online documents, presentations and spreadsheets
Google Voice- Don’t have time to listen to voicemails? Have them transcribed and delivered to your Google account and read them online. Yes, you can listen to voicemails as well. Note: you must receive an invitation from Google or someone who already has this FREE service. If you want more information, let me know by posting a comment to this article.
Google Maps – Go anywhere in the world from your office! View buildings in 3D, satellite imagery, maps, and terrain. I saw my house!
Google Desktop – Personalize your desktop with some fun and helpful widgets that get you through the day (ie. weather, jokes, news, etc.)
GOOG-411 –Find and get phone numbers, addresses, etc for businesses
iGoogle – personalize your homepage with things you can use (games, weather, horoscopes, tips for the day, to do lists, calendar, and for you sports fans get updates of scores from your favorite sports games).
Google Health – organize your medical records, prescriptions, etc. online

Don't have time to look at your computer, get Google on your cellphone! By the way, don’t forget to use Google as a search engine…these services are just the tip of the iceberg. Want more got to http://www.google.com/options/. Google has revolutionized the internet; I think that Google is going to be up there with Twitter, the term will be called "Googling." I even look forward to the different holiday themes that the word ‘Google’ will have on the search engine page. Are you Googling?

A New Resolution for the New Year

Each New Year’s Eve the same resolutions are made, “I will go on a diet.” “I will find a new job.” “I will save some money.” But what happens at the end of the year? We have gained more weight than we lost or didn’t loose any at all, we are still in the same job, or we are broke! According to Proactive Change, research shows that 46% of resolutions that are made at the beginning of the year are maintained after 6 months into the year. New Year’s resolutions should be regarded as goals. Below are some ways to set “goalsolutions” and how you will go about achieving them by December 31.

1. Start small.
If you want to loose 20 pounds, set small goals like change your eating habits, park farther from the store entrance, or reduce your serving portions. If you want to find a new job, first set the goal of updating your resume. Do you need to review interview techniques? Small building blocks will create large impacts on your goal setting.

2. Be consistent.
So many of us decide in February that since we haven’t accomplished the goal set on January 1, it is hopeless, be consistent and persistent and refer back to your goals often. If something isn’t working, decide what other options are available, does your goal need a sub-goal?

3. Set goals that are manageable and attainable.
Using the weight loss example because it is so popular, it is not realistic or healthy to drastically change eating habits and join a health club and workout like a vigilante and expect to loose 20 pounds in 2 months. This is where the goal needs a sub-goal…..respectfully 2 pounds per month is doable so you would be looking to loose weight in 10 months.

4. Re-evaluate your goals often.
Don’t wait until October and notice that your goals haven’t been met. Write your goals down and refer back to them often; you may have to change your focus or create a new sub-goal.

Need help in organizing your “goalsolutions” and ideas? Visit http://www.goalenforcer.com/ for a free planning software download that will electronically organize and map your goals.

Proactive Change. (2009). Research: Statistics on New Year’s resolutions. http://www.proactivechange.com/resolutions/statistics.htm