We are nearly half way into this year and I have been assessing my performance so far.I haven’t achieved as much as I thought I would have but I am grateful to God that I am making progress in every area of my life.I am not where I thought I would be by now but it feels good to know that I am not where I used to be.

I realize that not everybody can say that.Some people haven’t made any significant move towards their goals.There may be a variety of reasons for that but the main reason why many people never hit their targets is because they have no targets in the first place. Not every one has goals, targets, deadlines.Not everyone is motivated to do something significant with their lives.Many people uphold the “que sera sera ” philosophy.They believe that what will be will be.If you are one of such people, I’m sorry to disappoint you because what will be may not always be (excuse my grammar).

If it’s going to be, it’s up to me.

You’ve got to have targets..goals..deadlines.You must have a list of things you want to do.

Imagine a game of soccer without goalposts.

Imagine a game of basketball without a ring.

Imagine a game of golf without any hole.

Imagine throwing darts without the bull’s eye.

A life without goals can never be a life of excellence.

If you don’t have any goals, it’s not too late.I believe this post has provided the inspiration you need to set your goals and work towards them.It would be a brilliant idea to pick up a pen and a jotter immediately after you read this post.

Do some brainstorming and set well defined goals for the rest of the year starting from today.Don’t just write the goals on paper, make sure they are etched on the tables of your heart but more importantly, take at least one step towards the direction of your goals everyday.

Last week I gave you ten simple strategies to reduce

your business costs and one of the points I made

was that you should try to trade by barter.Now let

me give you more details on things that you could

get by barter…

1. Information Products – it could be ebooks, “how
to” videos, cassettes, magazines, newsletters, paid
e-zines, courses, etc.

2. Advertising Space – it could be banner ads, ezine
ads, ebook ads, magazine ads, newspaper ads, tv
ads, fax ads, online classified ads, etc.

3. Web Hosting – you could offer a free advertisement
for their web hosting service on your site in return for
free or discounted hosting.

4. Software – it could be for tax software, web site
authoring software, accounting software, newsletter
software, graphic design software, etc.

5. Writing/Editing – it could be for web site content,
promotional articles, press releases, e-zine articles,
promotional ebooks, etc.

6. Accounting/Bookeeping – you could offer a no
cost advertisement in exchange for their accounting
and booking services

7. Consulting – it could be market consulting, legal
consulting, computer/software consulting, business
consulting, etc.

8. Copy writing – it could be for brochures, business
cards, classified ads, sales letters, product packages,
banner ads, promotional products, etc.

9. Merchant Accounts – you could offer no cost
insert ads in your product packages in exchange for
the option of accepting credit cards.

10. Internet Access – you could offer a no cost
pop up ad on your web site in exchange for free or
discounted Internet access.
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One of my reasons for setting up this blog is to provide information on how you can maximise your business potential.Now I’m not trying to suggest that I’m a business guru.I’d let time and the results I produce do the talking for me but I must also make it clear that I know a few things that could significantly increase your bottom line.

Here are ten effective ways to reduce your business cost without compromising your product and service quality…

1. Barter If you have a business you should be bartering goods and services with other businesses. You should try to trade for something before you buy it. Barter deals usually require little or no money.

2. Network Network your business with other businesses. This will cut down on your marketing and advertising costs. You may also try bartering goods and services with them.

3. Wholesale/Bulk You’ll save money buying your business supplies in bulk quantities. You could get a membership at a wholesale warehouse or buy them through a mail order wholesaler. Buy the supplies you are always running out of.

4. Free Stuff Visit some of the thousands of freebie sites on the internet before buying your business supplies. You can find free software, graphics, backgrounds, online business services etc.

5. Borrow/Rent Have you ever purchased business equipment you only needed for a small period of time? You could have just borrowed the equipment from someone else or rented the equipment from a “rent-all” store.

6. Online/Offline Auctions You can find lower prices on business supplies and equipment at online and offline auctions. I’m not saying all the time, but before you go pay retail for these items try bidding on them first.

7. Plan Ahead Make a list of business supplies or equipment you’ll need in the future. Keep an eye out for stores that have big sales. Purchase the supplies when they go on sale before you need them.

8. Used Stuff If your business equipment and supplies don’t need to be new, buy them used. You can find used items at yard and garage sales, used stores, used stuff for sale message boards and newsgroups etc.

9. Negotiate You should always try negotiate a lower price for any business equipment or supplies. It doesn’t hurt to try. Pretend you are talking to a salesman at a car lot.

10. Search You can always be searching for new suppliers for your business supplies and equipment. Look for suppliers with lower prices and better quality. Don’t just be satisfied with a few.

Get more information about business development here!

I have a quick confession to make…

i’m fast becoming a facebook junkie.

If you are reading this post, chances are that you know what facebook is but Just in case you don’t, I’ll give you a lil’ intro…

Facebook is a social networking site launched on february 4, 2004.The website is owned and operated by Facebook Inc.The free access website allows people to join networks such as a school, place of employment,geographic location.It allows you to connect and interact with other people. allows you to upload your pictures,send messages to your friends,play games,advertise,make more friends(  money if you know the right things to do) and have fun without compromising your morality.

I have “met” people I thought i’d never meet again on facebook-people I haven’t heard anything about in ten years.I have seen people I haven’t set my eyes on in seven years on facebook.One of the good things about facebook is that it helps you bypass protocol and connect with almost anybody you really want to be friends with.For instance,in less than one week of joining facebook, I was able to communicate directly with a one-time presidential candidate of a great country on facebook! If I wanted to do that offline, you can be sure it would have taken me a couple of days,maybe months of talking with this,that and the other person-having to wait in this lounge or that room but with facebook, I sent one message and voila…we got talking!

The truth is I’m fascinated with facebook.There are many reasons for that but I can’t squeeze them all in this post but you can be sure that I’ll keep giving you updates.Meanwhile you can view my facebook profile right here.Enjoy!  

May this month be filled with misty mornings and sweet sunshine

Fulfilled dreams and accomplished missions

Pleasant surprises and precious prizes

Mounds of miracles and loads of love

Great opportunities and open doors

Faith and fortune

God’s grace and goodness.

Enjoy your month!