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Do you pick a word at the beginning of each year? I have for the last several years.

In 2015 it was Thrive. Not entirely sure that year lived up to that, but I digress.

In 2016 it was Conquer. I wanted to conquer the fear that was holding me back in life and business. I did finally get to ride my ex-racehorse but then ended up losing him. And did make many new connections on the business front so maybe it worked.

In 2017 it was Persevere. I totally think I over thought that word, but I did make it through the year. There were lots of changes, but most of them were for the best.

So this year my word is Focus. Why? Because squirrel. I have been told I have too many interests and too many businesses, and maybe I do. But sometimes I just need to focus and get done the things that mean the most to me.

What does that mean? I will be writing here more. I will also be rebranding the Sierra Ranch site to be something different. I think something I have missed in the last few years is doing more writing and more living.

Let me know if you have questions about branding or rebranding your small business. I have done several in the last couple of years and would love to help your small business grow.

The post A New Year and a New Focus appeared first on My Blog.

Check out this great course from Gina Horkey and Kristen. There is no other online course like Become a Pinterest VA TODAY! on the market and this highly coveted niche is in demand by bloggers and business owners alike.

This course will teach you exactly what you need to know to launch your Pinterest VA business – today if you want!

Want to learn more information? Click the photo or this link. There might be a waiting list, but sign up now to learn from the best.

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I follow Jon Acuff, and he gave some great pointers on a year-end review and how to set some goals for the coming year. I had great success in the 30 Days of Hustle program that my new planner this year is the Commit30 Planner.

There are three questions to consider in a year-end review:

1. What to start doing in 2017?
2. What to stop doing in 2017?
3. What to continue to do in 2017?

As part of this discussion, I will include the things from 2016 and how I did with each one.

What to start doing?

Last year I wanted to pitch more jobs. And on the fun side, I wanted to start riding again. Well, I still need to pitch jobs. I need to conquer the fear and just put myself out there. I have several opportunities in the coming year as well as building an engineering practice.  Pitching is required to get any freelance work. It’s time to jump in with both feet.

And I did start riding for a bit. I still need to find my horse to help with the riding goal. You can read more about my riding adventures on Sierra Ranch, LLC.

What to stop doing?

One word! Procrastinating! STILL! It has to stop for me to build my businesses into what I know they can be. I have taken some action in

How do you stop procrastinating? By taking action. I have done that in several different ways. One I have a barn manager at Seirra Ranch, LLC. She helps keep the ranch running, so I can focus on the other businesses. I am still working on how Stormy Orchid, LLC is going to grow. We had a conceal carry class at the ranch last summer and might include more of that if there is interest. I will keep writing and developing websites for local businesses as well as grow the engineering practice.

What to continue doing?

As with last year, I will continue to exercise every weekday morning. My new job has somewhat flexible hours so that I can continue to do this. I will also continue to count calories. I have a goal weight that I could like to reach by a certain time. It is achievable if I put in the work.

I have always been one that loved to learn. I know there is still much to learn about all my endeavors. I was told as a kid that if you learned something new every day you wouldn’t die. Learning new things in all my businesses will lead to new ventures in the future.

Stop wishing, start doing in 2017. The Commit30 Planner, Notebook, Journal – Order Now.

I am working on my calendar for the next year. Using the #Commit30 planner each month will have a goal. I will update you each month with my goal and if it was achieved. What are the three top things you will be working on to grow your business or yourself? Leave a comment or email me!

The post Welcome 2017! appeared first on My Blog.

I have taken both her classes and followed her on Facebook for over a year. She offers great content and is very open with how her business runs. Her classes show the behind the business. The courses allow you to create more of the life you love while still employed. She also offers tips on when to move from your current job to becoming self-employed.

So if you are looking for a great class to kick off your own online business check out the Horkey Handbook and the classes Gina offers. If you need help with setting up your website of other things. Please contact me.

The post Want to Become a Freelancer? appeared first on My Blog.

There are three questions to consider in a year-end review:

1. What to start doing in 2016?
2. What to stop doing in 2016?
3. What to continue to do in 2016?

What to start doing?

Pitch more jobs. All across the board. From writing to engineering work, I need to put myself out there and get more work to build the life I love. So I will be writing more here and growing more of a following. On the fun side, I want to start riding again. And I will!

What to stop doing?

One word! Procrastinating! It has to stop for me to build my businesses into what I know they can be. I have taken some action in Stormy Orchid, LLC, and now it’s time to take action in the other businesses. This year I will grow all of my businesses to what I know they can be.

What to continue doing?

I have been exercising every weekday morning. I have been walking or biking and lifting weights. I know I need to lose weight to ride my horse better. I also need to be stronger. I am getting there and will continue that habit I started when I quit my JOB. I also want to keep learning. You never can know everything and learning keeps you young. I want to keep learning in all my businesses, and that will lead to new avenues to take in the future.

I know these are not SMART goals and over the next few weeks, I will be setting some. What are the three main things you will be working on to grow your business or yourself? Leave a comment or email me!

The post Welcome to 2016! appeared first on My Blog.

I love helping small businesses get their presence known on the internet. I want to create a website that you can update without my help, but if you want me to help you every month that can be arranged. Creating your space is more about being the authentic you. And this is done by you creating the content on your site. Or having me write articles to get you started.

Know someone that could use my skills? Please forward my information to them. I am accepting new clients. I will be adding more examples of my work over the next few weeks.

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Something you don’t hear very often. Our sister site, HorseMatch.net, published the first book of hopefully many.  We have been looking at a variety of ways to make money to support the horses. For just $5.99 you get a great book about how to choose your next horse. AND you help feed the horses at Sierra Ranch, LLC.  Just click the link below or the Kindle button on the sidebar.

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Today marks one year since I have become single again.  I never really thought much about where I would be at this point in the beginning.  I was too busy learning to live a life that I loved and with people that cared about me.

Now that the first year is behind me the “What to do next” bug has bitten.  I have been working on what comes next.  The first order of business what getting the horse herd to a manageable size.  I am still working on selling several of the horses.  If you are looking for a horse or a way to help the horses, then please check out the Sierra Ranch Herd Dispersal Sale.

I have started a side business and will be expanding some.  You can see the  Damsel In Defense site. (Update: Check out Stormy Orchid, LLC)  There is everything there to protect yourself and ideas on how to help others.  I have a demo kit and would love to have some parties to show off what cool products we have. Contact me and we will set something up.

Things I have learned in the last year?  Live the life you love.  Take the time to play and enjoy the people around you.  Let go of the negative folks around you.  I have lost some pretty good fur friends this last year and gained some new ones.  I have found that not all guys are scared by the fact that I shoot, am pretty good at it, and like purple guns. I know it seems I put lots of things up about having a positive attitude, but sometimes that is all you have.  I am blessed to be able to look at any situation and find the good.

Now to go work on my new project and get it ready to hit the streets soon.  Someone buy a horse so that I can get moving on this new venture.  It will be AMAZING!

The post A Year In Review… appeared first on My Blog.

1. I don’t have to talk to people.  Being an introvert makes selling in person a real challenge.  Constantly being witty and knowledgeable about your product is difficult.  I have done it, and am glad not to have to continue to do it.  Although, I did learn a lot from the real person selling.
2. I can select the things I want to promote.  And choose things that help make the world better, hopefully.  Check out my renewable energy sites.  Yeah, I need to update them again.
3. I can do all this on MY time frame.  As I learned over the last month, sometimes real life just gets in the way.  You have to adjust and continue.
4. I can tie the IM efforts to things I do in real life.  I have a cat site and a neat dog site.  Now I need to build a horse site or add it on to what I am doing with the other horse sites.  (My friends have no idea how many websites I operate.)
5. Eventually, all these sites properly promoted will create a significant residual income that will make it easier to retire.  And having time to have fun is probably the one of the more important things right now.

So if you are new to internet marketing, and want some tips on how to start check out the link at the top of this page, or contact me.  Internet marketing can be what you make of it.  Whether it promotes your business or sell your talents to folks all over the world.  It’s a great way to develop your skills. Contact me if you need help starting.

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