What have you accomplished in 2008?

It’s already November 17 and 2009 is on its way; even though there’s still about a month and two weeks left of 2008.

So what goals have you accomplished in this past year? Is your to-do list shorter or now even longer? Please share in the comment section below if you would like.

If you didn’t accomplish much then now’s the time to get ready for 2009. Here’s a few quick tips on how to do it.

Roll over your goals

Don’t give up just yet. Just cross out “2008” and write in “2009.”

Change when you want to accomplish a goal by

A lot of the times we write that we want to reach a goal in six months or by the end of the year; but we should consider decreasing the times. It creates a sense of urgency and puts a little positive pressure on you.

Look back to the past year

What have you been doing to try to accomplish your goals? Perhaps it’s not working. Remember: “If you want something you’ve never had before, you’ve got to do something you’ve never done before.” - Drina Reed

Adjust and approach your goals differently

Just like the quote says, try things you’ve never done before.

Have any other tips? Please share in the comments below.

Photo by THEMACGIRL*

What YOU can do for your country

“And so my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country.”

John F. Kennedy’s speech still rings true today yet there are so many people who think because Barack Obama has been elected they can now sit back and let Mr. Obama and his administration take care of all their personal and financial problems.

These people are going to get an extremely rude awakening in the coming months and years. Because no matter who is President of the United States, they aren’t going to give you handouts nor should you want any. We all have to work harder to move our lives and this country into a positive direction.

Here are several ways you can help yourself, your family, and your country. There is at least one thing that each of us can do. Some of these are simple, and others difficult, but all are powerful and will produce change.

Take big risks

Remove money from your thoughts… Taking a big risk doesn’t need cash involved and now is certainly not the time to play games with your money. Nor is it a time to step back, curl up, or push your dreams aside. We need you to pursue your goals. If you want to start a business, bootstrap it and go for it! We need the jobs and innovation. If you want to land your dream job, then harness your uniqueness, work harder and especially work smarter.

Push all fear of embarrassment aside. Stomp on all your thoughts of failure because it’s no longer an option now that desperation has set in.

Drop the negative talk and thoughts about our future

There are people who are worried about the future of America because Barack has been elected, while others have called November 4, 2008 “a dark day in America.” Where are these people looking? Even if you don’t like Barack Obama, you have to admit you’ve never seen so much enthusiasm for a Presidential candidate. When he won, people were dancing in the streets, hugging, crying, and just being happy. How on Earth is that a sad day?

We need this positivity more than ever.

Point out those being racist

I’m shocked by the bigotry I have been hearing lately. I live in New Jersey, a state with racial and cultural diversity, but every week I’ve been encountering people’s racism. It’s beyond ridiculous and pathetic. 45 years later and Martin Luther King Jr’s dream still hasn’t truly been fulfilled.

Because of this election, people’s true colors are showing. Don’t be afraid to stand up for what you know is right and call people out on their racism.

Take some responsibility and blame

The mortgage mess can’t solely be blamed on the banks or George Bush. Homeowners know the mortgages were too good to be true, yet they didn’t believe in the old saying. Corporate America did its part but so did you. The quicker you can get the blame game over, the quicker you can get back on track.

Voice your opinions

In the years of Mr. Obama’s presidency there are going to be things that get you angry. Don’t think your voice isn’t important or can’t be heard. Blog, talk on the radio, get on television, write, or even take to the streets in a peaceful protest.

Work harder

It’s time to celebrate the election of a new President but it is not a time to relax. We all have to dig deeper into ourselves and unleash the fire in our bellies.

If it’s a dim flame right now then throw some gasoline on it! The next four years will be full of ups and downs. When we’re at the bottom, we need to remember we can’t skate by, because “You can’t coast uphill” - Roger Crawford.

Understand that it doesn’t matter who is President

McCain, Obama, Bush; no matter who is the President, the opportunity to follow your dreams can never be taken away from you. But none of these people will hand you opportunities either. You have to go create and seize them yourself.

Whether the country is run by democrats or republicans it’s still America; a country where everyone can live their life, appreciate liberty, and pursue happiness if they truly desire it. It’s never been handed to anyone.

Enable the dreams of others

Where would we all be if everyone was told to follow their dreams?

When we are children, people tell us our possibilities are endless. But when we continue to dream into our teens and twenties, we’re told to get our head out of the clouds. Why is that?

As a nation we need to stop belittling the dreamers; it prevents them from becoming doers. Mothers, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters; even your competition. They all have a right to pursue whatever it is that they desire and they deserve to be encouraged.

“Remember in the end, nobody wins, unless everybody wins.” – Bruce Springsteen

Have no fear

We do not have the time for it.

“There is nothing to fear but fear itself.” - Franklin D. Roosevelt

Remember:

The platform needed for us to pursue the American dream has been laid since before 1776. Its supports have been strengthened by The Founding Fathers, countless Presidents, Martin Luther King, Jr., soldiers, and by every other American before us who has done good. Now it is our time to lay a new foundation for the future. A foundation not made of cement; but a foundation made out of hard work, risk, success, positivity, teamwork, creativity, dreams, heart and inextinguishable pride.

Photo by Obese Seagull Productions

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Congrats Mr. Obama! But don’t forget your promises

Your campaign was unprecedented and you deserve to celebrate. But you know your job had just begun. When you take over in January please don’t forget what you promised.

There’s nothing worse than broken promises and no one is more notorious for them than politicians. It’s what angers voters the most, yet it’s what brings us back in hopes that a new candidate will hold his or her promises.

Let us and Mr. Obama not lose focus on what he has pledged to do. Here are many significant promises he has proclaimed to America.

His promises to families and citizens:

- Cut taxes for working families earning less than $200,000.

- Freeze foreclosures for 90 days to help homeowners.

- Tax credit for buying fuel efficient cars.

- Provide tax credit to cover public college and university tuition in exchange for community service or service to the country.

- Lower healthcare costs by $2,500 a year for the average family.

His promises regarding businesses and the economy:

- Tax credit for businesses hiring new employees in US.

- Eliminate tax breaks for companies moving jobs overseas.

- Provide low cost loans to small businesses.

- Create 5 million jobs in the clean energy field.

- Assist auto makers in producing fuel efficient vehicles.

His promises regarding energy and the environment:

- Invest $15 billion a year in energy efficiencies and renewables.

- Tap natural gas reserves.

- Invest in clean coal technology.

- Expand domestic oil production.

His promises regarding education:

- Reform the “no child left behind” policy

- Invest in early childhood education.

- Hire more quality teachers.

- Provide them with higher salaries.

His promises regarding the war:

- End the war in Iraq.

- Refocus on Al Qaeda and Taliban.

His promises regarding health care:

- Improve information technology.

- Provide coverage of preventive services.

*- Lower healthcare costs by $2,500 a year for the average family. (Stated above)

His promises for seniors:

- Prevent the privatization of Social Security.

- Provide cheaper prescription drugs.

- Strengthen Medicare.

Regardless of what Mr. Obama promises for the future of America, you must do your part. Don’t wait and don’t expect to be provided handouts.

Are you facing foreclosure? Then you need to work harder and do whatever it is that it takes to get back on your feet.

Are you unemployed? Then you need to work harder to get ahead of your competition who are seeking the same jobs. Stand out, be unique.

Work hard, stand out, be creative, and create opportunities for yourself. It’s been the same recipe that has brought America from humble beginnings to the most powerful nation. And the same recipe applies today and will for the future. It’s the American way.

It is now officially confirmed, your possibilities are ENDLESS.

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More of Mr. Obama’s promises can be read on his website here: http://www.barackobama.com/issues/ and you can also hear him speak about these promises in this video:

Photo by jetheriot

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Did you vote?

Did you vote yet?

The stakes are high, don’t gamble with the future.

Your vote will change the world.

Get out there if you haven’t already!

Photo by Teresa Thompson

15 things to never do in life

When we create life lists we always think of the things we desire to do. But we don’t spend enough time or anytime at all, thinking about the things we shouldn’t do in our lives.

This list compiles 15 things to never do in life. Now if you’ve done them don’t worry, every day is a fresh start.

1. Pursue something for money

This has delayed my path to success for years. Every endeavor I undertook was done mainly for the monetary gain. This will almost always lead to failure. And if it does lead to any success, chasing money only makes the journey that much longer. Passion and purpose needs to be the most important aspect of any pursuit. However, following a passion can lead you to riches as well. Check out this video of Gary Vaynerchuk, a successful entrepreneur, talking about how following your passion can also lead to the fortune you desire.

2. Wait for help

Obviously we’re not talking about help as in a 911 emergency. We’re talking about help with success, a financial situation, or changing your life. Many people wait for someone to give them that “big break” when they should be seeking it out. You have to meet destiny halfway.

3. Settle

You should never have a set of goals that once you achieve you’re going to settle down and not pursue any more. You will always need a list of big goals to achieve or your life will lose reason, purpose, and it will be difficult to even get up every morning.

4. Say you don’t have time for your goals

This is the saddest excuse of them all. It’s like saying you don’t have time for your future or time to live. I don’t care what responsibilities you have on your plate, you can and you need to find time.

5. Crush someone’s hopes and dreams

Many can brush off the naysayers but others need as much encouragement as they can. Don’t ever mark someone’s dreams as unrealistic. Their dreams are just as possible as yours.

6. Try to erase your past

All of us go through things in our lives which we would love to forget. But if we did we would be complete fools. It would be like taking years of education from our memory. Remembering and looking back to your past will help you piece together your present and align your future.

7. Think that success happens overnight

This is one of the biggest success myths. Success never happens overnight. Even when someone is voted the next American Idol, it may seem like instant success, but they’ve been working on their music for years, otherwise they wouldn’t be that good.

8. Take every piece of advice to heart

You don’t have to believe all the advice given in this article or any others here on Lyved. The same goes for the rest of your life as well. If you really thought about and believed every tidbit of advice dispensed to you, you’d be giving in to the naysayers.

9. Quit while you’re ahead

Why would you ever quit while you’re ahead of the competition? If anything, work just as hard or even harder to maintain your lead.

10. Strive to be perfect

There really is no such thing as “perfect.” If you’re perfect, you’re basically dead. There’s nothing else to live for.

11. Live in mediocrity

No one should live in obscurity and leave this world without leaving their mark. You don’t have to be celebrity famous, but you must leave a positive impact on people. Even if it’s just one person, you’ll change the world.

12. Be “normal”

This goes along with mediocrity. Why would you want to be normal and fit in? Stand out and be different. Be a red ant in a crowd of black ants.

13. Change your views to please others

Be true to yourself. Never go against what you believe in just to make others happy.

14. Plan more than you act

Planning is necessary to set yourself on the right track but it’s action that gets you results.

15. Expect to get something you’ve never had by doing what you’ve always done

This is one of the simplest and most powerful quotes ever:

“If you want something you’ve never had before, you’ve got to do something you’ve never done before.” - Drina Reed

Photo by Eyebags

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