1.  Write down what you want to accomplish this year.
Do you have some financial goals? Fun goals (i.e. vacation)? Savings goals? Put them in writing and in a place you can reference them often. This really does help you stay focused.

2.  Develop a calendar system.
Whether it’s a paper calendar, smartphone calendar or Google calendar, now is a great time to start using one to your advantage. You can set deadlines for projects you want to complete and lay out the milestones. Schedule in some downtime such as that festival you’ve always wanted to attend. Add in your workouts, your regular meetings and obligations. Delete the ones that don’t make sense anymore.

3.   Finish three things you started at the beginning of 2011.
You’ll feel so accomplished when you finish that book, e-course or painting the bathroom. Seriously. Starting the year with even a small list of finished projects can help you gain a better start.

4.  Set up a system for one of your weaknesses.
Do you eat out too often? Or do you not find time to hit the gym? Fix this now. Make a list of foods you like to eat and know how to prepare. Or subscribe to a menu service that plans your meals and grocery list for you. Stock the fridge and schedule a time each week to chop, bag and prep for your meals.

Get with a personal trainer (even if it’s just for a session or two) to develop a plan to get you in the gym or on the track 4-6 times a week. You only really need 30-40 minutes to get an effective workout. Block out your calendar with these times and keep the appointment. You’ll feel and look better.

5.  Make contact with three people.
It doesn’t matter who they are – prospects or friends. But if you’ve been meaning to contact them; do it before the end of the year. Send an email; post on Facebook or simply mail a card to say you’re thinking of them and would like to connect in the New Year.

6.  Do a quick wardrobe inventory.
Now is a great time to stock up on staple pieces such as t-shirts, pants and other essentials. Take a look through your wardrobe for stained, worn-looking or out-of-style clothing. Add a few pieces and discard the others.

7.  Enter all those business cards in your database.
Got a stack of cards sitting on your desk, night table or dashboard? Enter them in your database and get rid of the mental and table clutter. Don’t have a contacts database? Start one.

8.   Get the details on a course or marketing move you want to make.
Thinking about starting an e-course on REI financing? Or getting a Facebook page for your REI business? Or setting up a new website? Now is a great time to make a few contacts, set up the Facebook page or to get the details on a course. The next step is to set a deadline to complete it and put it on your calendar.

9.  Determine a value statement for the year 2012.
Value is what you’re here to offer your partners and investors. What exactly is that value in 2012? When someone asks you, “what do you do?” how will you answer? Getting this value statement down on paper and in memory can propel your REI business beyond anything else you do this year. Take a little time now to develop your value statement with this template

“I ______________ so that ________________.”

Read this article for more on developing your value statement.

10.  Make plans to knock something off your bucket list.
Put together the plans to knock something off your bucket list. Don’t have one? Write one down and then plan how you’re going to accomplish something on it this year.

2012 can be a GREAT year if you focus, have fun and do a little planning and goal setting.

First, let’s ask the question – why do you need to set boundaries with technology? For some people this is not a problem; but for others the little dings, beeps and bells and whistles create a rush of adrenaline because their phone, Facebook, email, etc. says “Someone needs you!” The brain’s response becomes “Golly gee, I need to see who needs me.” This can kill your focus and even make you come across as rude to your partners, clients and family.

If you find yourself sleeping with your phone or always needing to check your email, it’s time to set some boundaries before you become that person who can’t focus on the task at hand, who makes excuses to check a text in the middle of a conversation or who checks their Facebook or Twitter with someone right in front of you.

This is a surefire way to lose respect and get less done. Who wants either of those? Let’s learn about how to set boundaries with technology.

Set aside time for email, Facebook and other tech distractions. A great way to become more productive and less attached to technology is to set aside time for those necessary and not-so-necessary tech tasks. When you have a higher priority project or meeting on the agenda, these items should be secondary. A good rule of thumb is to set aside time every hour or so (no more than 10 minutes) to catch up on emails, texts, Facebook, voicemails, etc.

When you really need to focus, turn off the distracting tech tools. If you are working on something that requires intense focus, simply turn off the devices. Even disconnect your wireless connection from the computer if you need to. Put the cell phone on airplane mode.

Don’t take calls, texts or emails when you are meeting in person. First of all, it’s rude to not give someone your undivided attention. Second, it can make you miss important details or lose focus on the conversation.

Don’t sleep with your devices. Daniel Sieberg, author of The Digital Detox, said in a recent CNN.com article that if you’re sleeping with your devices, they can interrupt your sleep because your mind is asking, “What am I missing?” He suggests locking your devices in another room because you’ll simply “sleep better.”

So, what if you use your phone for an alarm clock or e-reader? The answer is simple – get a new alarm clock with a sound machine. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University Sleep Disorder Center recommend white noise as a way to fall asleep faster and stay asleep throughout the night. So, maybe it’s not a complete breakup with technology, but having the right technology at your bedside. Don’t be tempted to download the sound machine app. Your mind needs the smartphone break.

Take a digital detox once a day or even a day a week.  Try to limit your digital device use to working hours and make an appointment to take an hour off each day. Have a real, in-person conversation. Go for a walk. Take a nap! One day a week, try to limit your use of your phone, computer and other tech devices to none or just a few minutes. Your brain and success will thank you!

How do you set limits on technology? Tell us your strategies in the comments below.

I first laid eyes on the Go-Go’s in 1981 when they came to Denver and opened for the Police. I was a sophomore in high school and went to the concert with some girlfriends.

We had no idea who they were but we could see that they were all girls playing their own instruments and back then that was a very BIG deal.

The day after the show, I begged my Mom to take me to the Record Bar so I could buy their album, Beauty and the Beat. I wore that album out but I still have it displayed in my office with a newspaper clipping review of the show.

In fact, I played ‘We Got the Beat’ so many times in a row one day that my Mom asked me to STOP playing it because ‘we all have the f’ing beat!”

All tolled I’ve seen the Go-Go’s perform live 14 times and Beauty and the Beat was the first album I queued up (loud!) on the mp3 player when I took my new Porsche out for the first time with the top down this summer.

I’ve befriended a few of the Go-Go’s over Twitter mainly sharing real estate investing advice (I swear I DO talk about topics OTHER than real estate occasionally) and I had a chance to meet them personally (finally) after 31 years of loyal fanship this summer.

I remember being in that seat in 1981 and thinking, “Someday, I don’t know how and I don’t know when but I will hang out with them.” And here we are hanging out.

I can still remember the empowerment I felt when I listened to their music when I was young. I felt happy and excited and as if I could accomplish anything in the world.

I still feel that way when I listen to them. And it felt really good to be able to thank them personally for the impact they’ve had on my life.

Is there a dream you had years ago that you haven’t realized yet? Pick a fun one – one that has nothing to do with business or real estate investing – and get out there and make it happen.  It’s never too late.

Here’s one that came in yesterday…

This one’s too good to pass up.

Susan’s Guide to an Awesome Life Partner

1. Unconditional Love
The most important quality in a life partner is unconditional love. As long as you’re not lying or cheating, you deserve this. I got hitched on the beach in Maui and the Rev asked me, “What’s the one quality you appreciate most in this person?” and I answered “I’m loved unconditionally.” It’s a biggie.

2. Sense of Humor
The key to success in my relationship (12 years and going strong) is we laugh every day. A lot. You’ve gotta be having fun with your partner! Make up silly songs, sing duets in the shower (“You’re the one that I want, Ooo, Ooo, Ooo, honey!”) and never pass up an opportunity to sneak in a “That’s what she said.”

3. Unwavering Faith
As you know if you’ve followed me for a while, my entrepreneurial adventures have been, well, an adventure. From living on my gas card for a few months when I was starting out to helping me put up bandit signs in the middle of the night in the snow, my love has had unwavering faith in my ultimate success. And it feels really good.

4. Spontaneity
Boredom is a destroyer of relationships! Be spontaneous. If you can’t sleep, do something crazy like get dressed and go to the midnight showing of Rocky Horror Picture Show. AND make sure to dance and sing along. I remember once we were on vacation in Kailuum and we were bored at the beach one day. We hopped in the car and drove to Playa del Carmen (2 hours away). That might sound tame but we were barefoot, in bathing suits and had about $10 on us. We still laugh about that day – it was a BLAST!

5. Adoration
I want to be adored. We all do. Show your partner adoration and you’ll get it right back.

There you have it! I hope that helps, anonymous visitor from Nutley, NJ.

The first order of business…

Taking my Private Money and Syndication Mastery Coaching students to Cabo!

Last year at our Private Money Bootcamp, some very smart investors joined Trevor Mauch, Patrick Riddle and I in the year long mastery program. This trip to Cabo is one of the perks of membership.

Here’s where we’re staying…

This gorgeous beach house is on a hill overlooking the ocean with a private pool and hot tub! Everybody gets their own room and we have staff coming in daily to cater to our every need. Including afternoon cervezas!

While we’re there we will do some strategic planning and group training but we also have some fun activities planned such as horse back riding on the beach, zip lining and riding ATV’s. And of course a night out at the famous Cabo Wabo Cantina.

The Private Money Blueprint team works hard, plays hard and does it all with style!

As you’re working hard on your real estate business this year make sure that you add some fun time in. It’s important to live the life that we’re working so hard on!

Some people have already inquired if we’ll be having another live event this year and the answer is YES! We’re tentatively calling it Private Money Blueprint Live and I don’t have all the details yet, but you can get on the Priority Invitation List here. Maybe you’ll get to join us on our luxury retreat NEXT year!