Ever since I started We The Change 3 short months ago, I have written several articles on productivity.  Some of these articles are among my most popular, and I am constantly approached by readers and friends with follow-up questions concerning how to become more efficient in daily life.

This topic is very close to my heart because I am an entrepreneur, and if I did not create and implement effective productivity habits I would get lost in a sea of inactivity.  Not that you need to be your own boss to integrate wonderful efficiency tools; on the contrary I believe anyone and everyone can benefit from these types of systems.

The way I am going to approach this article—which concerns annual, monthly and daily goal setting—is by treating you to my own personal organizational system concerning the 2008 objectives for We The Change. 

The only thing I will omit is the actual numbers (concerning things like income, subscribers and traffic).  The only reason I am not including them is that some people (and I mean my girlfriend Irina here) think that my lofty goals make me seem arrogant.

LOL, well, the truth is that the numbers do not really matter for the purpose of this article.  The main thing I hope you get from my sharing of personal goals is the organizational system I use.  I have found it to be most effective, and I use it for every business, project and venture I am involved.  SO, here you go:

We The Change 2008 Annual Goals

Top Line Objectives

• Highly profitable
• Recognizable brand name
• Platform for interviews of top thought leaders across mind-body-spirit continuum
• Platform for spread of products and services relating to: the environment, self-improvement and consciousness

Specifics

• Earn xxxx from We The Change brand
• Attain xxxx status in terms of Technorati blog rankings
• Attain xxxx status for Alexa website rankings
• Serving a community of xxxx subscribers
• Serving xxxx annual page views
• Conducting weekly interviews with TOP authors, speakers and thought leaders
• Attracting synergistic relationships with relevant advertisers, sponsors and affiliates

OK, a couple of notes here.  First, I ALWAYS begin with the annual goals and then work my way backwards.  If I were doing a 5-year plan, I would likewise begin with the visualization of where I want to be in 5 years, and then slowly work my way in reverse. 

Second, notice that I term it “We The Change brand” instead of merely a blog.  This gives me the sensation that I am creating something bigger…something significant:  a brand name. 

My next task is to create a monthly goal for January.  I do this with the mindset of “what can I do in month #1 to move myself in the direction of achieving the 2008 Annual Goals”:

We The Change January ’08 Goals

Top Line

• Subscribers: xxxx
• Income: xxxx
• Technorati ranking: xxxx
• Alexa Ranking: xxxx

To Do

• Complete site re-formatting
• Initial advertisers and affiliates established
• More and consistent social networking
• Write 3-4 high quality articles each week
• Secure 8 fantastic and relevant interviews
• Create WTC letterhead and business cards
• Establish podcasts

After I feel good about my monthly goals, I generate a weekly goal with the mindset “what are the most important things for me to accomplish this week in order to make sure I achieve my overall objectives”:

WTC Goals to Complete by Sunday, January 6

• Site re-formatting complete
• Initial advertisers and affiliates contacted and established
• One hour of social networking completed every day
• Established weekly publishing schedule; written at least two articles for next week

On Sunday night I will review these weekly goals, pat myself on the back for a job well done, and create goals for week 2 which I will complete by the following Sunday (and which will get me closer to accomplishing my January objectives).

I hope you are getting the sense that with this system, I am always moving myself forward—and I am intentionally creating proactive routines, instead of being reactionary.

The last organizational step is this: every night I create a daily task list for the following day.  Again, I do this with the mindset: “what can I do tomorrow to get myself closer to achieving my weekly goals”.  Here is what it looks like:

Daily Task List, Wednesday January 2

• Create Great article for Thursday (which you are reading, incidentally)
• Create solid publishing schedule for next two weeks
• Deal with advertisers/sponsor issue:  Secure 4 of them!
• Social network:  at least one hour
• Review Guy Finley website (an interview I am posting next week)

When the morning comes, I have a detailed list of all the things I want to accomplish for the day.  The most important thing about the system is this:  I go through each day as mechanically and robotically as possible and simply complete the daily tasks I have created for myself. 

This productivity system has a common-sense flow and takes all the mind work and clutter out of daily living.  I rarely question myself during the day because I know that what I am working on is part of a greater plan:  a well thought out network of annual, monthly and weekly goals that plays out on a daily basis. 

I do not fret that I am being unproductive because I know that I am being proactive, as long as I follow the daily plan.

This may sound like it takes an exorbitant amount of time, but it really does not.  Yes, I recently spent about a half day working on all my annual goals (I do this process for many areas in my life), but at the same time I created my January and “week 1″ objectives. 

Once this yearly task is done, I feel confident and set– and I know all I have to do is follow the path I have laid for myself.  I am taking all the guess-work out of whether I am productive or not!

I have found this system of goal setting to be very, very effective.  There are more details that I left out, such as “what happens when things come up during the day, and you can not complete the daily tasks” and “how do you organize yourself during each day” and “what tools and products do should you use for organization”. 

These are important questions, and are certainly built into my plan….but they are fodder for another article.  This one is done

Oh, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!  Here’s to a great, and productive 2008 for all of us!!

Last Monday was We The Change’s 50th birthday.  OK so not in years, but in days, and I still think its cause for celebration given how fast this community is growing!

In a short time We The Change has garnered over 150 subscribers, received tens of thousands of page views, and steadily climbed the ranks of the Technorati search engine. 

I want to take this time to THANK each and every one of you who supports this website and blog—you have helped make this an incredible experience so far and I want to inform you that this is just the beginning for what I have planned for We The Change.

Before I get to some of the future plans, I would like to share with you an amazing coincidence concerning the creation of WTC that I only came to realize a few weeks ago:

As many of you know, I live in Manhattan, New York.  During the attacks of September 11, I was in my apartment (which is very close to the World Trade Center) getting ready for work.  I actually heard the first plane flying over my building and because I have an unobstructed view of downtown I saw the complete aftermath with my own eyes. 

Like most people in our country this event had a huge impact on me and must have really implanted itself in my subconscious mind for the following reasons: 

First: My first blog entry was posted on September 11 (my “welcome” entry was the day before but my first official blog was on the famous anniversary).  I never really thought about it at the time, but this site literally launched on 9/11.

Second:

We          World
The          Trade
Change    Center

These really are coincidences; I did not plan either of them.  Furthermore I do not know what to make of it.  If any of you have any thoughts I would love you to share them.

Future Plans

OK, I might as well throw it out there and say that I intend We The Change to become the #1 blog in the world.  I see this website as a platform for the sharing and exchange of ideas that can help its readers lead more fulfilling lives and be a gateway to a more sustainable future for mankind.

If I offend you for thinking this big, I can’t apologize for it—it’s just who I am

I attribute our growth to the fact that many of you really believe in our basic premise: That individual self-improvement can be, and HAS to be, the impetus for improvements on a broader scale.  How can we expect things around the globe to get better if we are not content with our own lives, right?

So how are WE going to do this? 

1) Continue to provide high quality articles in all areas of personal development: nutrition, exercise, relationships, spirituality, etc…

2) Interview TOP influencers and thought leaders who can help us “be the change”

3) Create a unique “wellness calculator” that will be the staple for fundamental improvements for individuals everywhere.

I have other ideas, but for right now these three areas are my primary focus.  To the third point, that is all I am going to say about it right now as the project is currently in development (but it’s going to be HUGE)!

Now it’s my turn to ask you:  Is there anything I can do on We The Change to make the experience even greater?  I really, really would love to hear from more of you.  If you are shy about leaving comments, please email me directly at:  todd.goldfarb@gmail.com

WTC can only get better if I know what you want to read about, so take two minutes and share with me your impressions.  Thanks!

Spread the Word

Lastly, if you enjoy the content on We The Change it would be great if you could give its gift to someone else.  Perhaps a close friend, co-worker or loved one can benefit from some of the advice given here and needs some perspective in his or her life? 

You do not have the ability email articles directly off the site (yet), but am providing a few links of articles you can cut and paste and throw in an email to someone and say “hey, check out this really cool site I found”!  Again, this is much appreciated

25 Fun Ways to Pamper Your Body and Increase Vitality
http://www.wethechange.com/25-fun-ways-to-pamper-your-body-and-increase-vitality/

14 Step Guide to Finding the Perfect Career
http://www.wethechange.com/14-step-guide-to-finding-the-perfect-career/

7 Effective Ways to Implement Positive Thinking
http://www.wethechange.com/7-effective-ways-to-implement-positive-thinking/

How Blogs and Social Networking Can Save the World
http://www.wethechange.com/how-blogs-and-social-networking-can-save-the-world/

How to Maintain a Healthy Brain
http://www.wethechange.com/how-to-maintain-a-healthy-brain/

Lastly, I just want to say thank you again to all the readers of this blog.  Let’s make this thing worthwhile together!

Todd

1. Spend your Vacation time in a Place like Sedona

Sedona is known as “the spiritual capital of the world” and it is hard not to feel the incredible energy that emanates from the place. There’s a timelessness about the ancient red rock formations that fires the imagination and provides a sense of peace. Going to Sedona has the added benefit of insuring a great physical workout, as walking and hiking are the prominent modes of transport. You can certainly substitute Sedona with any number of places around the world, but the point is to spend your vacation time and money in a place that evokes feelings if inspiration, renewal, and clarity.

2. Attend a Learning Annex class on Visualization

The Learning Annex (and similar institutions) provides wonderful development programs, and are NOT only centered on people like Donald Trump telling you how easy it is to get rich in real estate. In fact, the most valuable Learning Annex courses center on meditation, visualization, and the “law of attraction”. Speakers tend to be very experienced authors and lecturers, and because the class sizes are small it gives attendees the opportunity to interact with the experts!

3. Spend a Day Completely Alone and do not Interact with Anyone/Anything

For personal development enthusiasts, spending a day in complete solitude with NO contact from the outside world has tremendous benefits. For one, it gives you an opportunity to completely “unplug” from your life. Secondly, it gives your mind time to quiet down. Once these things happen, you experience an unobstructed connection with your inner-most desires and feelings. This is SO rare for most people in our culture, and can have tremendous health and situational benefits. Extended solitude results in increased mental clarity and emotional freedom. To really benefit from this practice, it is absolutely necessary to completely shut yourself off for the allotted time (no email, TV, phone, etc…).

4. Read Steve Pavlina’s Blog

OK, I am well aware that Mr. Pavlina runs another spiritual development blog, and can be considered “competitive” to We The Change. First off, I do not see any other PD website or blog as competitive; in fact, I spend a lot of my own time reading the wonderful articles on sites like Steve Pavlina’s. There are so many websites and blogs out there which provide fantastic material, that not mentioning the internet’s offerings in PD would be a disservice! There is no better way to spend your “surfing time” than to search for ways to improve your life.

5. Play Golf

Albeit an expensive hobby, golf is one of the world’s greatest sports for these reasons: a) you are forced to spend multiple hours in beautiful, natural surroundings; b) it is very social and gives you plenty of opportunity to catch up with friends; c) it is the kind of sport that you can easily play well into old age and d) it tests your patience like no other sport. I am not sure of too many other sports that combine these four powerful attributes. If you play already, try and to limit your frustration and focus on the first three reasons for playing. If you have never tried golf, give it a whirl!

6. Attend a Landmark Forum

The Landmark Forum is a 3 or 4 day adventure where you are literally locked in a room with 100+ strangers and forced to experience the passing moments. Each day is 12-14 hours long and the format is purely conversational (there is no physical activity). Sound good so far? Landmark Forum leaders give attendees promise of enlightenment, clarity and transformation by the end of the course—and they deliver! Landmark is a truly incredible spiritual growth platform that provides unique insight into the true nature of our thoughts and perceptions and overall is a very rewarding experience.

There are a myriad of ways to improve oneself. Try a few of the above personal development activities and see if they vibe with your inherent values. As always, feel free to share your experiences here, thanks!

1. Pharmaceuticals is a relatively new phenomenon

If you put things in perspective, human beings have been alive and shuffling around this planet for hundreds of thousands of years.  Herbal and natural remedies have been around for most of this time and Chinese Medicine techniques have existed for thousands of years.  Pharmaceuticals are brand new in the greater scheme of things, and their long-terms effects are still relatively unknown.

2. Drugs do not distinguish individuality

Mass produced drugs are a quick fix solution that interact with our bodies in a one-tract, come-one come-all manner.  Dealing with sickness, disorders and disease is most effective when done so on a person-by-person basis.

3. Pharmaceuticals is a Business

Drug companies are some of the most profitable companies in the world.  They stay profitable through increasing sales, which means that over time more and more people are buying more and more drugs.  We have to become aware that this industry’s primary motivation is for the financial well-being of corporations and not our personal well-being. Ask yourself:  when was the last time the medical community announced the cure of a disease?  It has not happened in decades as cure does not equal sales of drugs. 

4. New Statistics for Health Needed

Respondents to the above argument will focus on how drugs have been integral to the increasing longevity of human beings.  But what is missing (and needed) is statistic for longevity while “living with independence, strength and happiness”!   

5. Pharmaceuticals lead to more Pharmaceuticals

Drugs lead to more drugs because they are synthetic remedies that ALWAYS cause non-intended inflammation in the body.  For some reason, many of us have blind faith that the scientists who create drugs have the ability to develop medications that only treat targeted ailments.  The truth is, pharmaceuticals can wreck havoc on systems that were perfectly healthy when you began.

6. Mass use can have unforseen long-term affects on humanity

Pharmaceuticals may never vibe with the endless intricacies of the human body.  Over time, the mass implementation of these synthetic chemicals can drastically alter what it means to be human, and even change our genetic code.  Our bodies will adapt and persist, but they will be forever altered by the mass introduction of these laboratory-based concoctions.

7. Be Realistic About Physicians

Working with thousands of physicians over the last several years, I can tell you that today’s doctors are under more pressure and scrutiny than almost anyone.  They have insurance and reimbursement issues, malpractice worries, technology to learn, massive pharmaceutical influences, and to top it off have less time per patient than ever.  When you go to a doctor, keep these facts in mind.  Although he/she is most likely a genuine person that is really trying to help you it is necessary to ask the question “how much does this person really understand my situation”?  Unfortunately, drugs and pharmaceuticals can be a physician’s easy answer to the declining time they have with patients. 

8. Pharmaceutical Industry is Symbolic of Modern Culture

The massive growth of prescribed drug use is very much in-line with the offbeat nature of our culture:  it is fast, easy, and a quick-fix solution that relieves individual responsibility.  Furthermore, the commercialization of drugs is clear sign that money and power are what perpetuate it.  These new, synthetic, and mass produced cures (that rarely cure anything) are ingrained in our culture because they are profitable business. 

In conclusion, although there is certainly a place for technological advances in medicine and wonderful uses for drug treatments, our culture has taken it way too far.  Isn’t it time we asked ourselves:  do we really want these dangerous chemicals being such a common part of every day life?  More sustainable answers lie in 1) alternative and holistic medicine; 2) prevention;  3) making more informed choices about drug treatments when necessary and 4) taking responsibility for our own health!