Karen’s Opinion

This is a sponsored guest post written by Jason Harvey on behalf of Achieve Anything In Just One Year. Post powered by Sponzai.

On January 1, more than 100 million Americans will make a New Year’s resolution, according to a University of Washington survey. By March, however, most resolution-makers will already have broken their newly minted promises. 

In his new book, Achieve Anything in Just One Year: Be Inspired Daily to Live Your Dreams and Accomplish Your Goals (Amazing Life Press, $29.95, http://www.amazinglifepress.com/), Jason Harvey provides a blueprint for personal success that can make 2010 the year that resolutions become reality. 

Most resolutions fail because people try to change too fast and accomplish too much all at once,” said Harvey, a Certified Life Coach. “My book is about learning how to make small daily changes and be your own personal life coach.”

The most common resolutions – to quit smoking, lose weight, exercise more, spend more quality time with family, etc. – are also the easiest to break. “The truth is, we set ourselves up to fail by making resolutions that are sweeping and unrealistic,” explained Harvey. 

The resulting cycle of making and breaking promises is self-defeating – so how can individuals make resolutions stick? Achieve Anything in Just One Year equips readers with the tools to: 

• Be truly committed.Don’t just go through the motions – act like you’re making a promise to your company, or to your best friend. 
• Be specific. A resolution like “I want to lose weight” is easier to ignore than “I want to lose five pounds by March.” 
• Set a deadline. A timeframe equals commitment and helps quantify success. 
• Avoid overwhelming yourself. You may want to lose weight, quit smoking, achieve moderation with martinis and cut up your credit cards all at once, but let’s get real. Focus on a limited set of goals and plan on taking stock mid-year. 
• Change one thing at a time. Recognize that change is hard. Wait to achieve one goal before starting on the next. 
• Be realistic. Taking charge of a fitness regimen is a realistic goal, while exercising seven days a week may not be. Don’t set yourself up for disappointment with lofty goals. 

The idea is to take daily action that creates a ripple effect in your life,” said Harvey. “By transforming your life with small steps, you can stay motivated, focused and balanced. Best of all, you’ll feel happier about pursuing your personal success.” 

Achieve Anything in Just One Year is available to BUY NOW at Amazon.com.

My favorite Christmas song was written by Mark Lowry and is Mary Did You Know?

Many people are surprised when they find out that the song was written by Mark Lowry. He is a Christian comedian and a very funny one at that. He also has a beautiful voice. He sang with the Gaither Vocal Band for many years.

Here are the song lyrics written by Mark Lowry in 1984 and music written by Buddy Greene:

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy
Would someday walk on water?
Mary did you know
That your baby boy
Will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know
That your baby boy
Has come to make you new?
This child that you’ve delivered
Will soon deliver you.

Mary did you know
That your baby boy
Will give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know
That your baby boy
Will calm the storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy
Has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little baby
You’ve kissed the face of God.
The blind will see
The deaf will hear
The dead will live again
The lame will leap
The dumb will speak
The praises of the Lamb

Mary did you know
That your baby boy
Is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know
That your baby boy
Will one day rule the nations?
Did you know
That your baby boy
Is heaven’s perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you’re holding
Is the Great I Am

One of my all time favorite Christmas songs, Mary Did You Know?, is sung by Vance Perry. His songs are unbelievably awesome. His range is spectacular. I could go on and on. Listen. Enjoy.

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Popstation. All opinions are 100% mine.

Do you have talent? Have you ever thought of how to get yourself introduced to the world and how to let your light shine? I look at all those people trying out on the reality shows and admire their tenacity. I think that is a hard road to travel to become a star. There are many unknown talented people who need a venue and it may not be a reality show at all. I have discovered a better idea.

PopStation is an online music and entertainment experience that allows you to enter a singing contest whereby you have a chance to make it to the Top of the Charts and qualify for an Album Deal! All you need is headphones (any will do), a microphone (built-in or hand held), and the desire to take it to put yourself out there.

Check out where you can watch a video to see how this all works and register for a FREE account. Then get yourself to the practice rooms, select a song that suits your talent and practice, practice, practice! Each song which by the way gives you a choice of genre, is available for two weeks. When you think you are ready, record your original song version and then call everyone on your Christmas list and get the word out. Let them know that you need their votes to make it to the top. Have them tell their friends and then they can tell their friends…you get the drift. There is no need for celebrity judges or panels on PopStation, not when Aunt Gladys knows her baby can sing!

Now that I have your attention, are you ready to hear about the Big Deal that is decided every three months?

The Big Deal is when you are chosen as #1. You are awarded a A VIP album recording experience! Imagine yourself whisked away by a luxury car service that takes you to a professional recording studio where you spend two days recording your own album! You become the featured artist on the Popstation’s Artist page! This is where the world meets you, the next rising star!

Good luck and don’t forget that I was the one who told you about this when you become all rich and famous!

Aren’t those amazing costumes? That photo was the winner for week 6 over at HGTV’s Share Your Halloween Spirit contest. Upload your favorite photos or videos now to be entered to win a $50 gift certificate plus a prize pack at HGTV! Hurry! This contest ends at 11:59 PM ET on October 27, 2009.

(I was not paid to write this. I think it would be cool to win!)