Just got back from watching the “Julie & Julia” movie with Andy. Two inspiring tales of paralleling perseverance in ages of “new media” – that’s my summary. (The movie was brilliantly done, in my opinion.)

One of my favorite lines from the movie was later in the movie when Paul (husband to Julia Child) said to Julia, in the depths of her woe over her manuscript rejection: “You can teach cooking in our kitchen…you CAN teach cooking on television.” (Keep in mind, TV was still a “new media” – and cooking shows were unheard of.) Julia was completely taken aback – but she also believed it possible. Julia Child made her own game from the moment she pursued doing something she loved instead of just something culturally acceptable. Julia was a game-changer on so many levels – of the sort that Chris Brogan describes in Trust Agents.

And then there is Julie – the picture perfect example of what happens when an “average” person does something extraordinary. I would suggest that everyone is extraordinary – we just don’t always find our passion. We don’t always have that fire to pursue our dreams, to do what we love, to find our fire and go with it at all costs. But Julie didn’t know anything about blogging or technology or even anything extraordinary about her topic. But she set a goal that had to do with something she LOVED, and then she mustered discipline and determination and was willing to share her journey with the world. And she wrote and wrote and wrote. She wrote transparently and honestly. She had success – and she had strife. And she wrote. Authentically. A real person.

Julie and Julia are both loved for their authenticity. Julia Childs wasn’t afraid to mess-up or spill or even fail on the camera. Julie wasn’t afraid to have a “melt-down” on her blog. Nor did either hold back their successes and joys – the celebrations were euphoric and contagious. Human. So very human.

Julie’s story can be your story. Just with a different passion attached. New Media – like blogging, YouTube, Flickr, Twitter, Facebook, etc. give you an opportunity to do something extraordinary, to be “found” and to earn a living on the coattails of something you LOVE. You don’t really have to KNOW anything more than how to be human and willing to develop a discipline and perseverance for the long haul.

If you’re willing to be very human – you too can be a “New Media Success Story.”

Photo Credit: Rakka

With your target objective (mission) and goals in clearly defined, it's time to start planning, researching and taking action. With our planning for the National Main Street Conference, we really only had about two weeks of firm planning time.

Here is how I broke down the planning: logistics, action items tied to goals, contacts and packing.

For me, the list proved to be a bit daunting. I am a perfectionist, and on occasion bite off more than I can chew. This conference wasn't the only thing on my plate after all. I have small business owners that I consult each week and projects and other speaking engagements to manage. Knowing all of this, I must say I did a fine job of making my lists, then editing myself.

I cannot state this any more strongly for those planners among you: there are plans that will save the world – but require the moon's sacrifice in order to happen. And there are the plans that work, that achieve real, measurable results – because, quite simply, the plan was edited into reality.

I am a journalism student by training, so with list in hand, I took out my trusty red pen. I found it helpful to actually categorize my action items by those tactics that would produce the most bang for my buck with no regard to my personal comfort level. Some of the items would require me to get outside of my actual personality in order to produce the greatest results for the least effort. (Now that is what I call LEAN THINKING.) The categories led me to basically edit into oblivion every tactic that wasn't an all-star. What we ended up with, I believe (and I may be wrong), we've ended up with a more flexible schedule that will allow us to take advantage of opportunities as they present themselves while securing PRE-conference certain appointments and plans that have us well on our way to achieving our target objective.

Let me explain:

Tactic that got the red ink:
- Drinks and appetizers for a large group of folks, many of whom we don't know. Would have required a fair amount of planning, organization and time spent inviting, etc.

Instead…
- Made lunch appointment with a state coordinator to discuss upcoming opportunity to speak for the first time in this state.

We did set some meet-ups and lunch dates in advance of the conference, all scheduled for the first two days. This leaves us time to build new relationships over a meal, coffee or drinks later in the conference schedule, if needed. We used the list that the conference provided of registered attendees as well as our existing contacts in order to schedule valuable encounters.

We also took the time pre-conference to promote our attendance at the conference on social networking sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, Plaxo, and Twitter. We also offered some valuable information and information of our attendance via the Main Street members only listserv to which we are members. Even now, you can follow the conference at the Twitter hashtag we created at #MainStreet09.

We have an on-site goodie in store, too… stay tuned, so you don't miss valuable small business owner survey results that will be available to conference goes FIRST, before we post it on our web site.

Small business tip: Making plans BEFORE you get to the event in order to maximize your time AT the event.

P.S. For real live blogging of the actual conference sessions, etc.
check out the official conference blog which is very well done so far
at Main Street Live 09. You can get an insider's perspective as the staff of Michigan Main Street live blogs the conference on their blog (What can we say? They are our star student!). And you can follow the conference on Twitter at #MainStreet09.

Ok, I know. It's January 16. Aren't I a bit late to this "new year's" party?

Well, I suppose that's up to you to decide. However, I will tell you that sometimes its better to not say anything at all than to say the WRONG thing. And that's what's been simmering in my head lately. Many other business experts, most of whom I personally respect very much, opened their mouths immediately to save the world from the economic crisis – and the predicted recession. How can the world's economic problems be solved so quickly? Of course, like everyone else, I had lots of ideas immediately… I wanted to run out and save all of you small businesses of the world, too. But what good would it do you or me long-term if I gave poor advice or poorly thought advice? Not too much I'd imagine.

So, I stepped back and gave it some thought. I've been visiting with our clients one on one. Having a lot of strategic planning sessions and spending a lot of time watching the marketplace to see what really is working and is not working. I don't suggest that I am prepared to save the world just yet – but I do feel ready to save one small business or social entrepreneur effort at a time. But having given due diligence to our current affairs, I feel a clarity on the new year that has me excited more than ever before in my career.

Of course, the world has changed. Probably, this isn't a correction. It's a new world, a new economic and business environment in which we will all operate until the next era emerges…hopefully when I'm in retirement.

We, as small business owners and not for profit operators are dealt a fresh hand of cards. And the brutal truth is that some businesses will simply fold. But for others, the opportunity and potential to win – and win bigger than ever imagined before – is as real as that fresh new set of playing cards.

While speaking to a coaching client just this week, Andy and I took a serious tone and said the following to this young entrepreneur: "We can sit here and talk about it and talk about it some more until we're blue in the face. But the bottom line is clear: talking will do no one any good. There are many who will become jobless this year – some in a long-term way. And there are those who will find great success this year. Wild, unbelievable success. We don't think there will be a lot of middle ground. Either you quit talking – and start doing what it takes to win. Or you'll fail. It's as simple as that. 2009 is a black and white year, my friend."

So, which will you be in 2009? Will you do whatever it takes to succeed – and succeed big? Or will you fail? It's scary – but it's the truth.

Here's our position on the year:

Our primary mission at HALO Business Advisors remains the same. HALO Business Advisors will continue to equip business owners and social entrepreneurs with the tools you need to succeed – and we will encourage and train you every step of the way. We will be laser intense in our equipping YOU to practically, economically, fanatically, passionately, confidently and zealously execute the steps to achieve phenomenal success.

• We must get this information outlining exactly what to DO to succeed in front of as many small businesses and organizations as possible. Our seminar pricing model and seminar topics will reflect this mission.
• Our web site will grow by sharing more and more practical, doable content with each passing week. Our blog will do the same.
• Our e-newsletter will be an e-newsletter of checklists – what to DO this week to win.
• Our coaching system and sessions will avoid theory and long business philosophy sessions altogether. Every session will cover items to DO to grow a business. Every session will propel the business forward.
• And most exciting of all, our sister company, Fox Web Company, will be offering a small business toolbox that is unbelievable and so affordable to make marketing on-line and off more efficient and effective than ever before.
• And there's more in the works over here at our creative, success factory… so stay tuned.

Can you tell I'm excited? I'll tell you something folks – this year is the year for you. This is the year for your Results Revolution.

Walt Disney once said, "The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing."

Let's get to the doing.

“The way to get started is
to quit talking and begin doing.”
- Walt Disney