Decide to go for Utopia. Utopia means the perfect place where there is love, health, peace, wealth, and happiness - a land beyond description. Utopia comes from two Greek words which mean "no place". Let's concentrate on Real Estate Utopia.
Utopia is beyond our reach in our business until we overcome obstacles that occur to all commission sales people:

• Fear
• Negativism
• Discouragement
• Economic stagnation

Self direction for personal growth literally means personal assessment.
Will I be happy at the end of my career knowing I had never really tested myself to see how great I could be?
Are the people I associate with day in and day out damaging my mind set to succeed?
What damage is being done to my mind by hearing the same complaints about how unfair the system is, or why so-and-so is so lucky with all their leads?
Is my time around the office consumed with petty talk at the coffee bar and lunch time?
Am I really enjoying my free time or it could it be better spent improving my health and family relationships?
To whom do I owe the greater obligation - to myself or the organization?
Success does begin with a dream of more -
It is no disgrace to be poor but not having a dream, a dynamic dream and not being true to your plan to improve your circumstances is totally deflating.

Decide to scale up not scale down for 2007. Think more not less to solve budget problems.

• Concentrate on earning more, not on stretching your income to the point that you are denied what you want.
• Figure out how to become more valuable.
• Decide to counsel yourself on vertical expansion of your business. What can you add to your plate to add the icing on the cake? Would it be doing some commercial with your residential, or leasing properties or maybe buying property to rehab and then reselling it.

Over the years I have had the privilege of meeting and observing people from all walks of life with amazing diversified backgrounds. Some were well educated and some had almost no formal education. I have observed the ones who have made it developed big dreams and surrounded themselves with people who encouraged them.

• Do not surround yourself with the dream destroyers, those people who believe they have proof the dream is unattainable.

The exciting dream of a career in real estate is popular since it is not based on the amount of formal education one has. The advancement of your career is based on personal persistence, personal motivation and a desire to be your best. Having a lot of money for your capital investment isn't necessary to become the entrepreneur.

• Don't let people kill your enthusiasm by calling you "unrealistic".
• Don't let people destroy your dream by saying "there's too much competition". Competition is what keeps you on your toes. Top producers are developed regularly. Why not you?

Here are some small suggestions for helping you manage your time and find the extra time to make 2007 your best year ever:

• Limit television viewing to 30 minutes a day. (The average person spends 3 hour per day, or 18 hours in a six day period.)
• Stop reading the daily paper. Instead catch the news during your 30 minute television view time or use the internet news for a quick catch up.
• Cut back on sleep time by 30 minutes per night. Most people when bored oversleep.
• Arrange for a 30 minute lunch break to review your morning plans to check if you are on track for the day's activities. If behind, restructure your afternoon to complete prospecting plans.
• Make yourself read e-mails at selected times during the day, not all day. E-mails can be time destroyers and distracters. Try to arrange your day by returning e-mails first thing in the morning, lunch time, and late afternoon.

Ask yourself these questions to begin your new year of creative dreaming:

1. What interests do I have and what special talents do I possess? This tells you what capabilities you have.
2. Where do I want to go and what do I want to achieve?
3. How do I get where I want to go?

Write it all down.
Make a total commitment to your goals for next year. Remember a goal is simply a dream or a vision with a deadline.

Rita Santamaria is the owner of Champions School of Real Estate. For any questions or information www.ChampionsSchool.com.