If you had the ability to see into the future, what would 2008 hold for you? Are you one of the many Real Estate Professionals that flies by the seat of your pants with regards to planning your business? Do you move from one transaction to the next without stopping to analyze what went well and what was not-so-great about each experience? Do you repeat the same mistakes causing yourself the same problems over and over again? Are you working harder because you are not working smarter? Is your success being limited by bad habits established over time that you have not taken the opportunity to discover and repair? Will you wake up on January 2, 2008, and begin to wonder just how you achieved great results in 2007 and wonder how you will top it in 2008? Recently, I had the great opportunity to visit Venice , Italy . Now there is a lesson in planning, both great and not-so-great! Remember that history teaches us that the city of Venice was built on water as a means to protect itself from attack. At that point in time the builders had the "brainstorm" that it was very convenient to have their sewers pre-built just under the structures and it is was acceptable to dump human and all other waste into the water. As impressed as I am by the city architecture and art, I can't help but wonder if the current inhabitants had wished the early builders had re-thought those early decisions on waste disposal and taken steps then to improve on this method. You should begin your new plan by analyzing your past business. All too often, Managing Brokers make this process all about money. I challenge you to make it about more than the money. Make it about achieving your life balance, not only professionally but personally as well. How would an outsider view your work habits? Are you running the business or is the business is running you? What are your priorities in life; money, family, time off, etc? What motivates you to reach the goals you set for yourself? Where you want your business to be in 5 years, 3 years, 1 year and 6 months? What are your plans for retirement? Einstein said, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." Make a conscious decision to make some changes to achieve your monetarygoals as well as peace and balance in your life. Following are some tips to get you started in planning for the New Year: Get to work setting your goals! Set realistic markers and analyze them each and every month. Overcome the temptation to be satisfied with the status quo.