Happy New Year! I hope your holiday season was full of peace, love, friends and family. I trust you are well rested and ready to embark on your journey through 2012. If you haven't already figured out what you want to accomplish this year, now is the time!

Last year we realized many long standing major goals including the launch of our new logo, website, social media skins, the Amusement Operators Safety Certification program, and our first local chapter. Whew!  I'm now having an "ah-ha" moment (not to be confused with a senior moment - lol)!

Do you ever feel like you are not getting ahead, like all of your task and to do lists just don't amount to anything? Well, let me tell you they do! It wasn't until I started writing my message to you that I realized how much we accomplished this year. It's those baby steps, those consistent, deliberate actions that add up to a lot! I bet if you take a look at your list of goals from last January you will be surprised by how many you realized.  If you are not happy with what you see, now is the time to make changes. 

Write down your goals and your strategies for attaining them.  Then, don't stop taking the baby steps needed to inch you along to the finish line. As I was reminded today, life is a marathon, not a sprint!   

For 2012, we have another year filled with overzealous and bodacious goals!  A new member directory, educational platform, phases II and III of our amusement safety initiatives and new chapters domestically and internationally - just to name a few. I'm laying it out there for you... it's going to be an amazing year!

Within the month you will be hearing about an incredible new educational partner and a mentoring program designed to help you take the "bull by the horns" and accomplish what you set out to do.  Also, we will be at The Special Event in Tampa 1/25 - 27.  If you're there be sure to come by to see us in booth 1041.  We will be with Marley Majcher, The Party Goddess and we have very special plans for the event! 

Be sure to check out all of the news and tidbits we have for you today.  Need some inspiration and guidance before you set your goals? Check out my article entitled 7 Ways to Reignite Your Business - Lessons Learned from Coldplay to help you get started. The principles can be easily applied to every area of your life.  

Oh, if you haven't seen the new site yet...be sure to check it out at www.EventPlannersAssociation.com.  We'd love to connect with you via social media as well!      

The one thing I hear the most complaints about from entrepreneurs lately is the blurring of work and personal life.  More and more, it seems, our work is overtaking our personal lives. But no matter how much people try to convince us this is a good thing under the auspices of authenticity and alignment, it has its drawbacks.

No matter how you slice it, integrating your work and personal life does a number on work-life balance. But getting a handle on this and creating as much balance as possible will improve your health, happiness and overall satisfaction with life.

Lately, I hear some people giving up on the idea of balance all together, claiming it's impossible so we should just deal with it. That striving for balance is just setting ourselves up for more stress and disappointment when it doesn't work out.  While there is some truth to that, I think it's critical to do what you can to protect your personal life from being overrun by your business.

Here are 6 great tips for balancing work and personal life.

Learn the art of presence

You don't have to be a new age "woo woo" type to appreciate the concept of presence.  Some people arrive at achieving presence through a meditation practice, but if that's not your style, no worries.  Having presence simply means being fully aware and focused in the current moment - bringing your all to the present time, rather than being distracted by the past (even a few minutes ago), the future (what you're getting ready to do), or other distractions (what you should be doing).  If you find yourself drifting in thought, just practice making yourself aware of the moment again.  You won't believe how alive and connected this makes you feel, as you transition from work to personal life and back to work. Try it.

Set normal work hours

Entrepreneurs are notorious for being "always on."  I know this might come as a shock, but you do not have to work 24 hours a day to be a successful entrepreneur. You don't have to work the same set hours every day. You can set your schedule around your personal needs, but your set hours should not be so flexible that you find yourself constantly having to make up missed work time during your designated personal time.  The important people in your life should know and respect your work hours as if you are working for a boss - no interruptions unless it is a legitimate emergency.

Read on...

EPA Southern California Chapter Launch 2011

 A subdivision of Collins Visual Media, a 30 year old family-run business, which specializes in design, signage and hero props for the film industry, Step and Repeat LA makes custom banners and media walls for photo opportunities at events.

A "Step and Repeat" Banner is a backdrop display that has one or more sponsor logos repeated in a "step" or diagonal, alternating pattern. From red carpet events to "sweet 16" birthday parties, Step and Repeat LA does it all!

Clients include Macy's, Nike, Nordstrom, CSUN, Pepsi, Coca Cola, ESPN, Erica Courtney, Red Bull, Michigan Avenue Magazine, LA Impact and more.  

Step and Repeat LA has also set up red carpet events for Jamie Foxx's birthday party, Kevin Spacey's charity event, Dionne Warwick at a Levitt Pavilions fundraiser, Josh Whedon's charity event, a Habitat for Humanity fundraiser among others.

Free ground shipping throughout the U.S., experienced designers, free layouts, rush turnarounds and excellent customer service are just a few reasons to use a Step and Repeat LA banner! 

Step and Repeat LA is excited to work with fellow EPA members. Visit our website for more information and be sure to check out the banner made especially for the EPA SoCal Chapter launch!