CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS – Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Bucktown and Wicker Park, Loop, Andersonville, Evanston
Lakeview: A small, brightly lit building between 3800 and 3900 North Lake Shore Drive has caught the attention of Chicagoans. What used to be a bus switching station is now a storage area for the Sheridan Garden Triangle. This non-profit is striving to revamp the piece of land next to the shed. The land is owned by the city of Chicago and the group was started by president Jill Weinberg six years ago. The garden now includes perennials, trees, and bushes. It also has its own high-end irrigation system. If you’re interested in contributing, you can donate to this organization at https://sheridantrianglegarden.org/donate/.
Lincoln Park: A Chicago original, the Goose Island Brewpub, will be closing its doors on Sunday evening. Ken Stout, president of Goose Island, has stated the need for renovation. New brewing equipment will be installed, in addition to other innovations. With other new brewing pubs on the scene, like Revolution Brewing pub and the incoming Off Color Brewing taproom, Goose Island is looking to revamp in order to stay competitive. Never fear, the brewery and taproom at 1800 W. Fulton St. will remain open during the upgrade.
Bucktown and Wicker Park: Can’t make it to New Orleans for Cajun food? Fifolet, a restaurant in Wicker Park, has you covered. The New Orleans style eatery replaced Division Ale House in early November. Mouthwatering plates are served family style and craft cocktails are a must-have. The menu features vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free dishes as well. From a scan of the menu, the Fried Alligator Etouffee and Fried Green Tomatoes have my mouth watering. Appetizers start at $6 with the priciest entrée coming in at $16.
Chicago Loop: From January 9 to February 16, the Art Institute will offer their annual tradition: free winter weekdays. Illinois residents can enter the museum for free during regular operating hours, Monday through Friday. Take a day off work and take a wander through this incredible museum.
Andersonville: Mark your calendars for March 15! Author Roxanne Gay is coming to an event hosted by Women and Children First bookstore in Andersonville. She will be reading sections from and leading discussion about her new book, “Difficult Women.” Britt Julious, a journalist, will join her in conversation. The event will take place at Senn High School, 5900 N. Glenwood Ave . It’s not too late to get tickets, as sales just began early Tuesday morning. Tickets are reasonably priced. $30 buys you both a book and a seat for the discussion.
Evanston: Are your kiddos singers? Dancers? Actors? Do they dream of being a mermaid? Lucky for you, the Evanston Children’s Theatre is hosting auditions for The Little Mermaid this Tuesday, January 10. Children from ages 8 through the 8th grade are welcome to audition and no previous experience is required. Rehearsals will be held either Tuesdays or Thursdays and on Saturdays. Performances are March 17 through the 20 at the Levy Center. If you’re interested, call 847-448-8263. Auditions will be held at 1823 Church Street in Evanston from 4 to 6 pm on Tuesday.
Kathy’s Home & Garden Tips – Preventing And Treating Indoor Allergies
Indoor allergens come from three main sources. The first are dust mites: microscopic creatures that can trigger allergic reactions in many sensitive people. Live dust mites, their waste, and dead mites are the main causes. Pet dander is another dust component that can cause a reaction. Dander is made up of dead skin cells that have been cast off the animal. Although many people think pet hair is the allergen, it is actually these skin cells.
Cockroaches are a huge allergy trigger. We don’t like to think about them, but if you live in an urban area or large apartment building, it’s possible to have this problem without your unit being affected. Dead cockroach bodies disintegrate and blend with the dust, contributing to the allergy problem.
There are several ways to reduce allergens in your home. Hard surface flooring is the best way. Carpets trap allergens that spew into the air every time you walk across them, no matter how often you vacuum or clean them. If you must have carpet, clean and vacuum frequently with a HEPA filter vacuum. Use blinds instead of curtains. Vacuum lamp shades and upholstery frequently. Your bedding can also harbor many allergens. Use an allergen proof mattress cover and pillow covers. Change bedding weekly and wash in hot water.
Pets are another story entirely. Many of us love pets and wouldn’t think of getting rid of them but it’s best to consider how they will affect all members of the family before getting one. Most children don’t develop allergy problems till after age 5, so it’s best to wait till then before considering pets. There are some dog breeds thought to be allergen free but I have my doubts. There are also pet shampoos available to help reduce dander. In any event, if you have a pet, here are a few ways to reduce your exposure. Keep them out of the bedroom and especially off the bed. Have another family member frequently bathe and groom them, which will also keep allergens down. Always wash your hands after handling pets.
Of course, it’s always best to keep everything as clean and dust free as possible to reduce our exposure to allergens. Those of use not blessed with steam or hot water heat must make do with dust-spewing forced air. There are allergy preventing furnace filters but I’ve not found them worth the price. The benefits do not outweigh those from cheaper filters. Just change your regular filters more frequently.
As far as medication goes, have a talk with your doctor. Different people react differently to medication. I’ve found a good all-purpose allergy medication like Allegra or Claritin along with a nasal steroid like Nasacort or Flonase works well. It’s also recommended to take these medications year-round, not just during “allergy” season. They need to build up over time to be truly effective.
For very sensitive people, an air cleaner may provide some relief. They are quite pricey and are usually effective for one room only. Make sure they have a HEPA filter and are easy to clean. A dirty filter defeats the purpose.
KATHY WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO
How to Make the Most Money on the Sale of Your Investment Property
You bought your investment property for the sole purpose of making money. But the profits should still roll in once you decide to part with the property and sell it. When it comes time to list your investment property for sale, getting the most money out of the deal is most likely where your focus is.
While selling an investment property is somewhat like selling your home, there are a variety of capital and tax issues that can make this type of sale more complex.
Here are some things to consider in order to make the most money when you sell your investment property.
Make Sure Now is a Good Time to Sell
Before you list your property, make sure you’ve considered all avenues to determine whether or not it’s a good idea to let go of it. There are all sorts of reasons why you might want to sell, such as freeing up some capital to take advantage of a better investment, getting out of a declining neighborhood, or dropping down a notch on the tax bracket ladder.
If you’ve held onto your investment property for a long time, odds are it has greatly increased in value. As such, you can probably make a hefty profit and take those monies to branch out and diversify your real estate investment portfolio with other investment properties.
Whatever your reason might be for wanting to sell, you need to be aware that there are major tax issues that you will have to contend with that could take a chunk out of your profits. Just make sure you’ve crunched the numbers to make sure you don’t walk away in the red.
Attract the Right Buyers
Other real estate investors are the obvious target when it comes to marketing your investment property for sale. However, there may be other types of buyers out there that may be interested in the property. You may have been using it to bring in a steady income through rent, but you may be able to attract a variety of other types of buyers.
Some buyers may be interested in living in one part of the building while renting the other part out to help with the mortgage. Or perhaps the renters who are already living in the unit might show interest in becoming owners themselves, in which case your potential buyer is right under your nose. Your real estate agent will be able to help you diversify your options when it comes to marketing the property for sale so you can attract as much interest in it as possible and draw in a solid offer.
Understand Capital Gains
When you sell an investment property, you’ll be slapped with a capital gains tax bill that you’ll have to pay, which is a lot more than the taxes you would have to pay upon the sale of your primary residence. Essentially, capital gains refers to the profit you make from the sale of your investment property, which will be taxed. For instance, if you sold an investment property for $500,000 and you originally bought it for $400,000, you would make a $100,000 profit, which is what would be taxed.
Any depreciation that you claimed against the property will cause the basic capital gains to increase. That means that if your investment property lost money while you owned it and you used such losses to reduce your tax bill in the past, your capital gains taxes will be higher once you sell. Using the above example, if you deducted $40,000 in depreciation during the time that you held title on the property, that $40,000 would be added to the $50,000 profit, and you would therefore be taxed on $90,000 instead of $50,000.
Capital gains taxes are also affected by how long you’ve held onto the property. If you’ve owned it for less than a year, the property would fall under the short-term capital gain category, which means it would be taxed like income. However, if you owned the property for more than a year, it’s considered a long-term capital gain, in which case it would be taxed at a lower rate.
Avoiding Capital Gains With a Rollover
There is a way to avoid paying capital gains on the profit you make upon the sale of your investment property, and that’s by putting the proceeds of the sale directly into escrow that will be used to purchase another investment property. IRS Section 1031 allows this tax deferral, which could save you a pretty penny come sale time. This 1031 exchange of similar properties is a strategy that you can use repeatedly with no limit, so you can essentially trade similar properties as many times as you like while expanding your investment portfolio on a tax-deferred basis.
It should be noted, however, that there is a 45-day time limit that these proceeds can sit in escrow before being put towards a new property. This type of arrangement needs the expert assistance and advice of a seasoned lawyer and/or tax advisor to set up.
Setting Up an Incorporation to Take Advantage of More Favorable Tax Rules
More and more real estate investors are looking at incorporating in order to reduce their personal liabilities and pay fewer taxes upon the sale of an investment property. If you’ve hired property managers to help you handle your portfolio of income-producing properties, incorporating can reduce the amount due for taxes when you sell. Any profits made will be funneled through your corporation.
However, you won’t have easy access to any monthly income coming in from you investment property if it’s under your corporation. If you rely on that monthly rental income for any reason, an incorporation may not be ideal.
The Bottom Line
The return you receive come sale time will depend on how much the property has appreciated in your market, how long you’ve owned the property, how much you have left on the mortgage, and so forth. Selling an investment property is a more complex and intricate process than simply selling your residential home. From specific marketing tactics, to maintaining compliance with the IRS, to avoiding having to pay more taxes than necessary, the sale of your investment property should only be done with the right help enlisted. Done at the right time and with the right tactics, there’s little reason why you shouldn’t realize a sizeable profit upon the sale of your investment property.
RESTAURANT REVIEW – WABI SABI
Wabi Sabi is a brand new sushi spot in Uptown. It opened at the beginning of November in the Windsor Center shopping strip, near the Sheridan/Windsor intersection. What makes Wabi Sabi unique? A rotary sushi bar that runs the length of the restaurant. Small signs near each booth describe the color coded plate system, with red plates coming in at $2.50 and the most expensive purple plates at $6.50. Simply stack your plates to the side of your table and your server will tally up your total.
The restaurant is small and quiet, with plush leather booths. If sushi isn’t your cup of tea, you can also order off of the regular menu. It includes ramen, noodles, and teriyaki bowls. I decided to only try items on the conveyor belt. One of my favorites was the Lava Stone appetizer: a small, deep fried rice ball topped with a pile of spicy tuna and scallions. I also particularly enjoyed the Tiffany Maki. This is one of the restaurant’s signature rolls, containing tuna, yellowtail, avocado and jalapeno. It was topped with a delicious mayo and spicy chili sauce. Although I was too full to try any, some beautiful desserts whizzed past me. The green tea cheesecake and tiny macaroons were especially enticing.
With a limited number of booths, Wabi Sabi could easily fill up at peak times. It’s cozy and intimate, perfect for a date night or Sunday family dinner. Prices range from $10-$25 per person and they allow BYOB alcoholic beverages. Open Monday through Sunday, 11 am to 10 pm.
RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO
THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – New Year’s Celebrations For Everyone!
As we bid adieu to 2016 and welcome in 2017 this weekend, Chicago once again offers New Year’s Celebrations for Everyone!
For those who love to celebrate with a big crowd, returning this Saturday (8:00 p.m.) to Michigan Avenue and the Chicago River in the Streeterville neighborhood for its 2nd year is Chi-Town Rising after its successful debut last year as the largest New Year’s Eve celebration in Chicago’s history! This year will feature a larger outdoor viewing area on both sides of the Chicago River offering secure viewing for locals and visitors to enjoy free of charge. Once again video screens will provide entertainment and an outdoor countdown to midnight which culminates with a Rising Star ascending 360-feet into the air on the Hyatt Regency Chicago’s West Tower and a fireworks display synchronized to music plus more!!
For families with those too young to stay up all night, the popular Family Countdown Celebration returns this Saturday (3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.) to Millennium Park’s Wrigley Square (201 E. Randolph St.) in The Loop. Families will get to enjoy free hot chocolate and cookies from Remington’s, live entertainment and even an official countdown celebration at 6:00 p.m.! Also, families will be able to experience how New Year’s is celebrated around the world at this year’s “Around the World for New Year’s Eve!” Activity stations will feature fun customs from countries all over the world and kids will get a special passport so they can receive a stamp at each station they visit!!
For those with sea-legs, well lake-legs, you can kick it into high gear on Mystic Blue Cruises’ New Year’s Eve Fireworks Dinner Cruise this Saturday (8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m.) from Navy Pier (600 E. Grand Ave.) in the Streeterville neighborhood. Your cruise includes a buffet dinner, a platinum open bar, live DJ entertainment, a champagne toast at midnight and views of the fireworks display (weather permitting of course)!!
For all my Singles out there, Chicago Joe’s (2256 W. Irving Park Rd.) in the North Center neighborhood will be hosting Chicago’s Largest NYE Singles Party this Saturday (8:00 p.m.). Your celebration includes 2 free drink tickets, a complimentary appetizers buffet (9:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.), drink specials, top 40’s music all night long, fun ice breakers, great prizes, complimentary party favors and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight! Who knows, you may even end-up with a Midnight Kiss!!
Perhaps you prefer to dress-up as someone else for your celebration. Then NYE Back to the Future may be just for you! Come dressed as your favorite Back to the Future Character at Whiskey Business (1365 N. Milwaukee Ave.) in the Wicker Park neighborhood this Saturday (9:00 p.m.-3:00 a.m.). Enjoy an evening of drinks until 1:00 a.m., a buffet table until 11:00 p.m. and a champagne toast at midnight! And, Best Group Costume gets a bottle of champagne!!
For all those who are NOT into all the glitz and glamour, head on over to New Year’s Eve at Southport Lanes located at 3325 N. Southport Ave. in the Lakeview neighborhood this Saturday (8:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.) for an evening filled with appetizers and small bites, a premium bar which includes their excellent draft selection, a champagne toast at midnight and, of course, all the gaming (bowling & billiards) you can commit to!
Finally, for those who have celebrated a little too much the night before, or just simply want to start their 2017 on the right foot, or left foot, the New Year’s Day 5K Run & Walk will be held on Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Stockton and LaSalle Drives (100 W. LaSalle Dr.) in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Afterwards, participants can head over to Select Cut Steakhouse (2808 N. Halsted St.) for the post-event which includes a free beverage, awarding of winner medals and raffle prizes. Also, a $15 Classic American Buffet Breakfast will be available from 12:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.!!
Looking Forward to Another New Year of Great Entertainment Here in Chicago! Happy 2017 Everyone!!
SUE MOSS & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO
What Do Rising Interest Rates Mean For Home Buyers?
Homebuyers have been enjoying incredibly low mortgage rates for many years now. In fact, the average annual rate on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages has only hit 4% once over the past five years. Low mortgage rates have certainly made it more affordable to buy and have sparked plenty of homeowners to refinance in an effort to take advantages of these low rates.
However, it looks as if 2017 will be bringing slightly higher mortgage rates, especially after the Federal Reserve recently increased the interest rate by 0.25% which can affect long-term mortgage rates.
The 30-year fixed mortgage rate already increased by approximately 0.5% between the presidential election and the December Fed meeting, and continued to increase after the federal agency’s decision. Rates are said to continue to climb higher into 2017, though at a slower pace compared to how quickly they climbed between the election to today.
So, what will this mean for homebuyers?
Obviously, it means that buyers will have to pay a little more for their home purchases. The higher the mortgage rate on your home loan, the more will have to be paid every month. For instance, if you take out a 30-year mortgage of $300,000 with a 4% rate, your monthly payments will be $1,578. If that rate goes up by just 0.25%, your monthly payments will increase to $1,619 – $41 more. While that might sound like pennies, it can really add up. By the end of the 30 years of the loan, that comes to an extra $14,760.
A small increase like this won’t likely scare off buyers, but if rates start to drastically increase, it could have an impact on the housing market.
What Does This Mean For First-Time Homebuyers?
As mortgage rates inch up, first-time buyers might need to reduce their target price. In order to ensure affordability, homebuyers might have to consider looking at smaller homes with fewer traits that they originally wished for, or consider homes that are further away from their desired location. Delaying the buying process is also an option in order to be able to have more time to save up for a more expensive property.
However, first-timers can take steps to get the best interest rates by improving their credit score, checking their credit reports for errors, reducing debt, and saving as much as possible for a down payment.
What Does This Mean For Repeat Buyers?
Current homeowners who plan on moving in the near future might be swapping a lower interest rate for a higher one on a new home. If prices continue on an upward trend at the same time that interest rates rise, housing affordability will be an even greater issue when it comes time to move.
There are, however, things that can be done to minimize the financial impact of such a move. Doing a lot of in-depth research on home values and comparing the cost of living among different communities is important. If there are plans to sell the current home and buy another, it might be worth considering getting the process started sooner rather than later in order to lock in at today’s low rates before they start to increase.
What Does This Mean For Current Homeowners?
For those who own property that they intend to live in for the long haul and have a variable-rate mortgage, refinancing to a fixed-rate mortgage right away before rates start to rise might be warranted. Refinancing makes sense if the amount that can be saved will cover any closing costs over a time period that’s shorter than the amount of time owners intend to stay in their homes.
The Bottom Line
It’s impossible to accurately predict exactly what will happen with mortgage rates in the near future, but based on the fact that the Federal Reserve has already increased the rate this past December, it’s anticipated that mortgage rates will continue to creep up into 2017. Be sure to have a close examination of your mortgage requirements, both for today and for the near future in order to prepare for what’s to come.
RESTAURANT REVIEW – PEQUODS PIZZA
The original Pequods Pizza was opened in “1970 in Morton Grove where they started a cult following for its pan style pizza with a caramelized crust edge.” Ownership changed hands in 1986 and the restaurant was reinvigorated for years. Pequods has always had their own cult following with former patrons making the journey to the northwest suburbs for their favorite pizza. As the love of their pizza grew, Pequods opened a new location located at 2207 N. Clybourn Avenue in Lincoln Park. In 2006 the Chicago location had a fire and had to be closed for almost five months. The patience of these loyal customers was rewarded with a newly remodeled restaurant with big screen TVs and full service bars on two levels of seating.
Obviously their main dish is pizza. I would recommend trying the traditional style. They pride themselves on the crust so you’re going to get a thicker crust on the bottom and the caramelized crust edge is something to be experienced. I would also suggest the thin-crust pizza, though not as well recognized is still extremely tasty. The pizza is made to order which means you’ll wait so you’ll probably want to order an appetizer. I’ve been several times so I’ve got a couple favorites on my list. I’m especially fond of the hot wings. They are spicy, meaty and only slightly messy. A couple other good choices are the jalapeno poppers or the cheesy garlic bread.
When it comes to service for such a busy location they really hold it together. The staff is helpful when you have questions. They get high rankings for keeping your meal moving along through all the bustle. They do not take reservations so you’ll want to arrive early especially on the weekends because you could wait up to an hour for seating. It is a very family and group friendly location with a casual atmosphere. The cost is affordable at $11-30 per person without drinks.
CATHY MALLERS & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO
CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS – Loop, Lincoln Park, Ravenswood, Oak Park, Portage Park
As the end of 2016 approaches, there’s New Year’s Eve celebrations to plan and business goes on as usual.
LOOP
The deadline to apply for a property tax rebate with the City of Chicago has been extended to tomorrow, Friday 12/30/16. Applications are being accepted face-to-face only at 26 neighborhood processing locations across the city, including City Hall (121 N. LaSalle St.). Quick qualifier to see if you may be eligible to receive benefit from the Chicago Property Tax Rebate Program for the tax year of 2015: Are you a Chicago Homeowner and Resident who is current with all property tax payments and City debts, had reported less than $75,000 as your household adjusted gross income and received the Cook County Homeowner’s Exemption on last year’s taxes returns, and experienced a property tax increase in the City of Chicago portion of your most recent tax bill? If so and you have not yet heard this news, then we suggest you follow the link above and make your plans to apply during tomorrow’s business hours. Come prepared with a current photo ID, your 2015 Income Tax Returns or Social Security Award Letter, and a copy of the 2nd Installment of your 2015 Property Tax Bill. Additional benefits may be rewarded to Seniors over the age of 60 and folks experiencing significant hardships such as those on Social Security Disability or Unemployment. Depending on your circumstances and eligibility, rebates of $25 – $200 may be accessed. Every little bit counts.
LINCOLN PARK
For the 5th year in a row, MillerCoors’ Miller Lite is partnering with CTA to be your designated driver this New Year’s Eve by allowing free CTA train and bus rides between the hours of 10:00 p.m. through 4:00 a.m. New Year’s Day. It will not be necessary to tap your Ventra card to access trains and buses. In fact, don’t because you will not be reimbursed if you habitually do so and your card is debited. Lincoln Park, you’re in luck because the #66 and #151 bus routes will have more frequent service and extended hours. See the CTA New Year’s Eve Service Customer Alert for more details and other bus routes with additional service.
RAVENSWOOD
Chroma K8 Beautique, eco-friendly hair salon, at 5425 N. Lincoln Ave. wants to help you look bangin’ so you can start the year off with a bang. Book your session as soon as possible for their New Year’s Eve Mani’s & Makeup Event. All day of Saturday, 12/31, the Chroma K8 staff will be servicing $45 mini-manicures and makeup or $75 mini-manicure, makeup, blowdry and style. Both service packages come with a Jane Iredale lipstick of your choice.
OAK PARK
The good people at OakPark.com have compiled a handy list of New Year’s celebrations going on around the area. There’s plenty to do for all ages. For the kids, Wonder Works Children’s Museum (6445 W. North Ave.) is holding a day-long New Year’s Eve party on Saturday,12/31, from 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. with games, crafts, food and a family parade for $2 extra per person plus the $8 cost of general admission. For the adults, FitzGerald’s Nightclub’s (6615 W. Roosevelt, Berwyn) New Year’s Eve party begins at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $25 for live entertainment provided by the eclectic cover band Expo ’76 and the Total Pro Horns, and the champagne toast at midnight. Follow the link above for more details and goings-on.
PORTAGE PARK
This mundane news may be helpful for several Chicagoans since it seems like pipes are being replaced all over town. In particular, the water main replacement project continues along the half-mile stretch of the 5100 block of W. Windsor Ave. between Lavergne and Leclaire Avenues. In order to divert service into the new pipes, water lines will need to be cut off for several hours at a time over the next few weeks. Hopefully these cut offs won’t dampen New Year’s celebrations. According to DNAinfo.com, Portage Park residents close to the site are advised to flush out their water systems of possible sediment that had shaken loose during the switchover by running faucets for five minutes continuously. If possible, start flushing out faucets on lower levels first and then continue upward. Be sure to unscrew and clear out the aerators on the ends of faucets for sediment or rust that screen may have captured by the screens. And keep in mind that anyone can request for their water to be tested for lead contamination by calling 311 to schedule an in-home test.
CATHY MALLERS & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO
KATHY’S HOME & GARDEN TIPS – Goals or “Resolutions” for the New Year
Now is the time of year for many of us to plan our goals for 2017. For a long time, I along with many others would decide on “resolutions” for the new year. These usually involve losing weight and going to the gym. Unfortunately, 2 or 3 weeks into the year most resolutions are not fulfilled. There are several reasons for this. The first is calling them resolutions, I prefer to call them goals.
The second is no proper planning. Okay, I’m going to lose weight. Well, how are you going to succeed? You must have a plan with a specific end result. Be realistic, safe weight loss is about a pound a week. Start out with a food diary. Many of us mindlessly eat with little thought. Less carbs more protein is the best way to go. Moderate exercise with aerobic and weights really help. But the lesson here is PLAN!
The third reason many goals fall by the wayside is no accountability. You need to have someone with whom you share your plan and who will encourage you to keep on track. It’s a lot harder to miss an exercise class when you have a friend to exercise with or simply someone you connect with weekly that will hold you accountable for slacking off. I know that doing the task I’d planned was easier than admitting to my team why I didn’t.
Fourth is unrealistic goals. This often results in deciding “why bother?” An easy excuse to forget about the whole thing. Start easy, especially with something like weight loss. A person who hasn’t exercised in 10 years shouldn’t start with cross-fit! Start walking and doing as many reps as you can with small weights before going on to larger ones. In business going from a ten deal year to fifty is simply not happening.
I have focused here on mainly getting fit but these steps work just as well with business goals. Those of us who are self- employed know how to assess our numbers from year to year but many still neglect to make serious plans. But you folks working for others can still make goals. Go to your boss and say, “I’m making goals for my year, where can I improve?” You will put yourself head and shoulders above the rest.
So, make your plan, find an accountability partner and be realistic and you may find that many of your goals will be reached and maybe even surpassed.
KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO
