If you have already completed your business plan for 2008, you're probably already ahead of your competition, but even if you have, you should make sure you look it over again and make sure you have made realistic and a fair assessment of your goals. If you haven't started your 2008 business plan, now is the time to start!

We've been providing the Sellstate Annual Action Plan to help every real estate agent plan and develop their business goals for the coming year, no matter when they began the year and no matter what company they work. We feel it is part of our obligation to help you become the success you want.

Here are some things you may need to consider when putting your plan together...

1> Be realistic, but set goals: It doesn't make much sense to set a goal that you know you can reach - what's the point? So, take a good look at your previous year and set goals for yourself that may be more difficult to attain. If you closed 20 transactions in 2007, you should increase your goal by 50% - making your 2008 goal 30.

2> Plan how you can reach your goal: Just to say you are going to complete 30 transactions won't make it happen. You need to target your plan and know how you can reach your goals. You can increase your sphere of influence or increase your direct mail campaign, or even spend one day a week knocking on doors to distribute your personal flyer and business card.

3> Set target dates: Divide your goal by 12 and assess your plan every 30 days. If you realize within the first 30 days you are not going to reach your goals of 2.5 sales per month, you need to adjust your strategy, not your plan!

4> Place goal notes: It may sound like a hokey way to do things, but it works! Place notes where you can see them with your goals written on them. Place them in your car, on your bathroom mirror, on your refrigerator... anywhere you will see the goals you have set for yourself.

5> Set a reward goal: If your plan is to have 30 sales in 12 months, give yourself a good reason to reach that goal... and reward yourself for the goal. Plan a vacation, set your sights on a new car, or start planning for that new HD entertainment center in 2009 - but not until after you have reached your goals! By the time 2008 is over, you'll be ready to reward yourself and start planning for 2009!