Last night watching the X-factor made me realize how many people struggle with unemployment, debt, and dissatisfaction at work, while others spend hours watching dream chasers on TV.

Shift your focus from trendy Inbound Marketing strategies to the tried-and-true Original Inbound Marketing method—referrals, which constitute almost 40% of Realtors' business, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing building relationships with your sphere and past clients over website design, social media, and blogging, for a more effective and rewarding approach in 2013.

The past 7 years have been tough, but this year has been a blessing, reminding me to be grateful and thankful for everything.

Consider this insight from the Vital Smarts Team: In moments of stress, our short-term vision kicks in, disconnecting us from our values, leading to costly mistakes.

Pause, reflect, and ask yourself, 'What is important to me?'

Smart people often make short-sighted decisions with money, opting for immediate gratification over long-term gains.

To avoid being "dumb with money," it's crucial to think beyond today and consider the bigger picture for a prosperous future.

Utilize political chaos to enhance your marketing skills by understanding your target market's perspectives and engaging in active listening to influence effectively.

Avoid the mistake of trying to emulate big corporations' marketing strategies when you're a small business with limited resources; focus on more effective tactics instead.

Discover why your referrals might be lacking with these 6 key insights from your sphere.

Patience and long-term vision are the keys to success – in a world obsessed with instant gratification, remember it took Michelangelo four years to sculpt the iconic statue of David; so, how much time have you truly invested in your current project?

Gary Vaynerchuk emphasizes the need for endurance in business, stating, 'You don't build businesses in six weeks, or two months, or six months.’

Email or Facebook for Business Promotions? Well, a survey by Exact Target reveals that 77% prefer email offers, while only 4% want promotional messages on Facebook – making it clear where the focus should be; consider investing time and money in optimizing your email marketing for better results.

Years ago, a friend complained about job market struggles and life issues over a drink, rejecting the idea of starting a business with excuses like needing capital and an MBA, dismissing success stories as 'easy for you to say.' In life and business, we often use 'easy for you to say' to avoid challenges, but in reality, it's just an excuse for fear or laziness.