My favorite focus is to be "of help and to make a difference in people's lives for the better".  You'll find that passion in everything that I do and it resonates in the offices of McCourt Real Estate.  We hope that you find joy in this time of reflection, celebrate the lessons and connections made this year and create great plans for you to enjoy in 2009!

I CAN'T SELL YOU ANYTHING BUT YOU CAN!

If our beliefs really do create our reality then how awesome would it be if you could hire one of the top ad agencies, you know, the guys who convince you to eat healthier, join the local exercise spot, and spend hundreds of dollars on athletic shoes, to convince you to take action on those New Year's resolutions!

With a big enough budget you could even get a 30 second spot during the Superbowl!

If you don't have a massive budget but sure wish you did there are some things you can do today to start re-programming your brain for success of all kinds.

Between now and the New Year, carve out some time to align your thoughts with what you would like to manifest this year. These powerful strategies will set you up for success.

1. DON'T MAKE RESOLUTIONS - Nobody ever keeps those, instead, clarify your intentions. Make a list of absolutely everything you accomplished last year then set 10 new intentions for this year.

2. CREATE A STRATEGY otherwise known as a plan of action. In advertising, campaigns are created by deciding upon your objectives, then following up with strategies to implement them.

3. BREAK YOUR STRATEGY INTO BITE SIZE PIECES - You know that thing about how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time...and the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. Give yourself concrete steps to take.

4. GIVE THOSE STEPS A DEADLINE - Do you really want financial freedom NOW? Do you truly want to weigh less? Or are your really interested in more energy? Find an intention you can feel passionate about! What is it you want more energy for? When you plan your work and work your plan, then even when you don't feel like it, you'll look at the next step and just do it!

5. FAVORITE STRATEGY - Design your PERSONAL AD CAMPAIGN Make a little billboard that says something like 2009: Uniting permanent prosperity and radiant health! Find a headline that grabs you then personalize it for your goals!

6. CREATE A WISH LIST SCREEN SAVER - Ferrari's, tropical islands, 100 dollar bills, family vacations, whatever inspires you, put photos into a file so you can program your computer to continuously reinforce your dreams.

7. REWARD YOURSELF - plan a vacation for later in the year or attend a couple of weekend workshops in nice places where you can learn new strategies and meet like-minded people.

8. GATHER INSPIRATIONAL BOOKS, ARTICLES AND CD'S to keep you on track. Thoughts really do become things, so do all you can to choose good ones!

9. SYSTEMATICALLY REPLACE NEGATIVE INPUT with positive stuff that makes you feel good! If you want to create you have to be in a position of feeling good!

10. ALWAYS HAVE BACK UP! For those times you find yourself in a funk, have a CD that will turn you on. Take a hike. Take the scenic route. Find some beauty in your life and something to feel grateful for... that always helps!

Take time daily to align your thoughts with what you want by focusing your energy where you want it to go and you'll make 2009 a year of unprecedented success!

Here at McCourt Real Estate- your well being is very important to us.  Today we share tips on some fire safety tips for you and your loved ones during this beautiful holiday season.  Our local CBS 7 station recently reported that the most fires happen in the months of December and January. Be aware.  And, do be prepared.  An ounce of prevention will ensure that the holidays are the blessing they are meant to be.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), over 1.5 million fires were reported in 2004, and there was an estimated $9.8 million in property loss due to fires. Even more alarming, there were close to 18,000 injuries and 3,900 deaths due to fires in 2004. The USFA states that, during that year, the death toll from fires was more than all natural disasters combined. Further, the agency claims that the actual numbers are higher, since many fires go unreported.

Fully 83 percent of all fire-related deaths and 80 percent of all injuries occurred in home fires. These numbers are all the more tragic since most home fires are fully preventable. The USFA offers these fire safety tips to protect your home and loved ones:

Home Fire Prevention

* Install smoke detectors on every level of your home, test them monthly, and change the batteries yearly. Smoke detectors can double your chance of survival during a home fire.

* Prevent electrical fires. Don't overload extension cords, and keep cords away from rugs. Unplug and replace appliances that sputter or spark.

* Use alternate heaters wisely. Keep combustible materials away from portable heaters. Use fire screens in your fireplace and have it cleaned each year.

* Plan your escape. Develop and practice an escape plan from every room in your house.

* Teach your children. Children of all ages set over 100,000 house fires each year, but children under five are especially curious about matches. Teach them the dangers of fire.

* Never smoke in bed. Careless smoking is the leading cause of home fire deaths.

Holiday Fire Prevention

* Select and care for your Christmas tree. Choose a Christmas tree that is fresh; if you bounce the trunk on the ground and needles fall off, it is not freshly cut. Once you put your tree up, keep it watered, and don't leave it up for longer than two weeks. Once you take it down, don't burn it in the fireplace; instead, take it to a recycling center or have a service come and pick it up.

* Maintain your holiday lights. Inspect your lights each year for frayed wires and wear. Check the wires; they shouldn't be warm. Finally, don't leave lights unattended.

* Decorate with care. Use only non-flammable or flame retardant decorations, and keep them away from heat sources. Don't put wrapping paper in the fireplace, as it could trigger a chemical explosion. If you put up an artificial tree, ensure that it is flame retardant.

There are many products available on the market that can help with fireproofing and offer fire protection. From Christmas tree fire prevention products to fabric treatments that make textiles fire resistive, these products, together with good home fire safety practices, can save lives and property.

So, maybe no snowmen in West Texas....yet!  But, icy times are here!  Remember, to adjust your sprinkler system.  No one, I know, purposely wants a frozen, crunchy lawn!  And for businesses, it's a fast lesson in customer service, when you have some upset people who have slipped on your freshly watererd sidewalks and maybe even more if your watering has created ice patches on our city streets! - Caren

The cold temperatures of winter bring with them the chilly fun of snowmen and sledding, but they also bring the danger of frozen pipes. When it's cold outside, it's important to take preventative measures to keep your pipes from freezing. And, if they've frozen already, you need to get them thawed quickly, before they burst and ruin your wintry fun!

Especially if you have outside pipes, plumbing located in external walls, or pipes in unheated spaces, you need to be extra careful. Several simple steps can help prevent frozen pipes. First, if you have vulnerable plumbing, just leave the faucet dripping at a slight trickle. The moving water won't be able to freeze solid, negating the danger of burst pipes. The second basic precaution is simply to keep your pipes warm. This can be achieved in many different ways, from installing a portable heater near problem pipes or in unheated areas like crawlspaces to wrapping pipes in insulation.

Once you've put precautions in place, be sure to routinely inspect your plumbing. A frozen pipe is obvious if no water comes out of the faucet, but they can also be detected visually. Pipes with frost on the outside, those covered in ice, and ones that are bulging or appear to have small fissures are frozen. Once the plumbing begins to bulge, it is critical that the pipe be defrosted immediately, as bursting is imminent.

Things get trickier once a pipe is frozen. Frozen pipes must be thawed as soon as they are discovered. Waiting only increases the likelihood of a cracked pipe and the ensuing flood. Never use an open flame to thaw a pipe. While this technique has been used in the past, it is extremely dangerous. You are far more likely to start a house fire than defrost your pipes. There are several safe do-it-yourself techniques, including infrared heat lamps and specialized electric heat tape that you wrap around the pipe. However, if you don't have these specialized tools on hand, your best bet is to contact a pipe thawing professional. They will be able to efficiently and safely thaw your pipes.

It's best to avoid frozen pipes by taking precautionary measures, but if you do end up with iced up plumbing, it doesn't have to be a disaster. Whether you choose the DIY method or a plumber with pipe thawing expertise, your pipes can be safely defrosted so you can enjoy the rest of the winter.