OK, here it is, my very first Wealthy Affiliate blog post. To be honest, I'm embarrassed that it is my first when I think that I've been a continuous member of WA since May 2008 (nearly 4 years - where has the time gone and more importantly, why haven't I been more active?!)

So having just read Steve's 2012 Goals blog post (https://my.wealthyaffiliate.com/wa_spaces_profile/index/pid/20517/tab/blog/blog_id/14361) and his challenge to all of us to do the same, here are my 2012 goals, laid out in the open for everyone to see. Some I made at the start of the year and some I've added while writing this post. I'll provide an update on the goals where I've made progress so far this year.

Internet & Affiliate Marketing / Online Business

1) Create a profitable niche site by 31st March 2012 - Progress update: This weekend I've completed and launched an e-commerce site for selling retro candy (sweets). OK, it's not profitable yet and it's a few days later than planned, but it is a niche site. It's been a great learning experience - setting up a Wordpress site with the WP e-commerce plugin, integration with PayPal, graphics, CSS modifications, hosting setup, SSL checkout and many more.

2) Develop my WA promotion site. This is a site I created in early 2011 during the 30 day action plan hosted by Marcus. I've done very little in the way of extra content over and above the 30 day action plan tasks, but I was surprised recently to find out that the site was sitting pretty at number #2 in the SERPS for the target keyword and getting a consistent dribble of traffic.

3) Become more social in IM. I often read that if you want to be successful in any given field, you should mix and hang out with people with similar interests, skills and aspirations. WA provides exactly that but I simply haven't showed up at the party. You will see from my post count here in the forum that over the last 4 years, I've not been an active poster, despite visiting the forum most days. I plan to change this by interacting more via the social networks and here at WA. I do currently still have a full time job, so to avoid any neghead colleague comments and potential contract of employment breaches, any facebook & twitter activity will use separate accounts from my existing personal online social activity.

4) Earn a consistent $500 (£330) per month by 31 December 2012 from one site - By setting this goal for just one site, I'm hoping this will get me to focus my time and effort, rather than spreading myself too thinly on many and achieving nothing.

5) Start a journal and keep it udpated. - All too often I'll have an idea come into my head then forget it just as quick as it arrived. So I'm going to start a journal where I capture everything from my IM adventures.....niche ideas, tips, tricks, article ideas, learning points, diagrams, WABinar notes, everything written down so I can refer to it again. It could well develop into my IM bible.

6) Identify one local business to kickstart my offline activities - Find a well run local business with a sensible and approachable owner who is receptive to building an online presence. I'm initially thinking I would provide my services for free in return for a) the experience of working with a client business and b) a testimonial.

My Personal Goals

1) Reach 13st in weight by 30th June (Interim goal of 14st by end of March 2012) - Progress update: 14st 2lbs at end of March (Was 15st at 1st Jan)

2) Complete a local 5km running event (they're held every week here, and are called 'Park Run') by 30th June 2012 - Progress update: Trust me, I'm no runner but I've been sticking to a regular schedule of training using a superb 5KM training app for the iPad. I'm up to week 6 of that schedule and today was able to run continuously for 20 minutes (6 weeks ago, I couldn't run for more than a few minutes, so good progress). I am on course to complete that 5km...

3) Choose and eat food consciously - This feeds into #1 above.

4) Dust down my P90X dvd's and complete the 90 day cycle by 31 Dec 2012. Gotta love Tony Horton, what a marketer ;-)

So there you go, my goals for the WA world to see.