Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Bring it on 2010

Well, I am sitting here at my desk on December 29th listening (kinda listening) to a web conference. In 2009 we have had some real excitement.

- First of all Cari-Beth and I found out we are going to be parents! Brody Allen McDonald is due April 15th.
- Second, Cari-Beth and I vacationed in the Dominican Republic this past June. We went with our good friends Justin and Ashley Foreman. That was a very relaxing trip in a beautiful place.
- My Sister-in-Law got engaged on Christmas Day. So we will have a wedding to attend in 2010.
- Cari-Beth moved to Bon Lin Elementary as a 2nd grade teacher
- I am about to complete my first full year back at McDonald Insurance

It appears that 2010 will be even more exciting than 2009
- Of course we will have a baby
- 2 Family members are getting married this year on Cari-Beth's side
- Hopefully the economy will be a little more improved this year. Nationwide Insurance has a new CEO that seems to have a better focus, which I hope will bring a better market for my business.
- On top of all this we always seem to be busy with 1 or 2 activities to be at each month that keep us on out toes

I also have been trying to get back into reading both for personal and professional reasons. I am working on a couple of Insurance Designations. One is my Life Underwriting Training Council Fellowship and second is the Certified Life Underwriter designation. These are really causing me to stretch in my knowledge of Insurance. I am a strong believer that in order to be the best in your industry, you must be a career student. Here is a rundown of the books I have covered or am covering currently:
1. Techniques for Prospecting: Prospect or Perish
2. Fundamentals of Estate Planning
3. The Game Plan by Warren Barhurst
4. The Street Lawyer by John Grisham
5. The Expectant Father (can't remember the author)
6. Rich Dad Poor Dad
7. The Richest Man in Babylon
8. The Psychology of Selling

After looking over my reading list I notice that I am focusing a great deal on my business life, but have neglected my Spiritual Life. I would really like to make a New Years Resolution to spend more time reading books about my Spiritual walk.