Assess in today's world means to evaluate or test something or someone. Yet, the origins of the word (French) have nothing to do with testing, but rather to "set a rate" usually for property, fines or damages. This setting of a rate established a benchmark. Today, we establish many benchmarks both personally and professionally from which to measure our performance, our results, our success and our happiness.

These benchmarks can be grouped into different areas. Denis Waitley's Wheel of Fortune identified 8. Zig Ziglar's Wheel of Life saw 7. My first personal Life Wheel had 6 and now contains 8. No matter which Wheel one uses, each area within that wheel needs to be assessed by establishing a benchmark that is revisited on a consistent and regular basis through a goal setting and achievement process. These benchmarks become assessments. The goals help us to continually move forward even when life's challenges may push us backwards.

Imagine for a moment a wheel that is lopsided and envision that wheel traveling down the road of life. The ride obviously will be quite bumpy and the performance is very poor. Now, visualize a wheel that is balanced traveling down that same road. This ride would be much smoother and the performance greatly enhanced. If you had to make a choice between the two wheels, which one would you choose? I believe that most of us would select the balanced wheel because no one likes to bump along a road when one can have a much smoother ride. After all, why make life any harder than it already is?

Unfortunately, many people fail to take the time to assess their own Life's Wheel and then experience uncomfortable, bumpy rides and life becomes more reactive instead of proactive. These individuals then become victims to the road of life instead of being Victors. With a fresh New Year just beginning, possibly now is the time to assess your life and be the victor whose Life's Wheel is balanced and fueled by consistent goal achievement.

Leanne Hoagland-Smith

Good Day. Thanks for visiting. I hope that you have enjoyed my articles. In 1999, I founded ADVANCED SYSTEMS because I saw that performance could and should be doubled in warp time. Individuals, small and large businesses could not afford expensive solutions that may or may not deliver improved results in 12 months.

From my corporate, small business and education experiences, I recognized the individuals must have opportunities for connecting their passion to their purpose to secure the desired performance results, but many lacked the necessary skills, strategies and tools.

With over 20 years in sales management and 10 years in education, I understand how to unite productivity with profitability by developing a proactive working culture. My previous experiences resulted in cost savings through one of the first implementations of a computer software in a wholesaler distributor to the creation of a vendor performance assessment.

Since facilitating over 500 sessions, developing and editing over 25 training programs and writing numerous articles focusing on performance improvement, I bring a results focused approach to my clients. Also, I am proud to be one of the first five nationally certified facilitators of America?s Rising Stars (a Student Leadership developmental curriculum).

My passion is to help others connect their passion to their purpose to double performance. As The small business coach in Chicago, my clients have easily doubled their performance. Since our greatest resource is our young people, I am now working with large urban schools to generate the same results.

Education Background

• Graduated with honors from Purdue University with a B.A. in Education
• Earned M.S. from Purdue University in Instructional Design and Curriculum
• Published in the national trade journal, The Supply House Times, and numerous national newsletters
• Developed seminars and training on diversity, communication, leadership, sales, effective trade show behavior, networking, knowledge management, goal setting and improved educational outcomes
• Co-authored M.A.G.I.C.A.L. Potential: 7 Capicities for Living an Amazing Life Beyond Purpose to Achievement, to be available in 2006
• Working a another book focusing on performance in public education
• Speaker in a national bureau - Resource Associates Corporation