Most coaches and "success" experts counsel you to create a vision, and goals and focus on what you want to achieve in order to create the success you want in your life.

It's not that that's bad or wrong, but I'd like to suggest you should also look a little closer to home and focus on all the great things that have happened in your life ... all the successes you've had in your business and in your life.

Even if you haven't yet achieved all your goals and your business is not exactly where you want it to be, I guarantee there are a multitude of little successes along the way you could be celebrating right now.

And what better way to set a great vibe and send a message to the Universe that you are embracing your success and you're ready for more?

Here are 10 questions to help you get started on your Gratitude Journey:

(1) Is your business still afloat?

Over 80% of all new businesses fail within the first few years. If yours is still alive and kicking (even if it feels like your business is on life support!) you have reason to celebrate.

(2) Did you learn something this past year?

Remember, life is about the journey, not the destination. If you had the opportunity to learn and grow this past year, you enriched your life and probably your business, too.

(3) Do you have a least one client or customer?

Congratulations! You've enriched someone else's life or business. And you've proven there IS a market for your product or service.

(4) Do you have friends or family who support you?

Succeeding in life and in business is a team sport. Be grateful for those around you who believe in you and support what you do. They can help make the difference between success and failure for you; you're lucky to have them.

(5) Did you make at least one mistake this past year?

I hope so, because out of our mistakes come our biggest growth opportunities. If you failed at something I guarantee you learned more this year than you would have had everything gone right.

(6) Did you take a chance?

If you've started your own business, you definitely took a chance. You risked safety and security for the dream of something bigger, better and more fulfilling. Congratulations! Do you know how many people wish they had the guts to do what you've done?

(7) Did you read at least one book?

Reading opens your heart and mind to new possibilities. It expands you and enables you to grow and learn. Be grateful if you read last year, your world of opportunity grew as a result.

(8) Did you give of yourself?

Did you share some advice, teach a class, write an article, give someone a gift, make a donation, tell someone you love them or offer something with no expectation in return? Givers get. Not that they give TO get ... it's just the way the Universe works. You are blessed if you gave this past year.

(9) Do you have a place to live?

Many people lost their homes in an overabundance of disasters in 2005. If you've still got a home, even if it's smaller or not as nice as you wish, consider yourself lucky. And take a few moments to think about those who have lost everything.

(10) Are you alive?

I know it sounds corny and cliche, but if you're alive, be truly thankful. My daughter lost a 16-year-old girlfriend this past year, and a very good friend of mine nearly died. Life is precious. Be thankful for yours every single day.

Take some time every day to reflect on all you have to be grateful and thankful for and I think you may just be surprised to see more success and great things flowing into your life.

Because remember, what you focus on expands!

(C) Copyright 2006 Debbie LaChusa

Debbie LaChusa

Debbie LaChusa is a marketing veteran with 20 years in the business. After 13 years in the advertising and marketing agency business, Debbie founded DLC Marketing, Inc., a marketing consulting and coaching business. Her goal? To give entrepreneurs and small business owners affordable access to the same high-level strategic marketing and advertising expertise that typically only large companies with big budgets can afford.

Debbie's commitment to making marketing expertise accessible to small business also led her to pursue speaking engagements and teaching. She has spoken at meetings and conventions across the United States and in Canada. She also is on the faculty of Wellcoaches Corporation, where she teaches wellness coach trainees around the world how to successfully market their new coaching practices.

Debbie has written and self-published two marketing workbooks, "A Step-by-Step Marketing Guide" and "A Step-by-Step Marketing Guide for Your Fitness Business" which have sold copies worldwide. Her advice is also featured in Entrepreneur Magazine's "How to Start a Personal Training Business," part of the magazine's Business Start-Up Series. And she is a contributor to the San Diego Business Journal.

Debbie created The 10stepmarketing? System to provide small business owners, coaches, consultants and other independent professionals with all the tools they need to market themselves.

This simple, step-by-step system, features an easy-to-use question-and-answer format that walks business owners through every step they need to take to develop and implement their own marketing plan designed to achieve the success they desire and deserve.

On a more personal note, Debbie LaChusa is a fraternal twin. In 2004 she launched Twin Connections, a web site that celebrates the unique and mysterious bond shared by twins. She collects twin stories and hopes to compile them into a book.