Countless dollars are wasted every day on information products. People may as well flush their money down the toilet.

You might be wondering why someone who makes their living selling information products would say this. Here’s why.

More people than not buy product after product in hopes that the “next one” will be the magic bullet. They may have the best intentions when they hit the “buy now” button, but in quick order they get sidetracked, bored or realize it actually takes time, effort and work to get a result.

Then you have those who invest in products and do all they can to gain a high return on investment. With focused attention they likely achieve great results.

I’ve had more than one occasion where someone contacts me to ask if my program will finally be the one program that “works.”

“I’ve gotten dozens of programs, spent thousands of dollars, listened to countless experts but nothing has worked.”

When I get this type of inquiry I tell the person NOT to buy my information. Not because the information doesn’t work, but because I’m not naïve enough to think I will be the exception to the rule. I know my programs will be yet another in their long line of “programs that don’t work.”

Over the last year I have invested tens of thousands of dollars in my professional development. I have bought programs that range in price from $10 to $1,000, $2,000 and more. When investing in the higher priced programs I make sure the expert selling it is the real deal.

I also make sure I’m willing to invest time and effort into learning the material and implementing what I learn.

Amazingly, not one of those programs “didn’t work.” As a matter of fact I made money from each and every one.

I’m not alone in these results. Every day men and women around the globe are making money online, but they don’t assume for a minute they don’t have to put effort into gaining results.

As we move into the New Year many entrepreneurs are planning for the coming year. In order to get the most out of 2012 try this:

Take  an honest inventory of all the programs you have purchased in the last year. List everything you can think of. Prioritize the items according to what is likely to give you the quickest return on investment.

Commit learning and implementation time to each in order to get a return on investment. As you see your revenues grow, commit a percentage of your income to future programs.

Only buy those programs that will truly benefit you. (And yes, there are programs we need to grow our business)

Decide which experts you want to learn from. Resist the temptation to buy from those who promise great returns with no effort whatsoever. This kind of promise is a red flag.

Each time you buy a program commit to putting time and effort into the material. After all, the more you expect to offer your market the more you will have to put into your own development.

When you follow this simple formula you will be amazed at the results that are possible.

One expert who is the real deal is Connie Ragen Green. Connie has an incredible ability to generate massive revenues from affiliate marketing. She has a formula for success second to none.

To find out, join Connie and me on January 10^th from a private Expert Training when you join my VIP Club. Check it by click here.

This is the time of year many professionals set goals and resolutions for the coming year in hopes of making the coming year better than the year before.

Unfortunately, most goals are forgotten within a short period of time.

Often this is due to trying to do too much with too little.

Here are a few tips that will allow you to free up time and energy.

1. Evaluate online subscriptions to determine if you need to continue receiving them. If you don’t need them, unsubscribe. This one action will save you lots of time by eliminating unneeded emails and clutter in your inbox.

2. Use the first hour of your day to monetize your business. Most people dive right into emails first thing in the morning. This may likely be one of the greatest time wasters in that emails tend to get us sidetracked very quickly, sucking up valuable time and energy.

3. Write a “to do” list at the end of each workday for your priorities for the next day. Here is a short video that will show you how to fully prioritize your “to do” tasks as well as big projects

4.  Think about the next 12 months. Commit to one project per month that will generate revenue for your business. I personally like to develop at least one new information product per month. It can be a report, a homestudy course, a teleseminar, a webinar or an MP3. By committing to one project per month you will be amazed at the momentum you will gain as well as the revenue you can generate.

5.  Commit to investing a minimum of 3 – 5% of your revenues to your learning and studies. I personally invest about 10%. You cannot possibly be at the top of your game unless you are at the top of your knowledge base.

6.  Join a mastermind group that will stretch you personally and professionally. Mastermind groups are an essential part of your business growth.

7.  Determine all the tasks that must be accomplished to run your business. Once you have a list compiled determine what you can outsource and what you absolutely must do yourself. Make a commitment to outsource those tasks that are time suckers and would be much more cost effective for a virtual assistant to do than for you to take your time to accomplish. This will free up your time to do what is most valuable for you, your business and your customers and clients.

8.  Commit time for family and friends. So often we get caught up in growing our businesses to the detriment of our personal relationships. Granted, growing our business is important but the growth need not prevent us from enjoying family and friends. After all, when all is said and done it is our family and friends who are with us through thick and thin.

9.  Take personal care time. This is an area many entrepreneurs fail miserably. If you don’t take care of yourself you won’t be much good for very long.

10. Give thanks. Give thanks for all your blessings, both personal and professional. Give thanks  for the opportunity to express who you are by way of your business. What an amazing blessing it is for us to be able to create an incredible life as a result of a successful business. Not only can we live an extremely comfortable life, we are able to contribute time and money to our communities and organizations we believe in, we are also given the opportunity to leave our legacy.

It doesn’t get much better than that.

To learn how you can begin building a Six Figure a Year Lifestyle Business check out  The VIP Club. Through the end of 2011 you save  nearly 50% on membership.

Click here for more information and to join.