The relentless hiking of home mortgage interest rates, plummeting shares and superannuation funds and continuing conflicts off shore, are just a few of a seemingly ever growing array of intractable problems facing the Australian electorate which in the first month of 2008 is still buoyed from a much needed change of commonwealth government.
Most commentators are congratulating Kevin07 (or is it Kevin08 now) and his cabinet on their enthusiasm and willingness to step up to the mark and actually try to do something positive on many lingering issues (hospital waiting lists etc) the tired Howard administration had simply consigned to the ‘too hard’ basket.
Without this early display of political courage the increasing number of concerns, which most concede are not within the powers of any government to influence (such as US sub-prime rates), would no doubt have had much more of a negative impact on voters’ morale than they actually have.
I get the distinct feeling that the average man in the street is acknowledging the difficulties being faced by the new ALP government but on the whole feels they are doing a good job, at the moment anyway, and generally are hopeful that things will improve.
It used to be customary to start each New Year with some reasonably achievable personal resolutions, which usually included losing weight gained over the Christmas break for the girls and a marked reduction in alcohol consumption for the guys.
I understand some of the more career minded people regularly prepare a really challenging list (you know … finish my PhD, climb Mt Everest without oxygen, marry George Clooney) which they display prominently on the fridge door, no doubt in the hope (no, make that intention) that it will keep them entirely focused as the year unfolds and their initial enthusiasm inevitably wains.
I must confess to not being one of those more disciplined individuals myself, only committing (in my mind) to a single major goal which often takes me all year to achieve … when I’m lucky.
And I can understand anyone who is ‘over it’ but researchers in the field assure me that the people who not only set, but also record, their goals/resolutions are exponentially more likely to achieve them, so my challenge to you ‘unbelievers’ for 2008 is to decide a single goal, write it down somewhere, and take a look at it every day when you wake up.
By 2009 you may be pleasantly surprised.
Your Opinion Counts. CLICK HERE >>>>>>>>>>>>>>
New format e-magazines
Regular readers in Wollongong and Parramatta may notice some small changes in the design of our weekly publications although it’s business as usual for YOC members in Sutherland Shire since the new 3rd generation newsletter has been in place there since mid 2007.
The layout has remained largely in tact, however a new style masthead incorporating Your Online Community has been introduced, there will be fewer banner adverts (only one tower per page) and a number of images such as yours truly, new YoY contributor Michael Seaborn and SmartPages representative Greg Wilson (Wollongong only) have also been updated.
The new Content Management System has been implemented to consolidate hosting of our numerous websites and to help integrate VIDEO into all YOC’s online properties – see www.yoctv.com .
In fact, most of the changes are behind the scenes and are operational but will greatly assist with the rollout of our planned communities and provide much needed statistics for advertisers.
As far as editorial is concerned there are a number of new columns being planned for 2008 and any ideas from readers would be welcomed.
Your Opinion Counts. CLICK HERE >>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The year of the Super Mum … or Dad
YourOnlineCommunity is launching a radical new approach to handling sales of its SmartPages directory listings in 2008.
Based on a successful UK model a team of House Mums and Dads is being recruited in each of our three communities and, after initial training, they will start hitting the phones in the first week of February.
Usually in their twenties or thirties many of the young parents have backgrounds in sales or customer service but they all are community minded, have outgoing personalities, and are looking for an opportunity to not only keep their work skills up–to-date but also to supplement their family incomes by working from home while at the same time managing their primary role as child carer.
If you are interested in discussing a position or perhaps know someone who might be … email me on : andrewc@youronlinecommunity.com.au | 
