I ran into 2009, literally. For the third year in a row, I participated in Brooklyn's Prospect Park's New Year's Eve run. And if you live in the northeast part of the U.S., you know that it was C.O.L.D. outside!

The run was tough, not because of the distance (I typically log thirteen miles per week), or because we were outside (I run outdoors all year round), or because I wasn't properly dressed (I wore layers), but simply because my thighs and hands were so, so cold! My head was warm, as was my upper-body; my lower-legs and feet were also warm. But for some odd reason, the layers didn't protect my thighs and hands and within a short time they were so cold they felt frozen! Several times, I had to say to myself, "just keep running," when all I really wanted to do was stop. (Which would not have made much sense, I know, but logic is often overlooked in the midst of discomfort, eh?) Thirty-two minutes after the start of the race, I crossed the finished line with hands so cold, despite having glove warmers inside my gloves, that I could barely extract my BlackBerry from my windbreaker's pocket. When I did, I couldn't type the passcode to unlock my BlackBerry and make my New Year's calls at the stroke of midnight.

Unlike Central Park's New Year's Eve run which begins at midnight, Prospect Park's run is scheduled to conclude in time for the countdown to midnight and culminates in a beautiful firework display followed by live music. Needless to say, I didn't linger - as I've done in the past - to watch all of the fireworks or listen to the band celebrate our crossover from 2008 into 2009. I could not wait to get home and get warm and bask in the good feeling of (a) not having let the weather deter me, and (b) finishing the run in a decent time in spite of the frigid temperature. Days later, I would come to recognize that this year's New Year's Eve run was far more instructive than the runs of previous years. Because of something I cannot and never will be able to control, I re-connected with what to me are a few "old truths" that are good beliefs to live by:

• Truth #1: Internal choices define you, not external circumstances.
• Truth #2: Discomfort of any type - if not put into perspective - can tempt you into making rash, ill-logical decisions.
• Truth #3: Doing the right thing doesn't always preempt you from negative consequences.

These are but a few of the many "old truths" one can choose to embrace. But in my opinion these particular truths can help you restore your sense of balance when you are having a tough time or have experienced a loss. And 2008 provided ample opportunities for both. For some, it was a year wrought with challenges that broke their faith, spirit, and hope and left them feeling frozen in their tracks. (And if, like me, you had more high moments than low ones, making 2008 a very good year for you, don't worry. We all get our turn at having a year where our low moments outweigh our high ones. It's just how life works!)

The "old truths" noted above also happen to be what you and I can use to get back to basics. An approach that is, unfortunately, easily discarded during boom times. If 2008 taught us nothing else, it taught us to value simplicity and to focus on the fundamentals.

1. Did you lose money in 2008 due to investment performance or poor choices?
2. Are you questioning how you approach financial decisions or whether you are working with the right group of advisors?
3. Is your self-esteem a bit lower because you lost your job last year or in the early days of this year?

What we will cover each week:

1. January 27 - Create a Clean Slate
2. February 3 - Get Clear About Your 2009 Goals
3. February 10 - Get to Know Your Dominant Financial Behaviors
4. February 17 - Create a Financial Roadmap, Part One
5. February 24 - Create a Financial Roadmap, Part Two
6. March 2 - Create a Career Roadmap for 2009 and Beyond
7. March 9 - Wrap-Up & How to Stay on Track

The "half" session will be held on June 9. It is a 90-day follow-up session so that we can reconnect to measure your success!

Each session is sixty-minutes in duration and held over the phone. So, you can participate in this seven and half week course from the comfort of your home or office. And if you miss a session, no worries: all of the sessions will be recorded and immediately available as a MP3 you can download.

Dial-in instructions will be furnished at the time of registration.

What you will get:

Your investment:

There is an expression that says, "The plan is useless, but planning is essential." The ultimate goal of "Get Back to Basics and Save Your $anity" is to give you a plan you can work from and to take you through a planning process so that you have the essentials - tailored to your specific needs and wants - to make 2009 and the years ahead abundant and prosperous regardless of market conditions!

Modeled after the workshop of the same name, we offer the Stop Treating Your Money So Poorly Workbook (tm). It is a 48-page workbook, which consists of ten worksheets that will provoke you to think about money differently, inspire you to identify and examine your habits and help you make the choices that are right for you, at the right time and in the right way. The workbook is $24.95; the PDF downloadable version is $19.95; both can be purchased directly from Sterling's website. Virtual training support is also provided with your purchase.

Click here for a look inside the workbook.

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