My Story
As a goal strategist, my mission is to help as many people as possible figure out what they want and how to get it.
My passion for goal-setting started several years ago. I was doing events for Barnes & Noble in Schaumburg, Illinois, and one of my customers asked if I’d start a writers’ support group.
I did. And it was a hit. I saw the power of goal-setting and accountability first hand.
At these meetings people would share what they were working on, report on their goals, and set new ones. Almost everyone, myself included, would get something done for the next meeting. Seeing others achieve is encouraging – “If they can do it, so can I” – but the positive feedback you get when you reach your goals is even more motivating. The process works!
Fast forward several years. I had moved to Los Angeles, and re-started my goals group at Barnes & Noble in Santa Monica. It was dubbed Write On shortly thereafter. Over the years, the group has had many changes, and now embraces creatives and entrepreneurs, as well. We have live meetings, where I give out “stars” – a gold star when you achieve the goals you set, any color star for effort. There’s also an engaged online community: a page and group on Facebook, as well as a #GoalChat on Twitter.
After a member asked me to help him one-on-one, I began doing personal coaching. I also started speaking and leading workshops, live and online. Over the years, I’ve helped people around the world set and achieve their goals through strategizing, trouble-shooting, and offering resources, encouragement, and deadlines. Their projects ranged from writing books and starting blogs to social media, business development, and more. I’ve also worked in publishing, education, financial services, social media, and technology.
After years of working, adapting, and polishing my goal-setting and productivity techniques, I put them into a simplified process, called The D*E*B Method.
A speaker, corporate consultant, and workshop leader, I offer personal and professional planning, event strategy, and team-building for executives, entrepreneurs, consultants, and companies. I have spoken on stages for TEDx, VON3, DWEN, Innovation Women, Engaging Virtual Meetings Conference, and more, and am the host of #GoalChat, #GoalChatLive show, and The DEB Show podcast.
My Experience
- Goal Strategist, Project Catalyst, and Founder of The D*E*B Method & Event Outcome Optimization
- Author, Your Goal Guide: A Roadmap for Setting, Planning and Achieving Your Goals, Mango Publishing, January 14, 2020
- Author, Write On Blogging: 51 Tips to Create, Write & Promote Your Blog and Purple Pencil Adventures: Writing Prompts for Kids of All Ages
- Founder, Write On Writers Support Group and WriteOnOnline.com, a website and community for writers, creators, and entrepreneurs
- Host, #GoalChat Twitter chat, Sundays at 7pm PT, and #GoalChatLive on Facebook, Mondays at 4pm PT
- Speaker and workshop leader. Stages include TEDx, Dell Women’s Entrepreneur Network, Innovation Women, LACBA Lawyer Well-Being Project, International Association of Career Coaches, Engaging Virtual Meetings Conference, LAX Chamber of Commerce, LA Review of Books, Agorapulse Social Pulse Summits, Greater Los Angeles Writers Society, and Women’s National Book Association – San Francisco and Los Angeles Chapters
- Co-producer, LA #140 conference
- Writer and editor for a variety of websites, as well as numerous print and online publications
- Editor, Social Media Examiner and My Kids Adventures
- Special Projects, Social Media Marketing World
- Senior Editor, Campus Explorer
- Director of Communications, Benefits Group WorldWide
- Production Editor, Publications International
Learn About:
- Goal Coaching
- Speaking and Panel Moderating
- Workshops
- Additional support for those reading Your Goal Guide. Join the Facebook group
- Community Resources: Check out our #GoalChatLive videos, and The D*E*B Method Facebook Page
For more on Debra Eckerling, go to LinkedIn and read Testimonials. To book me for an interview or speaking engagement, contact deckerling@gmail.com or call 310.908.8980.
Thanks to Debra Eckerling for speaking to the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Lawyer Well-Being Project event about goal-setting simplified. Debra shared a wealth of great practical tips and how-to’s. Immediately after the program, I started taking action on my goals, which are materializing!
ChairLACBA Lawyer Well-Being Project
I went to Deb from a recommendation of a friend and I am so glad I did! I was in the beginning stages of writing my cookbook and she helped me put all of my whirling thoughts into a cohesive and manageable process. Deb was my calm to my crazy and I can’t recommend her enough!
“I wouldn’t have my book without Deb. Period. She was with me every step of the way from concept to printing. Her guiding hand knocked some sense into me more than once and I’m tremendously grateful. Under her tutelage, I made something I’m tremendously proud to have out in the world. She’s a cheerleader strategist wizard, and a damn good writer herself. I highly recommend her if your concept needs polishing or your strategy needs solidifying. Or, in my case, both!”
Debra conducted a Google hangout workshop to assist Wells Fargo Hire LA’s Youth Interns prepare their final peer presentations. It was fantastic! Her preparation, presentation, attention to detail, ability to communicate, educate and inspire is top-notch. Not only did Debra provide expert coaching and guidance, she followed up with all the participants to offer continuous support. Debra goes the extra mile in everything she does – she made this intensive, interactive learning experience fun! awesome!
The DEB Show with Debra Eckerling is an excellent podcast that covers a wide range of topics related to goal-setting, productivity, entrepreneurship, and more. Debra’s conversational format is engaging and educational, leaving listeners with practical tips and the motivation to set and achieve their goals. The guests on the show are diverse and offer unique perspectives on the topics discussed. Debra’s kindness and skill as an interviewer shine through in every episode, making it a pleasure to listen to.
I really enjoy listening to these conversations. Not only does Deb bring really insightful people to the table, but the topics are much less in the weeds of how-to business stuff and more inspirational and motivational to bring bigger ideas to the table. And she does that while still being very business oriented. The productivity elements are outstanding, too. Just a good all-around listen for multiple reasons.
Debra’s been a huge help, not only in improving my writing but in having confidence as a writer. She’s easy to work with, is great about setting goals and works at my pace without allowing me to become complacent.
I would highly recommend her services to anyone who wants to work on their skills as a writer.
The nuggets Debra Eckerling sprinkled into my production of the SoMeDocs Lecture Series (“Even Doctors Need Life Lessons”) were gold, and remain with me to this date. In fact, I quoted her just the other day, sharing with my audience about her replacement of the standard “To-Do List” with a “Done List.” 
Deb did a great job building our blog and social media CRM channels. She is very energetic and passionate about creating quality consumer-centric content. In a short time she was able to recruit and build relationships with education subject matter experts and guest experts. She is up-to-date on all the social media channels and understands how to write engaging and compelling social content.
