I am a goal-strategist, workshop leader, and award-winning author and podcaster on a mission to change goal-culture in and out of the workplace. The creator of The DEB Method for goal-setting simplified, I work with individuals, teams, and businesses on personal and professional projects, networking strategy, and book/book proposal development. I host GoalChatLive/GoalChat and the Taste Buds with Deb podcasts, and am the author of Your Goal Guide: A Roadmap for Setting, Planning and Achieving Your Goals and 52 Secrets for Goal-Setting and Goal-Getting: How to Stay Focused, Grow Your Network and Get More Done in Less Time.
For 52 Secrets for Goal-Setting and Goal-Getting, I interviewed achievers in Biz, Tech, Food, Entertainment, and Creative realms. The result: a menu of inspiration and advice designed to help busy professionals create the life they deserve and desire.
My Story
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, Speaker, and Workshop Leader
- Founder of The D*E*B Method for goal-setting simplified
- Author, 52 Secrets for Goal-Setting and Goal-Getting: How to Stay Focused, Grow Your Network and Get More Done in Less Time, Mango Publishing, January 28, 2025
- 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.
When I set my sights on being a serious writer with attention-deficit, I had trouble focusing and felt overwhelmed. I found Deb’s Facebook page, Write On! Online and began following her posts and podcasts. Every Sunday she’d tell us to post our weekly goals, then at the end of the week, did we meet them? If not, why? Deb has a positive, enthusiastic, infectious energy that has made a difference for me as a new writer. By following her posts and listening to her podcasts, I’ve developed the self-discipline to stay on task, complete them, and remain focused. She helped me break down the novel writing process into bite-sized pieces that moved me forward each day, no matter how small the task. I’m now revising two novels that will be published within the year. If you want to be a published author, Debra Eckerling will get you there!
WriterEagle River, Alaska
I hired Debra to help me organize my creative projects, not only did she deliver on that, but she provided me with the structure and goals that enabled me get a project launched from an idea to the web in less than 3 months.
Awesome personality, holds you to task and offers great creative advice and insight. I highly recommend Deb’s services to any one looking to further their creative or professional career!
It’s been very helpful to talk to Deb every couple of weeks.
She’s given me good advice and clear next steps that I could accomplish. I’ve gotten positive results (and saved a lot of time!)
“I find events wildly overwhelming (even though I love them, they take a lot out of me.) And I never leave with every single expectation met – why? Because, until I met Deb and began the EOO process, I didn’t know I was even setting them, let alone clarifying my goals and activating my takeaways. Brilliant stuff, thanks, Deb!”
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.” 
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.
Debra Eckerling has been a terrific speaker for both The Greater Los Angeles Writers Society (GLAWS) and West Coast Writers Conferences (WC2). She is a professional presenter delivering on-target information for our attendees, and is also a great moderator. 
Debra’s podcast has a wonderful conversational format that is educational and leaves you with the opportunity to set a goal related to the topic. Fun, interesting and a great opportunity to learn about and connect with other professionals.
Debra Eckerling came highly recommended to me when I was looking for speakers for my virtual summit. She was an absolutely fabulous speaker, a wealth of information and so accessible. It’s always a pleasure to be in her company. I highly recommend working with Debra.
