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.
At the start of writing my first cookbook, I was overwhelmed with task of niching down all of the overflowing ideas I had. I reached out to Deb who helped me hone in on what I wanted to achieve as a new cookbook author, which in return had turned into a best-selling Mediterranean cookbook! I’m very grateful for Debs professionalism and expertise in both entrepreneurship and writing.
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.
I have been talking for the past year about writing my own book. It wasn’t until I met Debra at a networking event in June 2012 that I realized she would be the perfect person to help me with the process. When I saw how she works, I instantly hired her to walk me through the process.
In less than 120 days my book went from a dream to an Amazon best seller. Debra … focus[ed] my efforts on the most important parts of writing my book. If you want to write your own book, I highly suggest you sit down with Debra and consider hiring her to walk you through her plan. She’s amazing.
I am the organizer of the Entrepreneurs International Network (“EIN”). On December 21, 2021 Ms. Debra Eckerling spoke authentically, eloquently and enthusiastically to EIN’s members. The title of her presentation was “Set & Achieve Your Personal & Professional Goals.” Debra totally engaged the audience with the depth and breadth of her knowledge around all things related to setting goals and implementing strategies to achieve them. Her stories and examples opened many eyes to the awesome potential of goal setting done right. EIN’s members simply loved her. You will too.
“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.” 
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.
I really enjoy the format of Deb’s show where she invites multiple guests who share the same field of expertise. The guests build on each other’s ideas, which leads to a more meaningful conversation compared to having just one guest. Deb does an excellent job of guiding the dialogue, allowing each guest to share their insights in a way that is beneficial to the listener. I appreciate the variety of guests and topics Deb covers, which keeps the show fresh and engaging. I highly recommend tuning in!
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!
