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, #GoalChatLive on Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube 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.
I’ve worked with Debra at print and online publications for over a dozen years. And as a professional editor (and writer, and producer, and editor) I am skeptical of self-proclaimed “experts” — especially those offering advice about creative endeavors — but Deb’s insights have helped me immensely. She knows what works. Her book Write On Blogging: 51 Tips to Create, Write & Promote Your Blog could only have been written by someone who has been there and done that. Deb’s book, her Twitter chats, and her newsletter have changed the way I approach my writing, music, and video projects, and I’m better at my work because of it. She has become a treasured advisor and a personal role model. Thanks, Deb.
Los Angeles
Debra Eckerling has added great value to our organization, Women’s National Book Association, San Francisco Chapter. Through her ongoing speaking engagements, she brings wit, wisdom, and actionable information to every talk. She posses stellar promotional savvy and delivers on-point presentations that bring in larger audiences than our usual speakers. Count on her to engage your audience and keep them coming back for more.
I recommend Deb as a goal coach if you want to get your book out for the world to enjoy! Within the first hour of working with me and my writing partner, Debra brought awareness and focus on our project’s strengths. We also realized areas where our visions of the book were vastly different. These conversations were important to get us off on the right foot.
Debra pushed us from merely discussing the book to actually writing the first chapter within days of our conversation.
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 most ambitious and audacious goals need a road map, and Debra’s insight and direction is unbeatable. Whether you take her upbeat and fun workshop or want the extra personalized project management, Debra’s spot-on guidance and insight will help you turn your big ideas into reality.
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. 
“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!”
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 
Deb was brought onto our team to design and implement a concierge-type resource for attendees at our 3-day conference. She created and trained a team that worked one-on-one with hundreds of attendees, helping them determine how to best spend their time. The result was our attendees had a more productive and enjoyable conference experience. Deb is truly wonderful to work with. She has a knack for connecting with people to help them establish and plan their goals.