Debra E.
Goal-Strategist, Author & Workshop Leader at The D*E*B Method
Professional Training and Coaching
Education: University of Wisconsin - Madison
Los Angeles, CA, USA
Biography
Debra Eckerling is the creator of The D*E*B Method system of goal-setting simplified, author of the award-winning "Your Goal Guide: A Roadmap for Setting, Planning and Achieving Your Goals" (2021 Independent Publisher Book Awards, Silver Medal, Self-Help) and the upcoming "52 Secrets for Goal-Setting and Goal-Getting" (Mango, January 14, 2025).
A born connector, motivator, and facilitator, Debra has a knack for bringing parts of a project, people, and communities together. Her expertise has illuminated the path for countless individuals globally. She has assisted them in areas, ranging from penning books, crafting book proposals, and launching blogs to strategizing business projects and figuring out work-life balance. She has also served as a consultant and workshop facilitator for businesses and teams.
A corporate consultant, speaker, and workshop leader, she specializes in goal-setting and goal-getting (aka personal and professional planning), book proposal and other content development, event and networking strategy, and team-building.
Host of the #GoalChatLive show (aka The DEB Show podcast) and Taste Buds with Deb podcast: Bite-Sized Conversations about Food, Cooking & Community, she has more than 25 years of experience in communications and project management. Industries include writing and publishing, education, financial services, social media, and technology.
Debra has spoken for TEDx, Innovation Women, Lioness, DWEN, SCORE LA, VON3, 140 Conferences, the Greater Los Angeles Writers Society Conferences, LACBA Lawyer Well-Being Project, Agorapulse, Wellcoaches, and more.
Passion
I am on a mission to change goal culture in - and out of - the workplace.
To get what you want, you need to know what you want. You can have it all. You just need to decide what that is, make a plan, and turn your dreams into reality!
Featured Video
Featured Book
My Podcast
When it comes to payments
I generally get paid for speaking but make exceptions
Topics
Best Story
I have been leading goal groups, speaking, and goal coaching for many years under the Write On! brand - my live and online group for goal-setting, productivity, and community for writers, creatives, and entrepreneurs This was my passion project, which I did alongside my communications and project management work.
In 2018 my main communications client was going away, and I decided this was a sign: the perfect opportunity to fully embrace what I was meant to do: help people figure out what they want and how to get it. I rebranded as The D*E*B Method - how fortunate the system I had been developing for years worked perfectly with my name! I was all set to self-publish my book on goal-setting simplified, when I met an agent, who asked for my book proposal. By the end of the year, Mango Publishing showed interest. My book - designed to help people embrace change by choice or circumstances was released in January 2020. This was six weeks before the world had change by circumstance thrust upon it.
When I think of all the things that happened for that timing, it's mind blowing.
It also proves three things:
- When you love what you do, it shows in all you do
- When you are focused, things happen in a way beyond what you can imagine
- Timing is everything!
Origin 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 firsthand.
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 to 2002. I had moved to Los Angeles, and re-started my goals group. Over the years, the group has gone through many changes. It now embraces creatives and entrepreneurs, as well as writers, and has a virtual home focused on goal-setting, productivity, and community.
I began doing personal goal coaching, after a member asked me to coach him one-on-one. For years he had been trying to write his book. We got it done in three months. 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.
After years of working, adapting, and polishing my goal-setting and productivity techniques, in 2018 I put them into a simplified process, called The D*E*B Method. By the end of that year, Mango Publishing showed interest in my book, which was released in January 2020. "Your Goal Guide," which I wrote to help people embrace change by choice or circumstance, was released six weeks before the world faced change by circumstance.
I spent 2020 and 2021 telling people that this global pause button was the perfect opportunity to rethink what they want and how to get it.
Now, I speak at conferences and am a service provider for VIP event planners, looking for the ultimate value add - event outcome optimization - for their attendees.
Example talks
Goal-Setting Simplified
To get what you want, you need to know what you want.
My signature talk guides people through The D*E*B Method, which is my system for Goal-Setting Simplified. DEB stands for Determine Your Mission, Explore Your Options, Brainstorm Your Path.
Led as a presentation, workshop, or small-group session, the audience will discover how to:
- Create a Targeted Visualization
- Write their Current and Future Bios
- Create a Mission Statement and Motto
- Set Personal and Professional Goals
- Craft strategies to set themselves up for personal and professional success
How to Write a Winning Book Proposal without the Stress
Did you know that most non-fiction books are sold with a book proposal? So many entrepreneurs and consultants have knowledge to share, but have no idea how to get started.
Whether you plan to e-publish/self-publish, go hybrid or traditional, a book proposal keeps you organized and focused, while setting you up for success. The creator of the D*E*B METHOD® for goal-setting simplified, Debra will share how to craft the perfect roadmap to reach your non-fiction book-writing goals.
During this session, you will discover what a book proposal is and why it’s important, along with the different elements. This includes the overview, book specs, author platform, detailed outline, audience, and comprehensive titles.
Crafting a winning book proposal requires planning, research, and passion. When you understand the key components, you’ll be better equipped to write a book proposal that not only stands out, but sells.
Directed Journaling to Reach Your Goals
Whether you are a creative, consultant, or executive - or even a job seeker - Directed Journaling is the perfect tool to help you make decisions, develop projects, and/or set and achieve your goals.
During this session, you will discover how to use Directed Journaling for …
● Honing in on your vision and mission
● Deciding what personal and professional goals to pursue
● Discerning what tasks and benchmarks you need to accomplish in order to achieve aforementioned goals
● Making decisions regarding projects, partnerships, and pursuits
The Art & Craft of Networking
You can't reach your goals on your own. You need your community of advocates, partners, and friends. But how do you balance developing that all important network with everything else you need to do to build your business, career, etc.? Set networking goals!
During this session, you'll discover:
- How to identify ideal events, connections, and opportunities
- Best practices for networking, as well as networking prep - this includes refreshing your online presence (social media, LinkedIn)
- Strategies for following up and following through
- And more!
Cooking for Productivity
I used to think cooking was too time-consuming. I was wrong!
As a reformed non-cook, I know first-hand that the benefits to cooking are boundless. The fact that cooking your own food is healthier goes without saying, but I am going to say it anyway.
Discover what led to my change in thinking (hint: it was the Instant Pot), as well as ways cooking is good for your body and spirit.
Learn how to:
- Prep without stress
- Get excited about cooking
- Use cooking to be more productive in other areas of your life
Six years ago, I put away the takeout menus. Now, I find myself constantly searching for new recipes and kitchen gadgets, offering food advice, and having long conversations about cooking. Me!
I am a goal strategist, food writer and host of the “Taste Buds with Deb” Podcast.
Let me show you the joys and rewards busy professionals can get from cooking.
Note: This is a team-building workshop that can also be tailored for Marketers, Content Creators, Leaders, Educators, HR, and More.
Goal Setting for Employee Retention
Are your employees checked out? Distracted? Quiet quitting? Reignite your team's interest in their work and your company. The DEB Method corporate workshops are team-building activities, designed to help you - and your employees - identify their personal and professional goals, as well as ways to support them. The result is a mutually beneficial plan, keeping them engaged, productive, and feeling valued.
Pre-Conference Planning for Event Attendees: Stop Your Team from Wasting Time, Money & Energy at Conferences
Are you sending your team to a conference? Want to guarantee they return with leads and information to grow your business?
My Pre-Event Planning Workshops - aka P.E.P. Talks - help teams define their goals and create a strategy to get the most value out of any conference, summit, or expo.
Attendees will discover strategies for deciding what sessions to attend and how to turn the information they gather into action, as well as tips for connecting - and developing relationships - with speakers, sponsors, and other attendees.
People attend events for two reasons: networking and knowledge. With all of the money you are investing in this event, you want to make sure that your team’s time and energy get results!
Wellbeing When Working Virtually
Work-from-home and hybrid-work are not going anywhere … at least for the foreseeable future. Whether you are the boss, a team leader, an employee, or even a solopreneur, there are simple things you can do to improve wellness, while working remotely.
During this talk, I share 5 tips for staying happy and healthy when Working from Home, along with strategies to incorporate them into your day-to-day routine.
When you and your teams prioritize wellbeing and selfcare, you are a much better asset to your company, your family, and yourself.