Goal Setting - Looking Ahead to 2009

Now that America is experiencing a change in administration and looking forward to a new year as well, what are you planning for 2009?  One thing we've learned in our business mentoring, each person needs to be able to take care of themselves.  Each of us must take a few minutes to make plans for the next year.  Remember that if you make no plans, you put your future in to the hands of someone else and who knows what they'll have planned for you. 

First, find a quiet place.  Have a pen and paper handy.  Make a Dream List.  Write down everything you ever wanted to have, see, do and be.  Don't laugh, just write.  

Next, take a moment and rank the areas of your life in the order of their importance to you today: Family, Financial, Physical, Mental, Spiritual and Social.  Setting a priority system will reduce conflict in goal setting.  Reflect on this list regularly, don't be surprised if your priorities change as you and your circumstances change.

The next step is to take each of the priority sections and begin to write down specific wants and needs.  Don't write down vague concepts, be specific.  For example, "I want to become a good writer."  Then begin to write down ways to measure this goal, things that you can begin doing today to accomplish it.

Ok, no excuses!  Remember that excuses are the lies we tell ourselves, they come from the loser inside of you.  But if you want to go this way, let's use them.

List three obstacles to this goal:  1. lack of confidence; 2. lack of training; 3. lack of experience.

Now, isolate the first obstacle, "lack of confidence," and list three possible solutions:  1. read a book on writing; 2.  practice writing; 3. volunteer to write for a service organization about a subject about which you are knowledgeable.

Next, isolate a solution, "practice writing," and list three possible solutions to it:  1. take three random words and write a story around them, set a timer for five minutes and rapidly write what comes to your mind.  When the time is up, stop.  2.  pick a topic you are interested in and write three paragraphs.  3.  write about your last shopping experience.

Continue this practice until you have isolated one action step that you can take today.  

After you have defined the goal, listed the obstacles and developed a solution plan, you're ready to set a deadline.  This need to be flexible, but it will give you motivation to remain focused.

Many people stop at this point, the truth is they've only just begun.  The next step is to list the personal rewards you will gain from achieving your goal.  Be creative, list as many personal benefits as possible.  Make the benefits outweigh the obstacles, this will give you motivation.

Once you have the goals process written out, you will need some additional actions to keep you on course.  Two methods frequently used are affirmations and visualizations.

Affirmations are positive statements of belief and commitment.  They are statements of conditions you want to exist in the future.  " Being a good writer gives me great personal satisfaction."  Stating this affirmation daily will build the confidence necessary to become a good writer.  Keep these affirmations personal (use the words "I" or "me"), use present tense, and be positive.

Visualization is a form of mentally saying to yourself "act as if."  Mary Kay Ash of Mary Kay Cosmetics, used to say, "Fake it 'til you make it."  See yourself accomplished.  Mental accomplishment comes first before physical accomplishment.  If you can conceive it, if you can believe it, you can achieve it.  

Another step in keeping the process alive is to chart your progress.  Keeping track of your progress will build confidence and success consciousness.  It also makes it easier to make adjustments in your techniques.  Keep a record of both goals achieved and goals not accomplished.  List the reasons why.  This will help you set future goals.  

Remember, the goals process is a continuing activity.  Spend time every day reviewing them. This will project them into your subconscious mind and help you achieve them.

Billie and Robert

www.GotStoneSoup.com

"The recipe gets better and better"

Thanksgiving Thoughts

The Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast in 1621. Acknowledged as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies, it is not the only one celebrated by colonists.  The Berkley Plantation, VA colonists recorded a Thanksgiving event after arriving safely from a long voyage across the Atlantic in 1619.  All of these celebrations were in keeping with a long tradition of celebrating the harvest and giving thanks established by Native Americans.  Pueblo, Cherokee, Creek and many others had organized  harvest festivals, which included feasts, ceremonial dances and other celebrations for centuries before the arrival of European settlers in North America.

The harvest meal shared between the Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag Indians has become a symbol of cooperation between the colonists and Native Americans.  The legacy of giving thanks and of the feast have survived for centuries.  

As we gather to celebrate the harvest, Robert and I commend you all for maintaining a grateful spirit.  We are thankful for all of you.

By the way, did you know that a wild turkey has 3,500 feathers, can run at up to 25 mph and fly at up to 55 mph?  Guess that is why we count on the state of Minnesota to provide the majority of domestic turkeys eaten in 90% of the US homes on Thanksgiving Day!