What Gets in YOUR Way?

 So maybe that's a rhetorical question.  Most of us know that we are the ones that get in our own way.  What do we do about it?  This is about you, your life & achieving your goals!

In order to give yourself the best edge toward success, when you set a goal, make sure it's outcome focused, in line with your values and stated in the positive.  Make it SMART:

• Specific
• Measurable
• Action-Oriented
• Realistic
• Time Sensitive

Focus on the Outcome. 

What is it you REALLY want and what is the PAIN of NOT achieving your goal?

QUESTIONS to ask yourself

• Is this goal in line with your vision and your values?
• Is the goal something you really want or think you SHOULD do/have?
• When thinking about achieving this, do you feel a deep sense of contentment or excitement?
• How does it fit into your lifestyle (time/effort/commitment/impact on others)?
• If you could have this goal RIGHT NOW - would you take it?

Wait, you say!  What's this got to do with getting in our own way?  Here we go...

Identify possible OBSTACLES upfront

• Can you start & maintain the outcome of this goal - are YOU in control?
• What else might you need to deal with - will it affect other areas/people in your life?
• What is the secondary gain for maintaining the status quo?
• What will you have to give up or stop doing & are you willing to pay the price?
• What else could help you or get in your way - how do you sabotage yourself?
• WHO will you have to BE to achieve this goal?

Is your Goal the right SIZE?

• Does it need to be broken into smaller goals or is it too small to motivate action?
• What is the smallest, super-easy level?
• What is your target level that you feel is just right?
• Finally, what would be an outrageous level that would push you out on a limb?
• Give yourself a goal range so you can't fail to achieve some level of success!

Now gather your RESOURCES and get moving!  There are things, people, contacts, skills, money, etc. that you already have.  Make an inventory and decide what you still NEED.

Remember - Goals are there to inspire you, not beat yourself up with... 

Stop getting in your own way before you've even started. With a little forethought, those bricks will vanish into an open door that pulls you through with gusto.

 
 

 Door Photo by Salvatore Vuono / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Taking Stock ~ Then Moving Forward with Intention!

I get daily messages from the  Abraham-Hicks Publications and Notes from the Universe.  I love knowing that the thoughts and energy we take in and radiate out helps to create our life.  As Mike Dooley would say- "Thoughts become things."  More than things they create...

...this swirling Vortex and the power of attraction responding to pure, nonresisted, focused desire. The Vortex is literally drawing in all things necessary for the completion of every request it contains. All cooperative components are being summoned and are coming for the completion of these creations, for the answering of these questions, for the solutions to these problems. - Abraham (adapted)

Have you taken a few moments to take stock of 2010?  The wins or goals you accomplished - what did it take to make that happen? What worked for you?  What supports did you use?  Pat yourself on the back for your accomplishments of this year!  Celebrate the littlest to the largest accomplishments is a very important step toward solidifying your current and future successes.  If you don't do it, how can you expect anyone else to value them?  Take a moment right now to say Yippee and Congratulations. 

My year in review included passing the Virginia State Reading Exam for Specialists and getting that put on my state license, holding not only my first, but second coaching workshops at Unity Fellowship Church, and becoming a International Association of Coaching - Certified Coach!  I trusted the process along with my abilities, got coaching support, and persevered.  Now to celebrate ~ a cruise perhaps?

Kiss any frogs this year? What have you learned about what's best for yourself from life's uncomfortable experiences? How can you turn those lessons into beautiful blossoms for your highest and best life?
What did not happen that you hoped for? Are you able to see the blessings in that yet? If so--more hugs - if not, sleep on that thought and think about it again tomorrow.

What you like to see happen in your life this year.  Why is it important to you?  What will it feel like to be a player in your life when you've accomplished these things?  Close your eyes and play a movie in your mind complete with full surround sound, high def technicolor and emotional mind-body connections. See it.  Feel it. Taste it, Hear it. Touch it.

Here are my three top Intentions and why they are important:

1. I have a new dependable, fuel efficient car that reflects me uniqueness & is affordable for me.

*I am free of the fear of a breakdowns & expensive repairs. I'll feel calm and secure knowing I have dependable, affordable, (sporty-unique) transportation that helps me save energy.

2. I am connected with a partner who is aligned with my unique essence & being. He will be a partner who communicates honestly and values me. There is a balance of give and take in the relationship. We share a soulful connection.

*I am at my best when I am in connection with others and feel valued and understood. I love being in intimate connection emotionally with someone with whom there is a balance in the relationship. Being partnered with this person makes my energy zing & my essence sparkle!

3. My health is in balance - including my BMI (healthy range)- cholesterol, flexibility & strength.

*My health is balanced, I have more energy, flexibility, strength & less aches and pains. I feel confident in my clothes and other aspect of life in front of people. I am happy that my risks of weight related disease are diminished.

Got Inner Peace? What daily practices or supports do you want to try in the up coming months ahead to move forward into these new intentions? ~ journaling, meditation, reading inspirational/spiritual thoughts for the day, or visualizing and focusing on your intentions via a vision board?  Commit to 10 min. a day for 30 days. Who's in?  What are you willing to let go of or embrace to make this life possible? 

You can do it - I can too!  Be open, be vulnerable - take a chance on yourself and your best life.

Share your thoughts by commenting here now.  If I can help you in anyway let me know--really.

Inspiration to write up my intentions popped up upon reading the blog Expanding Your Comfort Zone.  Being connected to so many intelligent and like-minded coaches is one structure of support in my life I appreciate tremendously!

Too many spinning plates

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” – Lao-Tzu

"One essential goal-setting strategy is to be as specific as possible about your desires. Write out your goals and formulate a detailed plan about how you are going to achieve this goal. Baby steps are important, but keep them focused. Often we are pulled in many directions at once. It is important though, to devote time and effort to a single goal at a time to avoid distraction that can lead to putting forth less effort. Take time to put down some of your "spinning plates" and track your progress over time." www.sparkpeople.com

What do you think? For me this is so true. I have found that when there are several new learning experiences going on in my life at one time, that I CAN prioritize what I'm doing each day and which goal I want to focus on (or is banging on the door of life) first.

When asked recently in my mastermind group what my goals were, I listed a long string of things and I felt overwhelmed. I was getting coached on one goal in particular: giving a workshop (in fact, I've been talking about this one for years) and couldn't figure out where my reluctance to forge ahead with it was coming from. I knew I knew HOW to complete all the preparation steps and that I could deliver the event, but wasn't doing it.

I thought long and hard about it. I asked my inner wise self. I let my body give me clues. When thinking about this goal in particular, I felt a tightening in my gut--a shutting down. I've learned that unless I have an open. light, expansive feeling that it isn't the best fit for RIGHT NOW. Not that I might not revisit this at another time, but when I took this spinning plate down my life felt so much more in control. So I set it on the self for now. I found that what I really wanted was to work on improving my physical environment so my life felt more in balance.

Ask your wise inner self. I believe we all have have the wisdom of our wise wise knowing self, our highest self, available to us at all times. We've just forgotten how to ask, then "be still" and listen.

Here are some steps and an exercise to help clarify your goals. Get a journal, write what you think you want in your future. Close your eyes, in whatever atmosphere works best for you, and ask your inner wisdom (pretend it's your best friend) what do I need to know, what questions do I need to ask, what information do I need, to clarify these goals?

Focus on your third eye (the center of your forehead) if you can. If not, focus on where in your body you "sense" your highest self exists, shrink yourself mentally into that spot and just observe what you see or feel. Ask what you need to know to clarify your direction.

Sit in silence and listen for 5 min. If you're very in tune with yourself, that may be all you need, or all you can absorb the first time. Have a journal by you and free write whatever came up for you and more may keep coming up.

Don't try to figure this all out at first. Do this daily--OR--ask this question before bed to the Universe and be prepared to write as soon as you awake. After doing this daily for a week--what themes do you see?

Where ever you are-whatever experiences you are having now, are exactly where you're supposed to be right now for your lessons and journey. All roads take us to the same end, how we get there or how long it takes may vary.

So check out the spinning plates on your poles. Is there one calling out for more attention? How will you answer that call?