Going Backwards to Move Forward?

I was just working with a client who told me she was leaving for a trip to India on December 26th, the day after Christmas. As she told me this, I was thinking, "wow, what a tough time to leave for a long trip to a far away land." She continued to tell me her reasons for going and how the trip came about. It all made sense...but I continued to wonder how she'd manage it all.

As we talked, she realized she had many thoughts and ideas whirling in her head about how she would manage it all. We often make our lists of all the things that need to happen in our heads. And, what happens? We begin to feel overwhelmed. The picture we create in our heads is of a list a mile long.

The first thing we did was to look ahead to the day she was leaving. How did she want to feel? She wanted to feel that everything was in order with work and her family so she could leave and not feel worried.

The key for my client was to work backwards from the outcome. Next step was to stop, remove the list from her head and write it down. It helps clearly map out the tasks that need to be addressed. Writing it down serves three purposes. First, it allows us to see what needs to happen. Next, it allows us to organize the list into categories, or blocks. And finally, we're able put into action, each day, small pieces to accomplish the final goal.

As she did this exercise, she laughed and said, I'm going to write on an index card the things I need to do each day. A GREAT idea. An index card does not allow for lots of writing. It's big enough for only 6-7 tasks. And six tasks is plenty to accomplish each day towards that final outcome of leaving for a trip and feeling no worries.

The other beauty of an index card? You can throw it away when you've crossed the tasks off the list.

Next time you're planning something big or working towards a goal. Take the time to work backwards, write down everything then chunk it down and use an index card to celebrate each day's accomplishments.

Happy New Year!!

It's interesting to me as I bump into people or overhear conversations about the holiday break, the New Year and the feeling of new starts. I sense a feeling of renewal, of reflection, of hope and a yearning for change. It sounds like people enjoyed a slower pace during the holiday break as well as a break from the daily routines.

I enjoyed a very relaxing time away with my family in Vermont. I too, broke away from my daily routines and pace of life. The break allowed me to really remove myself from my routines. Now, I find getting back into my usual routines a chance to see them differently, to make subtle changes, to appreciate and embrace all that surrounds me. I find myself re-evaluating my life and making new goals, letting go of old ones and feeling refreshed and renewed with a new plan for my life.

Yesterday while at my gym a woman said to me, "You must be busy this time of year!?" She was referring to all the New Year's Resolutions that people make. She then said,"I should talk to you about my resolutions." She commented on seeing a group of women out running together that morning. She laughed as she also commented on wondering how long that resolution would last.

Resolutions do serve a purpose. They do get us thinking about making positive changes. But, resolutions, for most of us don't last. Why? Because resolutions are often too big. "This year I'm going to..." Well, after 6 weeks the idea is a faded memory, or you get bored, etc, etc. Resolutions also have no plan. How will you achieve it?

Instead of resolutions, set goals. Make them realistic. Break the goals down into monthly, weekly and daily goals. The small pieces help to create your plan. As the woman in the gym said to me, "You must be busy." Yes, busy in helping people get clear about what they want in their life, helping them to set realistic goals and developing the plan to achieve them. Nothing is more satisfying to me than seeing my clients make the changes in their lives, achieve what they want and have a smile on their faces.

The Key to Moving Forward Consistently

Our lives are often filled with numerous obligations, responsibilities, wants and needs. Often leading us to wonder how we can possibly achieve our personal goals when life is so packed with stuff. This "stuff" often leaves us with little time to even think about our goals, our own wants and needs. Outlined below is a process I share with my clients to help them get clear about where they want to be and enable them to move forward more consistently.

Step 1: STOP; find an hour to sit down, relax and visual what you want. How would you like your life to be; want less stress? more time? better health? understand your life purpose? Take time to journal, discover what you really want.
Step 2: From that vision, create your goals. Long term (5 years out), medium 2-3 years, short term (1 year) and then monthly and weekly goals.
Step 3: Write those goals down and post them where you will see them every day.
Step 4: Every Sunday night, write three goals for the week.
Step 5: Every evening, write down 6 tasks to complete for the following day, making sure that at least one task is in line with your goal. This is the key to being consistent. Defining just six tasks for each day helps you stay focused. Utilize your time to move forward, not spinning in an endless cycle.
Step 6: Enjoy the journey, remember goals don't have to be reached...just strived for.

I'm often asked for help in setting goals. Keep them simple and remember to use the SMART acroynm.
Specific-What exactly.
Measurable-It must have a way to be measured.
Action oriented - What's the action that will be taken?
Realistic-It has to be realistic...
Time restrained- Put a date to complete this by.

Goals are helpful to keep you focused and motivated. It's one thing to say you want to achieve the goal, it's another to implement the actions to take to get there. If you find you need support and/or accountability to achieve your goals, that's what I do best.