Are your goals in line with what is practical for you?
Remember back in January, we were all encouraged to make some sort of Vision Board in order to make this year, the BEST YEAR EVER? Of course! We all ended up finding a system that worked for us; notes in a jar, images on the wall, reminders in our desk… all the things we could dream about for the year ahead…
Did they all materialize for you? If not, there are still a few weeks left… the pressure is on; but, hey, lets talk some more!
Just like a gym membership, or new eating/drinking habits, our reminders need to be ‘front and center’, or they wont’ go anywhere. Just as it takes 21 days to change a habit, (or more, depending on the source) it takes consistency to make a change.
For example: If you change a waste basket from one side of your desk to the other, because you do this several times a day, your brain will register this change faster because of repetition.
The idea of working out at the gym twice a week, is also a great goal. But, because it’s not every day, or even twice a day; this change will take longer to become a habit or part of your lifestyle.
Timing is everything.
Lets imagine that you really, really want to go to Japan; It’s on your list of goals to go to Japan. You may even wish to go at certain time of year; perhaps to see the cherry blossoms in February. But every year, there is an ‘excuse’, another cause or ‘issue’ that prevents you from going. This should not be seen as a ‘failure’, but more likely a burp in your system of wants and desires.
So, should you take Japan off your Vision board? – Heck, NO!
ONE DAY, ONE YEAR, you’ll be able to go!
In Feng Shui, the vision board is often crafted for both personal and business goals. Some can be more fun related to learn new skills or hobbies and others more specific, projecting income to support a lifestyle.
I was discussing with other business people about month ago, how their goals for the year were working out.
The discussion: Did they set reasonable goals in the first place? And, did any of these things materialize?
While they all reported smaller wins, no one won the lottery. And, no one manifested a million dollars. No one managed to nail the BIG ones!
As we discussed this ‘task’ of making a vision board, thinking BIG, and in the process of ‘getting there’; is this exercise of projecting the future a waste of time?
We all agreed that it often takes time to put things into place, to ‘make it all happen’. Sometimes there are stumbling blocks, learning curves or even other things to consider. (Such as, now, the whole family wants to go to Japan with you!)
The group came up with a new framework for the Vision Board; transfer all your wins to a Gratitude Board! Then, you have a visual of your goals, as well as your WINS to show progress.
If you can make room to pin up goals and desires on one cork board; Could you find room to transfer successes to another board? (Rather than toss out the years goals and the achievements to date!) – Keep a running win-board current all the time!
Generally, It is a good idea to review these goals and visions for your own growth. And now, give yourself permission to KEEP the amazing once-in-a-lifetime one-day-I’ll-get-there goals. -You can roll them over; this will keep you growing and thriving!
Being grateful for the small wins, and the BIG WINS, is so important for us to recognize that ‘things do go well’ when we can plan ahead. We DO get to experience growth and the adrenaline surge when we see progress; the thirst, pushing that extra 1% to make it happen. We do not want to miss this!
In fact, the group from Embrace & Become in Innisifil takes the credit for this idea: let’s collaborate with goals. Plan the things we wish to do in life with our family and children. Encourage them to make their own goals with you!
This one is going on my Gratitude Board next year!
It’s never too late to cultivate a grateful spirit!
Be the cheerleader for yourself AND for the others around you; together, we have support, and can make the world a better place.
Enjoy your own journey,
Kathryn
