GOAL DIGGER'S GUIDE: Scope Series

Periscope might be my new favorite form of social media! It fosters live conversation, authentic voices, and quality information sharing! Honestly, it's been really good for me to record live - it's not something I would ever do before. I'm becoming less concerned with my "ums" or unflattering angles and just able to talk with folks - it's great! 

I used Periscope to do a mini series on goal setting based on my workbook - GOAL DIGGER: A Guide to Approaching Your Future with Intention!  In this #GoalDiggersGuide Scope Series, I touch on five themes addressed in the workbook!  (This is basically a shorter version of the webinar that accompanies the workbook - just a bit more conversational and with less visuals)
 

Just a heads up for those of you who aren't familiar with Periscope, in the app there are comments that come in at the bottom of the screen during a video. That's why I am looking there and responding to people. (If you replay in the app you can still see those but for some reason they don't download.)

VISION

SMART GOALS

BREAKING DOWN LONG-TERM GOALS

EVERYDAY ACTIONS 

REFLECTION EACH QUARTER

BLOG POSTS & DOWNLOADS 

Don't forget I have blog posts & downloads for all three parts of the workbook. 
You can find them here: Part #1, Part #2 & Part #3! You can also check GOAL DIGGER out here! 

CURRENT FOCUS: Bright, Fresh, Action

One way to help stay focused on goals/growth/intentions is to create a few mini-mantras in the form of some short phrases or words. Lots of folks do this. (I suppose it’s loosely based on this idea.)

Well, it’s already 19 days into quarter three and I haven’t properly fleshed out my goals for this three month period. But, these mini-mantras, in the form of simple words, are helping me focus on what I want to tackle in the upcoming months and the kind of spirit and motivation I want to bring to my work and life.

Right now, my words are bright, fresh and action. 

BRIGHT

Bright in terms of ideas, sunshine, and my disposition.

I want to continue to let myself brainstorm to create new and innovative ideas. Brainstorming is probably one of the things I do best. Now, not all ideas generated in a brainstorm need to come to fruition but I want to give myself license to generate them! If I am going to make impacts (and, let’s be real, money) in ways that align with my passions, I am certainly gonna have to be creative.

At the end of almost every summer I look back and think “dang, I hardly spent anytime outside!” This summer is honestly the first in years that I am not disappointed about time outdoors. Thanks to two beach trips and amazing pool lounging and workouts, I’ve been soaking up a lot of sun and will continue to do so for the rest of summer. Related – I have been spending loads of time inside writing lately. I want to be sure to get outside (and, like, enjoy being outside) once each day.

Staying sunny and bright internally is something I want to focus on, too. Not for any kind of women-need-to-smile-and-be-perky-b.s. but because I am more productive and like myself more when I am feeling sunnier on the inside. (Also, reminder to self, one needs to get a decent amount of sleep in order to be bright!)

Bonus bright reminder related to smarts.  I need to remind myself that I am smart because sometimes I don’t feel it.  Things from my past are in the back of my mind like my 3.48 undergrad GPA that wouldn’t round up to cum laude or, my present day struggles like my constant use of google to make sure I am spelling words properly (that’s right, sometimes they’re so jacked up even Microsoft Word can’t correct ‘em) and how intimidated I get when reading legal or government language. Specifically, I need to trust that I am fully competent and intelligent enough to succeed. And, in some areas, more competent than the many people. (That might come off as braggy but I’m leaving it.)

FRESH

Fresh foods, fresh style, fresh ideas, and fresh sheets.

Summer is full of amazing fresh foods. There is no need for me to be eating non-fresh convenience meals when I have the time to be making yummy stuff full of veggies! I want lots more watermelon and weekend baskets from Hollygrove Farm & Market in my life.

I am such a creature of habit. I want to challenge myself to keep my styles and looks fresh. I love sharing them with y’all and it’s no fun if I am wearing the same skirt for an entire week. Related to fresh style, I am taking a pretty big hair plunge within the next few weeks. Just let me say I will be crossing something off of my bucketlist!

Fresh ideas align with what I mentioned earlier under “bright” and challenging myself to do things I haven’t done before – especially in terms of business.

Also, fresh sheets. With my increased sun time, the amount of coconut oil I am slathering on myself before bed is astounding. I need to wash my sheets more often. I did the other day and it just feels so nice.

ACTION 

This one is simple. I just want to act more and to focus on doing instead of planning to do.

I am a planner. I love thinking about the future and making plans that align with where I want to be. Similar to the ease with which brainstorming comes to me, turning those ideas into plans comes naturally. But I feel like I am spending more time doing that than actually acting on those ideas and plans.

Do you ever feel like you spend more time planning to go to the gym than actually going to the gym? Because I do.

I am proud of the actions I have taken related to my business in the last year. And, now is the time to kick it into overdrive. I can’t let myself get so caught up in planning that I fail to act. I need to trust that the plans I’ve already created are good and that my intuition is on my side, too.  Based on what I shared in my other words, it’s clear that I don’t want to stop generating ideas – quite the contrary, but I need these ideas to be accompanied with action. I’ve created this beautiful opportunity to focus on Cat Inspired full-time. Now is the time to act! 

MY PERFECT DAY: 10 Years From Now

Last weekend I attended a New Leaders Council Institute retreat. I recently was selected as a fellow for this progressive leadership and professional development institute. I am already loving my involvement with NLC. Our first institute weekend was a retreat focused on life entrepreneurship. With a phenomenal facilitator, an amazing group of like-minded young professionals, and lots of thought-provoking reflections and activities, our retreat was everything I was hoping for. (Yes! Yes! Yes!)

One of my favorite activities was writing about our perfect day – ten years from now. I had never taken the time to do this or think about the manifestation of my goals in this way. We were encouraged to be as specific as possible and provide lots of detail to make our vision seem more real. (Quality goal setting and visioning stuff here, folks!)

I am really excited about what I created as part of this exercise. So much so that I’m sharing it with you! I’ll also provide some information about how you might do the same at the end of this post. (As I was writing, it seemed like a looser timeline might be more realistic – so I’m thinking about this in an 8 – 10 year context.) Anyway, without further adieu, my perfect day several years down the road. . .

My Perfect Day: In 8 -10 Years

I wake up around 7AM in our small but spacious London flat. I hop out of bed and do some light stretching. My partner is already up with the kids and I can hear them in the next room. As I stretch I think about how London feels like home after a little over two years living in this vibrant city. And, how I will be sad to leave soon but am excited to return back home to the states in time for our oldest to start first grade next fall.

After ten minutes of stretching, I go out to join the rest of my family in the living room where our two beautiful children, ages 3 and 5, are laughing and playing with their daddy. I give each a kiss and sit down with them all as they play.

After a little while, my man gets them dressed and ready for the day while I make breakfast - eggs and bacon for the family along with overnight oats and fruit. Right as we finish eating, our nanny, Lena, arrives to take our oldest off to kindergarten.  I greet Lena in German and the kids are obviously excited that she's here.

Our nanny is an amazing, creative Turkish German woman who spends time with the little ones during the weekdays. We pay her well and feel like she's an extension of our family.  Kindergarten is walking distance from our home and serves a diverse group of children. Our youngest also joins Lena and the three head out the door and make their way to kindergarten. Lena will return with the youngest after some quality play time in the park and watch her till early afternoon.

With the kids out of the house, my partner and I clear the breakfast dishes and then hop in the shower to start our day. Once dressed, we pop down the street to our favorite coffee shop. The owner greets us by name and presents us with the perfect cafe lattes.  I take one sugar. He takes 4.

From the coffee shop we part ways.  I return home to get some work done. It's Friday so I have a weekly Zumba class at noon and then lunch plans with a friend. I want to get all of my "taking care of business" matters complete by 11AM.

By now it's 9AM. I sit in my small office in our home. First, I check in with my shop in the US. I am doing mostly follow-up as I recently returned from a trip to the states where I spend several days checking in on the store, doing a few speaking engagements, and catching up with friends. I was pleased to find that my plus-size consignment shop was running quite smoothly.  I spend a lot of time training the staff and it has clearly paid off. Even in my absence, they've been doing outstanding. Although it was hard for me to let go of most of the control, it's proven to be a great move. My two key managers have simply blown me away with their dedication and creativity. I feel like we've achieved my foundational business practice of "women supporting women” and I am not only proud of my shop but the values on which it’s founded.

I also finalize travel plans for two upcoming workshop engagements. Then, I brainstorm curriculum for a Women's Leadership Retreat that I'll be hosting in two months. 54 women have already signed up, so I am reworking several parts of the curriculum to accommodate the larger group.

Just before 11AM, I head off to Zumba. Before I go, I chat with Lena about her weekend plans and remind her about some yummy leftovers in the fridge that she and the 3 year old can enjoy for lunch.

The weather is cool but not cold. I just need a jacket in addition to my curve-hugging sports leggings and bright Nike tennis shoes. The walk to the tube is great. I love the fresh air and I’m entertained by the podcast I’m listening to. I get on the underground and arrive at my gym within 20 minutes. It's great to catch up with some of the other regulars at the gym. Zumba is amazing and I kill it - like usual – and stare my sexy self down in the mirror the whole time.

I shower at the gym and transform my previously sporty look into something effortlessly fabulous. I leave the gym and head off to meet a close London friend for lunch at one of our favorite spots. Other days of the week I have coaching clients in the afternoon. Some over the phone and a few in person. But, on Friday, I don't schedule any meetings. After lunch, I settle in at a coffee shop to read and journal.

Close to 4PM I head home. My husband has picked our oldest up at school and has relieved Lena of her duties. He's home chilling with the kids when I return. I get to preparing a nutritious and delicious dinner for us. We spend several hours as a family enjoying dinner, playing and reading with the kids, and ending with a family dance party. After we put the kids to bed, my man and I sit on the couch enjoying a drink and talking about the weekend ahead.

Tomorrow, we plan to take the kids to a community rally in the park and spend the first part of the day out and about as a family. Lena has graciously agreed to watch the kids tomorrow night so we can enjoy an evening out.  Our conversation then wanders to our preliminary moving plans and excitements about being back in the states.

We watch a little crime drama TV and then head off to bed together. I feel happy, fulfilled, and complete – feelings that have slowly become more present as I have settled into my full and fabulous life.

Is this not the most fun!? Obviously my life may not be exactly like this in 8 years, but we know that the act of visualizing yourself after you have completed goals put you in a place where you're more likely to achieve them. That's one of the reasons why this activity is so powerful. Also, I wrote about things that I didn't realize were important to me - especially all of that that kid business! That's one of those "in the back of my mind" goals that I don't really think too much about.

Have you ever described your vision like this?

I encourage you to spend some time with an exercise like this! We had a whole weekend of reflection as we explored our strengths, passions, values, and purpose and this exercise was kind of a culmination of this. (Much of our training was based on the book Life Entrepreneurs which would be a great resource if you want some of the activities that lead up to this.) Even without the preceding activities, the act of writing out your perfect day can still be powerful.

In writing this, I have become even more motivated to map out my goals in a way that allows them to build and grow on each other.  In the spirit of long-term goal setting and linking our shorter term goals to the longer ones, I'd like to share a recourse I've created that might help you do this!

This Goal Setting & Action Planning Resource is a simple way to write out a long term goal and then backtrackto list smaller goals along the way. There's also some room to start thinking about an action plan or the ways you will work to achieve each shorter term goal. This sheet totally reflects how my brain works! Use this resource if it's helpful to you!

Wow, I've sure been sharing a lot with y'all! Hope that in doing so it's helping you visualize what you want in your life and how you might get there!

WELCOMING 2015 WITH INTENTION - Part 2: Goal Setting

In the new year, we often make goals and resolutions. (I prefer making goals because I believe they are more thoughtful and action oriented than resolutions.) In the second part of my video series on Welcoming 2015 With Intention, I share a few ways you can set yourself up for success to create goals that you can achieve! Plus, I share one of my big goals for 2015. Take a look at my video below! 

5 TIPS FOR GOAL SETTING 

1. Get a clear vision. 
2. Set S.M.A.R.T goals. 
3. Create an action plan. 
4. Write your goals down & review them often.
5. BONUS: Share your goals with someone who can help hold you accountable. 

I love the idea that "goals are dreams with deadlines"! I don't know about you, but I have lots of dreams, goals, and plans! I hope my quick video has provided some tools for you as you set goals and work to realize them!

What goals are you setting out to achieve this year? Let me know in the comments below!