Are you writing your goals??

I can admit to not writing my goals down!

When I do write them out I don't look at them as often as I should. Most of the time I just review them in my head. But how effective am I being?... From what I've been reading I'm really losing the point. Scribbling a few needed changes is not going to be life changing. Goals need to be written out and detail oriented.

Another problem I ran into with goal setting is distinguishing between goals and dreams. As far as I'm concerned they mix. But when does that dream begin to be an active goal to pursue? And if you are going after it, is it realistic?

Plus I found out I do too many at one time( Thanks to that darn challenge!).

So what is too many? It depends on You. How much time are you willing to put forth? Will you check on your progress daily, weekly monthly? Most experts think focusing on 1-2 big goals and 3-4 smaller goals is good. But if you struggle to juggle that many just focus one at a time. Break down your one big goal into smaller goals so you can measure your success. It's important to make milestones for encouragement and keeping yourself motivated. Tell the  positive people in your life what your plan is so  they can hold you accountable. Make sure your goals are written in a positive manner.

Here are some guidelines to help you write out your goals.

Your goals must be:
Conceivable: you must be able to put your goal into words;
Achievable: you must have the attributes, energy, and time to accomplish your goal;
Believable: you must believe you can reach your goal;
Achievable Within a Certain Time Frame: you must be able to state how long it will take you to reach your goal;
Clearly Defined: you must know exactly what your goal is;
Flexible: you must be willing to modify your goal as necessary;
Define both your long-term and short-term

Quotes By Martin Luther King Jr.

Since we did celebrate a holiday in honor of him this month I thought I might post some quotes. I would have loved to hear him today on issues of the world. Who knows if he could of been our first black president?



-A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.

-A lie cannot live.

-A man who won't die for something is not fit to live.

-A nation or civilization that continues to produce soft-minded men purchases its own spiritual death on the installment plan.

-A right delayed is a right denied.

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-All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.

-An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.


-An individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for the law.

-At the center of non-violence stands the principle of love.

-Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. A man can't ride you unless your back is bent.

-Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.


-Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.

-Everything that we see is a shadow cast by that which we do not see.
 

Martin Luther King Jr.

Finding the HAPPY in our day to day life!

I found an article that shared how we can have more happiness. I changed some and added my two cents in.

Increasing Happiness in Daily Life:

1) Change the way you look at things. Always look at the bright side. The mind may drag you to think about negativity and difficulties. Don't let it. Look at the good and positive side of every situation.


2) Think of solutions, not problems.


3) Listen to relaxing, uplifting music.


4) Watch funny comedies that make you laugh.


5) Each day, devote some time to reading a few pages of an inspiring book or article.


6) Watch your thoughts. Whenever you catch yourself thinking negative thoughts, start thinking of pleasant things.


7) Always look at what you have done and not at what you haven't.


Sometimes you may begin the day with the desire to accomplish several objectives. At the end of the day you might feel frustrated and unhappy, because you haven't been able to do all of those things.
Look at what you have done, not at what you have not been able to do.


8) Each day do something good for yourself. It can be something small, such buying a book, eating something you love, watching you favorite program on TV, going to a movie, or just having a stroll on the beach.


9) Each day do at least one act to make others happy. This can be a kind word, helping your colleagues, stopping your car at the crossroad to let people cross, giving your seat in a bus to someone else, or giving a small present to someone you love. The possibilities are infinite.


10) Always expect happiness.


11) Do not envy people who are happy. On the contrary, be happy for their happiness.


12) Associate with happy people, and try to learn from them to be happy. Remember, happiness is contagious.


13) Allow yourself to take compliments and thank those who do.

14) Smile more often!

What is being our "Authentic selves"

This past weekend the topic of "Being our authentic selves" came up. All weekend my mind was puzzled on what that really meant. Does it mean we act genuine at all times? Does is mean actions in our life's define who we are? Or is it just being real and living in reality. What ever it is, it probably has a different definition for everyone. Being curious I looked up the meaning and here is what I found:

AUTHENTIC:
1.Not false or copied; genuine; real: an authentic antique.


2. Having the origin supported by unquestionable evidence; authenticated; verified: an authentic document of the Middle Ages; an authentic work of the old master.

3. Entitled to acceptance or belief because of agreement with known facts or experience; reliable; trustworthy

4. Law . executed with all due formalities
 
 
I believe it's when we are stripped by our pride and choose to live in a manner that is humble and honest. When we chose to live by Christ's example and rely more in him than in man. It's a hope of understanding our adversities with our best selves. 
 
When we choose to be authentic, it should not be according to the world. By unreeling the layers we have built around us, we begin to see us how God does. It's trust and by listening in those quiet times we connect with who we are and can become.Clearity comes with patience, it comes in doing rather than waiting.
 
I ask you, What is being "authentic" mean to you? Is it achievable to be authentic in most or all situations?

A New Challenge!

   When the last challenge ended in November  I told myself I wasn't doing it again. No way, it's too hard! Surviving two was a big enough accomplishment , right? December came and stole any good habit formed from challenge. So here I am.
   I didn't post as much I thought from fall challenge. Maybe not as much to say, or prep for the holidays? My journal entries were with less substance and just the day to day things( I only write in the blog when I've been thinking!).
I hope this time around I can write what has been motivating me. Or things we can do to focus on our goals.

First thing of motivation: Health and Wellness
Action- For awhile now I've been thinking about people who have influenced me(especially the ones who don't know) and have had an impact on my life. I've wanted to write and let them know my appreciation. My goal this week is to write one person a letter , and try to find they're email /snail mail address.

Here is to a good New Year! Of course I raise my glass with a spinach drink!