Dreams are birthed when goals are set.

When it comes to goals, I propose we make conscious decisions that guide us so we feel fully alive. Let’s set them around our priorities, using clear communication and tenacity. All the while pursuing happiness.

We desire more than mere profits in our pocketbook. We truly desire to profit in our soul, not that we’re closed to outrageous financial blessings. We’d rather cast away what bankrupts our bodies and dashes our dreams by courageously stepping beyond the ordinary and embracing the extraordinary– it’s who we are.

Addressing Overwhelm

Most of the minutes in our day are taken. My question is, are those minutes planned out according to our priorities or are existing programs running the plans?

Is it time to draw a line in the sand? To march to our own drum? Reset the music to what causes our heart to dance?

Every December many resolutions or goals are set with high hopes for the new year. At times, we even avoid setting goals altogether.

What will be different this time? If you’ve set year-end goals, resolutions or intentions, will you and I really complete it? If you haven’t planned something for yourself, why not?

While I’ve been able to accomplish several big, audacious goals in my life, please allow me to speak into yours. I’ve ~~failed~~ learned boatloads while attempting great feats. Some years I’ve dazzled myself. Other years I was dumbfounded as to what I may dare next. As such, I avoided setting any goal. By the way, I don’t recommend that.

Here’s how you can address possible overwhelm. Don’t try to accomplish 50 amazing things in a small amount of time. Instead, pick one or two audacious goals. Do this to build character. Avoid running yourself ragged or trying to prove anything to anyone. Do this for you because it lights you up. Because you believe things can and should be better. Pursue goals because it develops you as an even more incredible person.

We live in a performance based culture. I suggest we avoid the churn and burn performances and go for a planned out passionate pursuit to reach a goal. In the end, it’s about becoming and being who you really are and being glad you did it. It’s about buffing out the dull lackluster of life and shimmying out the shine. It’s you– leading your own revolution. No regrets.

Opening opportunities for clarity of communication and the old turtle trick

Absolutely no

In a daunting world of jump faster. Jump higher! Do more! Be more! I’m shouting from the mountaintops, “Say no to everything that’s not leading you toward more peace, purpose, or truly profiting your soul.

We make meaningful progress when we give our self permission to say no.

Click To Tweet

No isn’t always easy. Learning to say no and how to say no has been a real challenge for me primarily because I absolutely love people and enjoy making them happy.

Quickly reach an absolute no by being clear and acting on your priorities. If the shoe doesn’t fit, don’t stuff your foot in; simply say no. If the request resonates with the life you choose to create, then it’s a blow the trumpet, sound the alarms, YES!

So how do you say no politely? Especially when saying no to a good cause when it doesn’t align with your overall principle/desires?

Here’s some tips in how to say and mean no graciously.

No thank you.

I’m unable to commit to that. I appreciate your vote of confidence.

I’m so flattered you’ve asked. However, my answer needs to be no.

I believe I can give you what you’re asking for in about in a 15 minute call. Want to set a time and date? If not, I’ll need to decline.

I’ve chosen to no longer continue placing my energy on “this” as I’m now focusing more time on “that”.

No, I can’t. I made plans to stay home and file my toenails and floss the cat. (Seriously, try this one for laughs.)

Sound the alarms YES!

I dare you to make every yes you speak align with who you are and what you feel you have been put on this earth to do.

I dare you to take quick inventory, gut check or visual tour of your written priorities. And when you say yes, it ushers you to more opportunity and deep contentment.

Say yes to what fills you up– develops you into being a better human, thrills you, challenges you and makes you increase your faith!

Graciously poo poo life’s mediocre callings with a confident no. Do yourself a favor and proudly stand up for the extraordinary with a resounding, yes.

Stay on Target with your Goal Setting

The simplicity of saying yes or no may seem insulting and yet it holds tremendous power to define the future. Our ability to make a decision and act on it out is paramount for staying on target with our goal setting. Friend, it’s less about an arduous journey and more about enjoying the smaller steps that empower us to complete the goal. When distractions happen or mistakes are made, let’s allow our priorities to guide us back to the target.

When set backs happen simply waltz back into the pursuit of happiness.

Click To Tweet

Don’t waste anytime lamenting. Return to why you chose to do what you’re doing in the first place and regain your momentum.

Tenacity wins

It’s not always talent that creates winners. It’s tenacity. Think Aesop’s fable about the tortoise and the hare. Steadfast with heart and slow from the start or cocky, quick and easily distracted– which would we rather be?

I believe our deepest desire is to create results that we can look back on in the years to come and say, “I’m so glad I did it! I persevered. I stayed the course! I learned so much about life. My character was developed. I’m satisfied and this win feels so great.”

Chime in!

What will you say no to this year? What are you saying yes to? Did you fulfill a big goal last year? Go ahead, toot your horn! Or how about sharing what you great feat you plan to accomplish this year? Share your inside scoop with us in the comments below.

and 5 simple steps to uncover it

I’ll never forget the day I wanted to yank my hair out and ask for a refund. It seemed overly simplistic. We were teamed up and tasked to pinpoint the one action that can alter everything. Or rather, come face-to-face with, “what’s stopping me from being my best?” If I could capture this, then I could identify the one action that substantially creates progress in my life.

B-I-N-G-O!

She got it. She really got it. Me, not so much.

Allow me to explain. Ten years ago I was attending a leadership conference when Sally (not her real name of course) and I were paired up as each others’ “camp buddy.”

During an outside break, we were to share what the one action we’d take over the next 6 weeks to reach new goals. Sally’s eyes filled up with big crocodile tears. With deep conviction she said, “I know what I’m supposed to do. From now on I’m going to set my alarm for 7:00 a.m. and that’s it. This will transform everything. It’s decided.”

I was surprised and queried, “So it’s decided?”

I thought, “So an alarm for 7:00, huh? Why not 6:52 or 7:03?” Sally had clearly set her intention and I felt it my duty to support her. Still befuddled by her conclusion I wondered how setting an alarm clock could seriously be the one action that accelerates results.

In spite of my disdain for annoying alarm clocks, something snapped and I understood what she meant. Of course, this epiphany happened when Sally explained a simple five-step strategy that uncovered the one action that we could take to power through to our goals.

1) Identify the lie/s.

2) Slam the door on excuses.

3) Poof! The one life-altering action appears!

4) Tell it, do it, and walk with accountability.

5) Celebrate the results.

This was not Sally’s first rodeo! (not literally, that’s Texan for she’s no novice) She was on a mission. I asked her to elaborate so I too could move past anything stopping me. Sally confided that she was re-auditing the leadership course because it had proven to be super beneficial. She explained where her mental condition had been a few years back as she walked me through the five steps that can propel us to that one trigger action that creates a lasting domino effect.

First, Sally exposed the lies. She believed she could never be a healthy size 8 again. She believed she didn’t have time to take care of herself by preparing nutritious meals or working out 3-4 times a week. Sally explained that the feeling of overwhelm and fitting into a size 16 left her stuck in the mud.

Letting go becomes easier when you see not what you lose, but all that you gain in creating space for something new.“ Renate Vullings

Click To Tweet

Second, she decided to slam the door on the excuses and devise a plan instead. Sally realized she made choices based solely on convenience rather than substance. She took charge, reached out to a neighbor friend for support. Together they agreed to start walking 3 times a week for 45 minutes. Sally also chose to shop for groceries on Friday so she could plan out and prepare meals during the weekend. These two choices really helped her get after two of her biggest excuses.

Third, Sally took on her one big action she KNEW would change everything. She pinpointed where things had gone awry. She recognized that shortly after her best friend’s fatal car accident she fell victim to sugar and processed carbs. It was understandable. Sugar had become her solace and comfort. Sally shared that it too, had also be her “socially-acceptable crack”. A radical choice to cut out sugar from her diet all together ensued. She was convinced this one action would give her the freedom she wanted– and it did.

Fourth, Sally told her immediate family and close circle of friends what she was up to. She did so to receive support, and frankly, there were times that she was challenged by friendly sabotage. However, there were those who rallied around her efforts, inciting accountability.

Fifth, when Sally hit her goal she booked a weekend getaway to the beach with her husband. She commissioned him to help her pick out two great outfits; one for a special dinner and another for pictures that would be taken to celebrate their upcoming 10-year anniversary. She took this opportunity to whip out her cell phone and show me her favorite photos of that day.

Sally’s one decision brought about desired results of health and confidence. What’s more is that this one decision to nix sugar and processed carbs brought about a tremendous friendship with her walking partner. The results didn’t stop there. She shared with me that her marriage had vastly improved because she no longer craved what made her body feel bad. Instead, she chose to work on the deeper issues and in time, new patterns of health, acceptance and joy took the once dark place.

One action possesses the power to become transformational.

Click To Tweet

I’m about to reconnect with Sally on a monthly call. I look forward to hearing how setting an alarm at 7:00 a.m. continues to drastically transform her life.

While I’m still not a fan of alarm clocks, I did decide one the one action I’d take to change everything. I chose to give up my night owl status. Now my one action of hitting the hay earlier is making all the difference in the world. Who knew? Bedtime at 10:30 sets my world in motion, my mind at ease and my goals on the fast track.

Over to you!

Are you up to taking that one action that can create the remarkable results you crave as an entrepreneur or health adventurer? If so, tell us in the comments below. We’ll be happy to cheer you on as you pick up more lift!

Tag Archives: goals

Hi ho! Hi ho! We’re off to hit our goals!