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A national statistic posted in the NY times shows that most resolutions are broken within the first three weeks of the year. That being said, if you make it past that 3-week mark, you are likely to keep your rhythm through at least the 6-month mark! So how are your 2009 goals going so far? Are you still inspired to achieve your goals? These first few weeks for me, have been pretty busy, beginning official writing classes, starting a pretty intense month-long detox, and increasing my work schedule. My goals are still on track, however and I’m finding new ways to implement them.
I’ve been reading some great articles on goal setting and a webpage I feel worth sharing with you, is by Chris Guillebeau called ‘The Art of Nonconformity.’ He is a fantastically inspiring individual whose life goal is to travel to each of the 198 countries in the world before his 35th birthday. With over 120 countries checked off of his list and four years to go, he is well on his way. He writes wonderful content on how to live a remarkable life in a conventional world with the basic premise ‘you don’t have to live your life the way others expect you to.’ In his ‘brief guide to world domination’ he talks about the two most important questions in the universe: What do you want to get out of your life? What do you have to offer that no one else does? I highly recommend reading his manifesto as it really helps in putting some great perspective into your goal setting.
So here are some general tips to keep your 2009 goals in sight and on track. Many have worked well for me in the past and present. And others just make great sense.
1) Think about the areas of your life that you want to set goals:
Artistic- finish book, gallery show, do more crafts?
Attitude- increase positivity, patience?
Career- promotion, new job?
Education- new skills, finish degree?
Family- connect more with family, start a family?
Financial- increase income, manage money better?
Physical- nutrition, workout plan?
Pleasure- vacation, be outdoors more?
Public Service- volunteer, community outreach?
2) Set SMART goals:
Specific- don’t be too general, make your goal as specific as possible.
Measurable- how will you know if you’ve reached your goal if there’s no way to measure your progress?
Attainable- reaching for the stars is great, but make sure your goal is actually achievable.
Relevant- if it doesn’t fit into your life, you will loose interest as soon as it gets hard. Relevant is important.
Time-bound- give yourself a specific timeline and reevaluate at that point. Check in every 2 weeks or so.
3) Write your goals down and post them in a place where you will see them often. Refrigerator and above your desk are good places. This gives them more presence in your life. Also write why the goal is important for you to achieve.
4) State your goals positively. Rather than saying, I want to stop nagging my husband, eating food I know is bad for me and decrease the amount I watch television, try: I will work to create a more patient and positive attitude towards my husband, eat nutritious food that my body loves, and read or be outside more.
5) Stay focused- review and rewrite to do list regularly and work towards smaller goals daily.
6) Give yourself rewards- incentives are always good. When you reach certain milestones along the way, take yourself out to dinner, get a pedicure, or buy a new journal. Anything that gives you a little pat on the back and keeps you coming back for more!
With that, I hope you are finding new ways to do and keep doing great things in your life; keeping the ball rolling even if your discover a giant hill ahead. You are the only one that gets to live your remarkable life, so make the most of it!
xox
Guinevere
In a wonderful “Resolutions (or goals) for 2009” article by Susan Ellingson, some fantastically simple suggestions are given to start off your new year right! My favorite, and one that I would like to pass on to you, is ‘Get a Motto’ (closely followed by ‘take a media fast’ and ‘make more soup’).
It came to me that with out realizing it, I have been applying a motto to my years as a final scene wrap up for as long as I can remember. The last week of December finds me pondering what this year has meant to me and how I could sum it up in one word or phrase (or 50). Well, this year is all about intention and goal setting, so I am getting myself a motto early! And to go along with last year’s motto- ‘ask and you shall receive (even if it looks vastly different than what you had in mind)- mine has presented itself to me in many ways this week. First, while reading a Buddhist wisdom book and flipping right to the page with the perfect little nugget for me, then again while on the bus unavoidable eavesdropping on a man’s cell phone conversation, and finally last night while reading a brief guide to world domination, so here it is (thank you universe for your relentless signage) …
“If it’s worth doing, do it 100%” I know, how simple. Yet how profoundly those words have hit me! If you don’t know me, I am a bit of a dabbler. Jack of all trades, ace of none, I guess you could say. I like to experience it all- just enough (like my trip to SE Asia that I like to call ‘10 minutes of everything Asian’). And I get board easily. So this is my year to dig a little deeper; let go of the things that drain my energy, and relocate the things I can put on the back burner for now.
A few at the top of the list for me include:
- Writing for real- I begin a “formal” non-fiction writing program in less than two weeks, and by the end of this year I plan to be published. Somewhere. Twice. At least. Whether that’s a free publication or the Seattle Times, I want to see my name in writing!
- Network like crazy!- I am a part of two fine Networking organizations (BNI & Biznik), and my goal this year is to really invest some solid time in getting the most out of these gigs. I work in a fantastic chiropractic office, and in 2008 I saw numerous clients healed and now living active and pain- free lives through the power of massage, chiropractic and complimentary modalities of practitioners that we work with such as acupuncture, Naturopathy, and corrective exercise. My goal this year is to get out there and spread the word that you don’t have to ‘deal with’ the pain and discomfort in your body. There can be relief!
- Learn a new massage modality- This is something I like to do every year to continue giving my clients the best care possible and keep on the forefront of new massage techniques. This year, I am looking in to Tom Myers’ Anatomy trains.
So what are your goals for this year? (You can check this out for some suggestions.) What will your motto be? What will you relocate to the backburner in order to regain your full energy?
Thriving in the New Year,
Guinevere Amadeo, LMP
Happy Monday, and welcome to the first full week of 2009!
If you’re anything like me (and 90% of well-intentioned Americans), you are ready to start putting into place some new, healthier habits and rid yourself of others that are no longer serving you. Where I prefer to differ from much of our “New year’s Resolution” making culture, is that I like to think of my new beginnings as setting goals rather than resolving past behaviors. The word resolution in itself suggests bringing the past into the present moment and carrying with us our failed attempts and judgments. Setting goals provides us a clean slate to work from in our new lifestyle ambitions.
As I reflect on the highs and lows of these incredible times we are living in, many highlights come to mind. From the exciting election that reinvigorated our democracy and culminates this month with the historic inauguration of President Barack Obama, to the fear felt in every home and business in the country as the economy seems to be melting down around us.
Following are a number of goals that resonate for me to set forth this new year, and inspire my loved ones and community (ie. YOU) to take a gander at as well.
Get Involved!
As appose to thinking about being the person who makes a difference, get involved and take action on the issues that matter to you. There are a number or organizations that gather monthly to breath life into community issues and seek volunteers for action items as well. Some ideas include Sustainable Wallingford, Seattle Children’s hospital, Seattle Parks and Recreation, and various art museums and public schools. Check out Volunteer Match!
Easy ways to go green- and save some while you’re at it!
The Green movement is now household language (especially if you’re a Seattlite), and our actions should begin there as well! Here are a few easy tips to save energy during your every day life and reduce the amount of waste in landfills.
-Say no to plastic water bottles!
Refilling your Klean Kanteen with fresh, filtered water is a much better way to go!
-Bring your own stainless steel, spill proof cup to get your morning latte
You can usually even purchase these at your local coffee shop.
-Unplug it!
According to Treehugger.com, switched off devices account for 40% of energy consumed by electronics in an average home. Unplug before you go! especially phone and Ipod chargers.
-Use compact fluorescent light bulbs
75% less energy lasting 10x’s as long. This is a no-brainer.
-Recycle
Get into it! Find out your local ordinances around recycling and make sure you are doing your part to recycle everything possible.
-Compost
You can now put compost in your yard waste bins if you don’t have a personal garden! These leaves food scraps etc. will be composted and used for local parks and pea patches! I love it!
-Save your rain water
Hydrate your garden with recycled water! We sure have enough of it!
-Grow a small garden
I read a fascinating article recently that said something like 65% of food eaten during the great depression was grown in small personal gardens. It’s easier than you think. I was pleasantly surprised the first year I grew lettuce in a window box how simple and fruitful my tiny garden was. I am also a firm believer in “you get out of your food the energy you put into it” so expect, energizing, delicious food in just a few minutes a day! It will also help you to cook at home more. Double bonus!
Get Real about your finances
In these challenging economic times it can be beneficial to become a bit more conscious about spending. Track your cash flow for at least 2 weeks, chances are you are spending more that you thought on at least on item.
Shop Local
Or put your money where your home is. Support local farmers markets (Ballard is year round) and co-ops like PCC rather than large national chains. This can mean everything from clothing to pet supplies. Let’s keep our local economy strong lest the charm of our small business communities may not be around when the economy bounces back.
Get organized and educated
-Learn something new- knitting, sign language, yoga
-Clean out a closet
-Get a new wallet
-Get a haircut
-Make your bed
-Read a book- in fact go to the library and peruse a new subject you’ve never checked out before
-Have a “naked lady” party and swap clothes with your friends
Keep Your health
I suppose I couldn’t engage in a new year’s post without the mention of healthy lifestyle changes on a physical level. Mine include drinking even more water, cooking at home at least 5 days a week, and come spring eating at least 60% of my food out of my garden! Others for you (otherwise known as a few of the top 10 new years resolutions) may include quitting smoking or drinking, starting a work out regiment, loosing weight etc.
Well, there it is! Goal setting for 2009! More in part 2!
To Health and Happiness,
Guinevere Amadeo, LMP.
I am a big fan of celebrating the cycles of life, and these first couple of days of a brand new year have found me in a wonderful time of reflection. 2008- The memories, the lessons, the great times and the challenging. So here is my 2008 wrap-up! Some of my favorite quotes, some things I have discovered about myself and the world around me, and some photos for those experiences that simply can not be put into words!
1) I still like my french press morning brew better than the fancy coffee house latte.
2) I am a writer. I am not ‘going to be a writer when I grow up.’ I am a writer right now!
3) A candle looses nothing by lighting another candle.
4) One of the most valuable things we can do to heal one another is to listen to each other’s sroies.
5) In order to experience everyday spirituality, we need to remember that we are spiritual beings spending time in a human body.
6) The universe will always reward you for taking a risk on her behalf.
7) My very favorite thing is to laugh so hard I go into silent laugh mode and almost fall out of my chair, but don’t.
Even as a native Californian, snow does lose it’s nostalgia after 15 inches and 9 days of missing work!
9) “When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.” Hunter S. Thompson- true story!
10) Sitting in a place where you have never sat before can be inspiring.
11) THANKSGIVING IS MY FAVORITE HOLIDAY!!!!
12) Even when it involves gutting a turkey!
13) Especially when it involves gutting a turkey! Damn that was goooood!
14) It is always the simple that produces that marvelous.
15) In order to get anything meaningful out of your life, you have to be ruthless about what you let into it.
16) Dancing on the edge, you can see with clarity many things that you cannot from the center.
17) “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to succeeding before they gave up.” Thomas Edison.
18) Be nice to people on the way up because you meet them again on your way down.
19) We do not stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing.
20) If you think you’re too small to make an impact, try going to bed with a mosquito!
21) There was never a night that had no morning.
22) The purpose of life is to discover your gift. The meaning of life is to give it away.
23) I get up, I walk, I fall down. Meanwhile, I keep dancing.
24) Serenity is not freedom from the storm, but peace within it.
25) People are just sexier covered in dust!
26) I heart FIRE!!
27) Sunrise in the desert is on of the most beautiful places on earth!
28) There’s nothing like a fantastic group of random people working towards a common goal.
29) Don’t try to manage anyone else’s expectations until you’ve got a firm grip on your own.
30) Three things cannot be hidden. The sun, the moon and the truth.
31) Random acts of kindness happen far more often than you have your eyes open to see them.
32) Time engraves our faces with all the tears we have not shed.
33) Just when you think your dreams are shattered, new, beautiful, unexpected ones appear.
34) Do not do what you would undo if caught.
35) “The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty.” Winston Churchill
36) Blessed are the flexible, for we shall not get bent out of shape.
37) Your greatness is not what you have, but what you give.
38) The shortest distance between you and regular exercise is a youngish dog.
39) I like me some guns!
40) There are no shortcuts to anywhere worth going
41) Your greatness is not measured by what you have, but what you give.
42) Working is easy, focusing is hard.
43) Have a plan, but make it a loose one.
44) It’ sbetter to be a lion for one day than a sheep all your life.
45) Let’s dare to be ourselves, for we do that better than anyone else can!
46) Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.
47) No matter where I run, I meet myself there.
48) Who we are never changes, who we think we are does.
49) You don’t need endless time and perfect conditions. Do it now. Do it today. Do it for 20 minutes and watch your heart start beating.
50) It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters in the end.
So, farewell 2008!!! Cheers, adios, bon voyage, Ciao, peace, so long, tata, hasta la vista!!
