Goal setting for the new year.

  Endless Bridge from Free Digital Photos

"Always remember, your focus determines your reality."
— George Lucas

First off, I have to say that I am very excited right now...I'm actually sitting in Panera drinking a cup of coffee typing my blog! Oh the joy of finally having my own laptop!

With the new year like everyone else I have been thinking hard about what I'd like to accomplish this year and what new goals I will set.  While shopping at the Grocery Store the other day, I saw the new Oprah magazine on the stand. I don't usually pick this magazine up, but one of the cover stories caught my eye. The title was "What's Your Next Chapter?"  Funny enough, that article did nothing for me...all about Oprah and her new network.  But, another article under the "May We Help You?" section entitled "Words to the Wise" by Martha Beck really got me thinking.  First off I find that this kind of thing seems to happen to me a lot, you are drawn to something for one idea and end up finding something totally different.

Back to the article, Martha Beck talks about a goal-setting strategy in a very different light. She suggests that you first state your goal in the traditional way, for example "I'd like to grow my business". Then she explains how you should envision yourself in the future with your goal already reached.  The third step is to come up with 3 adjectives that express how you would feel if your goal was reached, for example "proud, content, excited".  Now, this is the step that I really like. Focus on aspects of your present life that make you feel like the adjectives.  In our example "proud, content, excited".  I can look at my Jewelry studio with all my work and the inspirational artwork of others and feel that content and excited feeling.  You get an instant lift and all kind of things start to happen.  Once you recognize areas in your life that you either already have those feelings or can find them, your goal seems more obtainable.  Try it and let me know what you think.  To read the whole article pick up the January issue of O Magazine.

Now for my goals this year:

1. I want to live my days in a way that is fulfilling. Not just doing things because I can. Some days, I think "I have an hour left before the kids get home, I should do the bills". While this type of behavior gets things done, it ends up making me feel frazzled.  So, I am going to work on getting things done, but keeping in mind what I want my day to be like.

2. I also would like to give the gift of unconditional kindness to myself and to others. This year I am going to keep that thought in my present mind.

3. I would love to grow my online jewelry business. I really enjoyed learning more about the online world last year and meeting new friends. I am taking a step in the right direction to achieve this goal next week by taking an online class called "In the Fish Bowl. Life as an Artist. Online". The class still has openings if you are interested and would like more information you can find it on the Creative Thursday blog. 

3. And of course, I would like to loss that holiday weight and find my former more fit self!

Now, I have to think about 3 adjectives for each goal and go from there. I'd love to hear from you and what your goals are.  Thanks so much for stopping by and enjoy your day! Stacie