31 days into the new year and – like most years – it looks like your new year plans aren’t going to last past January?
I know that thing. I know what happens and I know why it happens. But don’t let January be another Jan-u-worry!
Do you feel as though you need more structure? Do you feel like you need to “template” your life and goals? Write them down?
All good, but before you get going it is good to do an ecological /emotional check – because new things (usually) don’t happen overnight and achieving your goals takes time. If you’re going to be beating yourself up because you’re not getting results quick enough you’re setting yourself up for failure. There are a few things that need to be in place before you go about creating new NYR’s or goals!
Never fear, Your personal Goal Worksheet 2017 is here – with the things you need to consider while setting your new goals! Your Goal Worksheet 2017 will help you keep your plans and yourself (or was the process of designing it more for me?) on track.
Help yourself to this simple step by step document that you can work with and go back to (periodically) in order to move forward!
And remember: Whatever you do, just do it. Make the almighty decision. Want it bad. Do it. Repeat it. Get good at it and stick to it. Like super-glue!
Achieving your goals is less about you and more about what you do so honour the deed, be your own and a source of inspiration for someone else and celebrate your achievements!
Don’t run, slow down – he said pulling her hand back.
I can’t – the sand is too hot, it’s burning my feet – she moaned while hopping up and down, flicking the stinging sunburnt grains further up her legs.
Her constant clambering and tugging at his arm and hand in an attempt to lift herself off the ground was making his progress along the thick sand more difficult so he stooped down, put down his load and let her sit on his knee while he whispered a secret into her ear.
This little “dadeloog” so loves secrets. And walking barefoot.
Slow down, he instructed gently. Take your time. Every time you put your foot down start digging into the sand with your toes. Right under the hot, hot there is cool, cool. I promise you. When you find that place slowly shift yourself onto that foot and then do the same with the other foot. Dig your toes in, find the cool, stay a while, move over. And then the other foot. And then the other. And before you know it you’ll be perfect at it and we’ll be home.
She, in her childlike way still tried to get him to carry her, but he was already burdened with some of the basics they went to town for. If only he had taken the other truck – now he’s had to leave the feed behind, in the broken down truck. The baboons are going to have a feast. And, he should’ve insisted she take her sandals.
I can’t – she continued to resist.
How do you know you can’t – he asked. Have you tried it? Do you know you can’t? At least do it and if you really don’t get it right I’ll help you – he encouraged her with a smile on his face – hoping.
And so, as if knowing that he was going to prove her wrong, again, she unwillingly took that step.
If little else remains of the very tall old man whose face has faded in her memory like the time-bleached sepia shots of a family long gone, her grandfather’s words to slow down, dig in and to do the thing before convincing herself that she can’t, ring loud and clear. Just like the excited echo of the raucous baboon chatter in the rocky mountains running north and south alongside the farm.
Still today she finds herself digging in and slowly taking one step at a time when the going gets tough and things get hot!
One of my “Lewis” stories – the farm in the Kalahari. With love, Hester
It’s the fifth day into the new year! You’ve been gifted with 5 new days, and a “how to” get your butt going in 5 easy steps (or 5 seconds – see my post on the 3rd day) with a little F.O.R.C.E. I am adding to that: personal accountability, apologising and giving attention.
Hopefully, you’re now (re)energised and ready to rescue and light up the world – or – do whatever is in your ability to make this year a whole lot brighter than the last one!
You’ve made the almighty decision, you want it bad, you’re going to get good at it and stick to it like glue!
Go for it! You will make an absolute cracker-jack kick-start kick-butt contribution to collaboration through conversation and here’s some more tried and tested A-1 tips to support you – 3 x A’s.
A1: Accountability. Or answer-to-ability. Or own-up-ability. The ability to take account for and of your actions is a personal choice to rise above your circumstances i.o.w’s stop thinking and behaving like a victim. take ownership and achieve your goals. Embrace it! Don’t get stuck on the yellow brick road. And if you don’t believe me read The Oz Principle.
A2: Apologizing. We get taught to and then we either forget or choose not to. Why? Is it defensiveness? Pride? Because you don’t want to let the person you should be apologising to, “off the hook”? Are you an non-apologiser? Is your not apologising protecting your fragile sense of self? There’s no need to ask “what have I gotto do” anymore – it’s not always easy, but it is simple. Apologise.
A3: Attention. Remember that? Remember how you felt when you weren’t getting it from a parent, lover or your boss? Think of flowers that don’t get attention. They wane and wither. What would happen to your business if you didn’t give it to your attention? What should happen to your conversation if you don’t give it your all? It’s so easy to spread our attention (thin) across our devices that we’ve become mind-full and not mindful. We’re losing the all-important life skill of staying focussed. And contrary to the saying that you must “pay” attention, attention is absolutely free and comes with the bonus that it generates interest (financial and personal). Attention leads to meaningful conversation. Attention determines how well you do something. You earn and learn with attention. Attention could (even) save your life.
If you cannot gift someone with your presence by being present, get out of the conversation!
Frankly? It’s madness and arrogance to think you can keep doing the same old stuff and expect different or better results. If you’re not getting what you want and you have a bunch of new exciting ideas for your new year then drop your old unserving habits and start doing things differently. And, if you have been taking accountability, apologising and giving your attention you are more than likely content with how things are turning out for you at work and privately so not breaking your head over things you think you have to achieve. That’s AWESOME!
Let’s do this. All year long. And for as long as you breathe.
Embrace the deeds of accountability, apologizing and attention. Honor them and celebrate your integrity!
,
your no-buts kick-butt sparkplug cross-cultural communication and collaboration keynote speaker and coach. If you’re interested in getting more contact me!
When it comes to some tasks and to dos there are some you are never going to feel like doing and you have to force yourself to do them. Do them anyway.
Some may even feel like you need your own task-force. Do them like you own one.
Get out of your autopilot mode and quit pulling up your emergency brake. Do that stuff.
Your problem is not that you don’t have ideas, that you don’t know how to or that you can’t figure out how to. Your problem is that you don’t act on the deeds and it’s high time you fall in love with the idea of marrying your ideas with action. No time better than now.
Here’s how to in 5 seconds and in 5 easy steps:
Whatever you do. Do it. This isn’t about you, it’s about what you do.
Honor the deed and celebrate your integrity.
Let’s do this. All year long.
May the force be with you! Hester
Your no-buts kick-butt sparkplug keynote speaker and coach. If you’re interested contact me!
Lines and ideas taken from my book: “Being Nice Isn’t Enough – How to communicate for cross-cultural collaboration!”
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