Readying my Spirit...

I always prepare for the new year. No matter what is happening, I pause and take time to write my goals in great detail for the year to come. A new year. A new calendar. 365 blank pages just waiting there for me to fill. It almost takes this planner's breath away.

But, during this Lenten season, I realized more and more that Easter is really the day for new beginnings - a new season for the heart. So, as this time of reflection and repentance is quickly moving to the day of new life and celebration, I am developing a short, sweet list of resolutions to maintain this spirit of renewal. I need to move my time for Bible study and reflection higher on my list of daily priorities. I want to focus more time on my ministry. And, I want to "ritualize" the process of seeking God's will in my life first, seeking His guidance before making decisions. I want to reduce the space between me and Him.
How are you preparing your heart for Easter?

This is the day that the Lord has made....

Let us rejoice in it and get busy!!

I took a day off work to catch up and refocus on my goals for this year. First, my husband and I did our Bible study together. Next, I completed our taxes and the FAFSA for my son's admission to college. Then, on to the tasks I love to put off: cleaning bathrooms, calling the plumber, etc. And, as soon as I complete this posting, I am off to do my weekend cooking, (which I love to do!) - chicken vegetable soup and homemade spaghetti sauce. Then, I will work on tasks for three nonprofits I help out. My goal? To get these miscellaneous tasks done so I can focus on my writing - in 3 hours, I want no excuses to stop me from moving ahead with my passions.

I love days when I force myself to stay focused and on task - when I check items off and then reach the time to do "the big stuff" - my time for dreams and goals. The Bible reading starts the day off on the right track - it reminds me Whom I serve and Whom I love most.

What gets you energized? How do you stay focused and productive?

Jump in here!

Blessings -

Lisa

Plan your work, and work that plan...

...and yes, exercise is part of my plan!


Am I batting a 100% with my resolutions?  No. But, I am moving forward on them, checking them off. For the first time in 27 years, my husband is participating in two of my goals with me: exercise and Bible study. And, it is nice to have a partner.


Speaking of having a partner, I have found that that is one of the secrets of achieving goals and of moving ahead with dreams. What are some other techniques that work for me? 

I find that it is important for me to write down my goals, breaking them into achievable small pieces, and then scheduling the completion of each of those pieces. I have them in my task list in my IPad but I also write them down and check them off. Lastly, I review my goals for the next day each evening so I know what I want to accomplish for the day the moment I wake up.


This mild prairie winter certainly helps! It bolsters my mood and makes spring feel that much closer.


What do you do to achieve your goals? Jump in here and share! I'd love more tips!
Lisa

Energized!!!

Friends - 
Have you ever been ready for a new year? I mean sooooo ready? Emotionally, that is where I am. I am soooo ready to begin again - and grateful for the opportunity!

2011 was an amazingly wonderful year, as most years are. Highlights of the year include: the marriage of my daughter, my daughter's college graduation, turning 50 on Sanibel Island with my whole family there with me, starting college visits with my son, completing the Bible studies I had set out to finish, finding two new authors whose work I love, visiting college campuses with my son, breaking ground on a new community services building at work, attending a writers' workshop, starting new mission projects at church... I could go on and on.


Yet, there are times when I want to start again, reassess my goals, write new ones, and move ahead. What has really energized me this year is that for the first time in 27 years, my husband is excited about the new year and writing his list of goals.  Maybe its catchy?


So here we go: what do I want to accomplish this year and what are my big dreams?

Here are the more routine resolutions - changes/ refinements to my daily routine:


1.  On the heals of my 8 lbs loss last year, I want to reach my goal weight by losing 11 lbs. more.
2.  I want to exercise at least 5 days each week.
3.  I plan to study scripture at least 5 days each week.


My "midsized" goals are:


1.  To redo my vegetable garden, trying new heirloom varieties of plants
2.  To finish editing my book
3.  To develop a new blog - and to do a better job of maintaining this one


My big dream goals are:


1.  To find a publisher for my book
2.  To launch my nonprofit dedicated to helping no kill shelters
3.  To begin a new ministry


... and I am so excited! Big dreams are alive and well in this prairie!


How about you? Send me your goals - your big dreams. Write them down and pledge to achieve them in 2012!

Keeping track....

Yikes - I flipped the calendar over this week, and realized that the "Day of Reckoning" in terms of my 2011 plans/ goals/ dreams was almost at hand.

So, how have I done so far? I decided to take an inventory of some of my goals/ dreams (I won't catalog them all here, because as my kids would be happy to tell you "Her resolutions take pages!"), but here are a few:

1.  Lose 25 pounds - I have lost 9 lbs. My goal is to lose 3-4 more pounds before the end of the year to reach my halfway point.

2. Finish writing my book and send it off to an editor- this is one of my "dreams" - I define dreams as goals straight from the heart. I was successful in completing my book, and it is in the hands of three editors. This goal is right on track.

3. Move my two nonprofit organizations ahead - I have made small progress with one, very little with the other. This is a new goal for 2012.


4. Develop a new friendship - this goal was achieved in surprising ways. An old friend from the past and I reconnected and have been corresponding, now making plans to have dinner.  A surprising way to make a "new friend".


What are your dreams and goals? What success have you had in moving them forward? What are your plans for 2012?
 

Smile - You have Choices!!

Happiness is not about how much cash you have - it is about whether or not you have the ability to realize your dreams - in other words, having choices = happiness.

Researchers from Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand analyzed questionnaires from 420,000 people in 63 countries and found that individuals who were able to make their own choices - to open a bookstore for example - claimed the highest levels of well-being.

"So while wealth can provide you with more choices, it's really having the ability to realize your dreams that leads to greater happiness," says study coauthor Ronald Fischer, Ph.D.(Source: AARP magazine).
 
I will remind myself of that this week as I choose to edit my book instead inside of going outside and enjoying this gorgeous weather and the autumn-laced trees.... I am happy.... this is my choice...:)

How are you progressing on your goals? Do you feel you have choices - or do you feel stuck?

Let's talk!
 

Saying "Yes" and remembering then to say "No"....

The road to achieving your goals can be full of potholes. One of the biggest potholes I find, unfortunately, we dig ourselves.... we say "yes" to a new project, a new obligation, a new commitment - and dig a hole. What we forget - and I am so guilty of this - is that each time we say "yes" to something new that requires our time, we don't say "no" to something that equally (or preferably) consumes more of our time. "Yes" digs the hole in our time - "no" helps fill the hole.

Yesterday, I said "yes" to another position on a community board. I am now searching my obligations to determine what I can let go of - if I don't, I know I will have even less time for my dreams, my prayer life, my family, my de-stress time - the parts of my life that matter most - that I need - in which I find fulfillment. Say "yes" too often - and you push your dreams even further into the future. Say "no" to things that don't matter - and you will enrich your life, find time for your dreams, and bless those you care about with that special, priceless gift: time!