5 Questions to Ask Before Giving Up on Your Goals

This was sent to me and I thought it was so good that I wanted to share.

1. Do I need to break it into smaller, more bite-sized action steps?
If you force too many goals at once, you set yourself up for failure. All you need to do if this is the case, is break the goal into smaller pieces and perhaps give yourself a more palatable time line. "By the Yard is Hard, but Inch-by-inch anythings a Cinch!"

2. What is the biggest obstacle to my progress?
If your goal is to eat healthier, but if your attempts to stay on track are sabotaged by the fact that you have to eat on the run and find yourself grabbing fast food every day for lunch, or dinner (which is what we often do), you've got a problem. Identify the things that are impeding your progress.

3. What can I do to alleviate any obstacle to my success?
Next, address every obstacle by brainstorming for a workable solution. That means it needs to be a solution you will actually use. Be honest with yourself about what you need. And if you struggle to come up with solutions, ask someone who has already conquered the challenge you face.

4. Am I pursuing the wrong goal for me?
Sometimes being stuck is a way for your authentic self to put its foot down. If you can't seem to get unstuck, ask yourself, "Why is this goal so important to me? What's the purpose?" What's my WHY? "Who do I know that can assist me?" "Is there another goal (perhaps even a similar goal) that resonates with me more?"

5. Am I holding on to the wrong goal, or is my EGO blocking my Progress?
Don't fall into the trap of letting your EGO block you from accepting advice from others! What's more important - Your Ego, or your Success? Sticking with something that's not working, when others around you are having Success, is a Clue that YOU need to adjust something that YOU are doing!

My challenge to you this week:
Identify a goal that you are struggling to complete. Ask yourself, "Who can best guide me?" And then seek, and accept that guidance!!

Until next time...

So, What Are You Doing?

After three years of home-educating my children and being out of the workforce, I went back to work. Yesterday. It wasn't easy or convenient or without challenges. But it was satisfying. I did what I was meant to do. I taught my first class at a local university. The students, whether there by choice or necessity, were engaged and involved. Open dialogue gave way to an exchange of ideas. And it motivated me.

At the end of a very long day, I went to bed with aching feet (it's been a while since I've trekked across a college campus), a sense of satisfaction, and a knowing. "I'm doing it! I'm actually doing it!" I said to myself say as the first class ended. The "it" of hopes and dreams and what-ifs. The "it" of trying and failing and trying again.

I know that this is what I was meant to do and that I am where I'm supposed to be - at least for now. The many paths of my life converge on this moment. And after much seeking, I can rest.

Are you doing what you were created to do? Are you fulfilled? Satisfied? Contented? If so, revel in it. If not, go after it. Whatever it is. It's out there and it's waiting for you.

Until next time...

A Lesson Learned While Knitting: More Than A Ball of Yarn

This Christmas I received a ball winder from one of my very close knitting friends. When I pulled it out to use for the very first time, I was immediately joined by my daughter. What started as the mundane task of winding yarn turned into precious moments that are forever etched in my heart.

"Wait Mom, I want to wind my yarn," were her words as she ran for her knitting bag. And wind her yarn we did...for an hour...in our pj's...while watching the Cosby Show. We worked together unraveling, untangling, and winding. We shared, we laughed, and we celebrated every cake-shaped ball of yarn as if it were a masterpiece.

To us, it was.

As a mother, I quickly recognized the sweetness of the hour and I embraced it. Soon, winding yarn with her mother will be the farthest thing from my daughter's mind. With this revelation, I looked at my little plastic ball winder and was grateful for the gift. While it was given for one intention, I received so much more.

The next time you are toiling over WIPs that happen to be for other people: a baby blanket, hat, or pair of fingerless gloves, be encouraged and reminded that it may touch in ways you never imagined.

Thank you, Thella!

Until next time...

I Told You I Was New At This...

After several unsuccessful attempts at responding to a question posed in a comment to the last blog, I decided to post my response.

Can I comment on my own blog?

Anyway, here's my response:

Letting go requires a little of both faith and hope. Whenever I'm confronted with the prospect of purging, I honestly answer one or more of the following questions:

1. Why am I keeping this?
2. Does it fulfill a need or a want?
3. Does it add or take away?
4. When was the last time I used it?

I hope this helps.

Until next time...

The Freedom of Letting Go

I don't know about you but sometimes I like to hold on to things; not everything, just certain things. "I may need it one day," is the rationale. Sometimes the items are tangible like a book or a shirt. Sometimes, intangible like a perceived opportunity or an unfruitful relationship. Either way, they take up space and drain energy.

There is freedom in letting go, a release, an unleashing. And today, I experienced that freedom. I let go of something. And I have to admit - it felt good. As a result, I've increased my capacity to receive something else in return. While it wasn't planned, it was a great way to start the new year. And I'm excited about what's to come.

There really is a time for everything - even letting go. As you embark upon this new year, free yourself.

Until next time...

Happy New Year!

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