Positive Goal Setting

Image from Justina Blakeney

Oh, hey 2014.

I saw you sauntering towards us as we were nearing the end of our time hanging out with 2013. You were kindly waiting for us to finish our epic session before you took your turn with us—I appreciate that, you’re so kind.

So, what’s up? Are you happy to be here? I am sure glad you showed up. I enjoyed 2013 quite a bit—a lot of changes, opportunities, challenges resulting in growth and a lot to be thankful for. Many blessings are worth reflecting on, and I fondly look back at the wonderful moments of 2013. But, 2014, I am excited you’re here.

I’m not sure what 2014 will hold, but I do know it is in my hands with how I am going to shape it. I could leave it is as is, no ideas on how to shape it, leaving it flat—with no desires, goals, or excitement mixed with moments of calm and contentment changing it to mountains on my palms…

But I want those mountains.

While my wonderful husband and I were casually discussing 2014 on the last day of 2013 over Thai food, I asked what he is most looking forward to in 2013. I love asking questions like these. It’s probably a combination of my radio-dj-interviewer background, mixed with my genuine interest in my significant other and how I always thought being a counselor would be nifty. I like asking questions that make people think and examine themselves. My answer to the question returned to me is simply that I am looking forward to ‘overcoming the challenges’. An answer such as mine requires at least a bit of an explanation—I think it’s safe to say enjoying an actual challenge is difficult. I welcome a new challenge knowing I will overcome it and will have learned lessons, grown personally, and come out better for it. So it’s not the challenge itself I am looking forward to (or, let’s be honest, challenges—since I know there will be many), but I am looking forward to what happens after you overcome—the other side, which is accomplishment and further knowledge, gained.

I don’t know if I necessarily think the idea of ‘New Years Resolutions’ work—especially if they are decided on a whim and are not planned out. (That being said, I have totally made resolutions in the past where the end of the year is the first time I look at them again and I really have accomplished some.) I do believe in having goals. Goals for 2014 are great to have—and although I won’t be sharing my “how-to achieve your goals” guide on here (as it varies by individual), I am going to share with you a few of my general goals for the what is sure to be a remarkable 2014.

This is how I start my goal setting for the year.

These may seem generic to you, but I have visions of where I want to see them go and a few steps for how to see those made real in the present. One thing I truly believe is how a positive view is always more effective than a negative view. Example; I have on my list ‘Give More’. That is a positive statement. That is more uplifting and inspiring than reading ‘Work on Being Less-Selfish’ or flat out ‘Stop Being Selfish’. When you read those more negative statements, your mind automatically draws ideas of what the negative is like—You think of how you are being selfish, the way being selfish makes you feel, and generally all other negative emotions. When you read ‘Give More’ you are automatically brought into a positive mindset—it motivates you, gives you ideas and uplifts you to feeling the potential the statement holds.

As Mother Teresa said;

“I was once asked why I don't participate in anti-war demonstrations. I said that I will never do that, but as soon as you have a pro-peace rally, I'll be there.”

I challenge you to write your goals, resolutions, or dreams in a positive manner. You’ll feel encouraged, ready for the challenge, and your mind will already be thinking of the amazing ways you can accomplish what you have written down. Believe me, it is amazing what being ‘pro’ instead of ‘anti’ can do.

Goals for 2014

- Give More

- Love More

- Serve More

- Gain Self-Confidence and, within that, 

Achieve a Realistic View-Point on Physical Wellness

- More God

- Blog Regularly

- Collaborate

- Strengthen My Marriage

This is just the beginning of the year and as the minutes turn into hours, hours to days, days to weeks and weeks to months, it is guaranteed these general goals will become refined, defined and challenged. I welcome all of those. As I get older, and as time passing arrives with mixed feelings, this year I will welcome the change of seasons and availability of the time I find myself blessed with. I will accept how not everything happens ‘over-night’ and my goals for 2014 are truly that—goals set for the course of the year, designed to be accomplished only as the time passes and brings us closer to 2015.

Be brave, display courage, seek guidance from God, love without abandon and know you have the ability to accomplish more than you ever thought possible.

**Other things I will be doing to set up my year in a positive mindset will be shared later on the blog so keep checking back!**