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The Why and When of Change

https://changelop.wordpress.com/2016/11/20/the-why-and-when-of-change

The five question words: what, who, where, when, and why, have been programmed into our minds since we were very young children. Who hasn’t met a two year old in the midst of exploring “why” which, subsequently turns into, “but why”? It also isn’t a coincidence that the first handful of words often taught when learning a new language are these.

The five W’s … and one H… are important to how we gain our understanding of the world, which is always changing. That is how we arrived here. You, and myself, and the many people we know are all experiencing change all the time. Personal development is one step in identifying and managing this change; you deciding how change affects your life. But, to understand how to do this we must first understand the W’s. This week and next week will be building the foundation for us to use in every step we take forward. What, who, where, when and why are as primal to us in this age as fire … or microwaves.

A heads up, the W’s are placed in a series that will progress you naturally to a consequence and/or action (how). Read through them again, maybe out loud, and see the progression. These are vital in objective journalism for this very reason; they deliver cut and dry natural consequences and necessary actions. Each person may arrive at a slightly different action however the consequence very often remains the same.

We are reverse engineering our path for now. We all want to be here, it’s why you’re reading and I’m typing. We know a few things: change is a part of our lives, it is necessary (sometimes evil) and development is taking change one step further. So in staying true to this pattern we will go: why, when, where, who, what and the how will be every step we take from there.

Why

A few common things lead us to focusing on change. Most people realize they need to change because they are unhappy. A just reason in deciding to take charge over the change in your life. Others feel stagnant, unaware or unaffected by the change through the world. They feel their passion and drive for life being crushed by daily duties. This is a fantastic reason too. Correcting past mistakes is another category usually found through a number of people who probably fall into category 1, the unhappy bunch. The difference is these people identify key points in time that have led to this unhappiness.

Moving out of the affected, we see the question category. Are you driving to something better? Have you realized a goal that you can’t put down? Congratulations then, you are far ahead of some of us, myself included. Then, the final, sudden life changes, which catapults change into your life. Sometimes unexpectedly and it just can’t be avoided. We see this with new additions to the family, geographical changes and instances like these. The question for this category is really… how are you handling it? I made a move about a year ago, seemed like a good idea and now looking back I feel as if I’ve spent a year trying to accomplish something that has just been out of my reach. It is very discouraging to find yourself under sudden change and not realizing how big a role you have, or you can, play in the decision.

So our categories for why you find yourself seeking change are:

Unhappy and needing life enhancement

Stasis, or being in a sucky routine

Correcting past mistakes

A big goal just on the horizon

Sudden life changes

The why is important to understand because it will lay out what sort of challenges you are going to face, the previous what, who, and where constantly interfering. I mentioned my move, now a year later I don’t see it as the cause for my needing change but I still see it’s effect. I fall into a couple of categories including having a big goal just out of reach, but also being in a passive routine and while I’m not by definition “unhappy” I know that I need some life enhancement now, before I get there.

You can be in one, two, or even all of these groups. Just know the why, so you can be prepared for the correlating, natural consequences. We’ll do a run really quick on the first group so you can see the W’s at work, click on the link below to see a fun display of the 5 W's on category 1:

Click me to see how Category 1 works out...

When

Tracking back again, from the Why to the When; when do we make change? Most people’s response, and directly backed by every failed New Year’s Resolution, is Immediately. But … wait… you don’t have a plan.

Often, I find myself and I can’t be alone here, locating a goal or a way to improve myself and run towards it screaming “victory!” But, I find myself out of breath, my left side sending me to the ground and my voice gone before I get down the street. My point is there are a few things you need to succeed in change but these things will not get you there alone.

Drive and/or ambition

A lone goal

Spare or free time

Motivators or supporters

All of these things are wonderful and without any of them achieving any goal, or implementing any change is really difficult. But, you can’t act on change with just these, you won’t be prepared.

So, Lori, when do I make change?

Well, I am glad you asked…now, and then, and all the time in between. But only after you have a plan, with a deadline. Even just an outline that has a date on it. But the reason that “A lone goal” is on the list is because a goal without a plan is really a dream. Don’t take my word for it…

“A dream is just a dream. A goal is a dream with a plan and a deadline.”

Harvey MacKay

You can act on your goals, when you have the things mentioned by Mr. Harvey MacKay, a plan and a deadline.

See you all throughout the week…

Any feedback you have please leave it in the comments or contact me, it would be greatly appreciated! Additionally, take the week through to determine your goals that should come from your journey in personal development. Short term, long term or even just a few things to take care of… but assign each a deadline and make a plan for success!

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New Growth

https://changelop.wordpress.com/2016/11/27/new-growth-who-what-and-where

Recap from last week

Last week we kind of covered a lot of ground! I got some great feedback and appreciate all you readers! You are making one of my passions come alive, and motivating me to keep moving forward. Which I hope to be giving back.

We looked at our question words; the 5 W’s and are leading up to the mysterious How. Just to recap:

What

Who

Where

When

Why

Why and When were covered and we identified why you need change and the importance of having a plan first. The why is unique to each person although there are some categories that capture people in the same boat. You can be in the same boat and have different circumstances and situations at play. Identifying the need of a plan is the bulk of the when. Too often we dive into change without knowing how to swim, and then face a strong current. So to say, striking when the time right, or at least being strategic.

Let’s break into this week though!

Who Decides Change?

Well this is easy to answer at first, and then becomes increasingly difficult as we explore other options. I am a heavy advocate of having an arsenal of different answers to every question.

Answer 1: You decide change. It is always you, will always be you and was always you. You decide to get up in the morning and you decide to go to sleep.  I have decided many times to go to sleep with a giant report due the next day and less than 20% of it done; this was my choice. Using words like “choose” “decide” and “want” will direct you to implementing change.

But wait, the first answer was so simple! How is there another answer? There is a different answer because too often, we do not hold ourselves to be the director of change. The answer opposing the thought process that you are the decider of change, is, everyone else is.That is answer 2.

Think of these:

“I can’t change jobs because I wasn’t taught to do anything else.”

“I can’t make time for the things I enjoy because there isn’t enough time in the day.”

“I need to make more but I can’t because the boss doesn’t realize my potential.”

All of these can be true, and are credible to argue with. The root cause isn’t exposed though, this is the surface argument. This is reactive, and believe it or not comes full circle, because our answers live together. You are deciding to allow everyone else to direct the course of your life.

But, Lori, you don’t understand. You are right, I don’t. Because I haven’t met these people, I don’t understand their influence on you. We have in one sentence come back to the core. “I don’t understand their influence on you.”  This sounds mean, I know it does. Let’s test this theory, and please understand the intent is not to snub you or your friends/family.  Yet, take a look at your Facebook. How many complaints are about how your friends and family are being affected by outside sources? In the comments do you see people feeding into it? Do you see the original poster rejecting positivity or solutions that are offered?

Stephen Covey offered to us, “Response-able”. A breakdown of a word we use in pride on resumes and in work or family environments. But we shun its most basic interpretation. Who makes change in your life will always be you, whether you are response-able or not… is also up to you.

What Change do we make?

We know the who, the why and then when… we’ve tackled this biggest hurdles. I promise it gets easier from here. What change do we make? This is up to you. It relies heavily on your knowledge and perception of your particular situation. But, you’ve been armed now. Knowing that you make the changes and call the shots, and knowing why you want these change to happen mixed together with a plan for when. You are setup for success!

I start by identifying my weaknesses. I start with my why and try to find the root of each problem; each one comes down to me. An action I did or did not take, and realizing how next time, I will handle myself differently. How about some examples?

I am unable to do all the things that I need or want to do. This is causing me to feel unfulfilled and unhappy. ß After work I watch TV and make dinner, over the course of 4 hours, I expect more from myself.

               This is a reactive statement. Which I followed by the root cause of where my time goes. So, in analyzing the why, we will make it proactive and take responsibility!

I will not turn on the TV, until; my daily ‘to-do’ is completed. On this list I will have at least one thing that will make my day fulfilling which I choose to make a top priority.

               I choose to renegotiate my time after work. This will cut out the root cause of laziness and I am using this time to do something that I enjoy.

This is my what, I am changing my time management. I could have gone more broad and stated I will manage my time better. But, by giving me something physical to work with (to-do list) I have something to measure with. Make your what measurable, and physical if at all possible.

Where Does this Change Happen?

Change happens everywhere. Imagine that every step you take is in a direction leading you to your goal. Take every step with purpose, and keep in mind your ability to choose your response.

Become mindful of: your steps, where you are going, and what you will do after. Ask why these are important and who they may affect. The Where being the last piece to the puzzle is because it is literally, all around you. Make changes in your home, your relationship, your car for your commute and even at work. Does this mean you should walk in and begin directing everyone else? No, because this change is about you, not everyone else.

In your home, you can change physical things most easily. I change the setup of my room often even with just minor changes. But, I take into consideration that this is not just my room. At my work I make less physical changes. I move with confidence and purpose, even when I’m not feeling it. I do it because I want to do better. And while my curiosity never subsides, my intentions in leading with purpose do. I change my posture, my tone when I speak. When this gets too exhausting, I excuse myself, or offer to work on a project that is a lone venture. Not because I want to be alone, but I am choosing to do so because the changes that I make in my work place for me, can be draining, and I choose to recharge.   This is where change happens, all around us, in every step.

How?

Well you have all the tools, and some of these may be hard to swallow I hope the intention has come across clearly. I’m here to help. The world is tough, and you can find compassion and judgment in the same person. On your journey you will surely come across people attempting to put your goals down.  They may say you are unable of changing or developing. How you make change is one step at a time, for you. Using your plan, acting with responsibility and bringing change to every hallway you walk down. Make your why a driving sense of direction, your compass to your end goal.

This week, I will be posting a variety of tools that will hopefully prove to be useful. While each is my own, there is strong inspiration from a variety of sources. The action planning tools can be found in their truest form in “The Passion Plan” by Richard Chang.  We will discuss how to make change a part of your daily life more next week and start an 8 step challenge December! This means two posts a week and a transition to a more motivational and inspirational journey. For now, I leave you with the following words:

“The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.”

Albert Einstein

“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”

Maya Anglou

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Goal Setting and Looking Ahead

https://changelop.wordpress.com/2016/12/07/goal-setting-and-looking-ahead

Hello all, I am a few days behind in my week, but I am catching up while at the same time… planning ahead. That’s the trick isn’t? Dealing with the daily whirlwind while also trying to make sure you don’t drown tomorrow. How can you do anything in that pattern? I know I can’t. There are a few good months where I feel productive and like every day is raw victory and then … there are other months. Months when there isn’t a day that goes by without feeling overly drained.

So how do we get away from that?

How do we make those good, productive and positive months happen for us?

We plan… and plan…and plan… with all of the action between each step of planning. It is a lifestyle, being productive and positive. It is a life style that is driven on lifelong development and change. Your desire for that pushes you, even on a bad day, to claim your next victory.

Challenge Overview

So to provide a quick explanation of what our challenge is going to cover, we are going to plan our next year together. Okay, that sounds like a really big task, because well, it is. But, we won’t be planning down every detail.

Each week, starting from today will have 2 challenge dates. The first challenge date, on Tuesday, will show the big picture. Then the following Thursday, will begin to craft smaller, but significant, actions to achieve that big picture.

By December 31, 2016 you will have a loosely structured outline of what you will accomplish next year, but also, key milestones that will lead you to success.

Challenge 1 – Week 1 Big picture

In this time of year, we redirect ourselves away from our goals to enjoy the season. We can also use the season and our down time to reflect, and redirect our forward course. Take about 5 minutes and review a handful of questions, and welcome … to challenge #1.

> If you could accomplish anything over the course of a year, what would you do?

Keep in mind, what can be done in a year. You can have a child in a year, buy and sell a house in a year, change jobs … multiple times. Think with the extent of a year in mind, don’t limit yourself in what you have “time” for … you have all year.

Please don’t be intimidated by the blank page. Recently reading “The Passion Plan” I have since found myself stumped many times in what I am passionate about. However, I see my biggest sparks when I stop trying to label and tack down names for what I love and realize them later. If you love to read, list reading, if your love is for cooking or meal prepping or training… list those. These things don’t have to be productive, and they don’t have to be about your career, or your life choices. These should all be things that you enjoy doing and would be very happy doing all year long.

> Now, from that list, which three are the most important to you?

I personally found this part the most difficult. I am a person that wants to accomplish nearly everything that comes to mind. Taking my list from a full page, down to three items was very difficult. Leave a logical mindset behind, and decide what you actually want to chase, and dedicate your year to.

Try to consider each option carefully, and understand that you are not discounting the other things you have listed. You are not giving up one thing that makes you happy, for something else that also makes you happy. However, we will be working on using your time to achieve goals that matter the most. We will also be working on using this time efficiently to be sure you have time for other things you enjoy also.

> Give each of these three goals, three reasons why you want to accomplish them.

If you are facing your list unable to find a solid third reason to accomplish that goal, take a look at your first list again.

To give a little insight here, I want to travel. Initially, this was in my top three. However, as I evaluated where I am in life, and what I was planning on getting out of it, it didn’t add up. My reasons for traveling were: “It is fun, I enjoy learning about cultures and history, and ….” I couldn’t think of a solid third reason. Traveling is something I enjoy, but as I can show here, it just isn’t one of my top priority passions.

What next?

Well, now you have a few days to reflect on your three goals. They can be as generalized as you want, and one of mine is in fact, read. I found myself, in my own goals following each word with ‘more’. Such as: “travel more” and “read more” but after about five minutes of thought I had a realization. I didn’t want to do these “more” because, that would mean doing them at all currently.

Of my three goals, in the last few months, I haven’t made time for any of them.  This has me excited for the next step in figuring out how to make time for these things!

Well, we’ll reconvene on Thursday with some worksheets on making our goals happen!

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Reflection and Contingency Plans

https://changelop.wordpress.com/2016/12/09/reflection-and-contingency-plans

“Trust that in doing so you will be on your path and the directions will recalculate themselves – just like it does when you key in an address in your satellite navigation or GPRS and then start driving your car. Without moving at all, it can’t tell you where to go, so act you must. The path is lit with the first step.”  - Malti Bhojwani, Don’t Think of a Blue Ball

The statement here drives a point home for me, or maybe anywhere but home. I often set out on courses that I have never traveled before, and I do so with confidence. Not in myself, but in my device. The above is very true in that no device will manage to get you where you are determined to go if you remain where you are at. When I read this, it was so simple and I started lecturing myself for not getting it sooner.

How does this fit in with our December challenge? Well, what if I told you that without even knowing… you have already begun to light your path. On Tuesday I challenged us all with a small handful of questions, and that was your very first step. Acutally you could probably argue your first step was going to the internet in pursuit of finding change, or development. You could go back even further, and say the original thought was the spark that lit your fire which will guide you the rest of the way. But, the hardest part is done, now all you have to do is keep moving. Isn’t that easy? It is, trust me a little bit, once you’re going the hardest thing is to stop.

Frantic but Slow

Is the pace of life, from 10 am to 2 pm you could fly barely aware of the time passing and miss it. But, from 3 to 6 pm it could drag and be a very unique type of torture. Our pace is constantly, frantic but slow. So where does this put us in our challenge? Well, we are at part 2 (of 8) in our December challenge already!

But, to slow down before jumping into our next step… how was our reflection from part 1? I would love to hear from you guys in the comments, or through email!  I was faced with two hard days of having my three goals doing jumping jacks in my head. They wouldn’t stay still. But they weren’t really getting anywhere either. I’ve thought about writing more in the last two days than I have probably in the last two months. I’ve encountered more titles to read in the last two days that I could have put to paper off the top of my head a week ago. Finally, I’ve listened. In the last two days I have paid close attention to what others have said and tried to understand. But where has this gotten me?

Our Guiding Light

The opening quote spoke of what we are  going to refer to as a guiding light. You made it, you ignited it! All of that reflection and just answering some basic questions from Tuesday, well it got me on the path. My path, and it hopefully put you onto yours.

Part 1 of the challenge is particularly important because it will be what you are able to view everything with.  What we are reviewing today… is the map. Like any good action movie, we need a torch … and a map. We’ll add to our arsenal as we move through the month but come January you will be as prepared for your adventure as Indiana Jones (on a good day).

Challenge part 2!!!

You will need:

> A few pieces of paper

>Pens or colored pencils

>An open mind

Across the top of your sheet you’ll want to lay out your three goals. Give each about fair section to write under, and we’re ready.

Step 1: list three mini-goals that could fall under this goal.

For example if you’re looking to lose weight you may put other goals that would be directly affected by weight loss. Like, a competitive spirit being kindled through local mud runs, or build new friendships with people who have the same goals!

Step 2: list three anticipated pitfalls for each goal.

You probably won’t be surprised with how easy this comes to you, but the next stop is going to be pretty hard.

Step 3: list a solution for each pitfall

This is the most difficult part of this whole challenge. What is a quick one-line contingency plan for each anticipated pitfall? This may take a few days, and I’ll have some examples of my own ready by Sunday. Think hard though, and be sure that your contingency plans don’t stop you from achieving your goal, or lowering your expectation. How can you overcome expected obstacles? So I’m not leaving you with nothing to work with, I’ll give you that I’m lazy. Like a lot. This is an anticipated pitfall for everyone of my goals. “I’m lazy and I will get bored and distracted and my goal will fall to the side, forgotten.” Well, how can I combat this? Scheduling, but, I learned about six months ago, that when I schedule some lazy time in I don’t drag it into productive time. I look forward to my lazy time. So, my contingency plan for if I realize I am getting lazy is: “If I start to get lazy and it affects my goals, then I will schedule strict blocks for down time.”

Sorry this is a shorter post, but be sure to share your thoughts in the comments! We’ll be back on Sunday for a recap and some information before heading into the next part of the challenge.

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Failure and Your Most Successful Self

https://changelop.wordpress.com/2016/12/15/failure-and-your-most-successful-self

Hello there, and welcome again. What we have had since the last post is a lot of time. More time that I initially said was going happen. This brings us into the immediate topic of failure. Because, no lie, that’s what this felt like, when I missed my intended Sunday post, and then again when I didn’t hit Tuesday’s post as planned.

When using quotes, which I thoroughly enjoy, I usually have one in mind and go looking for that specific one to ensure I have it right and can attribute the appropriate voice of reason. However I didn’t have on in mind for failure, or overcoming it. So we turned to the internet…

“Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” – Winston Churchill

And a bonus…

“Failures are finger posts on the road to achievement.” – C.S. Lewis

But in hindsight, maybe this particular stumble of mine, not keeping my own time table was predetermined. Last week we completed part two of the December challenge which focused on contingency plans. I ensured my own plan is to keep doing what I’m doing and reschedule as necessary. I have my own low points through the week and have adapted my schedule so I’m not researching and posting through these points.

December Challenge – Part 3

What comes after our overarching plan? Well, now we can start making it happen. This is the fun part and it’s a lot of brainstorming and when we hit Part 4 we’re going to have some resources to bring in to bring all of this to life. We are going to begin visualizing now though. Answer the following questions giving each some critical thought, but keep this in mind too. What do these mean for your smaller goals that will lead to your bigger goals being accomplished?

What is the reason you want to achieve the three goals you’ve laid out?

This is one question that you should be constantly asking yourself. Having a “Why” will drive you to succeed things you never before believed imaginable. A great Ted talk was done by Simon Sinek on this and there are tons of youtube videos to feed this. Here is one to get you pumped … We hit home on these questions about 2 minutes in.

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Making “It” Happen - Behavior Change

Throughout the month you’ve decided on three major goals, and crafted one big picture to keep you on track through the year. You have also successfully given your goals a purpose and put your ideas and visions in one easy to read location. So what now? Well, you have the idea and that is about 55% of the work. The only thing left is to get right down to and roll up your sleeves.

Behavior and modifying it

I’m currently reading a book called “The Happiness Project” by Gretchen Rubin. She provided a quote that I have found myself using as a daily mantra.

“What you do every day matters more than what you do once in a while.”                                                                                                                               – Gretchen Rubin

How we behave and what actions we take, every day are within our circle of influence. These are choices you make, whether you are aware or not. Let me tell you, every day I wake up and hit the snooze button. But on the rare occasion I don’t, I feel better. I enjoy not rushing in the morning and I love having a cup of coffee not at my desk under fluorescent lights.

So it opens the question, why do I hit the snooze? Well, I’m fighting a natural desire to sleep more. Now, my knowledge can be used to override this desire. Because the knowledge doesn’t stand alone, attached to it is a strong positive emotional response.  This brings us to our second quote…

Human behavior flows from three main sources: desire, emotion, and knowledge.

Plato

Tracking Habits for Accountability

There are a ton of apps out there for both Android and Apple users to track their habits. Personally, I am a planner person. Even though I have my phone with me all day, I attempt to not be staring at my screen all the time. I also just hate it when a blog post turns into an App review. So, if you want an app Google will certainly navigate you to a number of them but I can’t. Sorry.

Planners though, we can go on for days! We will talk in depth about planners in January though. What is important is that you have some form of paper or screen to input your daily behavior ideals. Somewhere they can be seen, and present. The whole, out of sight out of mind business is true.

This is part 6 of our 8 part challenge. Enter your ideal daily habits.

Be ambitious! Believe, wholeheartedly that you can live this sort of day. Mine is here …

TimeBehavior Purpose

5:00 amActually wake up with my alarmRid myself of feeling rushed

6:00 amListen to Leadership podcasts on commuteBuild knowledge!

7:00 amPrioritize work dayBe proactive!

8 – 11 amWork with the goal of understanding and being solutions focusedBuild positive environments!

11- 12 amDedicate time to readingHobby that I enjoy

12 – 4 pm

In addition to: Work with the goal of understanding and being solutions focused

Also: follow up on all projects.

Follow up on everything that was once “most important”

4 – 5 pmMake family calls on drive home (Hands Free)Keep in touch with family

5:00 pmStay busy at home, no naps!Prevent losing time!

6:00WalkStay healthy!

6:30Cooking and cleaningStay healthy, save money, clean living space!

8:30Personal interest (all directed towards top 3 goals)Propelling me forward!

This is subject to change; my ideal day right now probably won’t be the same in six months. You will see your own natural progression through habits and behaviors that move you into success. While others you will notice stick around.

Go through your day and envision you’re best possible work day, and then your best possible non-work day. See how they differ. Take into account that some weekly or monthly activities will prevent days from playing out this way. That’s fine.

Not every day needs to go over this way, but if you have a goal you can make most days hit most of these marks. Eventually you’ll be having these sorts of super productive and meaningful days all the time. Use what was laid out by Plato to guide some of your indecisions. Between knowledge, desire and emotion what are your actions feeding at that moment?

Part 7 – Success Questions

This is kind of a pop quiz in goal setting! Ask yourself:

How will I measure success?

How will I reward positive behavior?

What tangible milestones can be set and reached?

What is my first action?

Are there mini-goals that will be even smaller steps?

Can I pin a deadline to each goal?

What time can I dedicate to each goal?

What time do I want to commit?

Who can I go to for support, feedback and to hold me accountable?

What do I need to get started?

Is my desire and emotion enough to drive a different life change?

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Your Resolutions Become Actions

https://changelop.wordpress.com/2017/01/02/your-resolutions-become-action

Tonight, or morning if you are an early reader… we begin with words on resolutions. That is the topic of today. For nearly everyone across the globe is making resolutions to eat better, exercise more or to quit smoking. There are a variety of others of course. Each person has their own unique intent behind each of these resolves. You are already far ahead of the game.

“I think in terms of the day’s resolutions, not the years’.”

Henry Moore

Resolution and Action

We can take a look at the core definition of a few words to put ourselves on the right track. Words bring a lot together for us and we use them for most forms of communication. Let’s see…

So, when we speak of “today’s resolutions” from Henry Moore we can begin to understand that he is saying. Something to the extent of: make these same firm decisions, every day, not once a year.  That is the struggle we all face every time January 1st comes around. I had a plan last year, and we have kind of been building up to it through the December Challenge. I made so many resolutions for New Years in 2016 that looking back now I almost couldn’t fail. A choice sample of some of last year’s resolutions:

Only drink soda when Dining out (abandoned in November)

Walk more

Start a blog

Wake up earlier (forced by morning shift)

Drink less alcohol

Wash my face every day or most days (only carried out because I found a face wash I love)

The list kept going but every one of them was focused on an area of my life I wanted to impact.  What happens from here is all you. Not one single action will accomplish all three of your goals. You have spent the month planning your three big tasks, then breaking those down into smaller goals and manageable actions. Its about taking action and making these decisions daily. A flashback to last week, what you do every day is way more important that what happens every now and then. Don’t get caught in the whirlwind of resolutions that stick for a week, or maybe a month. Make these resolves every day and allow them to direct your actions. Enabling yourself to achieve your goals and make your days’ work for you!

The tracking chart

We’ll be uploading a variety of printables, one of which will be a tracking chart. At the end of your day, mark off your accomplishments. It is the simple concept of not breaking the chain. Originally the thought process of Jerry Seinfeld. He made recommendations of marking an “X” on a wall calendar for each day he had written. You can find calendars specifically for this, with a Google search “Jerry Seinfeld Don’t Break the Chain”. Now, the wall calendar doesn’t work for me. I have more than one person operating on our calendar and we both have goals. Again, there are tons of habit tracking apps. For this particular instance I recommend Habit Bull but there are so many out there just like it. I wouldn’t worry about not finding a great one. However while I take this week to pretend to put my life together, I’m intending to use an easy chart, to place in my planner for 2017.

Overall the tracking chart’s purpose is easy to understand. A big red “X” across each day will scream out success; while a blank square says even more. Those blank squares leave you with terrible guilt, and spark the fire to accomplish the task tomorrow. As you conduct your daily habits to coincide with your big goals that chain is going to keep building. It’s a wonderful tool to have in life and applicable to any goal.

There is another element to the tracking chart. This chart is going to allow you to visually identify your consistency in follow through. Resolving to do something is different from carrying out the action. It is the resolve and the action that instill change. This is part of a construct not just in creative processes as it worked for Jerry Seinfeld. It is also part of management techniques, and in plan execution.

Assigning Metrics and Eliminating the Unnecessary

Many of us are familiar with the idea of setting “SMAART” goals. The breakdown is: Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Attributable, Realistic and Timed. Side by side we can see what has been set out over the last month.

You have accomplished all these things already just going through the December Challenge. The information may be scattered across your notebook and the last worksheet provided. Mine is. It’s still there though. To assign metrics to track you need to take the key point of each of these things above. For instance, if you have resolved to eat healthier you may have set a mini-goal of reducing fast food to once a week. An anticipated pitfall might be you forgetting your lunch, leaving only fast food. The solution for your pitfall situation may be that any other planned dining out would then not be on the table. A daily behavior might be preparing dinner at home to control your ingredients and portions. Your timing could be attributing an hour or so to cook and eat without distractions. Below is a chart where we identify three metrics, all positive in nature. This is how easy it is to identify the metrics lying in your goals waiting to be found.

SMAART BREAKDOWN                                 METRIC

Eat healthier                                          Planned healthy meals

Fast food only once a week                   Ate healthy home prepared meals

Oops! I forgot my healthy lunch at home!

                                  Well, Friday night dinner is going to have to be home cooked now, or at a healthier restaurant.

Prepare meals                                       Dedicated 1 hour day

Take an hour a day to cook and eat  

As you work through your goals and are on your way to success you will notice these change. It is an organic occurrence. You will identify what is not effective or efficient and modify. This is fine; actually it’s great because it means you are changing. In our example above, you may take on a new job or different schedule that doesn’t allow an hour a day. You may update your metric to reflect meal prepping on one or two days of the week. This is the change management you will have to develop as your life moves forward towards your goals.

Have an Already Accomplished List

Unlike your red “X” driven Don’t Break the Chain chart a list is where you can be detailed. There will come a time when your goals seem far away. Maybe even, unattainable. In this time, all of your small accomplishments will seem like they, just happened. This isn’t true though. By the time you get to defeat, even if it’s only a week or two from now, you will have put in hard work. If you have done any part of this December Challenge you have started your personal development. Take that credit. None of your accomplishments just happened because you showed up for life.

Grab a piece of notepaper, and give a sentence or two to each of your recent accomplishments. Then, when you are down and your goals seem to out of reach, look back. You will have a whole list of your hard work staring you in the face. Fill in your Already Accomplished List every time you feel proud of your work. You definitely won’t find yourself short of material when you need it.

A Note of Encouragement

Bizjournal says “A total of 90 percent of people do not have written goals” you have already beaten that odd. You are so far ahead of the game with more than written goals, but a why and now a how. You’ll defeat trouble that comes your way and navigate the rough days with confidence. Because you are in control of achieving your goals. It’s about you, and not quitting. It is about living constantly with the resolve you had on New Year’s Day, to live the life you want.

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Happiness - A By-Product of Goal Chasing

https://changelop.wordpress.com/2017/01/04/happiness-a-by-product-of-goal-chasing

Are you feeling the heat?

Here it is January 3rd of 2017 and I have come across more people this year that are just not setting resolutions. This is fine; there is plenty of pressure from all around to be a “New You” because it’s a new year.

A new year should not be the cause of any transformation. But, it does make time lapses incredibly easy to track. Also, hey, if you want to make a change and here it is January 3rd… why not start today?

So, let’s talk about this years “most common” resolution. Now that we’ve decided that it is okay to have or to not have them. NBC news listed the following as 2017’s most common resolutions based on Google’s Data:

Get Healthy

Get Organized

Live Life to the Fullest

Learn New Hobbies

Spend Less/Save More

Travel

Read More

The full article can be found here.

“Obtain” v. “Aspiration” v. “Target/Skill” Resolutions and Goals

Words contain a power and we subconsciously associate its meaning to the situation. When we make goals, or resolutions we use words like, “Get” and “Learn” and “More”. These are words that we use a known meaning to determine not only our feelings but how far we are going to carry that goal.

“Get” Goals are used with the ideal of obtaining. Obtain is initially defined as “… to gain or attain usually by planned action or effort.” Yet, in these goals, what are we obtaining? Health or being fit? Can we obtain something that isn’t clearly defined?

I would say that “Get” goals are the most commonly set and the least followed through on.  Leave feedback on your “Get” goals!

“Aspiration” Goals are what we keep coming back to time and time again. Aspiration has multiple definitions, as many words do. I fell in love with this one immediately. “: a drawing of something in, out, up, or through by or as if by suction: as: a: the act of breathing and especially of breathing in…”

If you desire something so strongly as to aspire it this is the thing you will be doing, like breathing. I would say “Aspiration” Goals are what we return to because as if we were plunged beneath water, we have the natural need for air. You may not achieve an Aspiration Goal the first time you set your mind to it, but never hesitate to return to them.

“Target/Skill” Goals are ones that are easier to accomplish due to their transparent form. It is what we wish we could do with concept minded goals and our methods of articulating them often fall short. Target and skill goals are where we thrive most often. Because we identify a target from the beginning success is laid out before us. Skill as a noun has a definition that sticks out against the others. We seek some proof of our successes and skills offer that. “A learned power of doing something competently: a developed aptitude or ability”

Target or Skill goals are at the ready at all times because most often we possess some basic knowledge of what we are attempting to accomplish. We can also easily outline time frames and make adjustments quickly because of these abilities. One of my own recently laid out goals is to read more. Sound familiar? It is one of 2017’s most common New Year’s Resolutions. I know how long it takes me to read a book, and that I can comfortably read three a month without disrupting the rest of my life. So, I structured a reading list with 36 titles and a list of backups if I hit my mark early.

See how easy it is to assess and take on success with a skill goal? Now, what if I asked you… can you make the rest of your goals, “Target/Skill Goals”? I’ll leave you with that question for now and we will revisit this again. Leave questions, food for thought or feedback in the comments or reach out!

The Process of Goal Achievement and “The Journey”

We talk about this fabled thing called “The Journey”. Right? Everyone has seen that dolled up quote on their instagram or pinterest. “It’s not about reaching the destination, it’s about the Journey.” Well, yes and no. The process of achieving any goal is rewarding, and without the process the success would be without value. So what are we going on about? The founding father’s proclaimed it to be the pursuit of happiness. We are going to chase it down.

Enjoy your steps and missteps. Take time to acknowledge your progress and track your daily successes. The trick is to do all of this without losing sight of the big goal. As you enjoy your new year, be sure to check out our tools page as we've made a few updates. Be sure to follow on Twitter, Tumblr and Pinterest too!

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Work on you, for you.

(via deeplifequotes)

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Visualizing Success into Reality Changelop works toward helping you accomplish your goals, craft your future and develop your best you! Follow the link and follow me, Lori Ohman on twitter!