Goals

A Fresh Look

Vision

Sheri Here,

I usually do a quarterly review about this time to see how I’m doing on my annual goals to implement my vision.

But given the significant life event earlier this month, the passing of my husband, I almost think I need to do something more powerful.

Time To Re-evaluate

I think I need to take a step back and revalidate my overall vision. To also relook at my bucket list and my annual goals to see what may no longer be relevant.

Is it too soon, maybe. Yet, I’m feeling fairly strong and confident of the choices I’ve made to this point. It is those things I haven’t thought about that could blindside me.

Get Outside the Comfort Zone

I was talking with a friend the other day about my last book. I really need to step up the marketing, I’ve grown complacent and now I’m still a little scattered. But if I don’t look where I’m going, any road will get me there and I’ll waste my energy, time and money.

Life is still a mystery – it can be very exciting and fun. I’ve already done enough tough times in one lifetime. It’s time to take a new path.

Hence, it’s time to relook at my personal vision. Just because it’s June doesn’t mean I shouldn’t – it’s the right time. The world shifted for me and it’s time.

What About You?

How about you?

Are you doing your quarterly review?

Have things in your life changed enough that it’s time to relook at your vision, your bucket list, and your goals for this year?

If you’re uncertain or need someone to bounce ideas off – schedule a call here and we’ll get ‘er done!

It is never the wrong time for a fresh start!

Ciao,

Sheri

P.S. If you have a dream and you need a dream fulfillment mentor, book a call here and let’s explore a new way of living into your dreams.

Done is Better than Perfect

Focus

Sheri Here,

You may have a vision, a life bucket list, but where are you on actually getting something done?  Even a small step?

What Is Your Plan? (header)
We’ve talked about taking the next indicated step (See “The Next Indicated Step”), but it may have yielded very poor results – that’s ok, you took a step.

Or it may have gotten you further than you’ve ever gone before – woohoo!

It might be time to come up with a full blown plan to do something.

Planning doesn’t need to be hard or boring – it could start with the number 1 item that you are dreaming about.

Now it is time to put together a list of what’s wanted and needed.

Create An Outline

You could sit down with a piece of paper and create an outline – like this one for moving to a new house (not yet bought and old house not yet sold)

  • Old house
    • Getting Ready to Sell
      • Declutter – sell, give away, trash
      • Paint
      • Clean Floors
      • Fix broken things – e.g. leak in the sink
      • Clean the whole house
      • Start packing infrequently used items to open up the space to look uncluttered and spacious.
    • List House
      • Contact desired realtor
      • Set value of old house
      • List house
    • Sell House
    • Move
      • Finish packing
      • Hire movers
      • Move
    • New House
      • Get financial information ready for mortgage broker
        • Clean up credit if necessary
      • Talk to mortgage broker to see how much of a loan you can afford
      • Begin search with established budget in mind
        • Contact your realtor for possible listings
        • Peruse Zillow and other internet services
      • Decide what you can afford and what is available at that price to see if it interesting enough to finish process
      • Buy house (coordinate with sale of old house)
      • Move in

Steps In The Process

You can see there are a number of steps that will take time and a number of places in the plan that you may decide the timing or supply of available houses is poor.

Possibly the amount you can afford is less than the house you want. You can then discontinue the process or put it on hold.

This is a simplistic example of a complicated process, but hopefully you get the idea.  Who knows, you may experience no barriers and you have moved into a new house!

Just brainstorm the steps for the goal that you want to work on and take them in the appropriate order.

How About You?

What project do you want to undertake?  What project are you doing a simple outline on? How can you complete it?  Need help?  Leave a comment or schedule a call here and we can work out a plan together!

‘til the next time.

Ciao,

Sheri

P.S. If you want to talk – schedule a call here.

So You Have A Bucket List

Dreams

Sheri Here,

The last newsletter/blog, What’s on Your Bucket List?, was all about creating a bucket list, so now what? It’s time to take action!

Choose Something From Your Bucket List 

The next step is to identify something and do the next indicated step.

I’ve got three things I want to work on:

  • My companion workbook to my book Everything I Learned About Life I Learned on Vacation
  • A trip to Antarctica
  • Preparing to give my April 29thTEDx talk.

Identify the Next Indicated Action

Choosing one of the three things is hard for me but, I can alternate time on the tasks.

My next actions are doing some writing on the workbook content, downloading a passport renewal application, and practicing my TEDx speech.

Each of these are relatively easy steps to do.

In writing the workbook, I have done an outline of the content and I have a format.  When I approach the “blank” page, I already have a writing prompt, so it makes it easier to get started writing.  The creative flow then takes over.

The passport download is easy pesy, because I just go to the application site to get it and then fill it in!

Finally, the TEDx speech is standing in front of the mirror and practicing some more.  I’ve been working on memorizing this for a while and it is getting to where the words, without the script, just flow. But it has taken practice to get to this point!

None of the actions are hard, they are small enough to make the bigger project approachable.

DO IT

The toughest thing might be just doing it.

What I’ve discovered is that the best way to do it, is to set up time on my calendar so I can work on what needs to be done.  Make an appointment with myself.  If I have a block of time, even an hour, I’ll break it up into 25-minute increments, setting a timer.

I can do almost anything for 25 minutes – including decluttering. Then take a short 5-minute break and do it again.

This is called the Pomodoro Method. Pomodoro means tomato in Italian, why it’s called Pomodoro Method, I don’t know; but the method works, and you can easily remember the name because it is different. I use this routine often when I’m writing to stay focused.

How About You? (header)

Did you create your bucket list, update an old one or procrastinate in making you a priority?

If you are procrastinating and need a boost, contact me – either hit reply or set up a call here. It’s time to make you a priority!

‘til the next time.

Ciao,

Sheri

P.S. You can get my book Everything I Learned About Life I Learned on Vacation here.

Spring Has Sprung

Vision

Sheri Here,

Spring has sprung and new life is everywhere.  Ok, so it is still a little cold or wet or snowy but look close and you’ll see new life.  This is the time of renewal and rebirth.

How appropriate for where I am.  It’s perfect since I’m re-defining my future and my present goals.

Reflect & Re-Evaluate

What?! You say?  Yes, I reflect and re-evaluate my goals at least quarterly and just recently did the first quarterly review.

Even though I’m restructuring portions of my life – I made progress on some of my goals.  Others had to change to reflect the re-visioning of my life.  My revised life bucket list!

It’s ok to cross things off your bucket list when they no longer fit your current desires or direction.  Some things are harder to abandon than others because they’ve been a part of you for so long.  But it is ok to feel sadness for saying goodbye to dreams that were long time friends – whether they became reality or not.  Sometimes it happens because we accomplish the dreams and there is still sadness.  Like saying good-by to a longtime friend.

Replenish Your Life

As long as we continue to dream to see the possibility of what life holds, we can still find great value in our life bucket list and our dreams.

It’s when dreams die with no replenishment that our lives feel emptier with little to no possibility.

These are the times that professional help might be of great assistance to get us past the point of emptiness.  If you are struggling with anxiety or depression, get help – don’t wait.

In this Spring time of the year, find the renewal of possibility.  Find something new to pique your curiosity.  I just started coloring and am considering taking up painting.  What about you?  What does this springtime hold for you?  What new things in nature, creativity or spirituality are you going to pursue?  Are you stuck, and need someone to brainstorm with – hit reply or go here and call.

Around town, buds, flowers and new growth are everywhere.  Take time to go on a walk, maybe go visit the wildflowers that are bursting forth everywhere!

‘Til the next time.

Ciao,

Sheri

P.S. You can get my book Everything I Learned About Life I Learned on Vacation here.

I Can See for Miles – Visioning

Vison

Sheri here –

Happy New Year!  I hope your holidays were all you wanted them to be and filled with love and joy.

At the risk of being one more email on the topic of your vision and goals for the year…if you haven’t reflect on your wins and challenges for last year, now would be a good time to do that.  Acknowledge and celebrate all your wins.  Look at the challenges and think about what you learned.  Close out last year and then you are free to focus on the New Year!

New Year’s Resolution – Not!

I don’t know about you, but I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions because they don’t work for me!  See my blog Resolutions – Not! Make Goals Instead!

What works best for me is to create a vision and then set quarterly goals to work toward that picture of my future – with that I truly can see for miles and miles!

Why create a vision or update it?

A vision lets you picture your future and align with both your dreams and your core values.

You might ask: “What is the difference between a vision and a goal?”  A goal is a milestone created to achieve your vision.  A vision is a dream with goals to make it real.  Goals create a foundation for your dreams to make them real with concrete action.

Quarterly Goal Setting

Setting quarterly goals gives you time to work on your goals with a focus – Follow One Course Until Successful.  At the end of the quarter, I review my progress toward my overall direction and then update my goals for another quarter.  Breaking them down into bite size pieces.

If you are uncertain how to craft solid, SMARTER goals – go to Making Change – SMARTER Goals for an explanation and guidance.

Celebrate

OK, maybe setting goals isn’t your jam – try making it a game – many people are inspired by “winning” a game – others are not.  Whether you are gamifying goals or not, rewarding and celebrating the completion of major milestones is important.  Making the celebration part of the goal gives you something additional to work toward.

Set the celebration to be consistent with the challenge of the accomplishment.

For example:

  • Losing weight to the point where clothes don’t fit – give away the old clothes to someone who can use them – and buy a new outfit. By giving away the old clothes you aren’t inclined to save them for “just in case” and the new outfit is a tangible reward of your progress.
  • Declutter your garage to where you can easily park your car inside – take yourself out to a dinner at your favorite restaurant. If it was a gnarly garage declutter, maybe a road trip for a couple of days is more appropriate and then come home and park inside the clean garage!  Now that’s a real celebration – the car in a clean garage!

Setting up the goal with the celebration, gives you that added incentive to be do what you say you are going to do.

Finishing a quarterly project, whether or not any one else acknowledges the accomplishment, you get to do it – not only for yourself, but for those who helped you do it.  If you finish your desired accomplishment mid-quarter, do the celebration then – it’s important to be close to the successful completion.  Yes, the completion of the goal is it’s own reward, but we deserve to celebrate our successes, we do far too little of it.

What about you?

Did you update your vision and set your goals and intentions for this year?  It’s not too late to do that.  Hit reply and let me know.

If you didn’t and you need some help, I put together a Vibrant Vision Guide and Journal you can get here.  It includes a meditation and a guidebook with journal and planner to help you visualize your dreams and go about achieve them.  Just go here.

OK…I’ve sent you exploring all over – blogs and visions guides, just a warmup for this year!!

To your wealth and health in 2023!

Ciao,

Sheri

Take Contrary Action

Actions

Sheri Here –

What? Are you kidding me?  Last blog I talked about taking the next indicated step – see Take the Next Indicated Action – now I’m saying take contrary action.

You want me to make up my mind and get my story straight?

Ah, but the two work hand in hand.  How do I explain that exactly?

Contrary Action

Well sometimes, my brain says NO when I need to say YES, or STOP when I need to say GO.  All too often, I’ll find myself in paralysis because I don’t want to do what I know I really, really, really need to do.

For instance, I’ve been doing my best to eat more healthy, maybe you can relate.  But the  cookies are calling my name.  When I start to get a desire to have something, I can reach for a piece of fruit instead of the cookies.

Not having cookies in the house would be best, but I’m not the only one who lives here.  I know I can take the contrary action to not pick up the cookies.

I’m also looking to do some public speaking gigs to promote my book and my business; but my mind says STOP, I’m afraid to do public speaking and my heart says YES, I love it.  It’s not easy, I’ve got to take the contrary action route which also includes doing the next indicated step, like writing and practicing my speech!

Why Does Contrary Action Matter?

What difference does it make?  When I’m trying to reach a goal, many things can get in my way – mostly what’s between my two ears.  I can be stopped by procrastination – that was last week’s trick – or self sabotage.  That’s when taking the contrary action is important, that IS the next indicated step!

I bet I’m not the only one who is out there with these crazy thoughts in my head.  Sometimes having others acknowledge they too have the same thinking gives you the courage to go take the next indicated action even though your fear says NO.  Your stepping out and doing it any way is what’s important.

Leave a comment and tell me your most recent instance of not letting the fear or procrastination or self-sabotage stop you.  If you’d prefer to chat, go ahead and book a call here  and let’s talk.

‘til the next time.

Ciao,

Sheri

P.S. Taking contrary action takes courage.  Feel free to place a call and find an accountability buddy.  Book a call here.

Take the Next Indicated Action

Actions

Sheri Here –

Hope you had a productive week of great fulfilled intentions!  And you spent a lot of time taking the next indicated action.

Making those good intentions real takes action.  In my last blog, I talked about that a bit, If you missed it you can find it at “Intentions – Friend or Foe”.

Sometimes I set big goals or take on a big project that has lots of steps and the sheer volume of required action stops me.  The size becomes daunting, and I’m paralyzed.  What I’ve discovered is that if I just start then getting involved in the project becomes painless.

Make the Action Easy – Set a Timer 

Sometimes, I set a timer for 15 minutes and tell myself, I only need to work on this for 15 minutes.  When the timer goes off, I can go do something else.  But you know what happens?  After 15 minutes I’m into action and it is easier to keep going.  Then taking the next indicated step is even easier.

When I start a project, whether it is for my business or personal activities, I don’t always know what’s required.  If I sit down and prepare an outline or think of all the things that will need to happen to be successful, I can start to get an idea about what’s next.

I’ve managed projects for years professionally and there is a certain rhythm to them – they start as an outline or a to do list and then the order becomes apparent.  So does the resources – who needs to be involved and the time of when things need to happen.  When I have the clarity of the actions that are required to get my project done working on the next indicated action becomes easier.

This pattern works whether it is for work or for play.  It could work on a business project or on a vacation.  I’ve used it to plan Christmas parties and multimillion dollar application projects.  But sometimes, I just don’t want to get started.  I almost have to fool myself to get going – that’s where the 15-minute timer is helpful.

The Pomodoro Method Also Helps Action 

There is another technique called the Pomodoro method – which works in a similar way.  You set the timer for 25-minutes and work on one task.  When the timer rings, take a 5-minute break.  Do it again, 3 or 4 times in a row.  After that, take a 20- or 30-minute break.  You will be amazed at how much you have gotten done.

You may ask, whose got 25 uninterrupted minutes, let alone 2 hours to get anything done.  It’s possible, try it.  First, you might want to give those around you 25-minutes of your uninterrupted quality time in exchange for leaving you to work on your project uninterrupted.  Then be amazed at how much you get done.

I’m using that technique today as I’m preparing my book.  I just got comments back from my editor and I find that using the Pomodoro technique helps keep me focused on resolving the comments!

Have Big Goals?  Your Action Is…

If you have some big goals you want to accomplish and you are struggling to get them done, let’s talk.  I can help you to put a plan together and hold you accountable for the actions, the next intended actions you plan to take.  Call me here and we’ll do this together!

‘til the next time.

Ciao,

Sheri

P.S. Taking those steps, even the baby steps to make your goals or even your dreams come true can be tough.  Feel free to reach out and let’s talk.  Book a call here.

Intentions – Friend or Foe

Intentions

Sheri Here –

“Good intentions pave the road to he**”, or so Mom used to say. My brain always shorted out and went into overload when I tried to figure that out.

I think what she really meant was intentions without action never happen and become your foe. You may as well be making a wish. Intentions need action to be your friend.

Intentions Work Anywhere

My yoga instructor always starts our session by setting our intentions for the practice: our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual purpose for that hour.

I appreciate the reminder that there can be multiple facets to a single intentions and one set of actions can cover many bases.

At the end of our yoga session, I like to be reminded of the intentions I set and almost without fail that hour of focused action accomplishes my previously stated goals. Generally, with my yoga, I want to relax, let go, feel strong and connected to my higher power. Remarkable because that happens. Here the act of choosing an objective helped me achieve it.

The same holds true when I start my day, intentions are my friend, when I remember to set them early in the day or when planning my day, the night before. My day’s actions will support fulfilling my stated goals. While my day’s intentions may not be completely fulfilled, I’ve gone a long way toward the finish line.

Intentions, Friend or Foe?

Why does it matter, well Mom would say something profoundly cryptic and I’d go off the rails trying to figure it out. But I believe without a plan, a purpose, or a goal, I wind up wasting time and energy and heaven knows, I have too little of both to waste. So then my intentions become my friend. But when I neglect to either put action to my plan or worse, I am rudderless and have no direction, an intention won’t help and becomes my foe.

Even if you are on vacation or retired, you can set an intention or two – have a blessed day, a day of service, a relaxing and fulfilling day and then you can set about making it happen. Naps count in that case!

If you are still working, setting an intention or two supports you in working toward a project completion, a sales goal, writing X number of words, or starting or finishing a creative project.

What about you? Do you have plans you want to achieve? Do you have actions you need to take to make that plan happen, but you aren’t making the progress you desire? Or are you rudderless and need some help?

In either case, we need to talk and maybe I can help, either hit return or call me here.

My current intention is to focus on moving my book through the current phase of editing. If you’ve ever written a book, you know it’s more than just slapping words on a page and printing! This is a journey, despite the desired destination of publication. Along this adventure there are milestones to be accomplished. So, I’m off to go work on editing comments!

Talk soon and til the next time…

Ciao,

P.S. Setting goals are part of what makes our dreams a reality. Sometimes though, it is easier said than done. If you are struggling with accomplishing those goals, feel free to reach out and let’s talk. Book a call here.

Your Values: Your Built-in Compass

Values

Sheri here –

Is being uncomfortable always a bad thing? Last week, in my blog, I discussed how to venture outside your comfort zone, and get comfortable being uncomfortable. If you missed it, see it here.

But what has also occurred to me is that sometimes we are uncomfortable because we are out of integrity with our values – in our personal life and or business. You might ask:

  1. What are values?
  2. What difference does it make?

Get Back to the Basics

Webster-Dictionary.org defines values as “beliefs of a person or social group in which they have an emotional investment (either for or against something).”  When you are feeling lost I am a big believer in getting back to the basics –  reconnect with what’s most important to you!

Our values are our moral compass. They ground us in giving us a better sense of direction that guides us down the path of life. By helping us set our priorities straight, we are more adapted to handle life’s challenges in a productive way. 

Values drive the decisions that align us with our goals. If we are living inconsistent with our values,  there’s a discord inside of us that causes us to be uncomfortable until we make the necessary changes.

Our Values Guide Our Decisions

Defining our values is important because they are the roadmap for what motivates us to pursue our dreams. What’s most important in your life? What must you have in your life to experience fulfillment? For me, my top three are 1) my relationship with my spiritual power, my God, 2) my relationships with my family and friends and 3) my health and self-care.  Followed by my business.  

Your values define you; they represent a part of WHO you are, that shapes WHAT you do. Can others identify your values by your daily behaviors and choices? Birds of a feather flock together.  Values help you associate with like-minded people who want to see you succeed because they share in your principles.

How do you devise your values?  In reality, you probably already have a pretty strong set of values. Values that were either accepted or rejected from when you grew up, or you created your own.

Our values are usually fairly consistent. The order isn’t necessarily fixed for life because major life events can modify them.  Things such as relationship changes, career changes or changes that affect us in a profound way that cause us to  re-examine our priorities. 

When you are clear on your values, your guiding principles, it becomes easier to make decisions. Our values are correlated directly to the choices we make. Even if some choice in your life could honor one of your values,  if it dishonors another (especially one higher in your list of priorities) it still may not be the right choice for you.

For instances, if you have a couple of different opportunities that will take your time, or your energy and one is not consistent with your values, then the decision is clear. It’s a “I don’t think so”.

Our Values Bring Comfort to Our Life

But what if both of them are consistent with your guiding principles?  Whichever one is ranks higher, then that becomes the choice. For instance, if you have a business opportunity that conflicts with a major family event and family is more important to you than your business – you’d choose the major family event, right?!

If you didn’t – what would your comfort level be?

You can get uncomfortable when you start making choices that are inconsistent with your values. So, when you are uncomfortable, check in with your values. This is the perfect way to alleviate stress and remind yourself the motivation behind what you do. 

When I was talking about being uncomfortable, outside your comfort zone, consider your values as a  part of what helps you define your comfort zone. 

Okay, so what if you don’t know what your values are or if you need help defining your guiding principles? Hit reply or book a call here.

‘til the next time

Ciao,
Sheri

Ps:  If this whole conversation is still foreign to you, and it’s intriguing. But you don’t know where to start? Give me a call just click this link. Let’s talk.

Turn Your Daydream into Reality

Turn Your Daydream into Reality!

Vision

Sheri here –

This is a great time of year to reflect on your vision for your future – your dream of what you want your life to look like in the year to come. Now is the time to set your intention, make a plan and dream big. 

As we approach the New Year, I like to map out my goals for the next year to create a roadmap to my dreams.

What Happens When Dreams Take a Turn?

But this year we had a lot that upset our apple cart, so our dreams may have gone awry.  

I don’t know about you, but about mid-March this year, my dreams, my goals and my routines all shifted. While I was accustomed to planning activities that involved jumping in my car and going somewhere – hither and yon – braving the LA freeway traffic, that came to an abrupt halt. Since then I think I’ve filled up my gas tank twice and before it was at least twice a month.

In all honesty, what I’ve come to realize is that I used busyness before to procrastinate and not do some of the things I’d wanted to do, needed to do to make my dreams come alive.

Sometimes You Have to Slow Down to Go Fast

The shutdown and stay at home period gave me time to fill differently. Time to try some new things that terrified me. Time to fill with new dreams, bigger dreams. Since COVID-19, I’ve put on webinars, challenges, speeches and reached out to people in ways I’d only imagined before (thank you, Zoom!).

Sure my actions shifted, but my dreams didn’t. I’m closer, farther along the road to my dreams than ever before. I never saw slowing down as a way of going faster and further.  Sometimes you have to slow down to go fast to achieve your wildest dreams. Who knew?

How about you?  Did your actions shift? Did your dreams shift as well? Maybe you don’t have a dream right now. This is the perfect time to revisit your dreams. The end of the year positions you to reflect back on the year, come to closure on the things that need closure, set new goals and hit the ground running toward your dreams come January 1.

Goals Are a Dream, a Vision, with a Plan

If you have found your vision is cloudy, then maybe you could use a boost.  I have a do it yourself vision course bundle to craft or refine your vision and create your goals to move you closer to Your Next Great Chapter – your BIG dream. Join me!! Check it out here.

You deserve to do this for yourself. A little daydreaming never hurt – in fact, we need to dream our dreams before they become reality. Just saying! Give this gift to yourself – just click here now.

As you think about your year and your dreams – consider sharing some of your successes and even some of your misses in the comments below.

May your week be filled with blessings.

Until next time.

Ciao,

Sheri

P.S Be gentle with yourself as you consider your year and your dreams. This is a time for self-compassion and self-forgiveness. If you need someone to talk to about those things, set up a call with me right here and give yourself a break!  Or, if a do it yourself vision course isn’t your thang, let’s talk here about how you can do it live.

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