My Life Goals.... part 2

I started writing about my life goals yesterday, and after reading more in The Circle Maker this morning, I want to add to what I wrote.  Maybe it will help you as you compile your list of life goals.

Actually, because many of you are NOT pray-ers, I will list this both ways.  You SHOULD begin your life goal list with prayer.... but if you don't pray.... at least sit back and think about the value of writing out your life goals.   If you don't write them down, more than likely they won't happen.

Decide why you want that specific goal.  Ok, I want to lose weight.  I would like to lose 30 pounds.  I would like to be down the 30 pounds by Christmas, 2012.  I want to lose the weight so that I will have more confidence in myself and in how I look.  Plus my clothes will fit.  See, I was able to identify what I would like to do, how much I would like to lose, when I want to have that life goal completed, and why I want to do it.  I know it probably doesn't sound like a 'life' goal, but it is a goal and it is one I probably have had in some form for most of my life!  The only part I didn't add was how I was going to do that - but that would be other life goals which would encompass healthier eating and exercise.  Losing weight isn't a goal if I don't have a target weight within a target time frame.  Break it down to make it encouraging to get there to goal.

Select categories to put your life goals in.  You could identify specific categories such as family, physical, financial, personal, travel, etc.  Actually, you could set any categories that mean something to you.  I'm actually going to try and attempt sorting my life goals out today (to which I even added to this morning) into specific categories.  Again, these are MY life goals, and how I choose to accomplish them is on me.

Again, be specific in what you want your life goal to be.   You can attach time frames to your goals - for example, I am 62.   I want to run a half marathon by age 70.  That gives me a little over 7 years (since I will be 63 next month!!) to prepare.  Will I accomplish this goal?  First of all, I need to start training.  I need to start pushing.  I need to set small goals of running a 3K, a 5K, etc to build endurance.  Make little goals along the way to achieve the big goal.  But I won't do it sitting in front of the computer or television waiting for my body to get in shape.  Aim high.

Write it down.  If you don't write down your life goal, you will not keep it in your mind for you really haven't set them.  You have just thought about it.  It is powerful when you write down your goals.  You also need to verbalize it.    Find goals that will include others and encourage each other towards the goal.  If you and your spouse want a getaway weekend twice a year, set a date when you want to do it, identify the location, and start saving towards it!

Celebrate each achievement along the way of reaching your biggest life goal.  Throw a party if you want.  Celebrate completion.  Perhaps it will be getting all your children through high school.  Or through college.  Perhaps it will be you going back to college and completing it.  Celebrate the little things.

But don't settle for little goals.  Dream the big dreams.  Want a bigger home?  Dream it, plan for it, save for it.  A newer car?  Same thing.  Dream for what you want.  Plan hard.  Keep thinking of ways to achieve your life goals, and more to make.   It's never too late to start.

As many of you know, Tom and I recently walked the 13.1 miles One America 500 Festival Mini-Marathon this last May.  It wasn't a goal until we were challenged by my brother.  Once we accepted the challenge, it became a goal, although not written down.  We had to get our bodies out and walk.  Some days were harder than others, and yes, I wish we had walked more often and further in our training.  Various reasons why we didn't, that I allowed to interfere with my own personal training.  I was wrong - and should have continued in pushing hard.  With that said, when making a goal with another person, if they are unable to complete their part at times, don't let that stop you.  It is not your excuse, it is theirs.  Keep focused on YOUR goal.  

We did complete the 13.1 miles in 3 hours and 45 minutes.  I believe we could have been faster, but, I have to confess, my competition was that I had to go to the bathroom and for the last two-three miles there were no portapotties and I was afraid to put forth much effort!  Many of you can understand that situation!  I know - TMI!!   Someone reminded me of seeing marathon runners along paths will, all of a sudden, jump off the path and into a wooded area and before they are far from the path their trunks are already on the way down!  No, that didn't make me feel better.    But I would love to go back and beat my time.  I know what to expect now, having completed it once.  Don't know if I can do it next year - for one thing, I hope to have a job which will prevent a lot of the training, and of course, financially.  Of course if I attempt and meet some of my life goals, I will manage that too. :-) 

What about you?  When you read yesterday's blog did you begin to think about what you could put down as a life goal?  My youngest son is already scouting out the races here in Arizona and has many identified he could compete in.  I know he has done the Warrior Run twice and as we watched  him once, I know how difficult it is - I won't attempt it.  No desire to.  But I am proud of him for doing it.  These could be his 'life goals', if he would write them down.

What are some of your life goals?  Want to be a better mom?  What will you do to achieve that?  Want to be a better dad?  What will you do to achieve that?  It may mean giving up some of your 'stuff' to give your children undivided attention.  It may mean putting your fun stuff on the back burner a time or two so that you can make a special memory with your children.  How many dads bake with their children?  How many moms take their children hiking?   You don't have to stick to men or women stuff - interact!  Make it a family affair.  Make special memories your children will teach to their children.

I wish I had done more.  In many cases, I wish I had done some thing.  Don't let that be your wish.  Start today. 

1.  Today I will spend an hour with __________ and will ____________ together.

Sounds like a start to me.  Good luck.

Blessings!