All throughout school we are taught that if you have goals you can achieve them. That if you work smart and work hard, that anything is within your reach.
What they never taught us was about time.
Sure, we are taught patience, and how it's a virtue. And we are taught about seizing the moment and not letting opportunities slip by; both of which are key to making, attaining, and beating goals; but there is this whole planning portion that was never really discussed. The exact "how" to create SMART goals (something I only learned in college because I was getting a business degree).
I am going to say something right now that most people are going to flinch at because as soon as I say it, the words "excuse" and "failure" and lazy" are going to float through your head. Are you ready?
Goals can change.
Last month, I set out with my goal list fully intent on having another month of goal setting and goal attaining.
Then my goals changed. Not the long term ones; the five-year, ten-year, twenty-year plans... those are the ones that should be steadfast throughout the whole process... but the monthly ones. I had a month to find a job in PA or my husband and I were scraping the idea of moving.
I had been job searching for months with no results. No interviews, few if any person-to-person interactions, and I was starting to feel incredibly down on myself, my abilities, and my educational choices. On top of all that, I realized I a had a month left before my I danced in front of an audience and didn't feel prepared at all! I had goals for my performance and I was not hitting them fast enough.
Plus, I had my goals for June... getting clients, saving money, reading four books... none of which were really going anywhere because I was so distracted by the other upcoming deadlines!
I had to change my goals or run the risk of not meeting any of them.
The new June Goals:
With the new goals and deadlines, I threw myself into the job search as much as I could. Five applications, cover letters, and resume tweaks a week, pouring through LinkedIn job posting, asking friends who were happy at their jobs for referrals. I dug into every network I knew to find my next long term position.
At night I threw myself into my dance class, going three or four times per week. Not shying away from anything that could make me better or stronger for my routine.
And food, usually what I turn too when I am stressed out, now became this game of "find the deals". I used a combination of iBotta, Stop 'N Shop and Target coupons, monthly allowances for coffee at Wawa, Starbucks, and Dunkin' Donuts, and being a Beachbody Coach also saved us a good chunk of change on our two monthly bags of Shakeology.
The results?
Now we are a solid week into July, the holiday is over, and it's time to set some new goals. Remember, those long term goals don't change... the short term goals to get there might.
Goals for July:
As always, I will look back on the post everyday to remind myself of my goals. It is too easy to get distracted by life, Facebook, the news... staying on track is half the battle of getting what you want.
And I am going to end every one of these goal posts (because they are definitely sticking around) with my favorite quote from Supergirl:
"Far too many women burn out trying to do too much before they're ready."
"So you can have it all?"
"Of course. Just not all at once, and not right away."
(Thanks to Forever Dreaming Transcripts)
What they never taught us was about time.
Sure, we are taught patience, and how it's a virtue. And we are taught about seizing the moment and not letting opportunities slip by; both of which are key to making, attaining, and beating goals; but there is this whole planning portion that was never really discussed. The exact "how" to create SMART goals (something I only learned in college because I was getting a business degree).
I am going to say something right now that most people are going to flinch at because as soon as I say it, the words "excuse" and "failure" and lazy" are going to float through your head. Are you ready?
Goals can change.
Last month, I set out with my goal list fully intent on having another month of goal setting and goal attaining.
Then my goals changed. Not the long term ones; the five-year, ten-year, twenty-year plans... those are the ones that should be steadfast throughout the whole process... but the monthly ones. I had a month to find a job in PA or my husband and I were scraping the idea of moving.
I had been job searching for months with no results. No interviews, few if any person-to-person interactions, and I was starting to feel incredibly down on myself, my abilities, and my educational choices. On top of all that, I realized I a had a month left before my I danced in front of an audience and didn't feel prepared at all! I had goals for my performance and I was not hitting them fast enough.
Plus, I had my goals for June... getting clients, saving money, reading four books... none of which were really going anywhere because I was so distracted by the other upcoming deadlines!
I had to change my goals or run the risk of not meeting any of them.
The new June Goals:
- Find a job in PA by July 1st.
- Get my routine for the showcase choreographed with at least one really cool trick by July 2nd.
- Stick to the new food budget; 10% of income only.
With the new goals and deadlines, I threw myself into the job search as much as I could. Five applications, cover letters, and resume tweaks a week, pouring through LinkedIn job posting, asking friends who were happy at their jobs for referrals. I dug into every network I knew to find my next long term position.
At night I threw myself into my dance class, going three or four times per week. Not shying away from anything that could make me better or stronger for my routine.
And food, usually what I turn too when I am stressed out, now became this game of "find the deals". I used a combination of iBotta, Stop 'N Shop and Target coupons, monthly allowances for coffee at Wawa, Starbucks, and Dunkin' Donuts, and being a Beachbody Coach also saved us a good chunk of change on our two monthly bags of Shakeology.
The results?
- In the last week of June an opportunity presented itself; the perfect opportunity. A brand new company, a brand new team of relationship driven smarties, and in the exact geographic area I needed to hit. I hear back from them within the next 72 hours, and I am so freaking excited I have already started prepping for the move. Do I have the job? Not confirmed. Do we have a place to live? No, but we know what we are looking for. I am so confident that this is it, that this is the job I was meant for right now, that I am already planning how to lay the groundwork for tight-knit team of goal getters. (This is a tactic from Jen Sincero's book You Are A Badass... an awesome read for when you need a pick-me-up in life)
- In my last post I describe the overwhelming thankfulness, joy, and pride I felt performing at my first showcase. I am not going to reiterate it here, just go and give it a read if you are interested.
- We didn't hit 10%, but we did hit 18%... which is progress from the 25%-30% we were doing before.
Now we are a solid week into July, the holiday is over, and it's time to set some new goals. Remember, those long term goals don't change... the short term goals to get there might.
Goals for July:
- Be ready to move to PA on Aug 1st.
- KonMarie the heck out of everything as we pack it. I want to be able to let go of at least half our stuff before we move.
- 15% income food budget. I can get there with iBotta, coupons, food prep on Sundays, a Shake a day, and cutting my coffee addition back.
- Complete the Shift Shop, Beachbody's new exercise program that debuts on July 16th. I have really let the workouts go because I have been so focused on the showcase, but I need some HIIT back in my life. Who wants to join Squirtle and me in some really fun agility training? Drop a comment or email me!
As always, I will look back on the post everyday to remind myself of my goals. It is too easy to get distracted by life, Facebook, the news... staying on track is half the battle of getting what you want.
And I am going to end every one of these goal posts (because they are definitely sticking around) with my favorite quote from Supergirl:
"Far too many women burn out trying to do too much before they're ready."
"So you can have it all?"
"Of course. Just not all at once, and not right away."
(Thanks to Forever Dreaming Transcripts)
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