Today's guest blog is by Linda Ensign. In our day-to-day existence, we often forget (well, okay, I often forget) to consider our long-term goals and periodically check to see how we're doing.
I recently stumbled across a “note-to-self” document I had
written way back in June 2005 entitled “where would I want to be in five years
time”? This virtual crystal ball exercise is commonly used in business, and I
had recently done a similar one for my business but had no memory of doing one
for my personal life.
Now, I call myself a realist. I understand that there is
more to the brain than we can even imagine and I know that visualization is
credible, but I have always believed that SMART (Specific Measurable, Agreed, Realistic and Timely) goal
setting and progress tracking is a far more effective way to achieve one’s
dreams.
In the intervening seven years since this personal crystal
ball exercise my life has taken a number of unexpected turns including melanoma
(2009), a cross-country move (2010), two more moves (2011, 2013), losing my job
(2011), starting a business (2011) and a new college degree (2006- 2012).
That these twists and turns of fate have resulted in the
realization of two out of four items on this crystal ball list is amazing. What
is probably more amazing is that I found this file, buried deep in one of the
writing folders on my computer, having been ported between three computers. But
computer foibles aside, a fifty percent success rate with no conscious thought
or concerted effort seems quite amazing.
Here are the results of my crystal ball exercise:
1. Writing 4-6 hours per day, every
day. Realized.
I am spending 4-6 hours per day on my writing.
2. Doing an hour of physical activity
every day. Partly Realized. I am working
out twice a week for an hour.
3. Have a seaside and/or mountain
getaway. Not Realized Yet. Notice that
I said “YET”.
4. Running a computer-based business. Realized.
I am a freelance web designer/programmer.
Is it the power of visualization or is it simply
coincidence? What do you think?
Have you looked into a ‘crystal ball’ and visualized where
you want to be in five years? I challenge you to give it a try. Who knows? A
success rate of 50% is better than nothing, isn’t it?
I certainly think so - I’m going to do this exercise again –
right after I post this blog entry.
Linda
Welcome to Salad Bowl Saturday, Linda.
ReplyDeleteI remember SMART goals from my business career, although truth be told they were often SMRT goals since my agreement wasn’t required. But personal SMART goals make a lot of sense, and I do maintain and evaluate myself against them both for short-term and long-term goals.
Congratulations on your reaching 50% of your objectives and not completely blowing off the others.
Care to share what your new goals are?
~ Jim
I think you've done quite well on your goals.
ReplyDeleteFlexibiity is important. We have lots of cliches that address the fact that we really don't have as much control as we would like to think we do: "The best laid plans of mice and men...;" "Man proposes, God disposes;" etc.
But it sound like you have bounced back from a few unpredicatable situations, kept your ultimate goals in mind, and are making progress. That's success!
Congratulations on writing 4-6 hours every day despite the unexpected events in your life, Linda.
ReplyDeleteI do believe in visualizing then writing out goals. I think it can be a powerful method. Somehow, even when I forget about the goals I wrote down, my mind works to complete them.
Best of luck with the final revision of Cold, Hard Cache. I love the title!
I used SMART goals in writing treatment plan in conjunction with my therapy clients. They work for personal goals and you don't need to worry ever-changing national standards. I think it helps to remember what is not in your control. One of my favorite saying is: If you want GOD to laugh, tell HIM your plans.
ReplyDeleteI've always felt God has a quirky sense of humor.
ReplyDeleteMy goals have changed over the years mostly because of events that happened. After my 18 year old son died of cancer, I decided to become a teacher, went to college and taught for 20 years. I decided I wanted a Master's in English and got that while I was teaching. Then I decided I wanted to write mysteries (I was already writing poetry) did that and, of course, the goal then was to get published When that proved to be a hard goal to reach, I self-published and am now have two mysteries out. Okay, other goals, have all my many gardens weeded and in pristine condition. Dream on! Ain't gonna happen. Sometimes we have to accept what won't happen and adjust our goals. That being said, I just returned from a day with my two sisters visiting garden centers. I came home with my car half full of new plants to plant to add to the ones I bought a few weeks ago.
ReplyDeleteLinda, I'm not surprised at your results. I'm a big believer in visualization and putting in writing what you really want from life. And I, too, have noticed that I very often get it, but 8 times out of 10, not in the way I had originally thought. Congratulations on achieving so many of your goals fully or partially.
ReplyDeleteGood morning everyone! Thanks for the comments.
ReplyDelete@Jim - I haven't set them yet, but plan to within the next week or two.
@KM - Flexibility is definitely key. One needs to be like water and flow around obstacles instead of letting them block ones path.
@Kara @Linda - I visualization is far more potent than we can imagine. I read an article on creating a Vision Board (Dream board?) where you collect pictures of what you visualize, but I haven't tried that yet - have either of you?
@Warren - that is also one of my favorite sayings and so definitely true. But that is also the foible of man - we do not learn by our mistakes and keep making plans.
@Gloria - unexpected events have a way of derailing one's plans, or at least delaying them.