Goals

A to Z Challenge | Intentional Living | G is for Goals

/ Luanne Shernisky / 2 Comments

10th Anniversary Blogging From A to Z April ChallengeIn an effort to get back into writing on a regular schedule, I joined the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge. This is the first time I’ve participated and hope to succeed with posting each day, as my blog has grown dormant. 

My theme is “A Vocabulary for Intentional Living.” This corresponds with the objective of my blog, which sees life as a voyage shaped by circumstances both within and outside of our control. Realizing our purpose and goals begins with self-awareness and mindfulness in all our daily choices.

One half of knowing what you want is knowing what you must give up before you get it. ~Sidney Howard

Goals…I have a love/hate relationship with them.

I know how important they are to better living, but often get lost on the road to achieving them. (Well, maybe not lost as much as the tendency to take detours.) Especially the ones that require the most work and discipline. Like losing weight and exercising. 

I get excited about them when I first make the conscious decision that I’m going to try again. Like when the New Year is approaching. I’ll write my intentions down in a spiffy new journal and block out the time on a calendar. I buy the calorie counter/meal app and spend too much time setting it up in my iPhone. Then comes the positive mental pep talks necessary to build momentum.

And I do well at the beginning! I’m enthusiastic and update my meal planner app daily. I don my ear buds and walk 2.5 miles around the local park listening to an audiobook meant to inspire. But, somehow the wind in my sails die down after a short period of time. I begin to crave high fructose corn syrup and decide that cleaning out the closet IS exercise.

Life is full of obstacle illusions. ~Grant Frazier

I know I’m not alone in these struggles. As humans we have to work extra hard to avoid the things we want and go to the things we know we need (ice cream > broccoli.) This is made even more difficult by the busy lives we lead, loaded with distractions and obligations. It’s SO much easier to cruise the drive through than have to spend an hour preparing a meal after a long, tiring day.

And this is where living intentionally comes in. We have to always stop and consider our choices as we make them. Having a plan is great, but when we’re inclined to deviate, we have to stop what we’re doing and have a conversation with ourselves. That dialogue should include all the pros and cons of the choice we’re about to make. 

Goals are great to have, but require constant vigilance. And the more specific the better. Breaking a large goal into several smaller bite-size ones makes the task seem easier.

Without them we never get anywhere. Even when we veer of the path to our goals we must circle back and continue working. If we do this, we will eventually succeed!

 

If you don’t know where you are going, you will probably end up somewhere else. ~Lawrence J. Peter

 

 

New Horizons, New Goals

/ Luanne Shernisky / 4 Comments

horizon-1

Once again, as the new year approaches, I’m considering what my resolutions should be. There’s always the personal ones: eat better, exercise more, etc. 

However, this year I have a professional goal, as well. After moving to FL and having a lackluster job search, I’ve decided to try my hand at freelance writing. 

Because I haven’t written professionally and am starting my own business, there are some obvious first steps I must take:

  • I have to create a portfolio to display my work and show potential clients that I have experience and references. This is what I’m currently working on. 
  • Then, I must put together a writer’s website dedicated to this new venture. That will require time, effort, and creativity.
  • I’ll need to get a tax ID number and the many other things required for a small business. That will take some research since I’m a newbie. 
  • All the while I’m doing this I must continue writing, networking, brainstorming ideas for projects, learning to write pitch letters, and a whole host of other things!

That somewhat hazy-looking horizon in the picture above? That’s my future freelance business. And the buildings, roads, rivers, and bridges in between? Those represent the many, many tasks and details required to get there. 

As you can see, that’s a lot of ground to cover. In order to go the distance, I better get moving!

Photo Challenge: New Horizon

 

 

 

 

 

Inspiring Minds

/ Luanne Shernisky / 2 Comments
X396NHZ8T1

Whether you believe you can do a thing or not, you are right. ~ Virgil

I like to check in on Facebook a couple of times a day, particularly since moving to Florida. I can keep up with family & friends back home, as well as the local news there.

I came across a short, inspirational video that I wanted to share. It was very uplifting for anybody who has doubts about themselves, their capabilities, or where they’re headed in life (sounds familiar, yes?) 

Right now, I have no real home (of my own), no job (yet), and I sure don’t know exactly what direction I’m headed! The changes I’ve made over the last year are big ones, but I really believed they were necessary, in order to have a better future. 

It’s easy to lose sight of that now, when everything is so uncertain. It’s easy to give in to the doubts and fears that I won’t be able to reach my goals or realize my dreams.

So, I need to keep reminding myself that life is short and we have to live every minute in the best way possible. I must remember that reaching our dreams is never easy. It usually requires hard work and patience.

And sometimes it requires change. 

I’m going to stop looking back and keep my eyes to the future. I’m going to value today for the gift that it is. In the meantime, I’m going to read, watch, and listen to all the positive resources available. When I come across a good one, I’ll share it here on my blog.

Need a little lift? Try this:

Out with doubt & forget regret, live your dreams NOW.