My Top Ten Goal Setting Rules

1. I graduated with a degree in Art. I don't follow the rules! I did and it didn't work out. I am now enjoying more freedom, and not setting any rules for myself and others. 2. Make a vision board ( only if you want :) ) It helps you focus on what your visions are for the future. 3. Write it down. Keep a blog. Handwrite on your calender. Use post it notes. You will amaze yourself in the next year all the things you have accomplished. 4. Try not to buy anything new. Make do with what you have. This is a big one for me, as I have purged so much. I don't miss or need anything right now! That is a great feeling. 5. Always be thankful 6. Don't stop thinking about the future. Thinking about the future, and worrying about the future is tough sometimes. But, focus on the reality and make it happen. Then sprinkle in what would make you feel joyful. Also, try to do this without spending any money. 7. Does it require a lot of love or a lot of work? How do you look back at what you have worked hard for. Most of it came with love of what you were doing. So, make sure you spend your time on what you love. 8. Make your story a good one. Look ahead to what goals are realistic. Write them down. Nike says it best: Just Do It! 9. Be inspired by words (quotes) music, nature, scents, and tastes of the season, and surround yourself with only the things you love. For me, this means I can't watch the news anymore or the weather. Too many times I wasted time, because I let the weather forecast rule my day. I can say, right now, I could sit in the rain outside and be happy. Just to not let rain stop me from doing anything is a big deal for me. 10. The biggest one! Realize everything does NOT have to be perfect. This means what you think of yourself and body image, especially. I am in the best place in my life, as far as that goes right now. I have not worn make up in two years. I don't get my hair dyed anymore. I lost thirty pounds and have not gained a single ounce in eight months. BE comfortable in your own skin. It can save you a lot of money and I feel better! I didn't share my visual board until I felt that some of the pictures are going to come true for me. It was a wish to find a home to buy in January (when I made this board) and now it has come true. September in the last few years has become better for me to set goals. I am celebrating my first year at a job I find challenging, but I really do love. I am celebrating buying a home. I am celebrating the Artist in me. I am celebrating me AND you. I want to drink as much champagne as possible! I took a really fun collage class and the teacher was popping champagne every hour. We ended up with one of the corks. When some people came to our table to see what we were up to. They loved the cork I bedazzled. Meanwhile, I spent two hours on my collage, and two seconds dipping the cork in glue and rolling it in some sparkly embellishments. This is the KEY.....time is prescious. Make note of what you are paying attention to. If you love it......give it your time. If not, move on! Make sure you include some magic into whatever you do, too. I think of it this way. I look back at working the last fifty years and my work life and think "how did I do that". I also think of my thirty nine year marriage and think that too. If you think of it as magical, it really is. But, the word I have trouble with this year is love. And, I spent my time and focus on love and that made it magical. Again, I didn't say it was perfect, I said it was magical. And, I would not change a minute of my past. Because, I learned how to focus on the good, and I will continue living out my dreams. I am looking forward to the future, and the most magical part of my life. And, that is my family. I am SO blessed to be G-MA and I want to be looked at as loving and magical. That is my ultimate goal!!! Quote of the day: Without leaps of imagination, or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning. Gloria Steinem Song of the Day: Follow Your Heart Michael Franti Spearhead