I want to give you permission to goal as you go.

Are you feeling the pressure to pursue it all?

Be it all?

Squeeze into it all (my pants are so tight right now–please tell me I’m not alone. No seriously, leave me a comment)?

If so… read on!

 

I don’t know about you but December leaves me absolutely exhausted. And as soon as the calendar crosses over to January 1st we are supposed to take on the world with gusto. We are to lose a bit of extra self that we’ve packed on over the past few months, while we attempt to gain new habits that promise health, happiness and, surely, success.

If you’ve been scrolling through social media I bet you’ve had the urge to do a juice detox, de-clutter your life, start a reading plan, take some kind of fitness challenge and likely even #unplug from social media for month (deleting apps off your phone)–or at least felt some form of guilt for not following suit, like many of your friends.

Me?

I’ve signed up for a 30 day yoga challenge, a 30 day “Declutter Like a Mother Challenge, talked my self out of a juice detox, am making a lengthy reading list (although to me, this is almost more fun than making a Christmas wish list), entertained the idea of Whole 30, and am following a #SimplictyChallenge on Instagram. The scroll has got my synapses firing and my fingers responding at lightning speed to sign up for a healthier more organized 2018. There is no time to waste. Today is the day. We must begin NOW (otherwise known as the self-talk I’m trying to shush).

Only we don’t have to.

We can goal as we go.

We can begin when we choose (and we can begin again when we fall short, fall off the wagon or to be less dramatic–just sit down for day or two, because let’s face it…this is what happens).

If you’ve felt the piercing pressure to have your resolutions, your goals, your lists already in place because “everyone” else does, I’d like to remind you that “everyone” else does not. I do not. While I feel the tension to have a 2018 plan in place, it hasn’t happened yet. If I’m honest, I feel behind, already.

Can you relate?

Let’s take a deep breath, together, and remind ourselves, gently, that there is time and we can goal as we go.

I love to sit in a coffee-scented scene to reflect, scribble and scratch out what last year looked like in all of its highs and lows. To listen and list. But until I have the time and even mental space to do so I just keep a running list of ideas (books I want to read, changes I want to implement, habits I want to subtract, traditions I want to add)  in the notes section of my phone.

While reflection takes time, it’s likely that your list (of goals–or whatever you choose to call them) won’t take you as long as think. You already know what needs to change. You have an idea of things you’d like to do, try, be or accomplish in the coming year.

So . . .  write down your goals as you go. Let your list be guided by listening to yourself.

Don’t like the word goal? I was beginning to get down on it myself. I’ve always been a girl with a goal. However, now I’m a lady who understands (and has experienced) that having a goal, clearly, doesn’t mean you always accomplish it. Having a goal gives you an aim. English Oxford dictionary defines it as this: the object of a person’s ambition or effort; an aim or desired result. Having an aim is necessary if you desire to hit anywhere near the target.

Maybe that is it, Lovelies? We set a goal. We aim and we expect to hit the bullseye, first time, first try. But look at it this way: Hitting the target (think of an archery target) is hitting the target. It means you have the arrow in place, drawn the bow, and have released an arrow.

And you have more than one arrow. More than one shot.

Goal as you go.

What are the goals that you already know?

Write them out.

Organize and add to them when you have time (I do believe listing them in one sacred place is important. This is where we can go back to last year’s list and reflect. See what worked, what didn’t. What we can cross off and carry over. And there is no shame in carrying over. I’ve had “write a book” on my list for YEARS. I can’t tell you how many times I carried that one over from year to year from journal to journal. For a few years, my shot looked like, simply, taking notes or jotting down ideas. Another year it looked like researching. And another it looked like an actual proposal. Guess what I get to cross off my list this year? (Here it is!) Although I’m already itching to add “write book” again.) I keep my list in these journals (I’m crazy about them). Where do you like to keep your lists?

Then begin to draw the bow.

I’m going to try to do yoga for 30 days (although I’m certain I’ll miss a day or two) and declutter like a mother (although let me tell you being a mother makes me clutter) when I find extra pockets of time. I don’t think I’m going to do Whole 30, but I am going to return to the French Woman Don’t Get Fat method–because this worked for me. I’m going to add compliment giving and subtract unnecessary negative chatter. The rest I’ll add as I go.

Have you made any lists yet?

I’d love to know if you make goals or if you plan to goal as you go?

Remember there is GRACE even in our goals. It is waiting, already, in every single day of 2018.

 

PS – A few past posts on goals: More or Less, Writing 2015, Strong

And…keep an eye out for some book recs later this week.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, LOVELIES!

XO . T