It's Not Too Late to Plan or Set Goals - Write it Down

Touchstones of Love – Everyday Reminders for Living in Love

It’s Not Too Late to Plan or Set Goals – Write it Down

I’ve heard goal setting was a proper thing to do. I did not know what a powerful thing it was. I remember    talking to a Medical Doctor/Priest/Healer from Africa. He told me: "Write it down and you will see." The "Will see" is a key part. Because he also followed it up with: "Then let it go." Release your attachment to the outcome, add “this or something better” and drop your judgments. God may have something in store for you that you would never have imagined and maybe an unusual way of getting there.

At the end of one month as I was noting my activities for the past 30 days and writing my goals for the next one, I wrote down that I wanted to have an article published at least once a month. I noticed I felt a little resistance in doing so I will admit. I had been invited to write an article for the Quality Monitor a quarterly publication. The previous month I had also written something I felt strongly about as a letter to the Editor of the state wide Catholic paper.

[A little background - I am a nurse, my sister was the English major and teacher. I was good at math and science. I never would have dreamed of becoming a writer. It amazes me that I am doing this. When I was in eighth grade, I sent a letter to my sister at college - she corrected it in red, both spelling and grammar, and mailed it back. No, I haven't thought of myself as a writer.]

Then as I was seated at my kitchen table again, noting what was accomplished for the last month and looking at the goals to see which I had met, the phone rang. It was the editor! And as we talked, he invited me to submit articles for a monthly column. Coincidence? (You do know there are no such things don't you?)

Our right goals and dreams are given to us. Even writing that down, I didn't believe it would happen so fast, or if it would happen at all. I believe we are given some thoughts and when we get them it is good to write them down. Journaling can be a powerful way of gaining clarity in our lives. We get our thoughts out of our heads and down where we can see them and refer back to them.

Stephen Covey's book 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families talks about writing a family mission statement. You have the opportunity to vision for every aspect of your life - spiritual, family, work, finances, fun, social, health, service. Imagine a balanced life where all your parts of life are recognized as important, honored, paid attention to, and embraced.

It is by doing it ourselves that we are way show-ers for our children. We can also intentionally help them to make these plans, incorporating their visions for the future. When they come up with their hopes, do you nurture them, help them to brainstorm the solutions to the challenges, or are you negative and tell them it cannot be done? What do you want others to do with your ideas? What better, more lasting gift can we give our children than teaching them to dream the right dreams.

Lynn Durham, author of From Frazzled To Fantastic! You’re One Thought Away From Feeling Better.  www.lynndurham.com, smile@LynnDurham.com