Goal Setting in the Most Simplest Form

I realize that my January Newsletter article, Busy Moms Don’t Need Resolutions, They Need Action Steps! , is a bit detailed. Yes, I tend to focus on details. So I would like to offer a simple thought on goals.

What do you want?

What is the one next action step you can take to get you closer to what you want?

Busy Moms Don’t Need Resolutions, They Need Action Steps!

As you know, declaring a New Year's resolution doesn't automatically make it so, but many times we seem to act that way.
Picture this --

I am so ready for a fresh start. This year is going to be different, I can feel it. I want to set and reach new goals in my career and I want to make sure I have more quality family time. So, I work extra hard on a new project and institute a family fun day. After about the first week or two, reality sets in, distractions occur here and there. I start to feel out of control again and frustrated. I know I want things to change but I don't know what else to do. I've already tried setting goals and that doesn't seem to work.

So why does this happen? There can be many reasons, but I firmly believe one key reason is that we usually fail to break our goals down into actions steps. We fail to develop a plan that we can follow step-by-step until we reach our goal. Actions steps work for me at home and in my business. For more For more Works-For-Me Wednesday Ideas, stop by Rocks In My Dryer.

Here are the steps you can take to transform your goals into actions steps and commitments so you can achieve excellent results!

Step 1: Designate a notebook that you can use. It doesn't have to be anything fancy but it does help to choose one that you can easily carry with you. You never know when an idea will strike you. Yes, it's OK to use a computer for this or even a voice recorder.

Step 2: Take some time to look back to 2008 even if it's just for 15 minutes. Write down your excitements, accomplishments, your frustrations and your letdowns.

Step 3: Now make a list of everything you would like to do or improve upon in 2009. There is no wrong answer here; allow your thoughts to spill out onto your paper (or computer screen).

Step 4: Pick two or three of the most important areas you would like to work on in the coming year. These will be your main goals.

Step 5: Choose one main goal at a time and write it on the top of a fresh page. Be specific and very clear on what you want to accomplish and when it will happen. You can even describe how you will feel-this really helps paint a picture and make it more real for you.

Example: I will have a system in place by March 1 to keep my papers, bills and mail organized so I can find what I need when I need it and eliminate the piles on the kitchen counter. I will feel less stressed and great in my space!

Step 6: Now break the main goal into small projects or tasks. Write down the action steps you have to take to accomplish your projects. These actions steps help you climb closer to your goal. It might take a bit of practice to get your mind to look at things in a new way, but the more you do it, the easier it will get.

Example Project: I will seek out the help of professional organizer so I can learn how to set up and maintain a system for my papers that will work for me.

1. Search for possible organizers or classes via the Internet and get referrals from friends.



2. Contact at least 3 organizers by January 10 and decide who I will work with by January 15.
   


3. etc......

Step 7: Now grab your calendar and start setting appointments with yourself to get it done.

Step 8: Repeat steps 4-6 with your remaining goals. You most likely will not get through every step in one sitting. It may work best for you to focus on one goal at a time or you might prefer to work your goals simultaneously.

When you hit a tough spot or you get thrown off your path, look back through your notebook, make changes if necessary and keep going.

Now picture this --

It's the start of New Year. You are so inspired by what you have accomplished in the last 12 months. There were some trying times but you definitely are not were you started! What's next?

If getting your papers finally organized is on the top of your list, join me on Saturday, January 31, 2009 for the Paper Organizing for Busy Moms Virtual Workshop. I've got the steps all laid out for you!

Giveaway: Paper Organizing For Busy Moms

I am hosting 3 giveaways in celebration of Get Organized Month.

I am SUPER-excited about this first one, a full registration for my virtual workshop: Paper Organizing For Busy Moms ($137 value) taking place on Saturday, January 31, 2009! I am thrilled to bring this to you because I will be teaching you the very same systems and providing you with the very same valuable tools as I do with my private clients.

I realize that not everyone has the option of working with a professional organizer in their home, but now I can be by your side virtually for this unique half-day workshop as I teach you how to take control of the papers in your home and life.

How This Virtual Workshop Works
Throughout the workshop there will be a series of four live teleclasses with instruction and after each teaching session you will then be able to apply what you have learned right away during your in-home organizing session!

For more information, please visit http://www.stuff2borganized.com/events/PaperOrganizing/.

Giveaway Contest Rules and How to Enter

1. Leave a comment telling me your #1 paper challenge and a way to contact you: 1 point
2. Post this giveaway on your blog with a link back here to my giveaway post, please include the link to the post in your comment: 3 extra points
3. Sign up for my newsletter here or on the sidebar: 3 extra points
4. This giveaway will close January 9, 2009 at 1pm Eastern Time.

If you don't have a blog, you can instead tell at least 3 other busy moms about the Paper Organizing Workshop by providing them with the link: http://www.stuff2borganized.com/events/PaperOrganizing/.

Because of shipping costs, this contest is open to those in the Continental United States.

Procrastination: What's Holding You Back?

(This article is from my March 2008 Newsletter)

When I first started in the field of professional organizing, I read It's About Time: The 6 Styles of Procrastination and How to Overcome Them by Dr. Linda Sapadin with Jack Maguire. Dr. Sapadin reminds us that everyone procrastinates occasionally. We do it when we face challenging situations. For some, it's a chronic behavior. Once we can identify how and why we procrastinate, then we can work on breaking the patterns and replacing them with productive behaviors.

These are the six styles of procrastination. Here's a quick overview:

Perfectionist-"BUT I want it to be perfect!"

• Reluctant to start, or finish, a task because it has to be perfect.
• Quite often spending far more energy on a task than is required.

Dreamer-"BUT I hate all those bothersome details!"

• Difficult challenges can provoke resistance.
• "Hard to do" gets translated into "I can't do it."
• A challenge to turn big ideas into reality.

Worrier-"BUT I'm afraid to change!"

• Have an excessive need for security, which causes a fear of risk.
• Focus too much on the "what ifs" and may avoid finishing projects all together so that they don't have to leave the "comfort zone" of the familiar and move to new territory.

Defier-"BUT why should I do it?"

• A rebel.
• Some are openly proud of setting their own schedules that nobody else can predict or control.
• They are establishing their individuality.
• Some are more subtle (maybe less consciously aware) and is called "passive-aggressive" behavior.

Crisis-Maker-"BUT I only get motivated at the last minute!"

• Need to live on the edge.
• Procrastination is a form of adventure which includes intense emotion, constant challenge and emergency action.

Over-Doer- "BUT I have so much to do!"

• Says "yes" to too much because they are unable or unwilling to make choices and establish priorities.
• Try to do too much at once and so some things may get done very well, but other things never get done.

Dr. Sapadin adds that each person displays their own distinct mix of these styles. We might have our major styles along with some that are displayed less often. Very rarely does one display only one of these styles.

What are your procrastination styles? Which one(s) do you find yourself doing when it comes to organizing? Take note of when you find yourself procrastinating. What specific challenges are you facing at those moments? What is the first step you can take to curb procrastination?

I am a Perfectionist

I procrastinate. I’m OK admitting that. Everyone procrastinates at some level. When we face a difficult situation, we procrastinate-in own style.

I am a perfectionist-that’s one of my major styles of procrastination. When I am working on a project, I tend to get too focused on too many details too soon. I have picture in my head of what I want the outcome to be and if it is just right, I will put the task off.

So, I wanted to write an article on procrastination for my monthly newsletter. Yes, I was procrastinating on writing a procrastination article! Why? Well, I wanted it to be informative, but not parental sounding. I wanted to get enough information in, but it still had to be quick and easy read.

I did get that article done. Check it out.