Changes.....goals.........challenges

Many of you said you were not very good at planning and or setting goals.  It is such a mental effort, isn't it? After a busy day, the last thing we want to do is to work hard at thinking what our goals should be... And then there's that rat that sits on your shoulder telling you that "you might as well not set that goal, because you won't keep it.  You won't follow through with it  or if you do, you'll be disappointed with the results".  Well, I am learning that IF I want change, I've got to be willing to work for it.  IF I want change, or a project finished, I've got to put fear aside, and be willing to deal with the disappointment if it doesn't turn out like I want it.  I have to STOP being an idealist/perfectionist  sometimes and be a realist.  If things aren't perfect and exactly the way I want them, am I willing to do the work to get it just like I like it?  Or am I willing to take the approach that it doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful?!

I have this Dr.Jekyl/Mr Hyde within me that wants things just right, but doesn't always feel motivated to work hard enough to get them the way I want them....anyone else like that?  I can come up with a million excuses to put something off (you see, procrastination is tied in with being a idealist/perfectionist ......I seem to think if I put the goal off, I won't have to deal with it, until I can't stand it any longer and then impulsively decide to do something.  That's where the disappointment usually hits, because I didn't plan and it doesn't turn out the way I wanted!!!)
So a few goal setting techniques I was just reminded of the other day are as follows.  Goals  need to be written out in "SMART" terms! They should be:
Specific    (If I can't be specific, I am thinking in terms too general....)
Measurable (can I get to the end and check off my goal as done?
Actionable (break it down into simple steps toward accomplishment!)
Realistic  (is it really realistic that I will lose 40 pounds in two weeks???no.....)
Time -Based  (with a reasonable amount of time, an ending to the goal so I can check it off and call it complete!

So I can write a goal such as this......I want to redo my house and have it all pretty.....

OR in SMART terms:  I will begin re-doing my house by painting the laundry room by Memorial Day, May 27th.  (hypothetically, so y'all can't really hold me accountable to this one!! LOL!)

Then from there,  having a plan to tackle each room by a specific time, and make it reasonable, will help me accomplish what I want to get done in a reasonable amount of time.  I know realistically that planning to re-do a room during the end of May and early June is not a good choice for me because my daughter will be graduating.  And I am certainly not going to be planning to paint my bedroom during October because I will having some new GRANDBABY visiting to do!! I have to look at my calendar and see when it is reasonable for me to set aside time to complete the steps I've measured out for success!
So there you have it, a nutshell of info that may help someone remember just HOW to set a goal and be successful at it.

And for the giveaway you do not have to go back to the original post to enter....anyone who leaves a comment this week on any post, and asks to be entered into the giveaway will be entered.  And another hint for the item I'll be giving away, is that "when you are hot, it will be COOL".....have fun guessing.  Remember to pass along the word, that my business is changing, and will get a new name, AND I' m doing a giveaway to celebrate!!!!