Be the best that YOU can be...

We’ve heard this before, but oftentimes we look around at others “best” to determine what our best should “look” like. We find ourselves comparing our personal best. We hear about accomplishments of our colleagues, friends, peers and even people we don’t know because we have read about them in a newspaper or magazine. While there isn’t anything wrong with keeping up with the productivity of others, comparing it to our personal accomplishments doesn’t help us to grow.  Remember, we only have control over ourselves.

We determine our goals, set our goals, and follow through with them.  These responsibilities are our very own and require work and planning. Personal and professional growth is different for everyone. If you’re experiencing a moment in time which you aren’t growing at a rate which you feel is helping you to move forward, then stop and take a look at the current issues in your life that require special attention.  Make a list of issues that need to be addressed. Create a plan to conquer your stumbling blocks. Consider: Who should you contact, what reading/research materials are available and design your POA.  Be sure to include a timeline and share with someone to ensure accountability. Saying it outloud brings a new dimension to making it happen!

Balancing Act

Do you wonder some days how you’re going to get it all done?  Lists  can be a helpful way to organize and prioritize how you structure your plans for days, weeks and in some cases, recurring events or an upcoming event in the year!  

How can you make the most out of your lists?

-Be specific with the priorities. It sounds simple enough, but oftentimes things we think we’ll remember, get pushed off to the side because we forget about them

-Plan your days/weeks in advance. I recommend this with exercise, meals and overall it makes life easier when you write down priorities that have to be accomplished on/by a specific day.

-Consider the consequences. Often times, we push off what we can until the last minute. I think that’s human nature, however if you plan in advance, you’ll have more than enough time. Should something come up and cause a delay, it will not affect your plans.

-Write down priorities for the day: Put them in specific blocks of time, or number them by importance. This will help you to work your way through your list.

-Know your limits: Set realistic goals for each day.

-Know yourself well enough to determine which tasks should be handled at a specific time. Essentially if you’re a morning person, it’s best to plan events that require your mental power and physical energy in the morning hours.

-Maximize your time: Look at your list and determine if you can “chunk” certain tasks together to be more efficient with your time.

There are only so many hours in the day, but if we make the most of our time, we can accomplish anything we set out to do!

What makes a goal more attainable?

Instead of setting generalized goals that you hope to achieve one day in the distant future, it’s important to take a closer look specifically at your goals and determine exactly which ones are a “must”.  Think about  your daily schedule and your world wind of a day which quickly turns into a week gone by, then months and years! 

The best time to take action is today. Determine 1-3 goals and define a timeline for completion. Get as specific as you can with your goals. I suggest writing them down so they are visible to you. Next to each goal write down actions you are going to take to reach your goal.  Hold yourself accountable- Check your goal(s) weekly. Also considering sharing your goals with a spouse, family member or friend. Your likelihood of following thorough is much higher with a cheerleader to keep you motivated!

Goals.. we all have them, but what happens to them?

Oftentimes we are planning to do something but it never actually happens. Why is this?

Sometimes we get side-tracked with other obligations and lose perspective on what our goal(s) were in the first place!

1.      Start by being specific with your goal. What is it you want to do? Write it down- look at it and then put it aside. Once you've had a night to sleep on it, then go back to your goal, modify it and decide if you can make it even more specific.

2.      Once you have outlined what you are going to do, it's necessary to create an action plan which you are held accountable for! Often times I hear, "I'm losing 10 pounds in one month because I need to fit into a dress and I'm going to live off of 1000 calories a day." My response- "You're Crazy!"  

It's not your goal that is the issue, it's the follow through. Like in the example above, it’s a wonderful thing to lose the weight and be healthy, but also important to do it in a healthy amount of time with a well balanced diet and exercise.



The goal sets the bar, and oftentimes people can reach it. It's what happens after the goal is met that tends to be the bigger concern.  Determine ways that work for you to reach your goal, and surround yourself with people who will support you in maintaining it and living by it!