Goals to Propel You to a Bigger, Bolder Life

We’re one week in to 2012; how are your New Year’s resolutions coming along?

Yes, the New Year holds so much promise and opportunity to set and achieve some pretty amazing things!  Unfortunately, once we’re into January, and back to our daily routines, we often forget about the promise of the New Year and settle back into the mundane.  Well, buckle up because Soulspring Groups is going to take you on an amazing journey this year.

As we go through life it’s easy to fall into a rut – the same routine day in and day out.  What’s the fun in that?  What we need is a jumping off point, a “springboard” to some adventure and excitement!  It seemed to us that a “bucket list” would be an easy and fun way to ensure we’re adding the variety and spice to our lives for which we all yearn, and that is precisely the idea behind Soulspring Groups’ “My Spring Board” project. 

This year we want to see you reaching, learning, and attaining everything you’ve always wanted to be, do and have.  The first thing you’ll want to do is visit our page on Facebook and download your free Spring Board tools from the “Empowerment and Fun” tab (you’ll see the link below our profile image).  Then, follow along on the Soulspring Facebook Page as we share an inspiring “Spring Board” idea every Friday!

Get ready for 52 ideas to help “spring” you into living a bigger, bolder life!  If our suggested idea or activity sparks some interest within you, then add it to your “Spring Board” in the appropriate section; schedule something you would like to do in the summertime under June or July...something you think would be good to do with your family under the Family section.

If you missed the first Spring Board idea for 2012, you can see it here. 

And of course we want you to add your own ideas to the plan!  We’ve included more than 52 spaces for fun activities on this worksheet; plenty of room for your own personal goals.  Remember to stretch and strive for interests that have been long lost, maybe since your childhood!  To help inspire ideas ask yourself the following questions:

• What dreams did I have as a child (i.e.: ride in a hot-air balloon, blow a bubble gum bubble bigger than my head, etc.)?

• What have I always been curious about trying (i.e.: firing a gun, spending the night in a lighthouse, milking a cow by hand, etc.)?

• What have others done that has fascinated me (i.e.: running a marathon, whitewater rafting, writing a book, etc.)?

• What are the simple things in life that I need to be reminded to do (i.e.: drive around the lake in autumn, watch the sunrise, go on a picnic, etc.)?

• What have I always wanted to learn (i.e.: knitting, changing a flat tire, learning to make Grandma’s special recipe, etc.)?

Our post each Friday on Facebook will prompt you to revisit this list often (as in weekly!).  When you do, check off your accomplishments, add more ideas, and schedule your next to-do or adventure!  Refer to this tool anytime you’re feeling down or bored; choose a goal and put a plan into action to achieve it!  Heck, make it a family affair!  A sense of accomplishment is one of the best empowerment-builders there is!

We want to stay updated on your accomplishments, both big and small!  Post your latest achievement to our Facebook Wall, referencing “The Spring Board Project” and help to inspire the entire Soulspring community to live big this year!

The Soul Sisters

Soulspiration of the Week:

"We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day."  ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Women’s Empowerment Tip: Kick Your Habits to the Curb

Habits, no matter if they are good or bad, make us who we are…and, habits, no matter if they are good or bad, can make us or break us. 

Habits have a way of overtaking our lives and as a result we find ourselves stuck.  They’re sneaky; silently creeping up on you until you’re hooked!  You may not even realize the negative impact they are having on your life until it’s too late!  That’s why it’s so important to be aware of your habits and confront the ones that no longer serve you. 

Identifying bad habits is as easy as asking yourself, “What am I doing out of habit that no longer serves me?”  Look to the areas in your life that cause you constant struggle or challenge for an additional clue.  For example, if you find yourself living paycheck to paycheck, your spending habits may need a review.  Habits such as eating the wrong kinds of foods in excess, shopping or eating out of emotion, spending too much time in front of the television, and most likely many more, might also come to mind. 

Once you have identified the habits you know you must change, follow these 6 tips to kick your habits to the curb:

1) Tackle one bad habit at a time and give your new positive habit 30 days to develop and establish new muscle memory.  Don’t be hard on yourself if you have a set-back; put any digression behind you and pick up where you left off.

2) Write it out; don’t leave commitments in your brain. Put pen to paper and gain clarity around the change you wish to make and why.  It’s tempting to skip this step but it’s extremely important!  Whenever you’re tempted to give up, this is just what you need to once again get clear on your objective and what it will mean for your life!

3) If the habit you want to change is an especially tough one, recognize the need for a step-by-step plan.  Just like when you create a plan to achieve a goal or finish a project, identifying key steps to break your habit will allow you to make small but steady progress each week.  Taking manageable action steps over time will ensure you have a successful outcome.

4) Habits are often prompted so it’s important to recognize your trigger (ie: If TV sparks a snack attack, stop the urge by eliminating TV time or replacing it with another activity).

5) Surround yourself with loyal supporters.  Let them help you and cheer you on!  Your Soulspring Group will undoubtedly be a valuable resource to you at this time.  They will gently hold you accountable to your mission and some members may even join you in your quest to kick the habit!

6) Awareness is key. Present time consciousness (PTC) will ensure you don’t mindlessly revert to old ways.  Don’t look back and don’t look ahead, stay focused on the now and take it a moment at a time.

It’s not necessary to remain a hostage to your habits.  A desire to change combined with a splash of will-power and the right support network, is all you need to change your life!

Kim,
Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of the Week:“The chains of habit are generally too small to be felt until they are too strong to be broken.”  ~Samuel Johnson

Jump Ball!

I’ve spent the past two months battling a very common physical condition affectionately known as bleacher butt. After years of waiting, our daughter finally reached the required age where she could begin her youth basketball career. As the first official season to play the sport against another team, keeping score, and tracking fouls just like the big leagues got underway, she realized it was just what she was hoping for. It involved everything she loved….competition, ball handling, fast-paced action, and of course social time with her teammates. It wasn’t quite the same as one-on-one with her brother on their make-shift half court in the garage; nonetheless, she was in heaven.

It was during that very first game that I noticed a yet to be learned skill; the concept of fighting for that jump ball hadn’t come alive just yet. Our girls were still displaying those first rules of the playground that we as parents tried so hard to teach them when they were young. We’d closely watch the interaction between the children, and promptly step in when our child would try to claim a toy that another was playing with. We’d find ourselves repeating over and over again, “Don’t take toys away from other kids.” And now, how many years later, we see them doing just as we taught them on the court…we should be so proud. At the first sense that the other team would get their hands on the ball our girls would instinctively let go, giving up an opportunity for a “jump ball”; a possession change. They were just doing what they knew, what was polite, what they felt was the right thing to do.

But, let’s take a timeout and consider the power of this important skill. As we go through life and begin to realize our dreams and goals, how many of us simply let go and give up the control when someone comes by and starts to steal it away? Do we give up too easily and relinquish an opportunity all together, or do we firmly plant our feet and hold on tight with both hands in order to show them we’ve got the confidence to stay in the game? In order to reach the goals we set for ourselves we’ve got to learn to stay with those “jump ball” situations.

Now fast forward a mere two months to the last game of the season. It was obvious that somewhere along the way our girls realized the benefits that come from a “jump ball” situation. They confidently wrapped their arms around the ball and hung on with all their might. At the end of the game they had a ton of possession changes and a win under their belt. It was empowering to see the fearless look on their faces as they sought out the opportunities to go after the ball and most importantly held on tight until the whistle blew; signaling a JUMP BALL!

Yes, my butt will soon be back to normal. It was certainly a season that we’ll remember. It wasn’t about tracking wins and losses, but a season for the entire team to learn the basics, understand the rules, master the skills, and gain the confidence that will benefit them for the rest of their lives. And, we adults may have even learned a thing or two along the way. Remember to plant your feet, wrap your arms around that dream and hang on with all your might until you hear the sound of that whistle signaling you did it!

Jenny,
Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of Week:

A winner is someone who recognizes his God-given talents, works his tail off to develop them into skills, and uses these skills to accomplish his goals. ~ Larry Bird

Life Purpose: What’s That Got to Do with Goal Setting?

One of the best parts of my Soulspring Groups work is meeting with women in a group coaching setting and leading them through our Passion Processes. Few women actually take the time to do this type of self-reflection on their own, and after a few hours of exercises, interaction and conversation, I’m always amazed by the clarity, light bulb-moments and bits of brilliance that surface amidst the fun and laughter.

Women are so wise when they allow themselves to be. Unfortunately, all the chaos of daily life keeps us pretty busy and distracted. That’s what our Soulspring Groups meetings are all about; giving women one evening a month dedicated to gaining clarity about their own personal dreams, goals, passions and life purpose.

It was at such a gathering, during a “Rapid Fire” exercise, when an important lesson revealed itself. So basic was the message, yet it’s one that is often overlooked. Our question was, “I’ll be living on purpose when…” and the premise of the exercise was to go from woman to woman asking them to fire off the first thing that came to mind. Of course all the answers were wise and great, but one in particular stuck out…

“I’ll be living on purpose when…I do the things I say I will do and don’t agree to the things I know I won’t do.”

Yes, seems pretty common sense, yet within that one statement are a multitude of life lessons. The stress that comes with over-commitment, the integrity issues that accompany our inability to say “no”, but at the core is an even more significant principle for success and happiness.

The happiest and most successful women are masterful goal-setters. They decide what they want, set goals around those desires, create a plan, and then work the plan step by step until victory is achieved. We’ve worked hundreds of women through this very process and have seen many amazing accomplishments as a result. But for every goal achieved, there are many more goals that are not. How could this be?

There is a precursor to this process; one might even call it a secret to goal setting success. The secret is that if the goal you wish to achieve is not in alignment with your purpose, it will be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to realize. However, set a goal that is consistent with your purpose, and not only will you achieve it, you will be inundated with help, support and resources, the process of pursuing it will be easy, exciting and fun, and the speed at which you fulfill your dream will be greatly accelerated!

If realizing your dreams and goals have proven to be a challenge for you, perhaps the problem is within your purpose, or rather the lack of clarity around it. How can you get clear?

• Soulspring Groups can help you gain clarity about your dreams, passions and purpose.  Visit our website to learn about joining a Soulspring Group in your area, or starting a Soulspring Group of your own.
• Connecting with like-minded women will lead you in the right direction!  We invite you to stop by our Facebook page and join our growing community of inspiring and empowered women. 
• Remind yourself just how amazing you are! Get your free copy of our newly released e-book “50 Reasons to Believe in You” HERE.

Above all, remember it’s about more than goals and success; it’s about living on purpose.

Kim,
Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of the Week:
“There is one quality which one must possess to win, and that is definiteness of purpose, the knowledge of what one wants, and a burning desire to possess it.” ~Napoleon Hill

It's Time for a Goal Check-Up

At Soulspring January is all about goal-setting; getting your dreams prioritized and your action plan set for the year. Why am I talking about January in September? With just over three months of the year left, it’s time to evaluate your progress towards your goals.

We begin the New Year with such optimism, don’t we? It all seems so attainable in January. Plus we have 11 more months to work our plan. But sometimes in spite of our best efforts and planning, we don’t consistently take the action that is necessary, and with time running out we chalk up another failed attempt at reaching our dreams. “There’s always next year,” we say.

The truth is that we are entering what I believe to be one of the most productive times of the entire year. Even if you haven’t thought about your goals since January you still have time to make some real progress and make them a reality. Here’s are 4 steps to get you back on track:

THE WHAT: First, you need to remember what it was that you wanted to achieve. Was your goal specific? For example, instead of saying you want to lose weight, you must state the exact number of pounds. You also want to consider your progress year to date. If you haven’t done any work toward your goal, why? Was your plan too aggressive? Were you lacking belief that your goal was actually possible? Use this new insight to revise your plan as you work through the steps below.

THE WHY: Don’t underestimate the importance of why you wanted to achieve your goal in the first place. Chances are if it was important to you then, it’s even more important now! Really visualize what achieving your goal would mean to your life and the lives of those around you. And, although it can be uncomfortable, it’s also important to visualize what it would mean to not achieve your goal. What would you be depriving yourself, your loved ones, the world? Make it real by feeling the emotions behind these revelations and putting it into writing in a journal or incorporate it into your actual plan so it’s fresh in your mind. You can achieve anything if it’s important enough. Make it important.

THE HOW: Now you are ready to dust off your earlier plan. Re-evaluate the steps you identified to make your dream a reality. Check off any that you have accomplished and adjust any remaining actions and tasks by determining if they are still crucial and then make any necessary shifts. This is also the time to ensure that your plan is achievable. If you plan too aggressively, it’s impossible to keep up and you’re likely to fail before you begin. We understand the plight of the busy woman and for that reason you will often hear the Soul Sisters say, “Don’t underestimate the power of baby steps.” You would be surprised at how much a woman can achieve by just taking two or three small (sometimes even tiny) steps each day. These small actions add up over the course of a week, month and year. The development of Soulspring Groups is just one example of this theory put into action!

THE WHEN: Chances are that back in January you set target dates and deadlines for your action steps. Most likely these will need to be adjusted to reflect a new timeline, and that’s okay. Don’t beat yourself up for being behind, instead celebrate your new dedication and promise yourself some added incentive or a reward once you achieve your goal. It’s surprising what a treat or reward can do to drive you toward achievement. Make your reward something that really motivates you to put in the hard work!

Don’t let another year, and another goal, go by. There are still 109 full days left in 2009 and that means over 218 baby steps can be taken toward your goal. Get started now and New Year’s Eve is going to take on a whole new meaning!

Kim
Sister of Soul

Soulspiration of the Week:

“The tragedy of life doesn’t lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal.” ~Benjamin Mays