What's Your Plan? (January 2009)

It’s winter. It’s the time of year when everything appears to have paused, to have gone underground. Trees have shed their leaves and flowers have lost their petals.   And yet, we know when spring comes, the blossoms and the leaves reappear. So, perhaps things are happening under the surface right now in the dead of winter; perhaps much more than we would guess . . .   Planning is like this too – not much appears to be happening, but it is a vital first step in creating positive success. And now is the perfect time to begin.   As you look forward in to 2009, ask yourself, “What do I want this year? Where do I want to be at the end of 2009?”   Look in the areas of your life:   Fun; Recreation Career Money Health Personal Development Family & Friends Significant Other/Romance Physical Environment   What do you want to change?   What do you want more of or less of?   What did you do in 2008 that brought success, fulfillment and joy?   Continue those actions and choices in 2009 and include them in your plan.   Grab a piece of paper, write down the questions from above and then brainstorm. Write all the possibilities. Think “Wouldn’t it be great if . . .” and suspend the “Yeah, but . . “   Use your IMAGINATION. Dream a little. Dream a lot!!   Once you’re through brainstorming, look for common themes, for goals and ideas which are similar or related. If you find some, group them together. Select your top 5 to 10 goals to become your 2009 plan.   Next consider turning all or some of these goals into SMART goals. My favorite variation on the acronym SMART is that goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Resonant, Time framed and Thrilling! Ok, so that’s two T’s - but you get the idea. In case you are wondering what Resonant means, it is something that makes you feel alive - something that honors your values, dreams, and desires.   Last, take a new piece of paper, write the header “My 2009 Plan” and list your newfound goals.   Here are some of my goals for 2009:   Take one trip to a foreign country   Build a website Act on my intuition about money   Continue working out three times per week Continue eating fruits and vegetables daily It’s January.  It’s winter. It’s the perfect time to plant the seeds of change. What do you want to bloom and grow in 2009?   Love,   Cindy