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Five Fab Goals for 2011

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Deciding on a Goal is the Hardest Part

I'm in a quandary here. I don't really believe in goal setting. I think it sets up unrealistic expectations leading to more failure than success.

But I've been challenged by the Squidoo team to write a lens listing five of my goals for 2011 and I wouldn't except that I've already made similar lenses and they've worked.

I have two lenses along the same idea - Create a Vision Board and An Autumnal Journey to the Goddess Brigid - that have had some amazing results, especially the autumn journey one. So I will make another lens in the same vein even though I think it's best to follow wherever your nose leads you.

But now which goals to pick when the sky's the limit?

Image copyright Gretchen Little. All Rights Reserved.

Goal #1: Only Do Rewarding Activities

Give me a gold star!

Purple StarRemember gold stars? Did you, like me, take piano lessons at a time when gold stars were pasted at the top of your successfully completed week's lesson? Or in elementary school when you learned a multiplication table? I want to clean out of my life experiences that are less than gold star worthy.

I'm lucky in that I am in a profession - massage therapy - where my clients leave happier than when they came in for their appointment. That makes it very rewarding for me, and there's no real preparation time involved, either. I just do it.

As my practice grows I am becoming less interested in doing activities that might possibly be worthwhile in the long run but are about as uplifting to do as having wisdom teeth pulled.

Obviously, some things like cleaning the cat box and mowing the lawn can't be avoided (at least not on my income). So I'm talking about the voluntary things I take part in that just aren't the right activity or environment for me. By year's end I'd like to have washed my hands of those.

Goal #2: Feather My Nest!

Increase my monthly income substantially

Little Bird. Copyright Gretchen Little. All Rights Reserved.Who doesn't want this, right?

I tried it with the Autumn Journey lens mentioned in the introduction. I put down a number that was five times what I was making plus a date I wanted to achieve it by. I thought it was unreachable. I didn't actually do anything to get to the goal. In fact, I forgot all about it. Then I got one client referral which lead to many more referrals, plus other sources of income that came out of nowhere. I didn't do any marketing.

So I suppose I should put a dollar amount on this. I'll pick something that seems like a lot to me but may not to other people. I've never made this much in a month in my life. Here it is:

$4000 or more per month in the most painless, effortless way possible, and no harm to anyone.

I've heard it's always good to tack something like that on the end of an affirmation or goal so you don't end up with what you want through negative means.

Just so you know, I think this is an absolutely ridiculous amount. Ridiculous seems to work.

Goal #3: 50th Birthday Extravaganza

I need to do something spectacular

Birthday Cake. Copyright Gretchen Little. All Rights Reserved.Oh, so many things I could do if only bags of gold would fall from the sky.

Turning fifty really seems like a birthday where you have to do something Bucket List worthy, right? Problem is, there are so many things on my bucket list.

What I really really really want to do is go on a ten day storm chasing tour with Extreme Tornado Tours. Anybody have $3500 they can give me?

I wouldn't say no to another trip out to the Northwest United States with an extended stay in the Badlands of South Dakota, Wyoming and Nebraska. Yeah, just give me a couple of summer months out there.

I'm probably going to have to settle for the free storm spotter training class at the end of March and this Women's Writing Retreat in Mineral Point, Wisconsin. Oooo..another week in Door County would be nice.

If you want to know when the deadline for gifts is, it's April Fool's Day. No joke.

Happy Birthday to You!

Dr. Suess brainwashed me...

Happy Birthday to You!

Happy Birthday to You!

by: Dr. Seuss

Amazon Price: $7.00 (as of 06/01/2012)Buy Now

This is my entire model for what birthdays should be like. I was SURE, after reading this book a zillion times as a child, that this is how birthdays were meant to be. One would think that by my 50th birthday I would have finally been able to achieve such birthday celebration heights, but I'm not so sure. In all likelihood it will be a pretty normal day.

Goal #4: Be a Professional Photographer

Which left field did that come out of?

Lily of the Valley. Copyright Gretchen Little. All Rights Reserved.Wait. I have a couple careers going already. What is this doing here? I'm pretty sure that photography is a lot more work than it seems like. Never mind that I have a solid understanding of Photoshop. I need a $15,000 SLR camera and some training about what to do with lighting. Where am I going to get that?

Oh, and pretty soon professional photographers are going the way of dinosaurs because there are thousands of amateurs out there taking amazing photos and posting them online. I've had very marginal success competing with the amateurs on Wunderground for "Approver's Choice" honors, so who am I to think I could be a professional?

But still...the call of the great outdoors with a fantastic camera in hand is strong.

Goal #5: Get My Etsy On

Time to make some stuff

Cocoa Heart. All Rights Reserved. Gretchen Little.I was going to put here that I want to get all my health checkups and make sure I don't have cancer or anything scary because the health situations in people around me hasn't been great lately. But what's the fun in that? Life's short anyway. I want to dream. Or at least work on something more rewarding. I hope.

It's truly ridiculous that I don't have a cozy and eclectic little Etsy shop in high gear at this point. I blame Squidoo! It's so much more alluring to sit in my comfy chair and write lenses and hunt for stuff to put on them than actually get up and make art from the room full of supplies I have.

SO...no more excuses...

This year I want to sell 100 pieces on Etsy!!

Did I say that? Out loud?

Hate Setting Goals, Too?

This book is about...

how to set goals even when you really don't want to.
The Magic Lamp: Goal Setting for People Who Hate Setting Goals

The Magic Lamp: Goal Setting for People Who Hate Setting Goals

by: Keith Ellis

Amazon Price: $6.54 (as of 06/01/2012)Buy Now

The Magic Lamp is the first goal-setting guide for people who hate setting goals. Goals can take you anywhere you want to go, but they rarely give you the inspiration you need to get there. Wishes are different. They have emotional impact. They give you the freedom to dream and the power to make your dreams come true.

The Magic Lamp transforms the process of setting goals from a dull routine into an exciting adventure because it's the first book to combine the methods of goal setting with the magic of making your wishes come true.

More Goals from the Blogosphere

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Leave your thoughts and comments here

  • MeelaJoubert Jan 16, 2011 @ 3:41 pm | delete
    Cool list. You missed a bit, though. Added a settle for your birthday. Put an anchor on your balloon!
    huggs
  • Intuitive Jan 16, 2011 @ 3:57 pm | delete
    Like I wasn't aware of what I was doing. lol
  • sheilamarie Jan 14, 2011 @ 4:26 pm | delete
    You've helped me feel that goal-setting need not be impossible after all. I like your gold star approach.
  • ElleDeeEsse Jan 14, 2011 @ 3:55 pm | delete
    A nice approach to personal goal-setting, fun, positive but meaningful to you. And yes, I heard you - 100 items. Angel blessed and featured on the lens Apprentice Angel
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Intuitive

I'm an artist, massage therapist, Reiki Master, crafter, blogger, foodie. I'm also the neighborhood Squid Angel for the Alternative Healing, Spiritual... more »

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