Plans for 2011 | Vision, Focus, Courage, Flow
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Giant Squid Challenge | Goals for 2011
I've thought a lot about my goals for this year, and then the Giant Squid challenge came along. Preparation meets opportunity...
I've organized my goals around four major categories: Vision, Focus, Courage and Flow. I'm using these as my touchstones or signposts, to help keep me on track with the more specific tasks.
In the modules below, I've listed five of my top detailed goals for 2011.
Magnified Squid art by GreekGeek
Four Touchstones - My Guideposts
Structure For My 2011 Goals
The Empire State Building is just a pile of limestone without the steel structure underneath.
In 2011, I'm testing four areas to use as a way to group my detailed goals. I believe this will help me keep more attuned to what's right for me as I travel through the year.
Vision: My own intuition is pretty sharp. Vision reminds me to continue making use of it.
Focus: It's easy to get distracted by the "bright shiny object syndrome." Hence Focus to be mindful of when I'm distracted, and it's time to bring my attention back to where I decided to place it.
Courage: I could have chosen "discomfort" as the word here. This attribute reminds me that it's okay to feel uncomfortable while learning something new, or traveling into new territory. In fact, it should feel different than the status quo. It's okay to feel uncomfortable; keep my eye on the prize.
Flow: Once I get into the flow of a thing, it gets easier. Often the hardest part is the start, overcoming inertia. Flow is a good thing; one idea, one accomplishment, leads to another and another and another...
I think this will work, and it's certainly worth the experiment. Goal No. 1, using a vision board, is key to working this plan.
Photo: SXC.HU
No. 1 - Work My Vision Board
Creative Energy Unleashed
I've been developing my own vision board, and I was inspired by this lens by Newbizmau, which was a Lens of the Day selection.
My first goal for 2011 is to use the vision board process. When your mind gets hold of an idea, it is amazing how things line up!
No. 2 - Improve My Cooking Skills
Kick It Up a Notch (or Two) - Get Healthier
I'm mostly a self-taught cook, and I do pretty well. But I've learned a lot from my friend Chef Lynn Miller, and I've been working my way through her cookbook, Flavor Secrets: Back to the Basics
. The way I'm approaching this is kinda like Julie & Julia
...Chef Lynn started out as a seriously obsessed home cook, and ended up going to culinary school. She professionally self-published this beautiful hardcover book, printed here in Michigan.
Nothing goes to waste in her kitchen! Even the radish tops get chopped up to add flavor, nutrition and color to the soup, for example. The leftover smoked salmon finds its way into the deviled eggs.
Following a professional chef around is inspiring, and has its tasty benefits!
Flavor Secrets: Back to the Basics
Amazon Price: $15.00 (as of 06/01/2012)
This book has 144 recipes, organized around 12 lessons that will help you go to the next step from wherever you are, as respects your cooking skills.
The recipes are a satisfying blend of grandma's favorites, like banana bread and homemade pickles, and the newest food trends, like Spinach Lasagna and Ritz-inspired Cabbage Balls.
No. 3 Drink More Tea
Enjoy a Good Hot Drink, Made Well
I love my Diet Coke, but sometimes you just want a hot drink, and there are so many wonderful teas to explore.
I've learned how to how to make a cup of tea the way they do in England. That, and my cooking changes, are inspiring me to drink tea more often, and taste blends I never thought I would.
No. 4 - Find a Mother Lode of Beautiful Dishes
The Thrill of the Hunt is Still a Thrill
I love dishes and there are always more lovely sets of dinnerware to find out there to find -- at thrift shops, garage sales and estate auctions. These finds fuel my business. It's fun to work with goods that are your passion.
What would a holy grail of vintage china look like? Perhaps a box of beautiful, pre-1986 Fiesta, or some Dansk made in Denmark, or a complete service for 12 (including the serving pieces) in a Mid-Century Modern pattern designed by Ben Seibel or Eva Zeisel.
Or...something I've never seen before. In 2011, I want to uncover a great vintage china find, or two.
No. 5 - Make the Giant Squids 100 Club
So Many Lens Ideas Still to Build
Last, but not least!
As I write, I'm a newly honored Giant Squid. Now it's time to work toward the next level, the Giant Squids 100 Club.
My friend Fitzcharming has inspired me with her lens-building frenzy, and she recommended me for RocketMoms. (It's great how one good thing leads to another...)
I graduated from my first RocketMoms Session 11, and Session 12 is starting soon. There are many more lenses in my future!
Focus on Your Goals | The Avenues Will Open Up
Insights from a Marine Combat Pilot
Zero to Breakthrough: The 7-Step, Battle-Tested Method for Accomplishing Goals that Matter
Amazon Price: $0.01 (as of 06/01/2012)
A story of setting and reaching goals, from someone who knows!
Sources of Inspiration
Some of My Favorites
Here are a few of my favorite sources of inspiration for when I'm looking for a boost!
More About Kimbesa on Squidoo
Dinnerware is My Passion
My blog, at Diary of a Dishie, has lots of information about dinnerware, glassware and related items. We also feature tips on table setting for special events, mixing and matching your china and tableware.
Have You Planned Your Goals For This Year?
2011 Feels Optimistic!
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tssfacts
Jun 7, 2011 @ 6:40 am | delete
- Great goals. I know you will make everyone of them including giant 100.
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tssfacts
Jun 7, 2011 @ 6:40 am | delete
- Great goals. I know you will make everyone of them including giant 100.
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artyfax May 11, 2011 @ 2:48 pm | delete
- This has to be the first lens on goals for the year ahead that I have properly read. Most are very samey and very clearly aimed at numbers. Inspiring.
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darciefrench
Jan 31, 2011 @ 6:03 pm | delete
- Love your goals and how you've presented them.
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RinchenChodron
Jan 20, 2011 @ 10:02 am | delete
- Best wishes for your goal of 100 lenses. It is do-able I'm just over 150, but I do notice the ideas come slower these days. I also have a lens on vision boards.
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noobeegin
Jan 16, 2011 @ 3:22 pm | delete
- I love your lens. I just know you WIL make the 100 list this year. Your goals are awesome. I try to set goals each year as well. I hate the term "resolution". it sounds like I am trying to resolve some problem. This life of mine is not a"problem". It is my life. it is lived each day. Challenges and all. My mother is fond of saying "Life happens while we are making plans." It is so very true. Glad to see there are others who set goals for themselves. My goals this year are to submit my art to a card company for review. Spend more time with my grandson. Read more books, Color more often, learn something new each day. Love myself unconditionally(Something I struggled with last year.) Thank you for sharing.
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GonnaFly
Jan 16, 2011 @ 12:53 am | delete
- All the best with your goals for this year. I had to smile at the drink more tea goal. I assumed it was a health thing...
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scss Jan 14, 2011 @ 8:34 am | delete
- Great lens - hope all your goals are achieved and you have a wonder-filled 2011. Thumbs up from me!
Helene Malmsio
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ajgodinho Jan 12, 2011 @ 10:59 pm | delete
- Great to see that you've set yourself up to achieve your goals for 2011. I'm working on my lens and plan to have it ready in the next couple of days. Wishing you all the best as you strive hard and keep the focus! :)
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pkmcr Jan 9, 2011 @ 2:48 am | delete
- Wishing you every success with your goals in 2011 :-)
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Fitzcharming Jan 8, 2011 @ 10:07 pm | delete
- Yes I have and it's inspiring to read all the other goals lenses that are showing up. I have no doubt you will accomplish yours. I like the way you relate structure to the Empire State Building. And I also love Chef Lynn's cookbook, made the Manchego Triangles (the easy version) this morning and they were so good. I had them with chocolate milk but some of your tea would have been even better.
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I live in southeastern Michigan, where we have four seasons in each year. Detroit is well known as an automotive and sports town.
In recent times, there...
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