Taking a Fresh Look (Part 2)

In Part 1 of this blog, I challenged you to stop and take a broader look at your life and your WDYWFY (What Do You Want For Yourself). I encouraged you to begin that process by taking a look at what matters most to you by identifying your top values. That process is important, not only to identify your top values, but also through realizing what isn’t in the top five. Sometimes we are spending a whole lot of time and energy on things that we later realize aren’t that important. If you’ve not had time to do that yet, here is the link where you can do that: https://www.think2perform.com/our-approach/values 

Building from your values-based framework, reflect a bit and write goals for this year or this first or next part of your retirement. What do you want to have happen? I know, it’s almost February and that may feel a little like New Year’s stuff. Creating and getting clear about your goals is an important step to make your ideal life your real life! It gives your brain something to organize activity behind. Even if you can only come up with one goal you want to make happen for your life this year, go with it. I’m all for simple.

The Acid Test for Your Goals
You have likely learned about writing goals using the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Action-Oriented, Realistic/Relevant and Time-based) acronym. I encourage that, and let’s simplify that even further for use here by using an idea that I am borrowing from Doug Lennick, the CEO of think2perform:

When you think about turning your wants into goals, Doug advises applying this acid test to each goal:

• Can I afford myself this?  (Do I have the capacity/ability to accomplish it?)
  
• Will I afford myself this? (Am I willing to do what it takes to accomplish it?)
  

If you can’t answer yes to both of those questions, you don’t have a useful or realistic goal.

Signs Along the Way
When I work with people on building what’s next, once their goals are set, I also ask them to put ‘markers’ alongside their goals. What fun things will you notice or encounter that will be evidence of moving in the direction of your goals? This is not a measurement, such as, “When I step on the scale, I will weigh 14 pounds less”. A marker happens out in the world as a result of your intention and effort, but isn’t the end goal. For example, “Someone will compliment me on how much healthier I look.” or “I will be asked to lead a retreat.”

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I think of pairing markers with goals as push vs. pull.  When we set a goal and work toward it, we are using effort and determination to push toward it. Markers are something we envision happening out in the future and simply show up along the way to provide evidence we’re heading in the right direction and are in alignment. They pull us forward. I think it is as important to envision out to the future and watch for those signals showing up as it is to do the work each day to make your goals happen.

Questions for You
As you arrive at your goals and markers for your year or your retirement, here are some questions to ponder:

1. Are you feeling clear about at least one goal for this next year? In what ways will accomplishing that improve your life?
2. With the goal(s) you have written (remember that writing it down increases the likelihood of making it happen), look at how they align with your top values. Is there anything there that doesn’t align? If so, how might your goal(s) change to better reflect what you have determined matters most to you? There's no sense in prioritizing doing something that doesn't deeply matter to you.
3. Was it easy to come up with some fun markers for yourself? What do you envision happening around you as you move in the direction of your goals? Spend some time picturing what that will look like. Thoughts become things.

Enjoy the gift of this year ahead of you. Taking time to think about what you want for yourself and what matters most to you, how you live in alignment, and what it will look like when you move in that new direction will help help you make meaningful use of this year in your life and in your retirement. That is my hope for you in your 2020.

Are you wanting greater meaning in life than just simply filling your calendar? Ruth Tongen helps people navigate the end of their careers, take stock, plan and live retirement or a next great chapter in a happier, healthier way. Find an 'aha', move it to an aspiration, get out of being stuck, and then put it into action. Live your life in a way that matters.

E-mail me: ruth@ruthtongen.com to get started now on building your next chapter.