Monday, January 6, 2014

How I use it: Part 2

Let's talk a little more about the goal book.

If you have no idea what I am talking about,
start here,
then go here.

Is this a perfect system?
No.
Is there a perfect system?
I don't think so.
Do I have this one figured out?
Nope.
I'm still learning.
I find new ways to use it every day.
That is why I left everything unlabeled.
Life is unpredictable.
You are going to change your direction and goals and desires.  Hopefully as you change, you are coming closer to whom you are meant to be.

Let me give you a quick example of how one of my life goals changed.

I am a "ranner".  Meaning, I used to run.
I ran a lot.
It was definitely a passion.
I ran until the day I delivered on every one of my pregnancies.
I started running a week after each delivery (I only waited a week because the doctor told me I had to).
I loved it.
I needed it.
One of my life goals was to run for the rest of my life.
And to be good at it.
I was training for my first marathon.
My mileage was starting to get pretty significant.
My pace was getting quicker.
I was feeling great.
Then it happened.
I felt a little pain in my knee.
At first, I thought no big deal.
I kept running.
Then I decided I better take a break...
I had no idea how long that break would be.
To make a long story short,
My "no big deal" injury ended up being rather significant.
I was told I would never run again (I choose not believe that).
I have since had 2 knee surgeries.  (One involving sawing a bone and screwing it back in.)
It has been over 2 years since I have ran even a step.
This was a huge trial for me.
I know it seems so insignificant.
It's just running.
But it was important to me.
It even had a spot in my goal book.
That aspect of my life had to change.
New goals have evolved.
New passions have developed.
Does that mean that all my hard work was wasted?
Absolutely not.
Writing those goals down,
working towards them,
and seeing success,
made me stronger.

Even if you change your mind,
the process of working towards something has helped you to become more.

Don't be afraid to write it down.
Just start somewhere.

The way this is set up, you can rip out pages and print out some new ones.  Or keep the old ones to remind you of what you tried, and put new ones next to it.  You are in charge.

How I use it: Part 2

My mom sent me a bunch of fun pens.
I love pens.
I use them.


If that is not your thing, don't worry!  Colorful doodles are included...


This week I need to focus on exercise.  I have a Dr. appointment in a few weeks.  I need to make sure that I am really strengthening my knee and leg muscles.  I still have a lot of atrophy...that happens way to fast!  I'm using those small boxes to keep track of what I do.  Each box is  a day of the week.  Each day better have something in it!  I'm planning on changing from a "ranner" to a "runner" this year...


I have some projects that I want to work on this week.  I put a circle by each project.  When I get them done, I'm going to give myself a star.  I don't know why I like those stars!  There is something so satisfying about putting a star by an accomplishment.  Way better than a check mark!  Try it...you will see!


What about all those little tasks that need to get done?
Do the Laundry.
Dust the book shelves.
Mop the floors.
Make that phone call.
Write that email.
Blah, blah, blah.

I made some check lists. 
These little pages are meant for things that need to get done.
Tasks are a necessary part of life.
That is never going to change.
I paper clip them to the top of my week.
If they don't all get done this week,
I move them to next week.


I made half page sheets, 
and quarter page sheets.
There are lines with circles to star (or check, if you are a checker, or x if you are an x-er...),
just lines,
and blank sheets.
You can use them as check lists,
idea catchers,
journal sheets, 
shopping lists, etc.
Once again, you are the boss.

These are all hand drawn and they are in color and black and white.




You can buy the packs at my Teachers Pay Teachers store.
Half page here.
Quarter page here.
They are saved as PNG files and PDF.  You can print one at a time or you can print a whole sheet.  You can either cut them out or hole punch them.  Whatever works best for you.

If you are hesitant to join TPT,
don't be!
It is completely free.
There are so many teachers and parents who are members of the site.
There are sellers and buyers.
You would not believe the wonderful resources you can get from TPT. 
So many of them are free.
It is a fantastic resource.
It is totally worth the few minutes it takes to sign up.

Having a goal book has been so important for my life.  It makes such a difference to find purpose and work towards that purpose. I read this great article from Meridian Magazine called "7 enemies to Reaching Your Potential."  You can read it here.

It explains exactly why a goal book is so important.  I really feel so strongly about this.  That is why I put this together and made it available to anyone.  In the article it gives staggering statistics!  He says that according to youtube stats, 1037 years of youtube are watched per day!  Per day!  That is mind boggling.  Let's not contribute to those statistics.  Let do something with our life!  Don't let anything stop you from reaching your potential.

Get to work!
It is so much fun.
I promise.







3 comments:

  1. Well I'll be danged--that's a gross youtube stat. I'm sort of "divorcing" my smartphone this new year (here's an article: http://jarridwilson.com/why-im-getting-a-divorce-in-2014/) I'm really not THAT bad, but it does tick away minutes here and there that I could use for pretty much ANYTHING better. I love having an iphone, its a great tool for a ton of things but this year I'm going to make better and happier and stronger! Thanks for the How-to tips on this goal book! Its going to me a TOTES CRAYMAZING year!

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  2. I keep loving these fun ideas for building a life instead of reacting to a life!! Definitely curves get thrown, but that's part of it all too. Thanks for sharing what you are doing. I agree about that youtube stat--really? Could that be true? WOW!! Here's to becoming a runner instead of a "ranner." Love that! I am already using your half and quarter pages and loving them for those necessary tasks (Drat!) and fun and growing things too!! It really is inspiring me to get this New Year off to the right start!! Thank you!! I hope your goal book gets discovered by many!! I sure am having fun with it!! It's keeping the most important things front and center!! You gotta love that!

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  3. Another super-duper helpful post. Thanks so much for all the tips and examples -- you've answered my questions, cured my hesitations, and I'm ready to start. I'm going to use your system for life and my old system for business. I've already started writing a random list of goals big and small in a purple notebook from Baba & Dedo, which I'll organize and transfer to your system which I'll punch and insert a few months of into my purple notebook. I think it will even be fun. Thanks! Love you!

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