Project U. Blog

Successful New Year’s Resolutions Start with Clarity

Posted by Catherine Saar on Fri, Dec 28, 2012 @ 07:23 AM
Clarity

Success is not an accident.  In a survey of thousands of successful people, the top 10 percent most successful said that they thought about their dream all the time, and took steps daily to make it happen.  After all, can you get somewhere if you don’t know where you’re going?  Having a clear vision and clear goals is essential to your journey.

Take a moment and think about something you’ve accomplished in your life that makes you feel good and proud.

How did you make it happen?          

My guess is that for most of you, it started with an intention or an idea. Chances are, you accomplished your goal because you knew what you wanted, and why you wanted it.  Whatever it was, whether it was losing weight, writing a book, or starting a business, it probably started with a desire and the motivation to achieve your dream, your vision.

So what dream have you yet to realize? In an article by author Bronnie Ware,  a nurse who worked with patients during the last three to twelve weeks of their lives, she documented what those patients regretted. The most common regret she heard was, “I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.”  

Isn’t that interesting? She found that when people neared the end of life, it was easy for them to see how many of their dreams had gone unfulfilled.

What a shame! But not a surprise.

Many things can hold us back from pursuing our dreams. In my coaching practice, I encounter all kinds of dreamers: those who have given up on their dreams, those who can’t remember what their dreams are, and those who can’t get motivated or get past the fear that they won’t be able to  make their dreams come true.

So while there can be many issues, the very first step in fulfillment is clear vision.  Mark Twain summed it up when he said, “I can teach anybody how to get what they want out of life. The problem is that I can't find anybody who can tell me …what they want.”

I suggest you take the very first step on the path toward living your best life by getting clear on what you truly want.   When your dreams come from your heart, and not from your head, your motivation provides fuel that will help you to see your dreams through to completion. When your heart is in the game, you will find a way to prevail.

If you struggle with this first step, here’s a fun exercise to get you started back on track. Can you complete the following statements?

1)      If I didn’t care what people thought I would _____________.

2)      If I were sure that I’d succeed, I would ______________.

3)      If I weren’t worried about the future, I would ____________________.

4)      The thing that has to change now is _________________________.

These four statements may begin to give you a clue of what’s really important to you.  If you find these statements difficult to answer, maybe you’ve lost touch with your dreams.  In that case, start paying attention. Notice what things get you excited about life; if you can’t find anything, start looking back into your past.  When was there a time that you felt inspired and excited?  What were you doing?  Excitement that you felt in the past can give you some great insight into what you might want to do next to get dreaming again.

Knowing your heart’s desire is only a first step, but it is a critical one. If you struggle with any part of this work, think about getting some additional support.  There is a free worksheet you can download off this site called Smart Resolution Success that gives you more guidance.  I also offer a complimentary 30-minute coaching consultation to get you started on your way.  Clients usually find that once they get clear about their dreams, it’s much easier to put together a project plan to bring them to fruition.  If you’re interested, contact me on this site, or e-mail cat@theprojectcoach.com.

I leave you with this thought from Henry David Thoreau, "If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with success unexpected in common hours."

Happy New Year!  I wish you much success in all you dream, and all you do.


Tags: coaching, heart, clarity, success, change, intention, losing weight, writing a book, complimentary, consultation, dream, succeed, motivation, fear, accomplished, Bronnie Ware, common regret, live a life true to myself, Mark Twain, worried, future, New Years Resolutions, vision, goals, starting a business, courage, inspired, Henry David Thoreau

Stop Wasting Time Now!

Posted by Catherine Saar on Thu, Oct 13, 2011 @ 08:42 AM

What is the top goal you have for yourself?  Do you need to find a new job?  Stress less?  Earn more money?stop wasting time

Okay, sit quietly.  Be aware of your breath for thirty seconds and decide to release all that you don’t need.  Then visualize and feel the feeling you will get once you have accomplished your most important goal.

Got that feeling?  That picture?  Hold onto it.  Breathe it in, savor it. Breathe out and let it go.

Now, make a to-do list for today, or this week.  On it, include at least two important tasks that you can do that will help you get closer to your most important goal.

  • Look at your calendar. How can you make time today, or this week to get at least two of your goal related items started?  How much time can you give the important goal item today, or this week?  Start small if you need to.  Even fifteen minutes can be a great start!

Consider all of your time and how you spend it:

  • What things do you have to do (obligations and commitments) today or this week?  Are they important?  Must you do these things?  Do you want to do them?  Can they wait?

  • Are there less important things on your to-do list (or on your calendar) that can be postponed or eliminated? 

  • What less important things can you delegate or request of others? 

  • Allocate time to work toward your goals.  I don’t care if it’s think time, or gym time, or updating your resume; it doesn’t matter what it is. Schedule the time and stick to it, even if it’s only 15 minutes.   

At the end of this process, remember the feeling of satisfaction, happiness, ease, (whatever it is) that you felt when you pictured yourself having accomplished your goal. Enjoy it again.

Take a deep breath and get to work.  Start your day.  At the end of each day, ask yourself, did I invest time into the activities that are most important to me and will further my goals? 

If yes, give yourself a pat on the back. If not, ask why not?  What is getting in my way?  What can I shift or change in my life (or in my mindset) that will allow me to get to work on the things that what I care about?

Tomorrow, try it again.  Your time is your currency.  Invest it well.

Tags: new job, ease, change, goal, to-do list, accomplished, stress less, satisfaction, activities, invest, enjoy, happiness, more money, tasks