Achieve Your Aim!

Mon, 23 Jan 2023 15:37:43 -0500

Aim and Personal Truth

Many people assess their life’s aim at the start of each calendar year. The ritual can be incredibly impactful for people who contemplate, plan and then set into action the behaviors necessary to fulfill their resolution. This can take place seasonally, with the lunar new year, on a birthday, anniversary or any other random day of the week. However, the path of progress is not one, but many, and a person must account for setbacks, obstacles and frustrations, as well as success and accomplishment, throughout the 52 weeks that follow the setting of a “new year’s” aspiration.

Self-awareness, Values and Truth

Consider this quote from Eliza Farnham, pioneer, women’s rights champion and advocate.

“ The ultimate aim of the human mind, in all its efforts, is to become acquainted with truth.”

As one builds self-awareness and sets about staying with a personal truth, it does help to establish an aim for life; a grounding purpose that can be used to rebalance and recalibrate when turmoil hits. And, it will always hit. We just don’t know when or how hard the impact will be. Connecting our aim to core values or virtues can be a pathway. This does not mean a complex, overly convoluted expression of who we want to be or how we show up in the world. It doesn’t need to be a SMART goal or have a rubric for evaluation or a scorecard to track our stats. As long as it brings you back to the fundamental truth for setting your aim, establishing a meaningful touchstone can be simple.

“AIM to I AM” Activity

AIM, when its letters are swapped and shuffled, becomes I AM. Try this simple activity to turn your AIM into behavior-based action I AM statements.

Step 1

Begin with one minute of focused transitioning to clear some of the mental clutter.
Sit comfortably, notice your body’s contact with the seat. Do box breathing.
When it wanders, gently tell your mind to come back to your activity. Permission granted to think without multitasking!
Put some of your attention to this question. What is your highest aim?
Write it down. Record it. Give it a home outside of your head.

Step 2

Write 5 positive “I am…” statements about how you can fulfill your aim.

Write 2 fear-based “I am…” statements about the obstacles in the way.

“AIM to I AM” Activity Example

Using Eliza’s aim for the human mind to be acquainted with truth, her I AM statements may have looked something like this:

Positive Statements

I am curious and strive to hear multiple perspectives.
I am honest about my short-comings and biases in personal and professional relationships.
I am committed to re-thinking long-held beliefs, even if it means I am wrong.
I am learning to lead with love even though it is difficult at times.
I am a person who perseveres in times of uncertainty.

Fear-based Statements

I am uncomfortable in some situations due to fear of judgment from others.
I am worried that my work as a woman is overshadowed by that of men.

Living Your Aim

Now that your aim and “I am” statements are written, decide when you will review them each week, month or season. Decide how to use your touchstone to keep your efforts pure. Whether we are truth seeking or fulfilling a different aim, aligning our beliefs, thoughts and behaviors leads to accomplishment. Identifying and coming up with ways to get over obstacles increases the likelihood of success. How we respond to the fear-driven, critical inner voice in our head impacts the ultimate sense of fulfillment we experience. Go on your route, at your pace and keep moving forward.

Schedule Intro Call

6 Tips to Wrap-up 2020 Better Than it Started

Mon, 14 Sep 2020 16:38:54 -0500

In a year when the bedrock of American living was jack-hammered to bits by the pandemic, politics off the rails, racial injustice and more natural disasters, creating a sense of normalcy seems, at best, daunting and often impossible. However, putting in time now to set a plan can provide a road map for ending this year (Woohoo!) in something other than a fiery dead end crash. And, maybe more importantly, it will position you to start 2021 off in a better place.

Use September to refocus and gain a sense of direction. Build on that momentum, and let it carry you forward.

First things first.

1. There is a Future!

The world is still turning; the sun sets and the moon rises each day. Time may feel warped lately, but a future is out there for you. It is easy to get sucked into the mentality that the “world is ending” and “nothing really matters”. Those beliefs only perpetuate a bleak existence. Push on the accelerator and skip that exit on the highway!! It leads to the land of wasted days and swamp of self-doubt. Take back your sense of control and stay in the driver’s seat. Self-efficacy is key to actualizing the wishes and goals you want to achieve.

2. Recognize What You Need

Are you feeling fatigued? Stress consuming your energy? Mind racing but not getting things done? Feeling alone? Lacking alone time? Work bursting into every aspect of your life? No work at all? Breaking your needs down into physical,emotional, and mental categories allows you to find the right fix to get you back on the road. You don’t pour windshield wiper fluid into your empty gas tank to fuel up, so don’t do it to yourself! If you are tired and sleepy, find ways to get more and better rest. Acknowledge and share your feelings of anger, anxiety or fear. Capture and release your thoughts by journaling or other mindfulness practice.

3. Keep it Simple

Focus on getting the basics of your plan down on “paper”. Eliminate visual distractions around you so it is easier to be clear and concise as you define your goals, intentions or problems to solve. Use existing resources rather than trying to create everything yourself. For example, this is National Preparedness Month and you can use this guide to plan for emergencies and disasters. It is okay to follow a map that someone else made. Just remember that it is your journey!

4. Identify Your Obstacles

Often we compare our starting point to other people’s finished product. It is fantastic to find inspiration in others for what you would like to accomplish. Just keep in mind that you are where you are. Don’t let your perception of someone else stop you from starting. Figure out what is getting in your way. Is it something internal or external to you? Knowing the difference allows you to create strategies and use tools that specifically address your unique challenges. Like any travel adventure, sometimes you see the road signs, sometimes you miss them and other times they aren’t there at all. Regardless, the response is up to the driver, and that is YOU!

5. Tap Your Strengths

Regardless of where Industry, Diligence and Perseverance falls on your VIA Survey of Character Strengths, draw on them to create and implement your plan. It does take hard work to achieve intentions and goals that really matter. Discomfort and uncertainty will be present. Be careful and persistent as you persevere to find ways under, over and through the obstacles in your way. Navigation tools make a trip infinitely easier, and matching strengths to circumstances allows for a more authentic journey. Grit will get you there, but not on its own.

6. Get Help

When traveling, and in life, stop and ask for directions and “local” tips. No one gets anywhere alone. No one. Plus, the journey is so much better when you connect with others. Asking for help is a strength. Recognizing what is and isn’t available in your current environment is essential to moving beyond your perceived existence. Expand your network. Seek out friends, mentors, coaches and other professionals who will provide the expertise you need to fill in the details on your plan. Allow yourself to be vulnerable.

Parting Postcard
Think in a courageous way.
Nourish your feeling of confidence.
Make action your top priority.
Start now.

@box52coaching