goals | BulgingButtons

October 28, 2013
by BulgingButtons 1 Comment

Visuals for goals make an impression

This is so simple and in many ways so obvious, but how many of us do this? Read on for Lisa Jackson’s brilliantly written advice on ways to stay motivated.

Live to Write - Write to Live

We’ve had several conversations on this blog about goal setting, the importance of writing your goals down and breaking those goals into quarterly/monthly/weekly/daily tasks.

We’ve also talked about ‘checking off’ those daily tasks and crossing items off ToDo lists.

And while I love crossing items off a list, or putting a check next to a “big goal”, I’ve found great value in other visuals, too.

For instance, for exercise – I give myself a star or a smiley face or a “great job” sticker on a day that I have at least 30 minutes of exercise. I have 12 small months taped to a kitchen door, so I can easily see how many days I’ve exercised throughout the year whenever I want. It’s quite inspiring.

Last year, I completed 2 races – a 5K and a triathlon. I tacked the race bibs to my bulletin board (as well as giving…

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October 23, 2013
by BulgingButtons 8 Comments

Suck it up and JUMP! – Courage in the Face of Fear

My friend Jessie jumped out of a plane. She did it on purpose, and she loved it. I had the extreme pleasure of hearing her retell her experience, with vivid detail. She is an extraordinary story teller. I know other people who have jumped out of planes. On purpose. I’ve never understood what compels them to do this. I’m a chicken. A fraidy cat. A wuss. Whatever. I don’t jump out of airplanes. At least I never have before, and I honestly don’t anticipate partaking in that particular activity any time in the future, but you just never know.

Here’s the thing about Jessie’s story that really made me stop and think: she was scared, really scared, but she did it. Not only did she do it, but she put on a brave face (for the handsome photographer that she was paying to capture the event) and then she actually enjoyed it. Loved it, in fact. Hmmmm. Maybe there’s something to this. Let me see if I’ve got this:

Rock Star Jessie

1. Set a big, but attainable goal

2. Alert the media (ok, friends and other supporters)

3. Show up

4. Allow yourself to be scared

5. Do it anyway

6. Smile big

7. Enjoy the experience

There is definitely a life lesson here. I’ve got some big goals, many of them are posted on the 47 for 47 challenge page. I’m alerting the media (via this blog and other outlets) and I’m showing up. I’m frequently scared (sometimes of failure, but also of success), but I’m putting on my smile, and mustering through it. I just need to learn to enjoy the experience. I’m still not jumping out of any planes, though. At least not on purpose.

July 15, 2013
by BulgingButtons Leave a comment

More Challenges

I have no idea where these will lead me, but I sort of like having them. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, or why I’m starting with 25, you need only look down the page a bit. Mystery solved!

25. Save up for a really cool family vacation

26. Try to listen to my teenager better instead of just talking at him

27. Talk to mom more

28. Discover more of my state (there are tons of hidden treasures I’ve never seen)

29. Take more photos on my actual camera instead of my phone

30. Learn some new aspects of the job I’ve been doing for a long time

31. Figure out some additional ways to get income into the household

32. Take better care of my car (it has over 100,000 miles and it has to last!)

33. Fit better in my clothes

34. Lighten up mentally!

35. Surprise my sweetheart with a weekend away

36. Girls only day trip

37. Climb that stupid mountain

38. Read magazines, then recycle (so hard to part with some of them, and no, I’m NOT a hoarder)

39. Push my limits in all ways

40. Don’t forget to be kind, to myself and others

41. Look good in THOSE jeans again

42. Give myself a reason to replace my sneakers at this time next year

43. Sing even if I’m not great at it

44. Do more with less

45. Get things done right away when possible

46. Have fun

47. Enjoy life

Ok, so some of them are really vague, and the last two are just plain license to mess around, but if I do all those others I figure I’ve earned it, right? The good news is that there’s no challenge police. It’s just me and my list, and you too, if you care to play along at home.