Step 2: Eliminate!

Good Morning! Well, my bed is made, I’m dressed and the Christmas tree is down. Yesterday we discussed the importance of setting goals and that the first step was evaluating where we are in these 8 areas:

o Financial
o Health
o Spouse
o Most Important Relationships
o Spirituality/Personal Growth
o Fun
o Physical Environment
o Career

Next, we evaluated where we wanted to be in these areas. Did you do that? If not, go back and take the time to do it. It’s important to know where we’re headed.

If you are like me, there are some changes that you want to make. How are we going to accomplish this? First we need to eliminate some things in our lives. As fellow moms, I know you are busy. It’s an understatement really. There are some habits in our lives that are destructive. Other things that we may need to give up are not necessarily bad they’re just not the best use of our time.

It’s a matter of prioritizing. What do we really want? What are we willing to do to get what we want? What are we willing to Eliminate to get where we want to be?

My example today is the area of Health. I would rate my health at about a 5. Just average. I don’t have any major health issues, but I need to lose some weight. ~I’m not divulging how much~ What habits am I willing to change or give up so that I can lose weight in 2010? What has worked for me in the past? How did I get to this present weight? What stinkin’ thinkin’ got me to this weight? The definition of insanity is doing the same thing, but expecting a different result. I’ve been in denial over what got me to this weight. I need to decide, is it worth the pain to get what I want? Is it really important to me? Or just wishful thinking? Am I willing to get up earlier ~and lose sleep~ to exercise? What exercise is the most efficient and actually works? What foods am I willing to give up or maybe not eat so much of?

We have a Nordic Trac Skier that needs a new belt. The last time that I lost weight, was when I was using that and doing the Atkins diet. My plan of action includes getting that fixed and either doing the South Beach or Belly Fat diet. They are similar, but part of the equation is being able to stick with it. One thing that I know for sure is that I’ve got to eliminate Diet Coke and drink more water. Any thoughts? Any insights?

Tomorrow, we’ll talk about focus & determination. Have a Great Day!

Happy New Year!

Well, 2009 is over and it’s time to look at 2010. Many of us are glad that 2009 is over. It’s been a tough year ~emotionally, financially, and physically~ for many, if not all, of us. The good news is that no matter what happened in 2009, it’s done. I am looking forward to 2010; a new beginning; a fresh beginning.

While many of us make New Year’s Resolutions ~ that last until January 10, ~ it is a good time to Evaluate where we are and where we want to go. I have heard ~from my Amway days~ that a goal is a dream with a date. There’s power in writing down what we want to accomplish and what action we are going to take to make it happen.

I was listening to a life coach last week and he had a great way to evaluate where we are and where we want to get to. First, make a big circle on a blank piece of paper and divide it into 8 wedges. Next, label each wedge with the following categories: Financial; Health; Spouse; Most important relationships; Spirituality/Personal Grown; Fun; Physical Environment; Career. Take a few minutes and rate each piece of the pie. Evaluate where your life is right now. Now imagine what your life would look like if each area were a 10. What would be different? From there, write out what are you going to do to strive towards a 10 in each area. These are your intentions. These are your action steps towards your goals. Go ahead, write them down.

I’m going to use the area of Physical Environment as my example. Right now, I would rate my Physical Environment/home as a 4. Housekeeping is not my strength. My house is in CHAOS ~Can’t Have Anyone Over~. I want to change that. I want a home that is 15 minutes from company. What am I willing to change in my life to accomplish that goal? Well, first of all, I am not going to go to bed unless my sink is clean. Second, I’m going to get to bed by 10:30 p.m. every night so that I can get up in the morning and have some quiet time to myself before getting my girls up and ready for school. I’m going to have to find a DVD that I can tape my British Sitcoms that I watch from 10:00 – 11:00 every night. I’m also going to clean off my counters and keep them clutter free. You get the idea.

Take some time today to Evaluate where you are and where you want to be at the end of 2010. Tomorrow, we’ll talk about Eliminating those habits or things in our lives that may hinder us from reaching where we want to be. I’m off to clean my kitchen.

Happy New Year!