5 Steps to Accomplishing Your Goals

So this week, I signed up to participate in Rebecca Thorman's Monthly Goals Meet-up. I'm actually late signing up because she's already done a mid-week check-in but I will take this time to get my goals ready for October. I need to think of what I really want and not what people think I should want.

One of the things I've decided is that I want to stop the numbers from going up on the scale. I also don't want to have to take any medication for anything as I get older. In my family almost all of the women have diabetes, high blood pressure or cholesterol. So I've taken steps, small action steps, to accomplish this goal and so far I've lost a pound and a half.

But let's talk about your goals. Have you set a goal only to push it off ‘til next time when the temptation to quit draws near or your goal starts to look like it won't happen?

I think when people set goals they focus too hard on the big picture. By that I mean, they don't break down their goal into small action steps. They try to do everything at the same time to go for that big goal and if it doesn't transpire fast enough they quit.

So when you are setting your goals:

• Dream BIG! Set a huge but obtainable goal, however you define it. You need to create something big to make sure you are stretching and challenging yourself. Goals that are easily accomplished are just not that fun, in my opinion. But again it is how you define what a huge goal is for you.

• Think of the small action steps you can take to accomplish your big goal. As I mentioned earlier, you don't have to accomplish your big goal in one shot. If you just look at the entire picture continuously you will undoubtedly become discouraged and abandon your goal. And we definitely don't want that to happen so instead break up your goal into bite-sized actions, and as you accomplish the small actions, celebrate. Don't wait until the main objective is accomplished. Of course celebrate when the main mission is completed but be proud of the action steps you are taking along the way.

• Write down your plan. Now that you have a goal, have thought it through, make sure to write it down somewhere. And keep a small notebook and pen on you at all times. You never know when a new idea might come to you that will push you further along your path.

• Tell someone so they can hold you accountable and share in your small and huge successes. When something good happens to you don't you love telling someone and having them be just as excited for you? I know I do.

• Get started. I'm talking RIGHT NOW!

I keep using the phrase small action steps because I want to stress that you can do all the positive thinking in the world but if you are not taking action to accomplish that goal you will not get what you want. It takes action.

I really hope that you will take time over the week to really think about what you want to do with your life, where are you going, and plan how you are going to get there. When you come up with an idea of what you want and you are not sure if you really want it, trust yourself and take note of how you feel about that idea. Does it feel good? Do you get excited about the idea? Then do it! But if it doesn't stir any emotion in you or you feel stressed or panicked about it, then don't do it. Be brave and trust that you are the only one who knows what you should do with your life.

Please share with me your huge goals and how you plan to accomplish them with your small action steps.

Have a stellar week,
ChaChanna

You can find more of ChaChanna's wisdom on her site Twentity.com: What Your Parents and Professors Never Taught You About Life After College.

Motivational Monday!

Contrary to most people, I love Mondays. Every Monday is like a fresh new start, and each one is filled with the unlimited possibilities of the upcoming week. So on this Monday, I'd like to share a bit of my Monday motivation to help you jump start your week with the same excitement that I'm starting mine with.

I'm currently reading Hill Harper's Letters to a Young Sister. In the forward Gabrielle Union writes:

"People too often say that people are a summation of their experiences, but I do not believe that to be true. I believe that it's what we do with our experiences, how we react, how we grow from that makes us who we are."

After briefly sharing her experience with a rape when she was nineteen, she continues:

"According to rape statistics, I was supposed to be incapable of forming healthy relationships afterward, and ultimately to commit suicide. In other words, my life was supposed to have ended because I was raped. What those statistics don't tell you is that you have a choice. You can choose to be a victim and become another statistic or you can make the choice to triumph over whatever adversity you experience."

We have heard this in similar forms time and time again, but it really stood out to me this time because it is so true. So many of our stories start off with a "Once upon a disadvantaged time." I'm sure we could all share a story about some adversity or challenge we faced, but whatever that may be someone else in the world has experienced it as well and has achieved their goals in spite of it. Challenges are inevitable and, to be honest, can be pretty boring because we've seen them in some form before, but it is how you handle it that your story interesting and unique. How do you want your story to unfold?


Happy Monday!

"real people rock" interview with The AntiPop Blog

The AntiPop Blog chose Danielle "Miss Journey" to be included in their "real people rock" series. Check out the interview:

I was recently introduced to Her Journey magazine, a quarterly travel publication for women launched in August 2008. Created by Danielle Fontus, a lover of words, travel and food, the magazine bridges all of its creator's interests and shares extraordinary travel locations and handy travel tips as well as inspirational tidbits to guide readers on their daily journey to success. I was excited to interview Danielle, who provided more details on the magazine's mission, goals, and upcoming news.

APB: What inspired you to launch Her Journey?
DF: As a recent graduate I was still trying to figure out what I was doing with my life. After being laid off at the end of 2007, I took a six week trip to Trinidad and Tobago, where I had the opportunity to really think about what I wanted in life. While there, I witnessed some amazing moments that I wished everyone could experience. I vividly remember the exotic bird songs I woke up to and the mass of people parading through the streets for Carnival. It was while there that I decided to expand my newsletter, which was a project I started in college to keep in touch and encourage my friends, into the magazine that we now know as Her Journey. With Her Journey, I want to share amazing travel experiences as well as offer guidance to our readers on their individual journeys to success.

(Read the entire interview)