Perhaps you think about goal planning for work because your boss requires it each year, but what about goal planning for your life outside of work?  I just sat down this morning to organize my goals and dreams for 2018.  It's a practice I enjoy each year and allows me to look forward to the future, be specific about what I want to have happen, and provides a roadmap of where I want to go in life.  With out this practice the years could just keep rolling by without clear intention to reach for your dreams.  It doesn’t have to be difficult or time consuming and actually could be very pleasurable. Each year it gives me clarity of intention and focus on realistic expectations. Look into your heart and make your life happen!

If you want to try this exercise, start by writing down (or typing up) each area of your life and start dreaming. For example, the categories I used this year were house, yard, work, trips/vacations, family, and health. Once I dream big, then I brainstorm under each category. To organize, I slot goals into when they will happen, at first by month. I then check in and use the S.M.A.R.T. goal process. If you are not familiar, here’s how it works.  Just ask yourself these questions.

S FOR SPECIFIC

Is this goal specific? Be as detailed as possible. The more specific you are, the more likely you are to reach the goal. Use the 5 W’s Who, What, When, Where, and Why.

What requirements and constraints exist, if any? 
For example, “I want to exercise more” is not specific enough and might feel unmanageable. However, “I want to go to the gym at least three times a week starting January 10th is more specific and defined, which will allow you to take actionable steps toward reaching the goal. 


M IS FOR MEASUABLE

Establish criteria to measure progress. How will you know when the goal is achieved? Create a checklist of steps and check off each item as it’s completed.

A IS FOR ATTAINABLE

When you clearly identify your goal, you can embody the attitudes, abilities, and skills to reach it successfully. We often get caught up in what we think we should be doing instead of going after our 
core desires.

Make sure your goals align with your future vision and authentic self.

R IS FOR REALISTIC

You must be willing and able to work toward your goal. How committed are you? Have you done something similar in the past? What do you need to do to achieve the goal? Be honest with yourself about your available time and energy and plan accordingly. Make sure your goal is challenging enough to inspire and motivate you.

T IS FOR TIMELY

Anchor your goal with 
a deadline and create a calendar leading up to it with all the steps you need to take to reach your goal mapped out. You might achieve more than you thought you could.

Throughout the year I look at my goals monthly and weekly to fin tune and get more specific.  When I looked back on last years’ goals I noticed a few things did not happen.  I have to ask myself why and use that information to be more realistic in the future.  Maybe it wasn’t my goal, but someone else’s goal for me?  Maybe the goal depended on someone else who was not dependable? 

I hope you think about your dreams and desires and that this process can make those dreams come true for you in 2018 and in the future.  Happy New Year!

Candies!  Why is a health coach talking about candies?  Well, tis the season for candy canes and confections and I've figured out a way to bring in a bit of peppermint decadence for a special treat during the holidays.  



The magic of the season, smells of baking cookies, pine, and peppermint goes back to childhood.  Candy canes hung on our tree, but rarely did we eat them.  Maybe a few licks, a few bites, and that was it.  But it was the taste of Christmas.  These days I don't buy candy canes.  Why?  You guessed it, pure sugar.  However, when I saw this recipe on the table at my gym, I was intrigued, and took a copy home to try it out.  I had all of the ingredients in my kitchen and pantry.  The raw almonds in a jar in the refrigerator, the medjool dates in a jar in the basement pantry out of sight because I don't use them every day in cooking, the chocolate chips hidden away in a closed "baking" bin in the basement, and the cocoa powder and coconut oil in a kitchen cabinet.  I use the cocoa powder every once in a while in a morning smoothie and the coconut oil is always on hand, although not used every day. The only problem was, I don't buy candy canes and wasn't about to now.  I thought, someone in the neighborhood must have a spare candy cane.  After sending a text message to four neighbors, I got an immediate response that one (thanks Claudia) had a peppermint candy in her coat pocket from our local Italian restaurant the night before (thanks Roma).  Perfect!  She ran it over in the snow.  I love my neighbors.



Now the no bake, quick and easy holiday confection could be assembled.  Within 5 minutes, the balls were mixed, rolled, and rolled again in the pulverized peppermint candy.  Ahh, a taste of the holidays!