What if you took just ONE tiny step closer to your goals every single day?

Just one.

It sounds harder than it is.

Honestly.

Let’s say your goal is to write a book.

Many people have this on their “things to do before I die” lists so I know this resonates with a lot of you.

It’s on my list too

What is the absolute first step?

Decide what to write about. This step looks simple but you need to see if people would read it, if publishing houses would buy it, if there’s a market so it will actually sell.

So maybe the first two weeks is spent checking all that out.

The rest of the month might be outlining the whole book – what do you need to cover, how many chapters? Etc, etc.

And then comes the writing. If I were coaching you, I’d make you write at least 5 minutes a day because writers WRITE.

To some, that seems like nothing much but 5 mins a day is 35 mins a week which is over 2 hours a month, at the very least.

And of course, some days just getting those 5 minutes done will be a miracle but other days, you’d spend 30 minutes or more easily writing.

That’s exactly what I mean when I say you can make big leaps with just a step a day.

People ask me how I get so many things done and it’s because I do exactly this.

Now I will confess I don’t always feel like writing or recording audio or _______ (fill in whatever you don’t like doing) but I do know that it will move me towards my goals.

So I have a rule.

EVERY WEEK, come hell or high water, I need to do AT LEAST one thing to move me towards my goals.

This helps me focus on outcomes even when I’m really busy. Busy with “stuff” means goals not achieved.

Think about one of your goals. Let’s say you want to go on a holiday to Ireland

Let’s break it down.

1. Decide exactly where in Ireland you want to visit.
2. Investigate prices of airfare, hotels, B&B’s, tourism, food, etc.
3. Check your savings account to see what you have available.
4. Based on the shortfall, decide on the amount of money you need to save every month.
5. Decide length of holiday and itinerary while there.
6. Book flights and check if you need a visa.
7. Book accommodation.
8. Book car rental/ decide on method of transport.
9. Pack your bags
10. Go!

Grab a piece of paper and write your own steps for your goal.

Your challenge this week is to take at least ONE step towards your goal this week.

Marcia Francois is a time management and business organising coach who helps small business owners break out of overwhelm, make the most of their time and get important projects done. Visit http://organiseyourbusiness.com/ for your free 7-part audio series, 7 tips for time-strapped business owners.

Today’s my birthday!

I’ve been working on a list called 36 things to do once I turn 36 (as I’m 36 today) and thought I’d share some of them with you.

I firmly believe that when we “write down the vision and make it plain” it focuses us and helps us go for those goals.

That and the fact that maybe some people will help you realise some of your goals

Without further ado, here is a portion of my list:

1. Go on a beach holiday with the babies.
2. Travel internationally with Dion.
3. Once they can both walk, book a photo shoot (I want cute pics of them walking!)
4. Do random acts of kindness
5. Meet up with 3 blog/ online friends
6. Get involved in some form of ministry again, maybe talks at church?
7. Complete my vision book (it’s now too big for a board so I’m doing a double spread per area of my life, like family, travel, work, business, etc.)
8. Learn to make a halfway decent blog header with photos in less than 30 minutes
9. Learn to let go
10. Get better with my skincare routine
11. Give an unexpected gift to someone every week
12. Lower my expectations of myself and of others
13. Have lunch with a friend once a month
14. Get my website redesigned

If you feel so inclined, I’d love you to leave me a comment and tell me one thing on your life list, or if you don’t have a life list, your to-do list will do

I am teaching myself to let go.

I recently read a fantastic book called Motherstyles (Janet Penley) and it correctly identified that for my Myers-Briggs personality style (ESTJ) one of my struggles is letting go.

The book talks specifically about parenting but I recognise it in so many areas of my life and this is something I feel that I need to do some self-coaching on.

But as with everything in life, I’m doing it in baby steps.

So first thing to let go of was an easy-ish one. My diary (planner).

I have a GORGEOUS deep red diary/ planner but I haven’t been using it regularly. The same thing happened last year – I thought it was the maternity leave/ baby thing but no. I forget to look in it half the time and then two weeks pass.

And what good is a diary if you don’t look at it?

No more.

So I let go.

• Even though it cost a bit of money.
• Even though I’d customised it perfectly.
• Even though it’s bee-yoo-ti-ful. Don’t you agree?

And so on.

I was thinking about WHY I’m not using the beautiful diary and I realised I really, really, REALLY love a week-at-a-glance diary – that’s how I plan my life and that’s what works best for me.

I had a spare week-at-a-glance diary I got on a sale so I hauled it out and I am so much happier.

I planned out the rest of the month and it’s been so EASY doing it like this!

Small steps, people.

Yes, I’m sad not using the other but I cheer myself up because I’m teaching myself to let go

What are you working on? Please tell me I’m not the only one with issues.

Resources: How to set and achieve your goals

It’s the end of March and one quarter of the year is gone.

Which means it’s a good time to do a review of the last 3 months.

So how are you doing, generally, and with your life?

Have you achieved what you wanted to? Why? Why not? (you want to repeat things that are working)

Do you need more support in terms of accountability or coaching?

Do you know what you want but just not how to get there, or is the vision fuzzy too?

This is a pic of the River Liffey that runs through Dublin, Ireland – pic taken in May 2008. Visiting Ireland was one of my life goals

Do this one thing and you’re halfway to your goals

You think I’m exaggerating, don’t you?

I’m not!

Before I explain more about the ONE THING, let me give you 3 quick goal-setting success stories:

1. Yvette

Yvette, an admin consultant, approached me at the end of last year and started chatting about her goals. I suggested my how to set and achieve goals e-book which she bought and started working through.

At the end of February this year, I ran into her and she was SO EXCITED because she’d already achieved her TWO major goals – buying a house and getting her driver’s licence.

Yvette did the ONE thing.

2. Glen

Glen is a personal trainer (a life coach for bodies ) who set a couple of goals to improve his body stats.

A few months later, he sent me his before and after stats AND pictures. He’d reached every single goal!

He also told me what his physical goal for this year is, and I have absolutely NO DOUBT he’ll achieve it because he did the ONE thing.

3. Fiona

Fiona is a very busy work-at-home mom who set a goal in August  (see, you can set goals anytime) to make herself over – lose some weight and be a better, more put-together her.

At the end of November, she sent me an email, absolutely excited because she’d just about achieved her goals. She also did the ONE thing.

So what is the ONE thing?

They all wrote down their goals and kept them in clear view each and every day.

Yvette, Glen and Fiona did a goals review every single week and tracked their progress.

Just writing down your goals takes you halfway there.

There is a connection that happens in the brain when we put pen to paper and actually write down our goals.

If you also want to achieve your goals this year, download your 2010 goals form and write them down today.

How are you doing on your 2010 goals? Share in the comments.

 Whether you set goals or not, why don’t you come up with a theme for 2010?

A theme can help clarify what’s important to you and filter out unimportant activities and time commitments.

Let’s give you an example:

Last year on 24 Dec we found out that I was finally pregnant after many, many years and suddenly all my priorities shifted as my main goal for this year was to have a healthy pregnancy.

Of course, that’s not as easy as you would think.

So my theme for 2009 was SIMPLIFY.

I cut down on all my business activities, social networking, delegated almost everything except tasks only I could do and also reduced my available coaching times. 

All so I could help these beautiful babies grow big and strong :)

Next year my theme is CONSOLIDATE.

I really, really want to start coaching more again because I really, really, really miss working one on one with clients.

Also, my health is not where it was last year this time. The doctor told me that my immune system is compromised due to all the sleep deprivation!

While I have started eating better (as from November), there’s lots of room for improvement. I’m now at my pre-pregnancy weight but I still want to lose a few kilos.

Although the main area is my physical fitness – to put it bluntly, I feel like a bump on a log. Not surprising as I’ve driven to the gym numerous times, swiped my card to keep my membership active and driven straight back home.

I know I’ve had twins but this is not me – I’m used to being active and not feeling out of breath after climbing a flight of stairs.

So next year I’m getting back to basics – getting my health and fitness back where it should be, getting my coaching business  going, etc, etc.

I wrote more about how to keep your goals top of mind here.

If you want to do some goal-setting, there’s a free 2010 goals form waiting for you in my Organising Success Pack.

Over to you! Please share your 2010 theme in the comments.

P.S. As you’ve been reading, if this resonated with you, you may just want to work with me one on one. Email me on marcia @ takechargesolutions.org

How to set and achieve BIG, juicy goals that bring BIG, juicy results – teleclass/ webcast

Thursday 23 October 2008

Did you know that there are less than 100 days before the end of the year?

Last year, a friend and I participated in an online goals challenge at exactly this time of year. We set some goals and my “big thing” that resulted from the challenge was 7 easy steps to organise your office, which is now a bestselling product in my store.

That would never have happened had I not given it one last push before the end of the year.

You, too, can do your “big thing” before this year ends.

Do you want to plan your next overseas holiday, launch a new workshop or product, write an ebook, or get that ONE big thing sorted once and for all in your life?

I’ve already mapped out my one big thing for 2008 which I’ll share with you on the goals teleclass, because my goal is to have it up and running by the end of November.

On this 75-minute teleclass, you’ll learn:

• how to set big, juicy goals to bring you big, juicy results
• how to break it down into monthly, weekly and daily planning so you don’t get overwhelmed
• the EXACT process I use from “vague concept” to “nitty gritty”
• how to find the time to actually get your goals done
• the ONE thing that will propel you forward more than anything else
• how to (almost) magically attract the right help and resources to help you reach your goals
• And much, much more

Your investment for this valuable teleclass is only $47

This is the exact same system that I’ve personally used since 1998 to consistently achieve my goals every year.

What would it be worth to you to get that project off your list? Wouldn’t you like to feel the relief and excitement of having it DONE?!

Date: Thursday 23 October
Time: 12 – 1:15pm EST/ 6 – 7:15pm South Africa time/ 5 – 6:15pm UK time
Format: Simulcast – either telephone or webcast – it’s your choice

(don’t worry if you can’t make it live, you’ll get the recording an hour later)

You’ll receive:

1. The live teaching and coaching with Marcia

2. MP3 audio recording of the call

3. 14-page handout with the EXACT same goals forms I use in my business

4. Free copy of How to set and achieve your goals (value $37)

You CAN finish this year strong!

Love and organising success
Marcia
Time Management & Business Organising Coach

P.S. You REALLY don’t want to have that ONE thing on your list again next year

It’s at times like these that I realise I also need my Organise your Home home study system

This is how I decided what had to go:

1. I hadn’t worn it for two years (!) either because I just didn’t feel like it or it didn’t fit me. Both those lilac suits in the pile don’t fit me yet I hung onto them because when they did, they looked really gorgeous on me *sigh*
2. I didn’t LOVE it. There is a shirt in that pile that I have been keeping because

(a) my MIL bought it for me and I thought that was very kind of her and

(b) it is cool to wear in our blazing hot Jhb summers. BUT I must admit, I don’t love it and it doesn’t even look like me.

So I threw them out. That’s only 6 items of clothing in there but the weight off my shoulders is huge, which brings me to another point:

Sometimes we make a bigger deal of things than they have to be. I’d been procrastinating all of this for 2 – 3 weeks and it took me 10 minutes to throw out

What have you tackled this week?

If you don’t know how to reach your organising goals, join me on a free Skypecast this Thursday. Get all the details and your handout here.

Right, onto this week’s menu:

Our church is doing a Daniel fast for 21 days. This is week 2. We’re praying for the country, our church leaders and also for personal things

Dion and I are only doing it for 2 days a week, Tuesdays and Thursdays, and basically it means we go vegetarian for supper. I won’t bore you with the rest of it

Monday
Apricot chicken, rice and pumpkin

Tuesday
Pasta salad with kidney beans

Wednesday
Rice with cottage pie sauce

Thursday
Baked potatoes and spicy lentil sauce

Friday
We’re having friends over for supper. I’m trying something new – a sausage, pumpkin and pasta dish with cheese bread and salad….

Have a wonderful week, everyone!

P.S. Will I “see” you on the goals Skypecast? My handout has ALL the details and notes for you to follow along. Get it here.
P.P.S Do you need more time?