I do a monthly goals review before I set goals for the month ahead and when I was doing my April review last night, I thought that I’d share the questions (and some answers) with you in case you want to walk through it with me.

Four months of the year are past and technically speaking, we should be a good way into getting wherever we wanted to get.

Right?

Hmmm.

Well, I know it’s not that simple or straightforward.

I even talk about navigating obstacles in the goals section of the Organise your Time system.

But go through these questions with me and answer them honestly. I’ve put (some of) my own answers below to help you along.

1. When I think about the last 4 months, what do I feel? Am I excited, disappointed, apathetic, etc?

I feel mostly excited like I’m making good progress but being me, I’ll always feel like I’m not moving fast enough

2. Which areas of my life are working well, which are neutral and which not so well?

Well – Family, Fun, Personal, Friendship
Neutral – Work (day job) and Business
Not so well – Health and Fitness

3. Why? Or why not?

I’m excited by our family goals – we’re ahead of where we wanted to be – but a little bit disappointed by my business goals. My income is not where I wanted it to be and the book is taking longer than I’d like to be DONE. However, I have great clients and I’ve had two media interviews over the last few months.

I’m doing really great in the personal areas – I have plenty of “me” time to create, read, play with my camera and chase the kids around the garden – and on my friendships.

4. What do I need to let go of or are there places I need to lower my expectations of myself?

Hmmm, I need to let go of unrealistic expectations about getting this book out in print.

I also need to let go of focussing on the numbers so much and just focus on the joy.

5. What can I do differently to make sure the next four months move me closer to my goals?

Do something every day, no matter how small, to move me towards that book being out and successful.

Stop comparing myself to others!

And a bonus question…

6. How am I living out my word of the year?

I’m doing great on this. I’m really living intentionally and creating memories, fun times, and also enjoying the process of living creatively.

Washi tape, anyone?

A heads-up for those of you who have been thinking of working with me. My coaching fees will be increasing on 1 June.

Book your Success Strategy Session or monthly sessions with me now.

Even if you haven’t set any goals, how is 2012 going for you thus far?

PS We also have our own Facebook page – please click here and “like” it

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Organising-Queen

So I have this pile of books I never get around to reading because I’m not disciplined enough.

It could also be because they’re non-fiction.

You see, when I typically start reading a non-fiction book, I find I can’t get swept along by it as easily as I can by fiction. The act of reading feels like torture even though I’m learning and the subject matter is interesting.

This year I’ve decided to read just one of those non-fiction books every month. Just one.

These are the ones on my list for the year:

1. Goals – Brian Tracey
2. I thought it was just me – Brene Brown (I’ve also read The gifts of imperfection – fantastic!)
3. The five love languages for children – Chapman and Campbell
4. Do more great work – Michael Bungay Stanier
5. Men are like waffles, women are like spaghetti – Bill and Pam Farrel
6. It’s all too much – Peter Walsh
7. Organizing magic – Sandra Felton
8. The encore effect – Mark Sanborn (I loved the Fred book)
9. Secrets to getting more done in less time – Donna Otto
10. First-time mom – Kevin Leman
11. Have a new you by Friday – Kevin Leman
12. When your best is not good enough – Kevin Leman (might as well read 11 & 12 after each other – they came in a 3 in 1 and I read the Birth Order one years ago – yes, I thoroughly recommend it)

I just recently discovered something really cool that’s working well for me and so I thought I’d share it with you too.

Nothing earth-shattering, but a small change of habit.

I read just one chapter every day.

That’s it.

The Goals book has 21 chapters and I’m further with it this year than I was when I started reading it about 4 years ago. By the way, I started over so I could get a proper sense of the book.

Back to my old habits…

You see, before I’d think I need to only read one book at a time.

This time, I read my one non-fiction chapter in the morning or when the kids nap on the weekend days, and at night, I indulge in my fiction.

It’s working really, really well.

If I continue with this practice, I will complete those 12 much earlier than December and then I can tackle the rest of my bookshelf.

What is your reading style?

Do you prefer fiction or non-fiction?

Which books are in your pile that you’re just not getting around to reading?Any of the ones on my list?

PS yes, that bookshelf needs to be decluttered in a major way

When I talk to people about goals, casually or formally, I get many mixed reactions.

Some people are ardent goal-setters. Admittedly, these are about 5% of the population, if not less.

But most people have problems with goal-setting.

1. Some say they don’t want to set goals because they’re scared of failing.
2. Others don’t think they can stick with it, so why bother starting.
3. Still others just don’t believe in setting goals. I’ve shared before how almost everything in my life is as a result of goal-setting so there is NO persuading me otherwise.
4. Some say they don’t have time to be setting goals. I say you’ll have more time once you plan and go after your goals.

I just reviewed my January goals and I did 14 out of 15.

You could see it as I didn’t do that one or, as I prefer to look at things, I accomplished 93%.

Even if I’d only managed one, 7% accomplished is better than nothing, right?

If you have one of the reasons above, or another, this is just for you.

Why don’t you give goals a chance?

Set just 3 goals.

Make them small so you’ll have victories quickly.

Do you want to…

- Organise your desk drawer
- Make and follow a menu plan for one week this month
- Go to sleep one hour earlier for a week.

etc

Write out your 3 goals and keep them visible.

Go for it! You can do it.

Your February goals form is in the welcome pack if you’re feeling more ambitious.

How many goals do you typically set every month? (big or small doesn’t matter)

Guess what?

I had three parcels waiting for me when I returned from our holiday.

1. a gift from a friend
2. some rubber stamps I’d ordered – one of them has my word of the year, create, on it
3. a book I have TWO essays in

If you buy the book, my entries are on 6 August (my birthday) and 18 October (a random second date I was allocated). Here is the link on Amazon

I also have essays in the Moms and Motherhood version released around Easter last year and the Personal Heroes version which was released on 11 Sept.

The quality of this book is beautiful.

Do you know the best thing about having two pages in this book?

I’m inspired to get my book done!

How about you?

Are you inspired by your goals?

On Monday I told you how to choose your goals.

Today let’s talk about how to go from goals to reality.

My goals audio and handbook set goes into much more detail.

I could write about goals for the whole year – there is such a lot of ground to cover but instead, I’ll share the 3 tips that I think will get you at least half way there.

1. Write them down

If you’ve never written down your goals, then they’re only in your head and they’re dreams.

When you write down your goals, you “seal” your intention by putting pen to paper, or words on the computer document.

I’ve proven this in my own life and so have many clients, current and ex, as well as workshop attendees.

I firmly believe that just writing them down gets you a good way ahead of the pack.

Are your goals written down somewhere or are they on a mental list?

2. Print them out and stick them somewhere

This goes very nicely hand-in-hand with number 1.

Once you’ve written down your goals, you can stick the paper in a drawer or file folder, never to be looked at or you can stick it up somewhere.

For the record, I still think you’re better off just having written them down but making them visible is a secret tool in your arsenal.

Last year on the blog (http://OrganisingQueen.com) I put a picture of my goals. This post still gets TONS of real-life comments from people (sadly, not on the blog!) as well as emails.

Do you know why?

Because I put my goals in a little 10 X 15 frame on my desk because I honour them.

Where are your goals?

3. Make yourself accountable to someone

Most of us would do something more if we had accountability.

E.g. There’s a weight loss programme here in South Africa that is very successful. I think only a small part of the success is the food part but a HUGE part of people’s success is the weekly accountability. You’re accountable to your group leader so you go and weigh every week.

This is the same thing that happens with coaching.

When I know I’m talking to my coach in two days time, I knuckle down and get my tasks done. It’s the accountability that motivates me to action.

How about you? Do you have someone to be accountable to?

A like-minded friend, your spouse, a coach?

If you don’t have someone, I’d love to be your cheerleader. Book your personal session now.

Start putting those 3 steps into action and I guarantee you’ll be at least halfway to your goals, if not a lot further.

Look out for the Feb goals form on Monday.

We’ve been back home from our holiday for a few days now and the house is restored to order once again.

I said to a friend recently that there really is no point to going on holiday unless it’s for at least 5 days.

You need some time to justify all the packing and unpacking

beautiful door at uShaka marine world in Durban

The holiday was better than I expected – the babies behaved themselves, the weather was “beach good” 9 out of 10 days and I relaxed a lot. I even read 4 books. I read the 4th one in the car on my way back home.

Now to start thinking about the next holiday. I’m the type of person who likes to have something to look forward to so I need to know I’ll have another mini-break in May to tide me over for the next few months.

And while we’re in forward-thinking mode, let’s talk a little bit about how to choose your goals.

Your annual goals are not just a to-do list.

Every thought that enters your head is not a goal. That’s just something to do.

A goal, on the other hand, is something that will compel, excite and motivate you on the way to your life purpose.

E.g. If you want to do this little project and that little project, ask yourself if it’s contributing to your life purpose and it’ll become very clear what stays and what goes.

Do you read Simple Mom?

She also writes at Incourage, a Christian blog I follow, and in the last couple of weeks, she wrote a post about her 4 main goals for the year.

I loved that for the simple reason (pun totally intended!) that there is no clutter in her goal-making process.

She had just one goal in each of these 4 areas of her life – fun, personal, family and professional.

I have 22 for the year

Although I do have main goals and then some “cousin” goals (got that term from Jon Acuff). A cousin goal is one on the sidelines. When you achieve the main goal, you then start working on the cousin goal.

My main business goal for the year is to get my book published in print and on Amazon’s Kindle.

That’s it. Once that’s done, I have a few smaller cousin goals

So here are just 5 guidelines when choosing your 2012 goals:

1. do they excite and motivate you?
2. are they big and juicy?
3. are they specific?
4. do they contribute to your purpose?
5. given the right support, accountability and resources, could you achieve them?

If you get to answer them all “yes” you’re doing well.

Otherwise, let’s set you up with a personal goals session on Skype.

And if you haven’t yet downloaded your Jan goals form, it’s in your Time Management Purpose Pack on my website. What I really should call it is a mini goals form because these are the mini goals that will help you get to your (big) normal goals.

How are you doing on your January goals?

I like to think that reflecting on the year past is the same as tying a nice ribbon around a package – finishing it all off nicely

It seems to me like I can’t get on with the new year properly unless I reflect on what went well, what didn’t go well and most importantly, what I want from my life for the next year.

Do you agree?

Well then, let’s get to it.

Grab a notebook and pen or simply open up a new doc on your computer (but please close all other sites – this is meant to be a time of reflection, not distraction).

What went really well for you?

Why do you think that is?

Is there anything you want to duplicate this year?

What was challenging?

What do you need to let go of to move forward?

What do you want more of in your life in 2012?

That’s enough to chew on for now.

I’ll share one answer to each question to give you an idea of how this works.

What went really well for you?
I wrote the book!

Why do you think that is?
I carved out solid blocks of time and just did it.

Is there anything you want to duplicate this year?
yes, how I created time pockets for self-care, relaxation, getting fit and creativity (self-expression)

What was challenging?
When things out of my control happened and threw me off course (gall bladder operation!)

What do you need to let go of to move forward?
Unrealistic expectations of myself – I may feel like Superwoman but I’m not

What do you want more of in your life in 2012?
Rich, meaningful relationships

Ready to have a go?

Have at it.

And remember to book your Personal Strategy Session with me to start 2012 on a great note.

Do you care to share any of your answers with me too?

PS thanks for the FABULOUS words of the year you’ve been sharing with me. If you haven’t read through the comments, please do – there’s gold over there.

PPS I have verrrry exciting news to share with you on Monday. I’m celebrating a friend’s success.

Hope you had a good New Year’s celebration but most of all, that 2012 will turn out to be awesome for you.

I’ll admit – I was not sad to see the back of 2011.

It was a very stressful year for me what with my website being hacked so many times (who does that anyway?!), my gall bladder op and then my daughter Kendra was sick for most of December and was hospitalised for 5 days.

That was not fun.

I did have some wonderful highlights like finishing writing my first book (this month I have to finish working through all the edits and then submit it) and of course working with all my wonderful clients.

But it is a new year and one thing I’m good at is putting the past behind me.

I still don’t have all my goals finalised but I do have my one word sorted out.

Read all about my one word and to let me know yours too.

During the month of January, I’m going to talk about these 4 topics:

1) reflecting on 2011 (I normally do this between Christmas and New Year but sick babies = no time to reflect much)
2) choosing your theme for 2012
3) choosing your goals (here is your January goals form) link to http://takechargesolutions.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/Jan2012.pdf
4) how to go from goals to reality

What are you most looking forward to doing this year?

Look what I found for you.

A gorgeous 2012 calendar over at Creative Mamma. I seriously love it

Print out on card or paper, punch two holes on the top, hang by a ribbon on binder rings or through the punched holes just as is, if your ribbon is thin enough.

There are other calendar formats on that same page if this one doesn’t suit your style – it’s my favourite though because there’s enough space to write notes.

(if you’ve got a few minutes, go browse her archives – she has tons of free and gorgeous things. I’ve used her handmade circle stickers for months.)

And now… my contribution to setting up your year for success…

I set goals every month – no surprise there.

For 2012 I decided to make a cute goals page for every month. There are two forms on the one page – one page with all the goals listed (I’ve restricted them to 15 and I think even 15 is PLENTY) and another with the goals separated into categories.

This free download will be available to all the subscribers of my list as I’ll be sending them out in the last week of the month, for the month ahead.

Go here to sign up and get your January pages.

The idea is to print, write and stick it up somewhere. If you see it, you’re more likely to do it

What are your top 3 goals for 2012?

PS If you’re already on my list, you’ll get an email from me later today

Remember 30 days of lists?

We’re halfway there.

Is anyone else doing this with me?

I thought I’d share some of what’s been happening on my journey.

• One of the prompts really threw me since I just don’t have a context for it so I made up my own question … because I do want 30 lists at the end of Sept
• I start being more aware of how imperfect my little book is when I see the cute and very creative books in the flickr group
• Short is very sweet. I love that I made my book so small as I never feel overwhelmed and anxious about filling all that space
• A daily ritual is very easy for me (I blog every night and complete my little book straight afterwards)

Here’s some inspiration for total drool-worthiness from my new favourite blog.

********************************************

If you’re not doing 30 days of lists, how about your goals for September?

How are you doing with those?

Me?

I’ve done 7 out of 13 for personal and 2 out of 10 on business

Lots of people comment about how visible I keep my goals so I thought I’d share my methods (of madness?) with you.

I have a 10 X 15 cm photoframe on my desk.

I mostly type up the goals but if a few days have passed and we’re already into the month, I just write them out quickly.

I don’t let perfectionism hold me back.

There they sit on my desk as a visual daily reminder.

If you decide to do the same, you could use a whiteboard marker to cross them off.

I don’t – I like it just like that, almost like goals art

Questions for you…

Do you set monthly goals?

If yes, do you display them anywhere? Diary, in your wardrobe, etc?