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Category: Better Living

Fundamentals of Budgeting 101

Posted on by M Miller

     We have actually reached the first quarter of the year (whew that flew by).  Hopefully everyone’s year is off to a good start.  It is always a good idea to do a financial check in.  This check in serves to make sure that you are sticking to your budget.  If you don’t have one, then you have come to the right place.  The focus of this blog post is to outline some basic budgeting essentials.  

     The first thing you will need to do is decide what method you will use to organize and track your finances.  This can be a workbook, an excel spreadsheet or even a simple notebook.  There are many choices available.  Choose whatever method works for you and is easy to stay committed to.  

Entrepreneurs

     For those who are Entrepreneurs you will need to make sure to separate business from personal expenses.  If you are not really good with spreadsheets, then you may want to invest in software such as QuickBooks. Taking this extra step would allow you to run your business more efficiently and not have to scramble at the end of the year to get everything together for tax purposes.  

      Once you have chosen your tracking tool you then need to set up a realistic budget.  This budget should take into account your total expenses and income.  It is always very important to save.  I can not overestimate the importance of allowing for saving in your budget.  All too many times people reward themselves by spending more and this overindulgence leads to that dreaded word,  Yes you guessed it DEBT.  We are not trying to do that.  The less you owe the freer you are to enjoy your life.

     We now have our tracking system in place.  We’ve accounted for our expenses and income and also set aside an amount for savings.  This is a great start for those who are new to budgeting.  This process can also be used for Entrepreneurs.  Again, make sure to keep personal funds separate from business funds.  If you have not already done so, you should have a business bank account to deposit and release funds from.  The more organized you are the better it is when it comes to staying on track with your budget. 

Money Management

     We will revisit the topic of money management throughout the year to see how well you are doing with your budget.  Just like the goal setting How to Set Personal Goals How to Make Business Goals that we did earlier this year, it is not perfect.  There will be times that you have splurged too much or forget to account for an entry in your tracking tool.  Move forward anyway and keep working the system that you put in place.

     The goal of any budget is not to punish you but to discipline you to be more successful at managing your money.  We all know people who have great jobs but have nothing to show for it because they spend, spend…and spend.  We also know people who know how to make a dollar stretch and live on less.  This is not a coincidence.  It takes practice, determination and discipline.

Recap

      So, check in on your finances.  See if you are sticking to your budget.  If yes, great.  If not, then what is stopping you from making some changes.  If you are new to budgeting, welcome and get ready.  Once you are able to see your plan come together and the role that managing your finances plays in enjoying your life and also eliminating stress you will understand that effective money management is essential to a well-balanced life. 

      The fundamentals of budgeting in your personal and business serve as your gateway to greater success and enjoyment in your life.  Until next week my readers……Continue to live your dreams out loud

The Value of a Positive Attitude

Posted on by M Miller

The Experience

     This weekend my family and I went out to a restaurant to spend some quality time together. It was a spur of the moment decision. Something we wound not normally do at that specific time of day because it was a very busy time for families dining. We decided to go with it anyway. After waiting quite a while to be seated, we then had to wait quite a while for the waiter to come to our table to take our order.  I couldn’t help but feel that maybe this was not quite a good decision to come to this restaurant.  The waiting was a bit much.

  When the waitress finally came to our table, she greeted us in the most friendly way and apologized for the wait due to the restaurant being busy.  The rest of the dining experience was still quite slow but the food and the particular waitress made all the difference.  Before leaving the restaurant, I had to let the waitress know that her kindness was very much appreciated.

Reflecting on the Experience

     On the way home, I was talking to my husband about our restaurant experience.  Usually when the restaurants are crowded and the waiters are busy, the energy and attitude is passed on to the customers.  We would then feel rushed and underserved and the whole dining experience would not be a good one, even if the food was good.  The negative energy from the environment would spoil the overall experience.

     Many times we carry our attitude with us and it can and will affect the outcome of whatever we are trying to do.  In the example I used above about the restaurant, this one worker was able to keep her energy positive in spite of the extremely busy work environment she was in. She did not let that affect her work attitude or performance and in the end she was generously tipped (lol) and represented the company in a very positive way. This showed that being positive has many advantages. It was a win-win.

The Advantages of a Positive Attitude

      The personal advantage of a positive attitude is that by being able to control your attitude when things around you may not be the best, you are able to maintain control over yourself rather than the situation controlling you.  That is amazing and not very easy to do!

     Professionally if you work with someone who has a positive attitude, it is easier to go the extra mile and lend that support because their very energy is the fuel that pushes their staff to aim higher to do their best.

     The opposite is also true, if you are around a very negative attitude, whether it be a company or direct report, that negative energy will stifle your creativity and your ability to want to do or be your best. Eventually you will soon find yourself looking for the exit door.

A Positive Attitude in Business

     For those of us who are Entrepreneurs, we must focus on the positive.  It is what will continue to allow us to thrive and grow.  We can not afford to be negative because our brand depends on it.  Everything we see becomes a useful example.  Even a family outing to a restaurant becomes an example that can be applied to your business.  

     This week as you go about your daily activities, I challenge you to look at your attitude in the situations you encounter.  Ask yourself if it is in need of adjusting, am I being positive or am I giving off a very negative vibe.  If the answer is not a good one, don’t be hard on yourself. Just look for ways you can adjust your attitude no matter how slight, it can and will make a difference not just to you but to those around you. So until next time my readers continue to ……Live your dreams out loud 

Are You Managing Your Time

Posted on by M Miller

     Every now and then it is a good idea to do a time check, to see how well you are managing your time or is your time managing you (lol).  In the past few months we have set personal goals and business goals. As we roll out our plans, the need to manage our time becomes very important.

Why Time management is Important

     Time management is important because it keeps us on top of our game.  When you are at your best you function better and you are more productive.  We all know those people who wait until the last minute to do everything.  It is almost hit or miss that they get things done and if it is done it is not their best work

     Whether you are trying to meet your personal goals or manage your business the need to manage your time is priceless.  There are some useful tools that I have that help me and that is trying to stay organized.  This can be done by using planners or to do lists. These tools are useful use to assist in planning out your daily and weekly activities. 

     It is also a good idea to make balance a way of life.  This basically means do not overschedule your activities.  Saying no can and is a good thing when it comes to keeping balance in your schedule.  When you lose control of your time, you have failed to effectively manage your time.

     I would also like to add that for those of us that are parents this is especially important. When you are signing up your children for activities remember that practice and or games are then added to your schedule.  See if you are able to share some tasks or in some cases delegate certain tasks where and when you can.

Self Care

     Although some would disagree, I believe that making sure you have time for self care is very important and that needs to be part of your time management schedule.  If you can not think of the last time that you scheduled something for just yourself that was just about you, then you are not managing your time properly.  (ouch)

Redeeming the Time

     While we can not make up for lost time because once it is gone it is gone.  We can learn better ways to correct those habits.  We all have 24 hours in a day. How we navigate that time is up to us.  Start with your morning routine and find ways to ease into your day that sets you up for success,  

Small Changes Can Make a Difference

     There are ways you can manage your time more effectively that will spill over into other areas of your day.  One example would be to wake up a little earlier and allow yourself some time before heading out the door.  I tend to function better in the morning because it is quieter and I can have my morning cup of coffee, pray and organize my daily activities before everyone is awake and the day takes off.

    Another way you can better manage your time is to prioritize what you are putting on your schedule, is it necessary, can it be put off or delegated to someone else.  The more you look at your schedule you will know where you are spending your time and how you can better serve yourself and your business by adjusting when and how much time should be allotted for what you need to do.

Balance

      I will end by saying that finding a healthy balance between what needs to get done and what can be done is tricky.  If there is no balance you will find that your life is out of control and that leads to stress. Effectively managing “Your” time is a win not only personally but professionally as well.  Until next week my readers continue…..Living your Dreams out Loud

All About Love

Posted on by M Miller
LOVE

     Well my readers, It is that time of year …..It is all about love.  The week ahead is set aside to celebrate and honor love and those we are connected to that we love.  

     The word love is used in so many ways to describe things and people we equate with love.  We sometimes overuse the word. 

Love Defined

     While there are many definitions of love. They all tend to be quite narrow or pull from one particular origin.  The best definition of love I have ever heard is from the bible.  It is quoted in many places and portions of it are used in many dictionaries.  The definition that I am referencing can be found in 1 Corinthians 13, it reads, “ Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude.  It is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.”

     This definition seems to sum up what love is and what love isn’t.  It serves as a reference check for ways to keep ourselves from offending and taking for granted those we love.  In many ways this can be how relationships start but when the offenses start happening love can fade or become non-existent.

Ways to Rekindle Love

     There are ways that you can rekindle the love in your relationship.  First try to be mindful of the other person’s feelings.  Try putting yourself in their place and try to imagine how you would feel. Then try and remember some of the things that were special in the early days of coming together and try to duplicate some of those things.  Remember you can never go back but you can go forward creating new and special memories.

Loving Yourself

     In all this talk about love, we sometimes neglect the first person that we should love and that is ourselves.  We need to focus on always trying to be the best version of ourselves in good times and in bad.  You may say that is not easy, you don’t know what I have been through in the name of love and yes you are right I don’t,   but I can tell you we all have a story some that are worse than others.  

Challenge

     I want to challenge you this Valentine’s Day to love yourself a little more.  If you are in a relationship make sure you show some extra love don;t take for granted that person.  If you are single, show yourself that extra love. Reaffirm that you are happy with who you are until that special person comes into your life.  Buy yourself something special  candy, roses and even take yourself to dinner.  This may sound strange but if you are not comfortable with your own company, how can you expect someone else to be,

 Love Memories

     I would also like to say that there are many of us, myself included, that have lost family members and loved ones and are not able to spend time with them.  If you have photos or special items take them out, laugh at the memories and may that bring you joy.

Love is Action

     Love is a noun, it is an action word.  Live each and every day full of Love and it will pour out wherever you go.  If you meet people who are negative and mean spirited, that energy pours out as well and it can leave you feeling drained and negative. It is important to walk in love.  Live a life that brings you joy and keeps you happy, when you do this you are truly,  Living your Dreams Out Loud…….Until next week my readers may you have a very special Valentine’s Day

Why the Need to Celebrate Black History Month

Posted on by M Miller

We Celebrate Because

     So the month of February is designated in the U. S. as Black History Month. It is a time to focus on the history, accomplishments and contributions of African Americans.  There are events that are planned out to facilitate the celebration for all ages.  Schools have set aside curriculum specific to this topic during this time and even stores have started marketing more in this area to attract specific traffic for certain items during this month.

     I am an African American woman and so personally I find this a uniquely special month because there is so much attention given to the rich and diverse group of people known as African Americans. 

Lack of Information 

     At one time there was very little taught on African American history.  We learned mostly about Harriet Tubman, Muhammad Ali and Martin Luther King Jr. As time went on I learned that there was so much more to our history .  Sadly I learned that as I got older and educated myself more.

How did this Celebration Begin

     This brings me to my next point, which is why the need for black history month.  An African American Historian and Journalist by the name of Carter G. Woodson, along with the support of others, decided that there was so much that was not being taught about the history of African Americans specific to their contributions in America that there had to be a way to address this.

     This celebration was begun by Carter G. Woodson as a weekly celebration.  He did these celebrations in the month of February because it was around the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas.  These celebrations eventually expanded to where it is now the whole month of February

Why is History Important

     Our history is important because it gives us purpose.  It gives us a sense of identity and it also can give us pride. I will use the study of genetics as an example to further illustrate this.  When  women are pregnant they sometimes give us a test . They ask us many questions.  The questions are about the mom (you) and the dad’s family history.  If there are any known issues, abnormalities etc.

They ask these questions because based on family history they are able to determine many things.  The less you know about your family or the dad’s family (of the baby) the less accurate the results can be.  This is what our lack of history can do to us as a people. It can affect/effect the outcome of our lives.

     There may be many great gifts that have been passed down to you but you will never know.  Every now and then you begin to wonder where did I get this specfic talent from. Mom and Dad didn’t have it but maybe if you knew that your great great great grandfather was ______.  That would provide the explanation.

My Personal Reflections

     In my opinion. I believe that knowing more about your history, good and bad, allows you to be more aware.  It allows you to better understand and gauge your strengths and weaknesses and places you in a position to be more successful.  You are not haunted by what ifs. You are better equipped, knowing that you have come from some very strong and resourceful people.

     I am very proud to be an African American woman that comes from a not perfect people but had the privilege to grow up with parents who did their best with what they were given by working hard and instilling the value of education.  They also taught me to be proud of who I am and grateful for what I have. 

I  enjoy celebrating all occasions but Black History Month gives me an opportunity to celebrate myself, my community and all that comes with the black experience just a little bit more and so my readers each and every one of you, I invite you to celebrate with us this Black History Month and continue………..Living your Dreams Out Loud

Keeping the End in Mind

Posted on by M Miller

     Hopefully, you have enjoyed the month of January blog posts.  They have been designed to provide you with information and steps to assist in positioning you and your business for success as we begin this new year.

Revisit and Reestablish Goals

     In my opinion, the need to revisit and reestablish personal and business goals is important to having a successful year.When used correctly it serves as the navigation system for your life and business.  Use everything we have worked on for the past few weeks and tie them neatly together.

     If you need to refer to any of the steps please refer to my recent (January) blog posts.  During the course of the year we will revisit goals and determine next steps but for now get ready for the harvest!!

     You might say that was all great but now what.  Now the real work begins. 

The work of putting your plans (goals) into action. How do I do that, you may ask. You do that by organizing yourself daily and weekly.  If you need a daily to do list or set calendar reminders, please do so.  Try and use whatever methods that work best for you to keep you and your business on track.

     The benefit of setting goals is that you are in control.  The drawback is that you are in control. Which means that your dedication to achieving great results are largely based on your actions or inactions.  

     So that is why this blog is titled, Begin with the End in Mind.  It is that focus of seeing the end that will keep you going when you don’t see results.  When things don’t seem to be turning around as quickly as you like.  Keeping the end in mind provides the needed motivation to keep you anchored to your goals and determined to push through to try your best to meet them.  

Be Realistic

     Does that mean that you are guaranteed to succeed because you have set very clear personal and business goals. Absolutely not, there are always roadblocks you will encounter.  People and things will let you down.  Heck you will let yourself down but be encouraged that you have set a firm foundation for yourself and your business that you believe is in your best interest to personally and professionally lead you in the direction that you wish to go.  

     Also remember that nothing is a hard fast rule.  You set the pace and the tone.  If the goals you have set for yourself and your business seems to not be working after you have given it some time, know that you can adjust them.  Change is a necessary part of life.  So adjust when necessary. Celebrate the small victories along the way and remember to not compare your progress or journey to anyone else.  I can not over emphasize this final point. We seem to live in a time where everyone is competing with each other in an unhealthy way.  Cheer yourself on along the way and seek assistance when needed. Try and avoid the naysayers and the negativity and check in periodically on your progress.  

     It has been my great pleasure to share this information at the start of the new year with my readers and may your personal and professional goal setting journey lead you and your business to your most successful year ever.  

     Until next week my readers……Continue

Living Your Dreams out Loud

Entrepreneurs, Do You Know Your Purpose?

Posted on by M Miller
PURPOSE

     The month of January, I have dedicated to the topic of  how to create successful personal and business goals.  We have discussed the importance of why it is necessary and covered the steps necessary to being able to write these goals for yourself and your business.  

The Value of Purpose to the Entrepreneur

     In this blog we will cover the topic of purpose.  As an Entrepreneur it is important to know what your purpose is and how it plays into drafting your goals.  In larger companies they refer to this as their mission statement.  In its simplest form a mission statement is the reason why a company exits.  You may ask how this relates to what I am doing.  Great question (lol), many people become Entrepreneurs for different reasons.  The many reasons vary.  I will give you a few examples.  Some people just need additional income and so this serves as an additional source of income.   Others are employed full time but would like to build their own company to the point where they can become self employed.  There are also some people that want to start a business with the goal in mind to grow that business to eventually take on additional staff and expand over time. For this group the sky is the limit.

These are all great ways to start as an Entrepreneur but the end goal for each is very different.  This is where knowing your purpose comes in. If you know what you are specifically trying to accomplish as an Entrepreneur then your goals must compliment that process.  

     The first step in this process of knowing your purpose is what was mentioned earlier, knowing exactly what you are setting out to do (your mission).  Once you have firmly identified your mission then you can carefully outline your goals.  The next step in the process is to take the goals that you have written and map out a strategy of how to reach those goals.  If you need some additional help in this step, please refer to my blog post titled, How to Make Business Goals.  There you will find additional information on how to make successful business goals.  

     Once you have your mission and your goals carefully crafted, you are then in a better position to reach success.  You are not trying to figure it out as you go along.  You have prepared well.  This preparation is more likely to lead you to success and the intended goal of reaching and fulfilling your reason for becoming an Entrepreneur in the first place. 

The Advantage of Being Unique

I have said this before but it is worth repeating, your reason(s) and goals should be unique to you and your specific business.  It also should be specific to what your mission is.  There are many similar businesses out there but what separates them from the next is that it is not yours.  That is what is referred to in business as a brand.  To further illustrate this, when I go into the supermarket and get ketchup there are many different types of ketchup but there is only one brand that I use. It is what my family and I seem to like best. This is how you position your company for success.

  Over the last few weeks I have covered topics from brainstorming, personal and business success and the importance of carefully planning them.  Purpose is the foundation that all of this is built from.  If you are solid in your purpose then you know the direction that you need to go in in order to reach them.  Your goals then serve as a pathway to lead you to that success.  

Why Purpose Matters

     When you know what your purpose/mission is, it becomes the fuel to push you higher and push you through to reach success. Knowing your purpose allows you to have a place to revisit and refocus your efforts, knowing that there is something more to what you are doing.

So yes, you may not have reached there yet but you know what it is that you are trying to reach.  That is why purpose is so important. Until next week my readers……Continue to….

Live your Dreams out Loud 

How to Make Business Goals

Posted on by M Miller
SMART Goals

Setting Business Goals

     The start of a new year is a great time to position yourself and your company for success by setting goals.  If you have been an Entrepreneur for some time, then you should have some goals already in place.  You can use your existing goals as a foundation to compare and decide what is working and what needs improvement.

     For those who are new to setting goals, I will begin at the foundation of setting successful business goals.

     As an Entrepreneur you determine the purpose of your business.  Once you determine what your purpose is you then need to map out a pathway to lead you to fulfilling that purpose.  That is why setting SMART business goals are very important . 

     In business, goals should be defined using the acronym SMART.  Smart goals refer to a process where  each letter in the word smart has a specific meaning and we will walk through each letter and give meaning and explanation to how to develop a goal behind each letter.

   The first letter S means that your goals should be Specific.  This means that your goals should not be kinda, sorta maybe.  It has to be clear so that you know what it is that you are setting out to do.  The next  letter is M which means how will you measure your progress.  Is there a process you have or plan to put in place in order to measure outcomes during the course of the week, month or  each quarter of the year.

     The next letter is A which stands for achievable.  This means that when setting your business goals is it something you think that you can reach.  The next letter is R which stands for it in line with what the purpose of your business is all about.  The last but not least T which stands for timely are you able to take the goals that you set over a period of time 

     Once you have identified your target areas of focus through your SMART goals. The next step is to organize a plan of how you plan to go about achieving each goal.  I would advise you to customize your SMART goals to your business.   Many times what works for someone else in their business may not necessarily work for you.  

     Smart Business Goals should serve as the launching pad and foundation of your business.  If you take  the time to carefully and strategically set your business goals then they should lead you to a successful outcome.  As an entrepreneur you have the power to set those goals and experience the personal satisfaction of watching your business grow.  

     That in my opinion is priceless.  It also is very powerful. There is no magic formula: you do what works for you and your business and adjust when necessary. As an Entrepreneur you are in a unique position to direct your company towards success and hopefully the information that I have outlined in this blog will lead you to creating business goals that will aid in that success.

Position your Business for Success

     The start of a new year is a great time to position yourself and your company for success by setting goals.  If you have been an entrepreneur for some time then you should have some goals already in place.  You can use your existing goals as a foundation to compare and decide what is working and what needs improvement.

     For those who are new to setting goals, I will begin at the foundation of  setting successful business goals.

     As a Entrepreneur you determine the purpose of your business.  Once you determine what your purpose is you then need to map out a pathway to lead you to fulfilling that purpose.  That is why setting SMART business goals is very important. 

SMART Business Goals Defined

     In business, goals should be defined using the acronym SMART.  Smart goals refer to a process where  each letter in the word smart has a specific meaning and we will walk through each letter and give meaning and explanation to how to develop a goal behind the letter.

   The first letter S means that your goals should be specific.  This means that your goals should not be kinda, sorta maybe.  It has to be clear so that you know what it is that you are setting out to do.  The next  letter is M which means how will you measure your progress.  Is there a process you have or plan to put in place in order to measure outcomes during the course of the week, month or each quarter of the year.

     The next letter is A which stands for achievable.  This means that when setting your business goals is it something you think that you can reach.  The next letter is R which stands for relevant which basically means is it in line with what the purpose of your business is all about.  Last but not least T which stands for timely are you able to take the goals that you set over a period of time. The emphasis is on the word time.

     Once you have identified your target areas of focus through your SMART goals. The next step is to organize a plan of how you plan to go about achieving each goal.  I would advise you to customize your SMART goals to your business.   Many times what works for someone else in their business may not necessarily work for yours.  

     Smart Business Goals should serve as the launching pad and foundation of your business.  If you take the time to carefully and strategically set your business goals, then they should lead you to a successful outcome.  As an entrepreneur you have the power to set those goals and experience the personal satisfaction of watching your business grow.  

     That in my opinion is priceless.  It also is very powerful. There is no magic formula, you do what works for you and your business and adjust when necessary. As an Entrepreneur you are in a unique position to direct your company towards success and hopefully the information that I have outlined in this blog will assist you in creating successful business goals. Until next week my readers…. Continue

Living Your Dreams out Loud

How to Set Personal Goals

Posted on by M Miller

     In my last blog post, we outlined steps that are needed to be able to set personal goals. We did this through brainstorming and organizing our thoughts.  Traditional goals involve making a list of things that seem more like just a wish list.  We will not do that, instead we will focus on what is manageable and attainable. We want to keep it realistic. We all know people who kick off the New Year with these crazy goals that they already know are just too much and then set themselves up for failure. That is not what we are doing. 

Organizing Your List

     While we are organizing our list, it can include something from last year that you have yet to complete.  Simply carry it over as a new year personal goal.  Try to keep this list short and realistic.  This week we are only focusing on personal goals because if you are not your best, anything you have set up outside of personal goals will simply not be successful. We are starting with the most important thing “You”.

     If you are having a hard time with coming up with some personal goals. Try thinking about some things that are directly tied to (you) as a person. A few good examples are having more quality personal time and taking better care of yourself.  These examples are simple.  They are realistic and they are attainable. 

Keeping it Short and Sweet

     If you keep your personal goals list short and sweet, you will be happier with the results. If we use the example that was just given, take better care of yourself. You can map out a plan to do just that by increasing or adding exercise to your weekly routine, healthier meal planning and drinking more water.  These steps are all something you have control over, and it doesn’t add a lot of pressure to you. It can be managed and adjusted to suit your personal lifestyle, 

     Hopefully, you are now getting the idea that successfully and carefully choosing your personal goals will lead to better success and that is what the intended outcome should be.

     Next week the focus will be on setting Business and Career goals.  For this week just work on completing your personal goals which should also include ways/steps that you can take in order to achieve those goals.   Again, I would recommend keeping your personal goals list as short as possible.

Two to three goals in my opinion are perfect for a great start to the New Year. You will see that you can add to the list, if need be, as the year progresses and adjust as you see fit but for the benefit of being successful and having a strong start, I would begin with the most important.

Setting Priorities

     Again, remember to keep your personal goals list short and sweet.  They should be realistic and attainable and if you need to use the examples in this blog feel free to add this to your personal list. Remember your personal goals are about you and there is no better time than a New Year to refocus and make yourself a priority.  It sets the tone for the year ahead and your ability to drive the focus of the New Year towards meeting those personal goals.

     This is a side note but one worth adding as we are entering a new year and setting our personal goals.  This week a well known athlete Damar Hamlin, Buffalo Bills Safety suffered a heart attack on the field.  It was an accident. We were all devastated when we heard and saw what happened but through much prayer and an excellent team of medical staff on and off the field, we all witnessed a miracle!  This is what hope looks like and it makes you know that anything is possible!!!    

     So as you plan your personal goals know that anything is possible ….. until next week my readers 

….Continue to live your dreams out loud

Repositioning Yourself for a Great Year

Posted on by M Miller

     Welcome to 2023,  We are here and so grateful to be here!  We have arrived and hopefully you are ready to look forward to what this New Year holds for you. We have said so long to the past year and yes to the New Year.  

     There is no better time than the New Year to set the tone for the year ahead. I have a close friend who had some major career challenges during the year and was fortunate to be able to get a new job and will be starting today. I was so happy for her because if there was ever a time to start anything new, the New Year in my opinion is the best time for transition. Secretly, we were believing that the change would take place in the New Year, but it worked out that it happened just as the year was closing out and the next one began. Hooray……

A Fresh Page

     I tend to look at the New Year as a clean sheet of paper. You get to write and plan for the year ahead. Over the next few weeks I will  focus on just that. So take the time to get that clean sheet of paper and a pen and begin to gather your thoughts.

Planning

     As you plan out your year, begin to envision the type of year that you would like to have. Try and be as specific as you can.   Write down steps that you may have to take to achieve those goals. Then begin to outline what steps you may need to take to achieve this. I will use the example of my friend and her job to further illustrate this.  Sometimes you need to remain in a position to be able to continue to pay the bills but that should not limit your options. Begin to post internally within the company if you are able to do so or look outside of the company for other opportunities. While you are doing this, seek to redefine what type of position you are interested in. It may be the case that you need a career change entirely.  

Goal Setting Example

     This is just one example of how to go about goal setting for the beginning of the New Year.  Remember this is not something that is meant to stress you out.  It does not have to be as extreme as changing jobs or career or even moving to another location but if need be add that to your goals. For some it can be as simple as drinking more water or  cooking more at home and scaling back on take out food.  

     While I have brought up scaling back in spending on eating out it may help to reel it in a little if your goal this year includes ways to save money  or save in one area in order to have enough to  spend in another, such as hiring someone to come and clean your home once or twice a month. This small step would leave you with some extra time and energy to invest in other areas of your life.

  Brainstorming

  I have put together some ideas to  help you as you begin to plan your goals for the New Year.  I would recommend that your goals include both personal and professional goals.  Next week’s blog will cover more information on setting goals, so if you are struggling in this beginning process of just brainstorming do not lose heart.

     As you begin the process of brainstorming to organize your goals, journaling is a wonderful way of putting your thoughts down on paper.  It is a great way of capturing your thoughts, working through things and expressing yourself in a nonjudgmental way.  So, begin the process of goal setting and for the month of January we will focus on how to set ourselves up for a great year. Until next week my readers…. Continue to ……..

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