A Celebration
Today marks a full year of dedicated weekly entries to my
blog. When I made the commitment to weekly postings, I wasn’t positive I could
do it. I wasn’t sure I was up to the challenge. I knew it was the right thing
to do – so I just took the leap of faith to do it. It became a growing and
learning experience for me. I must admit to being quite proud of myself for
sticking it out and getting it done!
What Was Easier
I had issues with coming up with a monthly posting. Having a
weekly schedule was actually easier. I just built the time into a steady weekly
schedule. It wasn’t an “OMG – the end of the month and I haven’t posted yet‼”
type of panic.
It was easy to come up with topics. I love writing and having
a continuous need to fill made it easy to keep writing. I actually have a bunch
of topics ready to go and have more help to give on existing topics. I
could blog on résumés alone!
What Was Harder
Sometimes I just didn’t want to write. Or I didn’t feel
inspired by anything. Or, I had an argument with someone and didn’t want to
leave my pity-party. Or, I was just plain lazy. Or … well, you get the idea. Just
by sitting at my computer at my “blog time” usually got me writing. It may have
been abysmal writing to start, but got better as the session went on. The important thing is I stuck with it until I produced something acceptable.
What I learned was that exercising the self-management to get
it done AND get the level of quality I want to project, was just a muscle. The
more I exercised it, the stronger it became. As Aristotle said, “We are what we
repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act but a habit.” So, I
have built a good habit. (Yeah! more champagne...)
Something that has been very hard for me is the lack of
comments or responses to my blog. I poll friends, family, clients and
colleagues for topics and ideas. But, nobody (even when I beg or bribe) leaves
comments. They give me lots of verbal comments, but not written. Sigh. But, is someone
other than family, friend or client reading me? Thus, I have no idea if I am
spending my writing on what you most want to know. Am I helping? Or, not so
much?
What I Learned
The first step I actually took to achieving my goal was
simply to “sit down at the computer.” Yup! That simple. And, that hard.
Conventional wisdom says that a project this big had to have
a plan. And, of course, you then “break it down into manageable steps.” Which,
of course, meant: I didn’t know where to start. Do I start with a list of
topics? Or, should I start with themes, or … what? Paralysis by analysis! I
spent several days just analyzing the best way to start. In the end, I tossed
all that thinking and planning and step making. “Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll
get run over if you just sit there.” Will Rodgers is spot on. So, I
just sat at the computer and started writing.
I also found that as the year went on, I also could see that
a topic or the direction I was taking with it, was working (or not), sooner. I
became a much better editor of the idea and actual writing. I hope you agree.
Taking A New Direction
Spring is here and with it is the promise of new beginnings. As
I begin my next year of weekly writing for the blog, I am changing the format
slightly, for a fresh approach. I am going to incorporate coaching questions
for you at the end. I am a fan of Escaping Mediocrity, Sarah Robinson’s blog. Sarah recently had readers “Pimp Your Blog & Share
Your Link Love” on her blog. She got 68 replies. (I’m soooo envious.)
A coach herself, Sarah often ends or incorporates coaching
questions into her blog posts. She has done this very effectively in her “Plan to Escape Mediocrity.” I love this idea. Although I have used
questions in the past, I am going to provide more structure for you. (Thank you
Sarah. Is it still plagiarism when I attribute it?)
For This Week
On a piece of paper (physical or an electronic document),
write down your answers to the following questions. The act of writing down your
goal(s) and the action steps needed, will move you forward. It will help you
create momentum.
- What is your current, single most important goal?
- What is your first step to achieving your goal?
- Break that first step down into the smallest imaginable pieces.
- What single next action of those pieces will move you closer to your goal?
- Can you do that action today? Then do it!
Print and post this document where you will see it everyday.
Check off what you accomplish. Celebrate reaching your goal.
Stretch Goal
Please post a comment on what works best for you to achieve
your goals. Just one single thing that keeps you on track to reaching your
goals. This will do two things. One, you will help someone else reach their
goals. Your tip may be better for them than my tip. (Yeah)
Two, I’ll know I have readers. (Double yeah!) Two gifts with one action – what
could be better?
A dream with a plan is a goal. A goal without a plan is just
a dream.
All things are possible,
Elisabeth
Elisabeth Adler-Lund
Executive and Life Coaching
Telephone: 916 • 803•1494
E-mail: eal@EALCoaching.com
Posts
I think you have one of the best blogs I read on a regular basis. It is both well written and informative.
ReplyDeleteKeep it up, because it is adding value to the life of many people.
One thing I try to do is review my goals every day. I then think about how it will feel to have the goal accomplished and this is important, as if it has already happened.
ReplyDeleteFor example, I want to grow my business. I think about who I want to contact, making the contact and feeling the joy of being well received. It does not always work, but you would surprised by how often it does work well.