11-year old Recognizes the Promise of a Simple Goals Board

Goals.  Such a short word and yet it carries so much baggage for people.  There are September/new school year/new season goals. There are New Year’s goals. Performance goals at work. Hockey goals. Fitness goals. Aspirational goals.  

Goals allow us to get things done. Setting goals means we are less likely to drift along, settling further and further down into our cushy comfort zone, being or becoming “stuck.” Yet without breaking down these goals into clear steps and a realistic plan that stretches our concept of possibility, goals are purely aspirational and will never be attained. 

This morning I had a lovely 8am coffee meeting with a dear friend and former colleague. It was a great way to start the day, and I was humming with energy on my way home, feeling highly motivated to get things done today, yet feeling a bit scattered with all the ideas in my head. As I came into my home office, I found the above-pictured hand-written note from my 11-year old son.  

Allow me to back up. A few days ago, I was reflecting on my progress over the past few months in terms of the goals I have set for myself as an independent consultant and coach, transitioning from a long career in corporate Canada. I realized that as much as I had created goals, and broken them down, and put them in writing, my energy around them was not consistent. My belief that I could attain them sometimes wavered (they are BIG goals!). 

Many times, I’ve read about the concept of a Vision or Goals Board - putting your goals and/or aspirations on the wall, up in front of where you typically work, to keep them constantly top of mind. The idea is that over time, they become ingrained in your memory and they will stay with you even when you are out and about in the world. Keeping you focused. Keeping you motivated and hell-bent on achieving them. 

So! Early last week, I made a Goals board. Well, it’s an 8.5 x 11 page with colourful polka dots around the border that I bought a long time ago for birthday party invitations when my son was 4. But I digress.   I LOVE my Goals board. It scares the hell out of me and yet I love that it helps me stay accountable to myself; to remember that it’s ok and that it’s necessary to spend lots of time off my cushy comfort-zone couch. It reminds me about how I want to BE.  It lists my intentions to be open, present and patient as I go about achieving my massive goals.

And if my wonderful, insightful 11-year old son can recognize the power of possibility outlined on my simple Goals Board, then I figure maybe I’m on to something.

How about you? (Food for thought)

What do you want? 

What are the possibilities?

How much time do you spend on your cushy comfort-zone couch?

How do you want to BE? 

What do you have in place to help you stay on track with your goals?

How can you maximize your potential?