Self-care is essential

Self-care is essential to mental health wellness and overall productivity.

Self-care is so much more than a warm bath or spa day (as nice as those are!). Self-care is a unique routine and set of goals that encourages overall wellness, reduces stress, and promotes your unique balance and clarity.

Self-care is:

• Rest
• Organizing & prioritizing your schedule & responsibilities
• Nutrition that is best for you and your dietary needs
• Setting boundaries
• Enrichment
• Journaling
• Being creative
• Expressing gratitude
• Exercise & meditation
• Building healthy relationships
• Making time for what nourishes you
• And whatever brings you peace and balance

Setting a goal is a form of self-care that is unique for everyone. Your personalized goals should support your unique mental and physical health. Organizing a hectic schedule so you can incorporate goals & dedicated time for self-care is essential (and actually a form of self-care, especially if it reduces stress and helps you be more productive).

Please take care of yourself and commit to your goals and daily care regimen. Find your happiness.

How do you make time for self-care? What does your self-care goal-setting plan look like?

Thank you so much for following, reading my posts, commenting, and connecting via Instagram for additional tips, quotes and updates!

To encourage self-care, self-love and goal-setting I’ve expanded my love of the vintage typewriter and wax seals by creating unique gifts! Each creation is unique and can be displayed as a daily reminder to focus on your unique self-care and goal journey.

My creations are now available for sale! Please contact me with questions and/or personalized orders.

With Love stamp and unique quote

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Stress free self-care

Typically, a new year sparks new goals, resolutions, reflection and even being open to major changes. Self-care is more than a resolution topic. Yet, with the overwhelming quotes and articles on the subject it can feel like there is a right and wrong way to practice self-care. There isn’t. Self-care is self-health and practiced best in whatever way is healthy for your unique needs.

Since stress is extremely unhealthy and the contributor to several health concerns, self-care stress reducers are not only calming, but essential to our overall health.

Self-care is acknowledging anything that causes stress and either seeking a solution or discovering a way to partner with it. Stress free self-care is being in tuned with your joy; how to create it and intertwine it into your daily life. Sometimes being in tuned with your own needs isn’t so ‘simple’ though. When we look at self-care as a task on a long list of responsibilities, it can seem stressful.

Self-care doesn’t require a full day of meditation, expensive tools, costly retreats, or even set rules. Sure, any one of those things can be a form of self-care, but none are required to actually care for your wellbeing. Finding moments to pause and calm racing thoughts is one of the best forms of self-care (self-health).

Stress free self-care is finding balance between emotional, mental, and physical wellness.

Self-care intertwines with every part of our lives; healthy relationships, nutrition, mental wellbeing (reducing stress), finding creative outlets, learning, emotional balance, physical health/activity, career focus, etc. It’s about finding your calm or at the very least partnering calm and chaos to live harmoniously so you can focus on your stress free self-care.

Example of a day filled with stress free self-care:

• A stress free (or less stress) day begins the evening before. Write out your objectives for the day. Make the list as realistic as possible – focusing on tasks that are specific to that day. Create another goal list for the week and/or small steps that can be completed if time allows each day. Making this list (or lists) should not be stressful and take about five minutes each evening. Your unique lists are fluid and can be added to or adjusted as needed – it’s simply a starting point and a way to write out anything that might keep you up at night thinking about it or trying to remember everything that needs done the next day.
• Wake up and spend 60 seconds to take a deep breath, acknowledging joy and gratitude, staying focused on waking up – not allowing racing thoughts of all the tasks and responsibilities required of you (yet).
• Mindfully moving on to your next morning routine (or evening depending how your sleep cycle is) whether it’s showering, fixing yourself and/or family breakfast, preparing lunches, etc. Focus on the task at hand and breathe.
• Glance at your list(s) and adjust as needed or check off completed tasks.
• Before leaving the house or starting your day at home, practice pausing to breathe and acknowledge how you feel and what your body requires. If you are not feeling as well as you usually do, can you adjust your list before your day even starts and incorporate a bit more rest in place of certain tasks, or at the very least make a goal to be in bed a bit earlier than normal so you have a solution in mind to get you through the day and incorporate your rest as a priority, but also a reality with however busy your day may be.
• Incorporate movement throughout your day whether it’s getting up from a desk you work at as often as you can or incorporating movement into your home routine – listening to your limitations and unique ways you can challenge yourself while staying safe and mindful. Using a chair or couch and getting up and down while watching a favorite show on TV or listening to music, an online lecture, etc. and stretching or even walking around from kitchen to bedroom, to living room (I live in a small home and use the path from my bedroom through my living room into my kitchen as a walking track), even 15 minutes two to three times a day is beneficial to self-health!
• Get outside when you can. When weather permits get fresh air, feel the sun, take in the new scenery and if at all possible, move around while outside whether exercising by walking around your work building, your neighborhood, etc., or gardening, etc. Parking further away at work or the store, adds in a few minutes of activity and outdoor time. Again, 10 to 15 minutes a couple of times a day is so beneficial.
• Take a break. No matter what your typical day looks like take a lunch break. Please. Make time for nutritious food. Planning a meal list, getting the groceries, cooking or creating the meals…it’s all forms of self-care (health). Finding new recipes is a form of destress for me, I spend about 15 minutes and browse online or through my cookbooks for new ideas about once a week or so and then create a meal around that, sometimes I adjust ingredients to either what I can afford, what I have on hand, and/or what my diet limitations and likes/dislikes require. Swapping out certain foods or beverages is a form of nutrition awareness. Again, not stressful, simply acknowledging realistic changes you can start to incorporate into your existing routine. I love potato chips. I use to buy a big back and snack on them daily. Eventually, the portion size was less and less, I never just open the bag and start to eat them, I don’t use a big bowl to pour them out in…I use a lid from plastic container that is about the size of small tea cup saucer. This is a good amount for me and a realistic habit changer for me personally. Incorporate what you can, cut out what you can, reduce portions when you can, and drink plenty of water daily.
• Listen to your needs, when you need a connection and time with a friend, seek that – call a friend, go to lunch with a coworker, write a letter to a loved one explaining why you are grateful for them…take 15 minutes and connect. In the same breath, if you need some alone time, create that. Find a creative way, whatever is required for your unique self-care, find 15 minutes to embrace it and pause, be mindful during whatever works for you.
• Give yourself love and self-acknowledgement for all accomplishments (whether they seem minor or major).
• Create your calming down routine, even 15 minutes before you sleep to recap your day and acknowledge three moments you are grateful for. Write out your short list for the next day, and try to get in bed with enough hours to give you the sleep you require.

This is not medical advice and should not replace seeing a medical professional, but can be incorporated into your current health routine. Please see medical professionals when needed or with any new concerns you may have for your mental, emotional and/or physical wellbeing.

Self-care is necessary, but it should not be stressful. I will continue to share my tips and suggestions in the coming days, weeks, even months. Please share your self-care tips or questions below or contact me with your suggestions or questions!

Thank you for reading, thank you for following and thank you for sharing this space with me. Find me on Instagram @successencourager for quotes and more tips.

Please take care of you.

Creative opportunities

This year has been summed up in many ways so far. I imagine there will be several new summaries in the coming days, weeks, and months. One summary I have been focused on is – the year of creative opportunities. So many people are making major decisions, both personally and professionally. I have updated numerous resumes, assisted with cover letter writing, conducted mock interviews with job seekers, and had several conversations with people wanting to start a part-time gig and/or a self-employment opportunity.

Some of my responses to these conversation topics include information from my BIP posts (Business Idea Prompts). I have several posts about business ideas and working on more! No matter the idea topic or extent of the conversation the common theme focuses on being creative and starting with what you know and resources you have.

Creative opportunities not only prove important when wanting to start your own business but being creative in general is a form of self-care, reduces stress, and is a catalyst for goal-setting. Starting a small business or planning a larger career change requires setting goals, an action plan, and creatively providing a service or product that can provide an income, whether a modest supplemental form of income or to replace your current one.

Current popular side gigs include:

• Personal shopper (providing this service on your own or through a professional company/retailer)
• Yard maintenance
• Almost any online service such as web designer, social media assistant, blogger, virtual tutor, etc.
• Delivery of almost anything from fast food to hardware store items. This is something you can start on your own or through a professional service or retailer.
• Baker and/or event planner (with more people celebrating family birthdays and events at home finding a creative way to provide assistance is a very popular choice…picking up bakery made desserts, party supplies, etc. and delivering them is one example or
• Something a bit more creative like writing letters or providing a personalized video message from a child’s favorite superhero or princess – since a lot of parties are not having in-person characters/clowns, at parties – dressing up for a video call could be a lot of fun for a child!
• Adapting what you already enjoy to fit into the changes of this year – for example, teaching your hobby/craft virtually or starting a vlog (instead of hosting in-person workshops) or focusing on selling your handmade craft (jewelry, 3-D printing items, lotions, etc.) online instead of at craft fairs/festivals, etc. that may be canceled this year. Get creative! 🙂

Or simply something fun that you find enjoyable and can develop into that perfect side-gig for you, your skills, your budget, and time.

I enjoy creating with my love of quotes, writing, and wax seals. Thankfully, I have a vintage typewriter that was stored for several years that I have been using to create small works of art with my favorite quotes & verses (and some new ones I have created) and adding a wax seal to the finished creation. I simply posted some that I created for myself and had sent a few to friends then I started getting requests for personalized orders and even a request to type up part of a couple’s wedding vows for an anniversary gift!

What is something you enjoy, could learn more about easily (or already feel qualified to do), have resources for, or can start with a limited budget almost immediately for a part-time income and/or possibly grow into a full-time one? Do you have questions about starting a side gig? Please email me or comment below!

Thank you for following and reading! I appreciate your time and comments!

 

Entrepreneurship basics

Hello! I hope you have enjoyed the BIP posts that I started a few years ago. I have recently been asked about new Ideas and asked a lot of questions about my pots. I have more prompts to come, but I wanted to share my experience and opinions about entrepreneurship basics; it’s not just tech start-ups and you may not need a huge budget to get started. I truly believe in dreaming big and encouraging everyone to do the same. I believe in starting with the skills, experience and resources you already have and growing from there! I encourage everyone to start…simply start. Make time to dream and plan….period.

First, let’s define entrepreneurship. Wikipedia defines – “has traditionally been defined as the process of designing, launching and running a new business, which typically begins as a small business, such as a start-up company, offering a product, process or service for sale or hire.” So even if you are offering computer repair, house cleaning, landscaping, child care, writing services, web design, handmade items at local farmer’s markets, car maintenance, or any of a number of other services or products you are an entrepreneur!

I believe anyone focused on sharing their skills and talents, full-time, part-time, or whenever they have time, is an entrepreneur! Whether you are thinking of starting your own full or part time business, expanding an existing business, interested in starting a side gig, or advancing from your current position at a company then you definitely have an entrepreneur spirit and it starts with a single thought.

So, what is the basic process to turn thought into action? Once you define what you want to do you can start to take action. I wrote about focusing on your interests; defining possible side gig opportunities that fit your interests. You can read that here.

Something that always works for me is to write down my focus. Once I see it in writing it helps me work through the steps needed to accomplish it or adjust the idea, etc. For example if I want to expand my photography hobby and offer small event and senior photos as a side gig on the weekends there are obvious first steps that need completed before I go rent a huge studio space, contact a publisher for a coffee table book deal, or buy thousands of dollars worth of equipment. I need a plan..I need to focus…I need clients!

I made my list and actually had a very successful part-time photography business for about a year until I found a more time demanding job and decided to stop. I photographed families, high school students, corporate golf events, pet photos, a local small band, and even a few shoots for dating profile photos. I decided on photography, because of my love for taking nature photographs. When I started brainstorming about side gigs I decided to focus on what I had to help me define my focus. I already had a nice digital camera, I enjoyed photography, I love being around people, etc. Next step was my action list, which I’ve shared a general recap below:

• Create a web page (I used the free service through Shutterfly to display samples of my photography and create online galleries for clients)
• Come up with a business email (another free action item. I used gmail)
• Advertise and find business/clients; business cards, flyers, I reached out to companies for corporate events, word of mouth, browsed ‘ads’ online, posted cards and flyers at laundry mats, libraries, community boards, online, etc.
• Set fees and define what is included (I researched the average hourly rate and cut it almost in half because I was not a professional full-time photographer and I wanted to use this opportunity to enhance my photography skills as well as provide an affordable alternative.)
• Research tips for family and senior photos and offered those on my site and when discussing details with clients (I read a lot about family and corporate photography to enhance my knowledge and help clients decide not only on settings and poses, but also on package options, professional photography terms {to ensure clients I was at least semi-professional}. I also practiced shots with lighting, angles etc. to gain skills and experience.)
• Set up a payment method. I accepted checks, cash and PayPal payments since I already had a PayPal account from selling some online items
• File system and organize jobs. I had a ledger with names, packages, dates, costs, and notes to help me track everything. I also kept electronic files for tax purposes, keeping record of payments received and mileage with other items I needed for taxes (there is a limit you can make before needing to file taxes, but I wanted to start off tracking my revenues and spending)
• Offer incentives. I offered all clients incentives for repeat business or referring friends, either a discount on their next purchase/photo shoot or a gift card if they didn’t have any other photography needs (a $5 to $10 Starbucks or other gift card)

That was my general list and action items. It was low investment, I didn’t get rich, but I made extra money and had a blast doing it! I also made some contacts that I worked with in the future when exploring other creative income options.

I also kept an open mind about input from clients and friends. For example the pet photography came about from a request. I had never even thought of pet photography. That is something I’d enjoy starting up again! I even kept making time for photography trees, skylines, etc. and made photo cards as gifts out of those and through word of mouth I was able to sell some for a small profit!

Are you an entrepreneur? Do you have an entrepreneur spirit? Do you have tips to share or questions? Please comment below or email me at successencourager@gmail.com

Dream Big, Set Goals, Take Action, concept, tags on the table.

Unique job search tips

I’m often asked about unique job search tips – ways to search for jobs other than the most popular job search sites. Whether someone is feeling overwhelmed by all of the options on popular sites, not feeling like their skills are being recognized with so many other applicants applying for the same job via the same search site, or they are looking for a way to find new open positions rather than scanning through a handful of search sites that have the same job postings.

My first suggestion is always to search for specific company sites. Find companies within your location or decide you want to focus on remote options and search the sites of companies you are interested in working for. Several companies only post job openings on their own site instead of using other searchable forums so you have a fresh group of opportunities to search and typically larger companies post new jobs almost daily so keep checking back for new postings (several openings are listed at the bottom of this post).

Other unique tips I suggest – check career openings for companies you see commercials for while watching your favorite TV series and check out your favorite magazine publisher for job opportunities. Any company that has a commercial most likely hires employees and large publishers usually have several magazines they produce and need a variety of employees to do that. And just like larger companies, they typically only post job opportunities on their web site so you will have another fresh group of jobs to search.

Some publishers or companies you see commercials for have openings in several states and/or remote opportunities and they post new jobs often. There are a lot of opportunities available when you expand your job focus and search. Research companies that have products or services you enjoy and search their web site for career opportunities. Typically, a product site or publisher will have a career or employment tab at the bottom of their site or they have that option under the menu tab and the About Us section.

When you treat a job search like a job you increase your chances of finding the best match.

• I highly recommend dedicating time daily to research the most popular job search sites, but also make time to research specific companies you are interested in working for.
• Explore creative options that might be available through the products and services you enjoy.
• Spend time updating your resume for each position you apply for, making sure your skills and those in the job description match.
• Create a unique cover letter for each opening as well. Mention something specific about the company you are applying for in the cover letter – it can be a core value you connect with or congratulating them on a recent accomplishment. This will let the hiring manager/committee know you are familiar with the company and invested time to learn about them. Also, include at one accomplishment that ties in with the requirement(s) of the prospective job.

Typically, two to four hours a day are needed to dedicate to job search this includes the actual search, resume updating, cover letter creation, application process (might be separate from submitting a resume and cover letter), and track who you have applied with, what position, date, submission process, and any other specific notes so you can easily refer to them when called for an interview.

Put in the dedicated time and it will pay off – typically, the more time you put into a job search, the better chance you have at finding a job you truly want with a company you are interested in working for. Putting hours into a job search gives you more choice and control. You have skills and competencies that you should be proud of and a company should be excited about working with you.

Below, are a few companies that sell products and have commercials on prime time (or late night) TV and magazine publishers with current job opportunities in several states including some remote and work from home options. I have checked the sites personally and although I do not have any affiliation with them, I’ve checked each site to ensure they are hiring (as of today all of them have openings) and to confirm the career section and application process, which is noted by each site/link.

Good luck in your career search. Please contact me if you have a specific career, resume, cover letter or other job-related questions. Also, I am currently reviewing resumes for free and providing suggestions via email. If you would like me to review your resume please email me at successencourager@gmail.com .

Inogen.com – Scroll to the bottom of the web page and click on careers. You can search by location and/or job title. Hiring for Brooklyn, OH, Goleta, CA and Richardson, TX. Opportunities include Billing manager, Buyer/Planner, and Operations Supervisor in TX and Accounts Payable Specialist and Senior Staff Accountant in CA and Quality Assurance Specialist in OH and several other openings.

Careers.firstam.com – First American. Can search by location, keyword, or department. Hiring in several states for many positions. Current openings include – Executive Assistant in Santa Ana, CA, Receptionist openings in Katy, TX, Oroville, CA, Yukon, OK, and Orlando, FL, Seasonal Office Assistant in Flint, MI and in Brighton, MI, Authorization Representative in Phoenix and Escrow Assistant in Salem, OR and several other openings.

Independence.edu – Independence University. All positions are remote. Click on the ‘more’ button/tab, then About Us, About UI, and scroll down to job openings button and click it..scroll to another job openings button and click on it. Currently, there are 90 openings. Admission Consultant (sales), Web Design Tutor, Career Services Advisor, Admissions Assistant, Administrative Assistant, and several Adjunct Instructor positions.

Activstyle.com – Click menu, About, and scroll down to the bottom and Career Opportunities and click the list of current jobs. There are several locations and about 15 current job openings. Some positions include Outbound Call Center Rep in Reno, NV, Call Center Team Lead in Fresno, CA, Medical Call Center Rep in Minneapolis, MN and Medical Document Associate in Minneapolis, MN.

Jobs.cvshealth.com – CVS Pharmacy. Scroll about halfway and click on the search and apply red button. Several locations hiring including work from home opportunities.

meredith.com/careers – Meredith Corporation, publishes several magazines including Better Homes and Gardens, Parents, Food and Wine, Health, Wood and more. Currently, there are 245 openings in several states. Current openings include Account Executive in Nashville, TN, Sales Assistant in Los Angeles, Administrative Assistant in Des Moines, IA, Account Director in Chicago, SEO Content Strategist in NY and Production Designer in Shelburne, VT.

cricketmedia.com – Children’s magazine publisher (several magazines for different age groups). If you are interested in submitting a story for one of their publications you can click on submission guidelines. For other openings click on About and then Careers. Currently, one position open for a remote opportunity – US Based ESL/EFL teacher/tutor. Must have a Bachelor’s degree and experience as an ESL/EFL teacher.

Thank you for reading and following! Please contact me if you have a specific career, resume, cover letter or other job-related questions. Also, I am currently reviewing resumes for free and providing suggestions via email. If you would like me to review your resume please email me at successencourager@gmail.com .

Best to you on your job search journey! Thank you again for reading.

Personal Development

Personal development is equally important as professional development. Learning a new skill to advance your career can seem easily obtainable, yet devoting time to personal growth may seem less important or even a selfish use of time. Personal development has many forms yet is unique to everyone and should never be ‘finished’. Personally, one should strive to discover, evolve, and grow for their entire life.

It’s never too late to reinvent yourself and/or evolve and it should never be ‘finished’.
Discovery and personal development take time, love, growth, and more time. Please be patient while taking action and nourishing your unique process. Set your pace and give yourself permission to dedicate time to your personal growth without feeling guilty. Please set goals with intention and dedicate time to self-care.
You are in control of how you show up for the world. Showing up as your authentic self is just as important as being career-ready.

Skill training actually becomes more effective once you acknowledge your boundless potential and true self-awareness. Confidence is not arrogance. Confidence is knowing what you are capable of and taking action and trusting each decision you make will take you closer to your future self; the self you are capable of being and the ability to continue supporting it.

A form of personal development is self-care. Through self-care, you present the best version of yourself to the world. Evolving into the best version of yourself encourages growth in other areas and gives you the clarity to focus and define the steps needed. Self-evaluation will help you discover where you currently are and where you want to grow.

I encourage you to set goals that help you discover your true authentic self and set a consistent self-care routine that will help you explore your self-discovery. There are several ways to take action toward personal development, here are a few:

• Journaling
• Define your core values
• Create your own personal mission statement (and visualize your future)
• Explore hobbies
• Read
• Attend workshops
• Network through clubs or your local library (events and small groups)
• Make time to meditate and spend some time alone
• Share your efforts and/or goals with a trusted friend

I have written posts to help assist in the goal-setting categories and process including defining your goal, but if you have any specific questions please reach out and ask! Comment here or email me at successencourager@gmail.com.

Thank you for reading & following! Connect with me on Instagram for daily inspirational quotes & tips.

The Enrichment version of my Year in the Life of… goal-setting planner is now available and currently 25% off!! Click on the link to order a copy for yourself and/or get one for a friend. Once ordered please reach out to me and tell me what your current goal focus is!

Photo via unsplash.com

Setting unique goals

Sometimes it is difficult to set a goal that truly fits into your unique lifestyle and expections. When setting a goal it is essential to ensure the goal aligns with your personal desired outcome. Defining an area of your life you want to enhance or create more time for helps create an action plan that works for you and your pace.

Support from others can encourage success, but please remember your goal is unique to you even if a friend has the same type of goal, most likely your ‘why’ and process are different.

Your goals, and the reasons why you set those goals, are unique to you. You control your process, pace, and dedication toward your goal success. Please do not compare your goals, self-care needs, or process to anyone else. You are uniquely you and your process and accomplishments are part of your own self-discovery.

Goals should encourage growth and even challenge you, but start with what works for you and your current routine then evolve as time passes and after you begin to accomplish certain steps.

Celebrate every decision, every accomplishment, and your unique process as it develops.

What area/goal are you currently focused on?

Thank you so much for reading and following!

Find me on Instagram (successencourager) for daily encouraging tips, quotes, and announcements!

How do you show up?

Sometimes the most difficult step toward a goal is the first one. One important reminder is to show up…just as you are. You don’t have to wait for stars to align, timing to be perfect, or for your goal to be perfectly planned out. And you certainly don’t need to let someone else set the standard or give you permission before you start. Show up…as you are & take the first few steps in your action plan.

Allow yourself to evolve at your pace. Adapt when you acknowledge self-growth. Your routine may change, your growth may be quick or slow, your starting steps may be catalysts for new goals…show up today, as you are & embrace your discovery.

Please, show up for your goals, yourself, career choice, relationships, education, self-care, health, happiness, journey, self-growth…during your self-discovery one main focus is to show up as you are & welcome the discovery & growth you are so very capable of!

What are you currently focused on & showing up for?

Please follow me for future posts or connect on Instagram (successencourager) for daily inspirational tips!

Identifying your unique happiness

Your happiness is unique to you and so are the goals that encourage that happiness. Setting unique goals that put you closer to your positive future self without knowing every single outcome takes bravery. Be brave. Trust yourself. Make a commitment to your personal process and dedicate time to your goals and self-discovery.
Once committed, you will discover you are so much stronger than the limits you put upon yourself.
Identifying why a goal is important to you, the happiness it will bring, and the first few steps needed to get started will lead to your self-defined future. Identification of your happiness is a form of self-care and helps you create a goal-setting action plan unique to you.
Pause – Take a moment and think about actions in life that bring you the most joy.

Are your actions incorporated into your daily or weekly routine? What is keeping you from dedicating more time to those actions? How can you dedicate more time?

Set goals that challenge you and encourage you to define and identify your happiness.

Both professional and personal goals require commitment and dedicated time. Take a few moments to write out your typical daily and weekly schedule. Seeing your schedule in print will help you identify timeframes that work best for your unique situation and help you focus on your discovery.

What main goal focus will encourage more happiness and growth? I’d love to hear what you are focused on and how you stay focused. Connect via Instagram (successencourager), email me or comment below.

Thank you so much for reading and following!

Goals – Know what to pack

My current journey includes focusing on specific goals that are unique to me and self-discovery. Recently, I was reading an article about travel tips. When I read ‘know what pack‘ I thought about that concept and goal-setting; it was a light bulb moment.

I love to travel – especially road trips! Sometimes a long drive is just what I need to recharge & focus.

The Travel Tip article included several essential tips; pack only what you need, dress in layers since weather changes as you travel, pack comfortable attire, take your journal, charger, camera (phone), etc. This advice works well when setting a new goal!

I know it may sound odd, but sometimes relating one focus to another concept offers clarity. Goal-setting requires packing only what you need and being comfortable with the reality of the goal & the steps required.

If you are unsure what to pack (focus on) imagine what is already in your suitcase –

• What do you spend the most time currently doing?
• What makes you the happiest & fulfilled?
• Are the things that make you happy actually in your suitcase or sitting off to the side?
• Reflect for a while & then pack & unpack accordingly – give your main goal a definition & label it…write out what you want to focus more time on.

Dress in layers so you add & remove as needed. Layering out a plan supports action so you can dedicate time to the goal focus that means the most to you. Start out with a layered action plan made of 3 to 5 steps.

Step one should include a real reason why you want to focus on the chosen goal. Add a few simple steps to get started & adjust as needed. Add more steps at your own pace.

Resources include such things as a journal, charger, camera, etc. These suggested items can literally be part of your process or you can discover other tools & resources needed for your specific trip. I personally keep a journal and/or planner with me at all times to record ideas, quotes, progress, etc. I also read a lot about my current goal focus, recently I have been reading a lot of self-discovery books and a few fiction ones too.

Your journey will include detours, rest stops, and maintenance along the way. Staying focused on your path will help you adapt to the direction that best guides you.

When you pack what you need & remember your ‘why’ you can truly enjoy the ride & incorporate realistic steps for your goal into your unique routine.

What is your current goal focus? What should you pack in your suitcase? What resources are on your list? Comment or email me at successencourager@gmail.com.

Find me on Instagram (successencourager) for daily encouragement quotes!

Thanks for reading and following; keep goaling!