Our writing prompt for Spirit this month is a return to our One Little Word (OLW) chosen at the beginning of the year. Ruth asks us to reflect:
"Was it a good choice? Has it been helping shape our thoughts this year so far? Would we like to recalibrate, refocus, or even choose a new word?"
I chose "Results" as my OLW for 2021. In the linked Slice, I talked about repeating the same goals each year and never really reaching them. I thought I had been planning, but I had really just been wishing; I needed to map out discrete steps to take towards those goals, doable action plans. So I did just that--thought out the steps to take, gave myself a timeline for them, even visualized what each step would look like. The three areas I focused on were health (mainly weight loss), financial fitness, and decluttering. Here are the results so far:
Health--twenty pounds down, but stalled since April. Still using food as an emotional crutch/ reward.
Finances--overall, more in savings and a little less debt. Credit card balances haven't budged. Still haven't done the steps I said I would do to move forward.
Decluttering--let's just say there's been a few feeble attempts. Very feeble. Like, not even noticeable.
What I've learned (once again) in the last five months is that writing stuff down, even in SMART goal form, isn't the same as doing it. Yes, I revisit those goals each month. Yes, I block out time to work on them, and then ignore my own plans. Yes, I look at those deadlines as they zoom right on by.
When choosing my OLW for the year, I forgot to consider that "results" are not always positive.
So the question is: do I hold on to that OLW, double down and try to work harder on acting out those steps I so carefully planned? Can I hold myself accountable in order to accomplish my goals? After some thought, and with summer just around the corner, I say yes--an answer accompanied by prayers for determination, focus...and maybe a kick in the seat of my pants from a guardian angel or two.
Your angel is waiting to help you along, Chris. Your mid-year check brought much reflection. Good luck with your plans but leave time for summer fun.
ReplyDeleteOh, the fun is getting scheduled, for sure, Carol. I've found I work better when there is a reward in sight...now just to come up with what those rewards may be!
DeleteYou have good goals and an action plan, but sometime other things take over. There may need to be some hard work done at the core of why you chose this word. Do you feel like you can achieve these goals? Will you be happy then? You may need to give yourself a new word "Grace" and be kinder to yourself. We've all had a rough year. We all need some grace.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words on grace, Margaret. I am truly giving myself just that, given this past year. The goals are worthy, for many reasons, but mostly for the peace of mind they will bring when they're done.
DeleteHere is what I have learned about goals, which I love almost as much as I love making a list for the joy of crossing things off (and, well, remembering them!): I am able to accomplish many things, but falling short of others so discourages me that I can't even enjoy what I HAVE accomplished. I suppose it's a matter of perspective. Something I need to work on (yikes, another goal!). I am sitting here in admiration of your having lost twenty pounds; how have you done it?? Not easy in the daily lives we lead, or at this stage in life (for you and I are at about the same milepost). Finances - harder than weight loss, sometimes. Don't know about refi rates, etc. in your area but not so long ago they were crazy low, and if they haven't gone up yet...one possibility for moving mountains. As is doubling down - although I am not sure that works especially for me. Sustainability is an issue. Creativity works, however - there are many ways of getting a thing done, and it just depends what works for you. The bottom line is we only have so much energy for each given day, and much of it is spent in doing things connected to our survival vs. our edification and reinvention...but...all things are possible... and once again I am awed by your honest, frank, witty, and poignant reflections. "Results" is a fascinating OLW; while results aren't always positive (truth), therein lies the opportunity for recalibration, the avenues for growth. One little turn at a time.
ReplyDeleteI love the reminder to truly take stock of what I have accomplished this year, especially given my "new" job location and the twists and turns of this school year. I've been using Noom (again), and it helped me take off the weight gained during shutdown...but I've stalled. Getting ready to talk to the coach about that this week. As for finances...I need to dig deep beneath my retail therapy habits, which I know are partly inherited. I think a lot of it is avoidance of decision making, which is just oh-so-exhausting for me when much of my work is doing the same. I've got some books lined up to help me with that. :-) I've also got to re-calibrate where my energy is going, and whether it is feeding or draining me...much to ponder!
DeleteWhat an honest look at goals...my goodness I have wished and wished and wished for many things. But, breaking a goal down into doable steps or moments is also difficult for me. Thank you for this look at goals v. wishes. It's an extraordinary help to me.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda! It is a work in progress, to be sure--a digging below the symptoms to address the causes. Hoping to make lots of progress this summer!
DeleteI say strive for progress, not perfection. Small steps with plenty of time for rest and relaxation. So needed every summer, but especially this summer. It's easy to expect too much of ourselves during our short summer breaks, so treasure some time to indulge in your favorite escapes.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the caring reminder, Ramona. I did begin my summer with a solo Getaway in a cabin in the Hill Country. It was not as restful as I would have liked--my monkey mind kept chattering--but it did bring some clarity and much-needed time alone to think.
DeleteWoo hoo, Chris! Great post. I love how you have come to realize Results aren't always positive. The results of your less than stellar goal-reaching so far this year is causing you to hold yourself accountable and persist. That sounds like a positive result. With your yes and "prayers for determination, focus...and maybe a kick in the seat of my pants from a guardian angel or two." Amen! I'll say a prayer for you too! All the best.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the extra prayer, Denise! Yes, I've reached that point in my life when I can truly see how my current actions can impact my future, in positive and negative ways. Time to dig out from under the physical clutter to start focusing on-and enjoying-that which truly matters.
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