Baby steps...

With one of my long-term goals to climb a mountain in South America, I figure I should climb whenever I have the opportunity.  Well this coming week, I'm heading out to Phoenix, Arizona for the Target Training International annual conference.  I've seen Camelback Mountain many times while in Scottsdale but never scheduled enough time to hike it.  So this time, I'm taking the time! 

I've heard there are a couple of easy hikes and there are a couple of more difficult hikes.  Guess which one I'm doing?  ;-)

This is a picture of the mountain.  I borrowed it from the web.  When I return, I will have pictures of my own to share!

Got my sights set on Patagonia!

As you may recall, one of my longer term goals is to climb a mountain.  It may be 2011 before that happens.  But my friend Lisa just sent me an article from the NY Times online that ranks the Patagonia region the #2 place to travel in the World in 2010.  http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/10/travel/10places.html?th&emc=th

Patagonia is becoming known for it's wine.  If you haven't had an Argentinian Malbec yet, you must try it.  My new motto is "I haven't met a Malbec I didn't like."  ;-)

Top Ten 2010 Goals

There's two things I've learned about goal setting in the last year.  One, at times I set unrealistic goals and then have to deal with my disappointment when I don't reach them.  Two, I set goals only based on the outcome I want, not on the actions I need to take to achieve my goals.  So I've changed the ways I set my goals.

First, for each outcome I want, I create a Minimum, Target and Outrageous goal.  The Minimum maybe something I've achieved before and want to do again or is new but not too much of a stretch.  My Target is what I really want to achieve but it does represent a stretch.  And Outrageous is quite a stretch but I would be deliriously happy if I achieved it. 

Then I create a detailed action plan to reach my Target goal.  I stick to the actions (in my control) and let the Universe decide (out of my control) which goals it wants to help me reach the Outrageous level.

Here's an example:

One of my financial goals is to buy a NEW (used) car by June 30th.

O - Lexus
T - Audi
M - Honda CRV

A personal goal is to plan quarterly Spa Days and Weekends.

O - Spa magazine destination!  (top 25 spas in country)
T - Mirbeau or Niagara on the Lake
M - Beau Monde/Del Monte

Lastly, one of our relationship goals is to get involved in a charity.

O - Donate $2000 to Make a Wish Foundation and meet the family.
T - Have an event for Women Business Owners and raise money for KIVA.
M - Go to Ronald McDonald House and cook a meal. 

The goals are set.  I've got a lot of planning to do.  And mostly, a lot of massive action to take!

Ending 2009 Powerfully.

Besides saying goodbye to 2009 with a look back through my pictures, I also have a year end ritual (or year beginning depending how you look at it) that I do on the first day of the year. 

Before I take down my wall calendar, I write down my top 25 accomplishments from the year.  I try to include personal and professional things like new clients, vacations I've taken, new cities I've traveled to, plus any exciting developments in my business, and time I've spent with family.  When you really think about it and pay attention to the small things too - 25 isn't difficult to come up with.

Then I list my Top Distractions of the year.  This includes what took me off track and possibly interferred with me reaching my goals.  This is the time to be ruthlessly honest with myself.  Sometimes it's a person or a project that consumed my time and energy without a positive outcome.  This past year it was a personal issue - my weight.  It distracted me, took my energy and at times, got a lot of attention (negative).  All that and I made very little progress in the direction I wanted to go.  Noted!

Next, I set my goals for the coming year.  I usually pick a few business, a few personal and now - a new category - relationship goals.  See the next post for my Top Ten for 2010!

Saying Goodbye to 2009!

I did this on my blog last year (look at December 2008) and since I'm doing it again, I guess you can now call it a tradition!  I'm looking through my pictures from the past year and posting some of my favorites.  Not too shocking that most of them are of my nieces and nephews. Here's the last look at 2009.

Chris and I in our most serious pose!

No, she didn't have her teeth knocked out.  She was eating cherries.

In this picture, I always imagine that Kai is thinking
"Mika, get off my aunt's lap." 

That, or something is happening in his pants.

I absolutely love this shot of Trina and Kai. 

My friend Melissa with Papa Steve and Mama Sue and Masters Degree! 

Mika and Heather at her graduation.  Heather's...not Mika's.

Chris and I in Virginia.  And yes, it's true what they say.  Virginia is for lovers!

My best friend Aaron trying to take me down at Wizard Camp.  Never happen!

The gang - plus the bartender - in Hilton Head Island.