I have a confession. I’m not much of a goal setter. I tend to follow my gut, have a bias for action (yes I do jump in boots and all) and am characterised and guided by my get shit done attitude.
I used to beat myself up a little bit about this lack of goal setting, until I found a new way to stay true to my chosen pathway. Thanks to some expert guidance from the simply terrific Margie Warrell, I found a better way. I chose guiding words instead.
I arrived at this method after being asked by Margie in late 2016, “Who are you going to be in 2017 Michelle?” I was at Margie’s Live Brave weekend with 25 other women. We worked through a bunch of stuff that helped us to live bigger, be braver and frankly, (well for me anyway) get out of my own damned way!
As a result, my 2017 was characterised and guided by four words. Global. Driven. Vulnerable. Committed.
It was a tricky time for me.
It was a tricky time for me when I shot off for the weekend in November 2016. I was navigating exiting my corporate working life to enter the word of self-employment. I was filled with excitement, exhilaration and anticipation as well as blood curdling fear. Fear that I was going to end up a pauper after 30+ years of working my arse off because now I had to hustle for my income!
The weekend was a profoundly positive experience in so many ways, because with Margie’s skilful guidance, I got out of my own head, got out of my own damned way and got serious about being truly brave. For me.
So last last year, I chose to commit to the same process that Margie took me through. Which was:
- Stop.
- Reflect.
- Visualise.
- Decide.
- Commit.
- Write.
I have decided!
After diligently following this process (for a bit longer than I had originally anticipated) I’ve decided that my 2018 defining and guiding words and what they mean are:
Fearless: I have to be fearless, a lot. The conversations I have to have with people in powerful positions, mean fearlessly calling out what its time for now. Now!
Audacious: I adore this word that I cottoned onto in 2017 whilst judging the TBWA. You can read about it here. I must continue to be audacious. Pick up the phone. Stalk to that person. Write that contentious article. Audacious women will change the world.
Persistent: Persistence, resilience and tenacity are traits I must draw upon regularly. Don’t let the knock-backs, the setbacks and the drawbacks distract me from what I must do.
Simple: Now this is a new one for me. Simplifying my life, my business, my clients lives and businesses is a pathway to joyous success. I’ve started by making sure I communicate what I do, simply and ensuing that I stick to my knitting…don’t try to be all things to all people.
The Next Step
I have a beautiful journal courtesy of Margie. My words for 2018 are written there (check my insta account for the vid) and as I did in 2017, I’ll refer back to them and their meaning whenever I get a bit wobbly or need a dose of self-inspiration.
What are your words or ways to keep you on track for the year? I’d love to hear your ideas. In the meantime, here are some other resources I recommend you check out.
READ
Why You Should Make Time for Self-Reflection (Even If You Hate Doing It)
DO
Some professional development with me.
Download my ‘Whats Your Story’ Reflective Exercise
This article was originally published by Advancing Women, and authored by Michelle Redfern
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