You may remember that I discussed the idea of simplifying your goals in my recent Goal Setting post. Ever since I returned from my "brainstorming on the beach" trip, I've been on a mission to do just that. I have been super focused, and only working on top priority tasks.
With the New Year approaching at light speed, I've had goals and resolutions on my mind. You can hardly help it - the words are everywhere! LOL. And then I came across a great article on Leo's blog at Zen Habits about living without goals.
Those points really resonated with me.
Take just a few short minutes to watch the video, and then leave a comment below. I would love to hear your thoughts! 😀
Best,
About Lynn Terry
Lynn, so you have some goals for the new year, you're just not writing them down or making a big fuss about them because you want to simplify the process. Right?
Every December 31st, my wife and I spend the evening setting goals. We've learned the hard way that not every goal-setting method works for every person. So we've shortened our goal lists to the things that are most meaningful to us. Also, we've learned that priorities change throughout each year and that it's okay to cross goals off the list, even if we don't achieve them, because our priorities or desires have moved away from that goal.
Some goals I will have for 2012. 1) Set up a store on my website. 2) Sketch/draw more. 3) Work on "Project Socrates" (search for it on Facebook) and make it big. 4) Take several mini-vacations with my wife. 5) Meditate more.
My word for the year is Declutter. 🙂
I have life goals, or a specific direction I am heading both personally and professionally - yes. I am just not making "resolutions" or flow charts or task lists. I am simply going to LIVE and do the things I want to do that take me in the direction I want to go. 😀
I like your word! I am also busy organizing and getting rid of clutter. I'm in a serious "clearing out" phase. LOL. Wait till you see my next video at LynnTerry.TV 😉 haha
Lynn, I've been telling people for a while that some goals don't need to be written down. Why? Because they are so meaningful...so important to you, that you just KNOW that you're going to work on them.
I like the idea of clearing out. That's where I'm headed for 2012 as well. Clutter messes with my head and happiness. I know I'll be more productive and way happier with there's less clutter in my life.
Congratulations, Lynn!
2012 is the year I finally heed Leo's words and do the things that make me happy.
All I needed to convince me was this: the more goals I set, the LESS I accomplished, the more stressed I felt and the less happy I was.
I wish anybody else who decides to do this the success and happiness they deserve.
Prepare to be shocked.
Jeff
Leo is awesome. 😀 I'm also ready to ditch some of the self-imposed stress and just enjoy work and life for awhile. I'm still driven as ever, in fact I think I'm more inspired and motivated (and productive!) than I've been in a LONG time...
Sounds good. I do have goals, simplify and focus.
I don't know how I'll pull it off, but my main thing for 2012 is to kick my butt into gear AND go with the flow. I think the trick will be kicking it into the right flow stream. LOL
LOL you'll figure it out 😉 That's me: figuring things out along the way. I am really simplifying as well, and started as soon as I returned home from the beach trip. It has made a BIG difference already!
Lynn, I can understand Leo's perspective because it can be self-defeating to have too many goals, as some could become unrealistic leaving you with disappointment and negative feelings when they're not achieved. His new way of viewing goal-setting (or at least goal-setting in writing) has worked for him in a big way because he has been able to increase his level of productivity.
On the other hand, we each have to know ourselves and determine what our strengths and weaknesses are and how to work within that framework. Working for someone else was never a problem for me as I knew what I had to do when, and I got it done. As a Solopreneur the rules changed!
I've done it with goals and without goals. For me, I need structure and looking back over just 2011, I can appreciate that the months when I accomplished the most and moved forward were the months that I had set clear goals in writing and had them as visual reminders of what I needed to do. This is especially important as I also work away from home.
I no longer set 6 or more goals daily, but limit it to three or four "Most Important Things To Do" and for me that creates less stress. I can hit the ground running each day as I know what needs to get done.
That's so true - we are all different in what works best for us. I agree on the importance of figuring that our for yourself as an individual.
While I am not creating "big goals" for the New Year, I do approach my daily tasks in the same way you mentioned. I list out my top 3 priority tasks for the day, and get those done first. Everything after that is open to creative inspiration. 🙂
My one word for 2012 is reclaimed. I am reclaiming my life the way I want it to be. In 3 months I will have my first child and with it I finally get to quit my job and work from home, raise my baby and do all sorts of home making type of stuff that I've always wanted to do when I had a family- jello mold anyone?
It's really scary to leave the comfort of a job- I thought about staying on part time- but I realize I need to completely reset my life into order to capture what I want out of it.
I stopped making new years resolutions a few years ago and couldn't be happier. The self help book Fearless Living talks about making intentions rather then set goals. I intend to live healthy. I intend to make a successful online career. I intend to live with joy. Intentions are not goals which are easily set to failure. Goals can hep achieve and intention but intentions are not really achievable since they have no end- they just are a way of life. I like this intention plan much better although it's very challenging to break out of the setting goal mentality.
Cheers to a great 2012!
That is very much what Leo teaches at Zen Habits, and it has really been setting in with me lately. I'm excited about giving it a shot!
Congratulations on your first child, and the exciting new changes in your life this year!! 😀
Well, like I mentioned over on lynnterry.tv I am clearing the clutter in life/home/business but if I had to choose one word (clearly I was thinking about this a lot today), I would say simplify. That fits, I think.
I do have goals for 2012 like creating my first digital product, losing 75 lbs, get the house organized, travel more with Kev but I haven't really sat down to put it all on paper. Maybe I won't! LOL
I do seem to accomplish MORE when I limit the amount of goals I set for myself so I'll just go with the flow.
Sounds like a good plan to me. 😉 I think I am going to ENJOY my achievements more as I make them part of my lifestyle instead of part of my to-do list...
Congrats on fifteen years as an entrepreneur it is a great accomplishment. Being happy is the most important thing in life so I think it is great that is what you are really focusing on this year. Good luck in the new year!
Thank you Danny 😀
This is interesting, and I am excited to hear how it works out for you. So if you have 18 months to get in the best shape of your life, I will share with you what has worked so well for everyone I know who has tried it. It's called Crossfit, and the idea is that you become an overall athlete, not specializing in any one area, just good overall. At a Crossfit gym, you will do something different most every time you go. You won't see treadmills, weight machines or anything 'normal'! But you will find pull up bars, medicine balls, olympic weights, jump ropes, kettle bells, etc. (Here is a Youtube video about it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzD9BkXGJ1M) When I go consistently, I am in amazing shape within weeks of starting. Since my husband deploys often, it's easier for me to do it at home, so we built a garage gym. There probably isn't a Crossfit gym in your town (if it's small), but you could check one out when you travel. You will be hooked--instantly!
Best of luck to you in 2012!!
Thank you Amy! I've heard a lot of great things about Crossfit. I'll definitely check it out.
You're really starting to knock it outta the park with your video posts, Lynn! I like your no-goals New Year's declaration. Since you seem to be a "stretcher" and a "grower" by nature, I'm sure all will be well.
A little gift for you...
http://welovetypography.com/post/11835
Now, just do it! 😉
Great little graphic! 🙂 And thank you - I'm feeling good about going into the New Year creating new habits (instead of new tasks -lol).
Thank you Lynn for sharing your thoughts on video. 2012 is just around the corner and I have not yet wrote or thought about resolution but now after listening to you have some of them.
1) Clear my room
2) Start-off smart and hard on my website
3) Improve my financial status
4) Spend more time learning from you and your site.
Properly it is very simple but resistance always gets a upper hand. 2012 will be different for me. Thank you Lynn for all your blog post and teachings in 2011. Happy New Year to you and all at clicknewz.com friends
Thank you James! Happy New Year 😉
I saw something similar to the minimalist approach a few years back. It was about a guy who kept only 100 things. Now that's just a bit crazy for me...and I'm with Angie on this: the word is simplify.
Life is complicated enough without putting more pressure on ourselves to do more. Get too many eggs in a bunch of baskets and you have a bad omelette in the making.
I have actually put my business endeavors on semi-hold over the past few months - mainly because it was too much on top of what I was already dealing with in my personal life. Plus, I wasn't moving forward as I would have liked. So, I am entering 2012 with no goals as well. I want to live in the present moment and 'go with the flow' to see what happens!
Happy New Year to everyone! 🙂
Living in the moment is awesome. I do that on a personal level, and I'm excited about giving it a shot on the work side. Here's to a calmer, more enjoyable New Year! *cheers*
"Flow"
"succeed"
I also liked "flow" and "simplify." But success is something that I can define in several ways. And I started working on that long ago, so 2012 is just a continuation of the trend. I do occasionally make resolutions, but I don't tie them to New Year's Day, and I don't call them "resolutions." I call them decisions, or self-promises.
Since "resolutions" is a trending term this part of the year, I also did a blog post on the topic, although it was slanted to diet & exercise.
After seeing your increasing use of video, and seeing how well it works for you, I guess I'm going to have to get it a try. Again. I started to a couple of months back, but since my appearance is like something out of a Boudreaux and Thibodeaux joke, I was a bit discouraged and didn't post any of them. Since then, I've done some work on my teeth, so maybe I will come across more favorably.
A reminder: The 5th annual Low-Carb Cruise is coming up in May. Are you signed up?
I don't think I'm going to do the cruise this year. Perhaps next. I expect I'll have a lighter travel schedule this year as I'm wanting to stick close to home. 🙂 Of course, that could change depending on how my daughter's additional classes go, etc, but I can't make a commitment for May just yet...
You have an interesting resolution for new year! You been an entrepreneur for 15yrs is really a great achievement. Your focus on happiness for next year is great resolution. Everyone's aim in life is to be happy but working round the clock makes this difficult to achieve. Hope you achieve this in a very easy way in next year. Happy New Year!
Thank you Jack. 😀 Just for the record though, I'm not one to work around the clock. LOL. I get most of my work done early, before most people ever make it to their desk. 😉
Sounds like you're being in the moment for 2012, which is actually more profound than you think. In meditation terms, it's called Insight Meditation, and I do believe you'll be, do and have more that way.
I haven't made any goals before in my adult life, not that it's not good, but doing that seems to attract more distractions and interruptions that I care to remember. So, I do what I'm attracted to, and pace myself, keeping aware and conscious of what I'm doing, and being in the moment. That has given me better results than setting goals.
I took up a coaching program in 2011, and that has made a world of difference in understanding myself better, as well as my family and those around me. It's actually made me happier! The bad doesn't look as bad and the good looks great! The participants in my class have never experienced coaching before and all had nothing but positive results by taking it up, and we're a very diverse group in professions and ages. If anything, I highly recommend having a coach because it'll help you in ways you wouldn't believe.
The clock just turned past midnight now, so I wish you all a very prosperous 2012.
I am very excited about 2012! My focus is on God, Family and simplicity.
It seems you have taken your brainstorming session very seriously. Simplifying your goals is a very good thinking. It often happens that we set are resolutions for the whole year and we fail to atleast follow some of them every year. You have found a perfect solution for this, I guess. I liked your idea of spending time with your family. Even I wish to do the same thing. Best wishes for your goals!
I prefer not to make New Year's resolutions myself. I find it works much better to make lifestyle changes throughout my year to keep adjusted to the right path. However, for those that do make resolutions, I find that making sure they include the following three factors really increases the chance of success. First, it should be realistic. Second, it should be specific. Finally, make sure the resolution is measurable. Otherwise, they can quickly become overwhelming.
I am good of having a new years resolutions but not that really important on my part since most were remained undone as always. LOL Now, I'd rather work for the better and achieve something.
Congratulations Lynn on your upcoming 15 year business anniversary! I have been watching you help people for at least 6 years now and just wanted to say you have made a huge difference in this Internet Marketing community and it's very noticeable! Again, congrats and here's to another 15 years of super success...
I really like this approach to accomplishing goals and tasks. Too often when I approach deadlines that I set for myself, what I thought would be at least somewhat enjoyable tasks that brought me to a goal, end up being really stressful, which ultimately doesn't do anything good for my eating, commitment to my exercise plan, and my overall health and well being. I'll definitely being using this new way to look at things this year for my business. Thanks for the great video!
Lynne, I love your video. You look great in the camera. I never published any goals for 2012 but of course I have them in my personal. About resolutions, I don't have one. People can change anytime, whether it's the first month of the year or in the middle of it.
I don't think I have ever had a new year's resolution, but I do tend to set goals for myself. When I was in high school I was taught that goals need to be specific, attainable and on a timeline. While I do think that those are good guidelines for some goals, but not all. I think that nebulous goals like doing things that make me happy are useful too!