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Vision: What if our vision needs to be changed?

We have been talking to all of our students about using vision, visualization, or imagination to see themselves accomplishing a goal that they have set for themselves.  Using all of our senses to make it as real as we can in our head.  Most of us have played a game or sport that we pictured in our mind  that we were up to bat in the 9th inning with 2 out and the bases were loaded, or a scenario in basketball, football, tennis, swimming or other activity.  We can create the feeling of  the pressure as we make the shot or swim the length of the pool. It becomes very real.    That is vision.

What should we do though if the vision we have is filled with thoughts of fear and doubt.  If we only see ourselves failing, falling down or not achieving?  This would have a negative impact on our success, and we would likely not do as well as we wished.  So what can we do?

We need to change the vision.  Yes we need to go back and remake the movie in our mind.  If we are having difficulty in seeing a better result, it is within us.  We may not be seeing beyond the ‘limit circle’  that we have created around ourselves.  If we will permit ourselves to push beyond the limits we have set for ourselves, to visualize larger opportunities and possibilities and achieving them, the more power we will find in ourselves to accomplish our desired outcome.

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Vision: See, Believe, Achieve

What is your goal for this year, this month or week?  A goal is something that you want to achieve and one of the best ways of making that happen is to first be able to visualize it.  We must be able to see ourselves reaching our goal, know what it is going to feel, smell, taste whatever the senses can bring to the visualization – if we are going to achieve.

As a child I may want to be able to take a test at school and not get overly anxious about it.  To do so I would need to be able to see myself taking the test and getting the answers to the questions.  I may even visualize not knowing the answer and just taking some deep breaths and moving on to the next problem, coming back to it when other parts are complete.  Then I may see the paper coming back to me graded by the teacher with an A on it and a note that say “Great Job” .  I would be smiling and very proud of my efforts and cannot wait to get home to show mom and dad.

Visualization works for everyone, from athletes to business persons and school children.  It allows us to live the moment in a safe environment and to see the outcome.  “When we can see it, we can believe it.  When we can believe it, we can achieve it!”

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2011: What are you excited about?

Drawing to the end of the year is a time that we reflect on the year behind and on the one yet to come.   As you look forward to the year ahead, what are you looking forward to?  What is it that you are excited about?  What are you wanting to learn about?

When you make it a goal to always be learning and to expanding you are constantly recharging your batteries.  There is an excitement about getting up in the morning to get on to the next discovery.  Tony Robbins suggests that when we get up in the morning that we ask ourselves What am I most happy, excited, proud and grateful about today.  This starts the day off in an optimistic mood.   If we start our years, months and days like that, everyday will be a day of personal growth.

I have found that as I grow, it brings improvement not only to myself, but also to those who might be in my circle of influence.  As many of you already know I am working to have an affect on the subject of bullying this year.  In particular interest that I want to learn more about is the subject of relational aggression.  Known as RA in the group of individuals studying bullies and in particular among females this is one of those under the radar ways of bullying that has very long term affect on the lives and personalities of our young girls and women.  That is one of the areas that I want to improve my knowledge and understanding.

What about yourself?  Are you interested in that subject or what is it that you want to grow in this year?  What areas are you encouraging your children to grow?  Leave your comments here or send me an email and let me know.

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Goal setting: Fall down 7, Get up 8

One of the most difficult parenting challenges we have is seeing our child fail at a task that we know that they really want to achieve.  In fact many parents have a tendency to do everything in their power to not allow their child fail – at almost anything.  We have discussed before how important it is for children to learn that failure is part of life and that we can reorganize and try again.  I am reminded of Thomas Edison, who after his factory burned to the ground said something to the affect of, that now they could get started on some new and better ideas.

This is a good time of the year as we look at what we have done this year and see the areas of our own failure to reach a goal to evaluate how we will react.  Our own reaction will teach our children how to reevaluate and move forward.  Take a look at this acronym and use it as a guide to moving forward.

F – finalize your goal

O – order your plans

R – risk failing by taking action

W – welcome mistakes

A – advance based on your character

R – reevaluate your progress continually

D – develop new strategies to succeed

If you stay determined, and are willing to get up when you have been knocked down, you will achieve not only your goals but also your dreams.

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Leadership: goal setting & initiative

Being a leader means we take the initiative to achieve a goal that may be good for us as an individual or may be for the common good for a group of people, places or things.  We may have a personal goal to learn a new skill or to work on our physical, mental, spiritual or social self.  As we set out to reach our goal we recognize that we may not be able to reach that goal without the help of others.  It may be that we need someone to coach us in one way or another.  Reaching out for that help – accepting that help is a sign of personal leadership.

Many times though our goals are going to include others, as we work to reach a goal for the common good of others.  At those time we realize that it is not just about us, it has to be about the group.  So how do we get everyone on board with the groups goal.  Part of it is to be sure everyone has input on the overall picture and then buys into the vision that we have for the outcome.

But then we must take the initiative and go after the goal.  Being willing to step up and moving on items, delegating as needed, being sure that everyone understands their role in the groups activity, and the importance of each  of the steps.  I think about the need to praise and to keep the vision clear in the eyes of each member. 

Stephen Covey put it this way to his son in regard to their lawn.  The goal or vision was that the lawn was, “clean and green”.  How he got to that point was up for him to decide, with help if he needed it.  So it is with us in our groups have a clear goal – then allow team members the opportunity to use their initiative too.

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Living with Focus

I have made this post in My Journey blog also.  I feel like the resources mentioned here may be helpful to anyone who reads this:
One thing that has been on my mind recently is how so many of the things we learn are so related and support each other.    This past week I completed the one day Time management workshop with a Steven Covey facilitator.  The need to be certain of your values, roles and mission was emphasized throughout the workshop.  This is about Focus
This ties in so much with work I have been doing with goal setting using the Tony Robbins  material.  In his material he talks about using the RPM method.  What are the Results you want, Purpose- why do you want this, and then creating a Massive Action Plan.  This is about Focus.
This ties in so well with my desire to live my life as simply as is reasonable.  I have been thinking and practicing the mental exercise of asking myself is this something in my life that is essential – before I do it, buy it or take time for it.  Recently I began reading a book called The Power of Less, by Leo Babauta.  I have not read anything else this author has written, but his writing is all about Focus.
The quality of our life is determined by our focus.  So many have written about this.  Our living with focus will help us reach our goals that match our values, roles and mission if we are honest with ourselves.
If you want to work on focus or if you have a child or teen that needs to focus more, please feel free to come and lets work together on making that happen.  Simplified, focused living, creates happy children and families.