5 Areas in Life To Set Goals

At this time in the year, I'm sure you're busy kicking butt at some of the goals that you set for yourself. I know we are. But, as we grow and develop our priorities may start to change as well. Maybe the plans that you had for last year are no longer applicable for your life at the moment. Or maybe, you had a drastic change in your life that is forcing you to reevaluate your goals such as pregnancy, death of a loved one, divorce, marriage, or engagement. 

You see, the only thing constant in life is change. The good news, however, is that you should give yourself permission to restructure goals as needed. That's why we always set goals in different areas of our lives; to ensure that we are living an intentional life. 

There are several areas that you can set goals in which include: personal, education, friends & family, health, career, spiritual and financial. Choose 5 that you want to focus on and set specific goals for each one.

Not sure where to start? check out our latest YouTube series as we discuss some of our top 5. 

If you loved this article, then you might like my book.

Goal Doing: Practical Advice For Goal Setting, Action Planning and Achieving Your Dreams

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This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cyrene is a fun and accomplished workshop facilitator, learning and development guru and Human Resources professional. Being at the helm of Thrive Lounge has been a long-time dream. Through vision board workshops she plans to accomplish two-way learning. Sharing her vast years of knowledge to motivate and encourage others; while simultaneously getting the reward of great energy, ideas and questions to ponder back from each group. A super win-win. Please join our Thrive Lounge community so you too can benefit!

3 Ways to Overcome Imposter Syndrome

I felt afraid. 

What if my analysis is wrong? What if there is something I missed? What if they ask a question and I don't know the answer...

Then...she asked me a question, took me off track. I froze. 

I was afraid of being wrong. I was intimidated because I was surrounded by people who had been in the industry much longer. I thought to myself,  "how do I even know if I'm giving them anything valuable?"

At the end of the presentation, my client asked me for additional analysis. Surprisingly, my boss trusted me enough to lead the conversation solo. I guess that means I did a great job, I thought to myself. 

I wasn't an impostor after all. At that moment, I realized that I am a brilliant woman afraid to own my brilliance in front of a group. I had challenged myself to overcome the "impostor syndrome" and I totally succeeded in the opportunity that was given. 

You see, impostor syndrome is reserved for those smart enough, persistent enough, and diligent enough to do something they've never done before.. and succeed. But, if we let it take over our lives we are only settling for mediocrity. 

So how do you overcome the impostor syndrome? 

ACCEPT THE FACT that you WILL NEVER have the answer to everything.

We get caught up in the idea that we have to be an expert in a field that we pressure ourselves to always have the answer. So, when we can't explain something we start feeling like a fraud. I encourage you to be honest with others and let them know when you're unsure. Your audience will appreciate this gesture a lot more. 

REMEMBER... no one really knows what they are doing.

When people ask me the formula to succeed I tell them I don't have one. I also tell them to let me know when they find out. I do however encourage them to take risks. So, consider yourself brave for trying something new. The reality is that no one really knows what they are doing even if they like to pretend they do. So, your willingness to take a risk will motivate someone regardless of the outcome.

DO NOT equate your success to luck. 

Remind yourself that you worked hard to achieve your success in life regardless of how small it may seem. Maybe you made the right connections at a networking event or happened to be at the right place at the right time. Regardless of the situation, you made a choice. You decided to speak to the CEO at the corporate dinner. You decided to attend the brunch where you met your future business investor. So, regardless of how it may seem, luck doesn't just exist you create it. 

It's very easy to feel like a fraud as you climb the ladder towards success. But, remember that you worked hard for it, you're not perfect, and you really do know a lot more then you think.

Want To Start Planning Your Vision Board Party? 

1. Download the FREE vision board party planning checklist.

2. Craft your inspiring vision board workshop talk with our FREE High Impact Storytelling Journal Prompts. 

3. Plan, promote & host your first (or next) professional & profitable vision board workshop with our signature course, Sold Out Vision Board Parties.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cyrene is a fun and accomplished workshop facilitator, learning and development guru and Human Resources professional. Being at the helm of Thrive Lounge has been a long-time dream. Through vision board workshops she plans to accomplish two-way learning. Sharing her vast years of knowledge to motivate and encourage others; while simultaneously getting the reward of great energy, ideas and questions to ponder back from each group. A super win-win. Please join our Thrive Lounge community so you too can benefit!

How You Can Have "It All" And Applaud Your Imperfections

In December 2016, we hosted our first annual vision board conference. On the morning of the event, I had a friend come over to help pack the car. When I let him in the house he immediately looked around with this odd look.

He commented on the dishes in the sink and the towels + clothes on the bathroom floor. I'll be honest, it looked like a tornado had come through and taken Dorothy and Toto with it. 

What was my response? 

I was proud. 

My home hadn't been cleaned in about two weeks. In fact, instead of cleaning my home, I'd been busy creating an event that I'd never done before, securing speakers, sponsors, and being an amazing mother - all in my free time (because I'm still holding it down at my 9-to-5). I was killing it in every sense of the phrase and if my bathroom didn't look like it had an appointment with Mr. Clean in a while, that was just fine with me.

A few years ago, that look (and totally unnecessary comment) might've bothered me. I would've tried to clean up my apartment before he came in, or made an apologetic comment like "excuse my messy apartment." The reality is, the woman that I have become simply did not care because in my eyes, I had "it all."

If you're still in your journey to become an unapologetic boss, there are only three things you need to do.

Define what having"it all" is for you. (Pro Tip: "it all" is not the same for everyone)

My definition of having "it all" is to create connections between women who dare to dream, find joy in creating value for others who are consistently setting new goals... and crushing them. I want to create a lifestyle for myself where I'm continuously doing things that I've never done before. (I'm a glutton for learning and late nights with Red Bull.)

I prioritize being good at what I do over looking good. (I really don't care if I'm wearing jeans and a t-shirt and rocking the no-makeup-naturalista look all day long because I'm busy making moves.) Finally, I'm always focused on being a great parent. 

Take a second to decide what you want to focus on in your life. Let the things you are passionate about, and the things that you want to happen in your life drive your definition of "it all."

Strive for that... and only that.

When my friend commented on the state of my apartment, I totally put him in his place. (Yes, my place is a total wreck... AND? *Cue some serious side-eye action + a fierce you-gotta-problem-with-that face.*) The reality is that we all have priorities and when you know what you want out of life, you can feel confident in telling your friends/family/anyone-with-a-comment that whatever that they're worried about - it's THEIR priority, NOT YOURS. (Because you totally have your priorities in check.)

When everything else falls apart, flip your hair, hunny! 

The reality is no one can do all the things and be all things to all people. There is no way you're going to build a business from the ground up, have perfect hair and nails, be the perfect partner, mother, mentor, AND mentee with a booming social life, getting at least 8 hours of sleep per night and have a clean home at the same time.

There will be days when you turn your phone off to spend time with your family. There will be days when you cancel date night with your partner to go to a networking event. 

There will be days that you say SCREW CLEANING THE KITCHEN, I'm hosting an event and I'm so excited to finally build something of value. 

There will be days when you tell your partner to take the kids AND turn off your phone because today is YOUR DAY.

The reality is we can all have it all. It is up to YOU to determine what "it all" looks like and stay confident and unshakable (with side-eye in tow) that you've made the right choice for you.

Want To Start Planning Your Vision Board Party? 

1. Download the FREE vision board party planning checklist.

2. Craft your inspiring vision board workshop talk with our FREE High Impact Storytelling Journal Prompts. 

3. Plan, promote & host your first (or next) professional & profitable vision board workshop with our signature course, Sold Out Vision Board Parties.

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This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cyrene is a fun and accomplished workshop facilitator, learning and development guru and Human Resources professional. Being at the helm of Thrive Lounge has been a long-time dream. Through vision board workshops she plans to accomplish two-way learning. Sharing her vast years of knowledge to motivate and encourage others; while simultaneously getting the reward of great energy, ideas and questions to ponder back from each group. A super win-win. Please join our Thrive Lounge community so you too can benefit!

Goals VS. Intentions: Why You Need Both In Your Journey To Success

New Years Resolutions.

Goal setting.

It can all seem pretty overwhelming, right?

Well now is the time to take a step back and really find a way to make all of these things work FOR you rather than stress you out.

If you want to find success this year, you should focus on two things: intentions and goals.

Goals and Intentions – What’s the difference?

INTentions are INTernal while goals are external.

Both are necessary to find the success and freedom you’re looking for, but one should always first start with intentions before focusing on goals. Strengthen yourself on the inside and you’ll find it easier to build stamina on the outside.

When it comes down to it, intentions are a state of constant reflection while goals are a state of conscious planning.

With intentions, you reflect on your feelings in the present moment, encouraging yourself to grow and be more cognizant of your current state; with goals, you’re following a map in the hopes of reaching your end goal.

Along those lines, intentions are basically a pathway to help you achieve your goals. So, for example, telling yourself that you’re going to publish one blog post per week is your goal, learning to better hold yourself accountable to your actions is an intention.

Intentions are typically very broad, again dealing more in the conceptual realm of feelings and living each day as it comes, while goals should always be very specific.

Because of the broad vs precise nature of these things, having good intentions supports you in achieving your goals while having goals with no intentions means lots of pressure and stress from the fear of failure.

How to Set Intentions

To set intentions, you can look to those you idolize – what is it about them that you appreciate? Is it their patience? Their confidence? Their time management skills? Whatever it is, KNOW that you too can be that way by setting intentions and following through with them.

Personally, I’ve struggled with patience. It’s just not a strong characteristic of mine. This year I’m setting the intention of being more patient – not just with my kids or my clients, but with EVERYONE. Yes, even the jerk who cuts me off in traffic.

It won’t be easy, but it’s not supposed to be. Intentions are meant to be work, but in a feel-good, feel-better kind of way.

How To Set Goals

Setting goals comes more from you and your ideals. Where do you want to be 6 months from now? A year from now? Five years from now? What do you have to do to get there?

For example, if you want to be averaging $5k/month two years from now, what actions do you need to take to get there? Again, be VERY specific and write out those steps. Each one of those is a goal and requires you to take action.

All in all, intentions are a state of being while goals are a state of doing.

What will you be working on this year? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!

Want To Start Planning Your Vision Board Party? 

1. Download the FREE vision board party planning checklist.

2. Craft your inspiring vision board workshop talk with our FREE High Impact Storytelling Journal Prompts. 

3. Plan, promote & host your first (or next) professional & profitable vision board workshop with our signature course, Sold Out Vision Board Parties.

---

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.

---

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cyrene is a fun and accomplished workshop facilitator, learning and development guru and Human Resources professional. Being at the helm of Thrive Lounge has been a long-time dream. Through vision board workshops she plans to accomplish two-way learning. Sharing her vast years of knowledge to motivate and encourage others; while simultaneously getting the reward of great energy, ideas and questions to ponder back from each group. A super win-win. Please join our Thrive Lounge community so you too can benefit!