How To Crush Your Goals... Even When You Feel Distracted

Three years ago, I really wanted to go to grad school. I was working several jobs just trying to keep up with my life and I knew that going back to school would be my key to finally getting ahead. Even though I knew that's what I needed to do, it wasn't as easy as Nike would suggest. #JustDoIt.

It would always start off the same way, I would pick up a GRE book stare at it for a few hours and feel great! But then the next day would roll around and there was always something that came up. One day it would be that I was exhausted, another day it would be after school activities and PTA meetings, another day, still, I just didn't feel like it - but I did really want to accomplish that goal. 

The truth is, accomplishing any long term goal (like studying for the GRE) tends to be very difficult because it requires you to focus on one thing for months at a time. Even if you approach the first few weeks with gusto, that same enthusiasm will not last you two months or six months or a year. You need discipline.

Rather than internally scold yourself on why you don't have the discipline to complete your goals (like I did for about a year of false starts with the GRE), try to find another way to complete that same goal that comes more easily to you. Here are some of the things I do to continuously crush my goals - no matter how difficult they are.

Give yourself one cheat day a week.

All work and no play make you a very dull woman. #truth Make sure every week has time for you to enjoy your time alone (preferably with a glass of wine) or spend time with friends and family. This is the best way to clear you mind and take care of yourself so you don't hit burnout. After a good day of relaxing and catering to your personal needs, you'll be ready to attack your goals when you come back! 

Get an accountability partner.

An accountability partner is someone that you talk to periodically about your goals. My accountability partner is my secret weapon. (Seriously, I have two accountability partners for each of the big goals I want to crush this year.) Not only do my accountability partners talk to me about my goals, they also hold me accountable to the goals I set AND suggest ways that I can approach my problem from different angles based on their personal experiences. We call each other once a month and take turns talking about where we are on our goals and strategize on how to accomplish them. This makes goal crushing more social - and more fun!

Related: How To Have Productive Calls With Your Accountability Partner

Set a trigger point to remind yourself when to work on that goal.

Sometimes working on a goal is simple enough, but finding the time to work on that goal is the difficult part. With events and networking and building/maintaining relationships, it's understandable that long term goals fall through the cracks (Hey, you can always get to it tomorrow, right? WRONG.) The best way to get a goal to completion is to do it every day so find something that you do every day and commit to following your goal right afterwards. For example, after I put my daughter to sleep, I work on my goals. Also, on Sundays after breakfast, I work on my goals. I don't put anything else in that time and after a while you'll get used to doing it that you don't need to be reminded or force yourself to do it anymore.

Create hard deadlines for yourself.

Some people are able to get things done simply - because. But, trust (and believe) not everyone functions that way. In fact, I love setting hard deadlines for myself to make sure that I get things done on the day I say I will.  For example, if you're thinking about creating an event, the best way to make sure that event happens is to set a date and pay for the space. Better yet, you can start marketing it so people know that you have an event scheduled. (Try not making that deadline. 😃) For this to work, it can't be an arbitrary deadline - make sure that you're held accountable to this deadline by something concrete. For example you could try pre-selling your product and agreeing on a launch date or betting friends and family you'll get it done - and put money on it!

Go to a conference. 

Conferences (that, of course, are all about the project that you are currently working on) have a keen way of revitalizing the way you originally felt about your project. For example, if you're a blogger, but you've been having writer's bock and haven't been able to complete a blog post in a while, going to a blogger's conference like Blogalicious or BlogHer could be really helpful for you. You'll learn new tools and tactics to implement in your journey that could be game changing. You'll also meet new people that are traveling the same path as you and can identify with what you're going through that could give you tips on how they've forged through.

Schedule a nice break at the end of your goal.

I love accomplishing a huge task with the understanding that once this task is complete I will be able to have a nice, long break (that usually consists of me, on a rooftop or massage table immediately followed by wine). Having a light at the end of the tunnel gives you something to look forward to. It also makes it easier to suffer through the difficult times of working through a goal because you know that your moment of peace and relaxation is right on the other side of your accomplishments.

Some people really struggle with staying on track while others can power forward on their goals without ever losing steam. To get though the GRE, I met with an accountability partner IN PERSON once a week and we would work through different pre-tests in the work book and give each other an assignment at the end of our study sessions. Another one of my best friend's even paid for the test for me (I told you I was barely keeping up during that time - I wasn't kidding). With one best friend as an accountability partner and another putting the money up for me to take the exam, I was more focused than ever. 

There is nothing standing in your way of accomplishing your goals, you just have to find the motivators that work for you. When you find yourself struggling with sticking to your goals, just choose one of these tactics and work through the list until you find something that works for you. 

Best of luck goal-crushing! 
xoxo

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 To Successfully Host Your First Vision Board Party

The year is almost over and I'm already getting mentally prepared for a new beginning. Right after the holiday season, we all will slowly drift away from holiday pies and gift giving into the inevitable my-life-is-gonna-be-super-lit-next-year mode. (I'm getting ready for all the inspirational posts and three full days of working out at the gym before February comes around and things go back to normal.)

Personally, I'm excited to get my vision board party on with my best girlfriends. Vision boards are done best as a community (in party form with Lauryn Hill playing in the background and an unlimited supply of wine nearby) because you'll get the benefit of sharing your ideas with friends and building your team of cheerleaders supporting you in reaching your goals - plus there's wine.

Once you have all the vision board party planning out of the way, your date is set, and all of your BFFs have invitations in their inbox - what happens next? What do you do once they arrive at your house and are mid-way through their second glass of wine?

There are three key pieces to hosting any super successful vision board party that you'll need to make sure it's fun and engaging, but not too overwhelming or structured.

 

Let Your Guests Introduce Themselves To Each Other

I love to start vision board parties by giving each person the floor, one at a time, to share both who they are, their experiences and their goals. I love when event hosts allow for full introductions to the entire room because you get to know a little bit about everyone in the room.

Without formal introductions, you are basically meeting people by chance based on what time you walk in to the party or who you randomly lock eyes with while getting your second brownie at the dessert table.

This is the best format for introductions at a vision board party because you can be more intentional about who you talk to before you leave. For example, if you're struggling to get a job in a certain field, but someone else at the party works in that field, you'll learn that during the introductions and you can make sure to chat with them at the party.  (Side note: This is also why it's important to limit the number of people present at the event - it's much harder to do introductions for 50 people than it is for 8-10.)

Related: 8 Fun Vision Board Party Activites + Ice Breakers

 

Make Sure Everyone Knows What A Vision Board Is

While vision boards have gotten a lot of good press from celebrities and influencers sharing their great experiences using them, some people won't know what a vision board it so it's always good to give a brief introduction to vision boards.

You can share your experience or bring an old vision board to share with the group. You can also take some time to talk about different types of goals you can put on your vision board.

Vision boards are very versatile and don't only have to speak to your professional goals and relationship goals, but they can be a guide for anything you want to accomplish for yourself.

Related: Everything You Need To Know About Creating A Vision Board

Leave Room For Eating + Building + Networking

The best part of any event is that feeling you get at the end of the night when you walk away having met someone interesting or getting some life changing advice that you can immediately apply to your own challenges.

When I went to my first vision board party, my life was in a very sad place but I met women who assured me that they've been through similar issues and encouraged me to keep going.

They didn't see me the way I saw myself at the time, they saw my potential and I could feel the love and excitement about goal-crushing in the room. In order for anyone to get that experience at your event, you have to give them breathing room to meet and chat with the other people in the room.

Related: How My First Vision Board Party Turned My life Around

At the end of the night, your guests may not walk away with a completed vision board (and that's been true for the last 5 vision board parties I've been to) but they will walk away with new friendships, a clear idea of what they want to accomplish, and positive vibes that will last them for days.

Let’s get your vision board party scheduled on the books! Here are some great ideas for Vision Board Party Invitations. I’m looking forward to hearing about your party!

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.

---

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 To Plan An Unforgettable Vision Board Party

So, you're ready to start planning your first Vision Board party? Congrats! You're in for an incredible experience and a miraculous year, I promise. :)

Vision Boards are effective in helping you crush your goals because they help you to start envisioning the future that you want for yourself.

Hosting a Vision Board party makes the creating of your Vision Board a group activity where you can let your hair down, chat with friends and make long-lasting connections. My favorite thing about Vision Board parties….. is not the food or the wine (gasp!), it's the sharing of success stories and ideas that occur between guests as they share their goals for the year. 

I have learned a lot about this whole Vision Boarding thing over the years and there's definitely a way to create an unforgettable experience for your guests.

Here are my top Vision Board party planning tips. 

Create The Right Guest List

Just like any party, the most important element is the people in the room! Interaction between the guests you invite is what makes all the difference between an epic party where people met new besties and that awkward party of wall flowers where everyone is silently working on their boards and you can hear a pin drop.

To start, you want to invite people with diverse backgrounds. For example, don’t just invite all your entrepreneur or side hustler friends, invite your friends that are students, corporate queens, and do-gooders holding it down at a nonprofit. This will ensure that the ideas shared are met from different perspectives around the table - not just head nods and repeat strategies.

New ideas always leads to additional conversation and that's the best thing you could have at your event - engaged guests. 

Also, don't be afraid to invite people from different age groups. While more experienced + seasoned friends can give you words of wisdom, younger friends will bring a breath of optimism and lighthearted naivete that only the youth can offer.

Finally, invite your friends who are happy to share information with others. If you have those friends that don't want to tell anyone what they're doing or how they've achieved their goals - they might not be right invite for this kind of event.

Having an abundance of givers (rather than takers) will ensure that everyone can benefit from others in the room - and that the conversation keeps flowing. 

Have The Right Drinks.. (and food, too, I guess)

I truly do believe that it really doesn't matter what you eat at a Vision Board party. At our first Vision Board party, we had barbecue chicken - no dessert, no sides (the other attendees forgot to bring a dish) and we still had an amazing time laughing and swapping battle stories.

The only thing you truly need to have an amazing experience is good wine... and it doesn't have to be fancy wine, either. It just has to be good. You'll want to go with a crowd pleasing wine (aka. something sweet that keeps people drinking and talking... drinking and talking.)

Pro Tip: Don't try to be cute and put the wine on an expertly-designed pinterest-ready table on the other side of the room - put it right in the middle of the table that you're creating your vision board on. If the wine is close by, no one has to get up. They can stay engaged without skipping a beat. Just sit back and let the magic happen. 

Related post: What Kind of Food Should You Have At Your Vision Board Party? List of Do's and Don'ts

Get The Right Materials

You can find the materials you need to build your Vision Board pretty much anywhere. I think it's crazy how the most simple things in life can create a massive change for you….. if you use it the right way. 

To build your Vision Board, you need to decide what you’ll use as the foundation to build it on. I like to hang my vision board on the wall throughout the year so I use a cork board with thumbtacks (this also caters to my frugal side because I re-use that same cork board every year - going on three years strong). #minimalist

A cheaper way to create your Vision Board is to simply get a poster board, scissors and glue.

You could also glue your vision to the inside of a journal to inspire you as you write in it.

Then, you'll need  to get magazines, but not just any old magazines. I like to be strategic about the type of magazines that I look through when building my Vision Boards (because some are definitely better than others when it comes to over-the-top quotes and boss images.) 

Related: 5 Unique Ways To Create A Vision Board That Fits Your Style

With the right people, the right drinks (& food), and the right materials you'll be well on your way to creating a Vision Board party to remember!  If you’ve already hosted a party, comment below with your favorite tip.

Happy Creating! xoxo

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!

The Benefits of Taking a Break From Your Ambitious Goals

Let's be honest, ladies, holding down a full time job & caring for your family & keeping up a household is enough work for one person but many of us make the conscious decision to, in our (very limited) free time, go after a gigantic and highly ambitious goal.

Whether it's starting a side-hustle, creating a blog, or becoming more fit, we push ourselves to reach new heights in the wee hours of the morning or late at night when you should be sleeping, catching up on the latest Netflix series or FINALLY "putting your self out there" and going on a date.

(I added that one for my sweet grandma who's been wondering when I'm getting married for the last three years. Side note: I have no prospects. #MinorDetails)

We, the fearless goal getters, are up staring at the blinding back light of our computer frantically googling up the best resources and tools to make our dreams come true.

It begins as a labor of love, you just want to pour your energy and time into it, with the realization that you are planting seeds. One day you'll get to the point where your hard work will be rewarded, and even though you don't actually know when that time will come, you still work. You still dedicate your time. You dedicate your energy - and you do it with a smile. This is your baby. 

As a parent, you can't actually take a break from your baby, but as a budding entrepreneur, pageant queen or marathon runner (you get my drift), you are in a unique position to ignore "your baby" and actually take a vacation when you need it. 

Even though you may feel like you have tons of to-do's piling up (because there's always something else you COULD be doing) you should build in time to take a break, and here's why:

That Refreshed Feeling

The beautiful thing about taking a break from fierce goal-getting is that taking your mind away from work, even for a limited time, will give you an opportunity to explore other things in your life. You won't feel like you're drowning or overwhelmed (at least not all the time). Instead you'll be creating more time to build relationships with your friends, pursue your hobbies and passions and spend time with family - all things that energize you and put you in a positive mood. You'll be able to bring that positive energy right back to your big goal when you get back to the grind. 

Renewed Outlook

Have you ever felt like you've been staring at a screen for too long and all the words kind of blend together?

When you have a limited time to work on your goal and you can often feel like want to get things done NOW. Sometimes, the best thing you can do to get that website copy (or blog post, or product description, etc.) just right is to step away from it and come back to it a few days later.

By giving your brain some time to breathe (and think about other things) you'll have the ability to see the mistakes and tiny edits you missed before. (In the coding world, where missing one semi-colon could throw off your entire project, taking a step back is necessary!)

The Long Distance Boyfriend Effect

Having a significant other that lives around the corner is fun because you can see them more whenever you want and surprise easily surprise them with spontaneous lunch or dinner plans. But let's be honest, sometimes you get tired of their little quirks.

The same thing happens with your goals.

The long distance boyfriend effect is, that feeling you get when you don’t see that hot guy you’ve been dating for an entire week. You miss him and can't wait to see him again.

Working nonstop on your goals can be rewarding, it can also be draining if that's all you're doing. Your side project that was fun and exciting can become routine and dry over time. When you take a nice break from your goals, you'll definitely miss it and be excited to get back to it. 

Don't be afraid to take a break. You owe it to yourself to relax your mind, pursue your hobbies, enjoy your family and friends and, quite simply, treat yo'self sometimes! Breaks can be the best thing for your goals, giving you a chance to detach so you can come back with renewed energy and focus. 

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.

---

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!