Inspired to Action

Thought I would share some of what was discussed in my Inspired to Action: Making Commitments and Building Momentum seminar.

Do you have a vision for your career and life?
Your vision is the big picture of what you want for your life.  It sets the framework and foundation for the creation of your goals.  You vision can be a word, a statement, a narrative or a vision board.   Choose a method that resonates for you.
Not sure what your vision is?
One strategy to gaining some clarity of your vision is to begin with your goals.  What are they?  Why are they important to you?  What is the bigger picture of what you are wanting to achieve with this goal?
What goals are aligned with your vision?
Your specific, tangible goals are what make your vision a reality.  Ideally your goals will be things you truly want to accomplish rather then feel you “should” accomplish.

What will be your first steps?

 

Sometimes your first steps are easy to understand, sometimes they are not. When they are unclear, a strategy is to list all of the steps you believe you need to take action on to accomplish your goal and work backward from there.  Ask yourself what would have had to come before these tasks in order to get to these tasks.

 

What will be your Commitment Step?

This is the one step, one action that really gets you in motion.  Not on the fringe, but plunging in.  It’s the one step (large or small) that in your mind is your total commitment, your serious move.  

How will you maintain momentum?

 

One way is to create accountability with a support system.  Be accountable to someone (ideally more than one person) to report your progress, someone who will support you in achieving these goals.  This could be a friend, partner, colleague, or life coach, those you feel are your motivators, people in your life you trust, who cheerlead you on.

 

If you would like help in creating your vision and goals and maintaining your commitment and momentum, contact me for a free consultation at 919-744-9722 or stefanie@stefaniezizzo.com


 

Stepping in to the New Year

As I step into the new year, I always evaluate where I am, who I am and what I have accomplished before I create my goals for the coming year.

Here are some of the questions I use to evaluate my life and work:

How am I different than I was this time last year?

This time last year I was very focused on business building.  I was excited about possibilities for the new year and spent many hours planning.  While I am at a similar place this year being excited about taking my business forward, I am also taking more time to be creative and social which gives me greater balance.

What lessons did I learn?

Through various events that took place this year, I learned greater balance and self care, patience and resilience.

What have I been resisting?

How much my connections, my family and friendships matter to me.  Of course I always valued my relationships but often put work (or my to do list) first since accomplishment is also what matters to me.

As an introvert, it is often very easy for me to be content by myself which is nice but not all I crave.  This past year I spent more time with family, more time with friends and our neighbors and more time with groups of women and even got my husband in the mix with some couples nights.

As you step into the new year, how would you answer these same questions for yourself?

Dessert First

I love dessert and often will eat it first as part of my meal 🙂  This is especially true at holiday time.  The thought of eating dessert first also got me thinking about “dessert” in another context – as anything that brings us that sense of in the moment joy.

Joyful activities are often put on the back burner while we handle all of the “important” tasks we must finish first (eating our meal before we get to our dessert).  Does that make sense?  Certainly.  But is there any harm in putting some joy first?     A joy-filled activity can be a short one that can fit into your busy life of “main meal” activities.

Just like eating dessert, moderation is what we are aiming for.  Do I usually eat a whole slice of cake before my meal?  No.  Do I savor one piece of dark chocolate (or one holiday cookie) while I’m preparing my dinner.  I often do!  One piece of chocolate – or 15-20 minutes of a joyful activity can bring a new focus to your other tasks, it may even help you feel better about them!

What would your life be like if you occasionally (or more than occasionally) ate “dessert” first?

Happy Holidays!!

 

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