I read a phrase in
Liz Strauss's blog yesterday that stuck,
Spend Time and Save Time Simultaneously. She added, "Time is a paradox of meaningful or meaningless moments. We can lose track of it. We can waste it or wait for our time to be over. She concluded, "I need to spend more time that I can save as memories." To spend time well, I sense, is akin to creating a great work of art.
Dreams or goals do not come about haphazardly, as if I painted with daubs and splashes as Jackson Pollock. Without planning, the end result's likely haphazard. And, I'd live with regrets rather than the
meaningful moments Liz mentions.
Milestones and Memories make a difference in the way you and I choose to spend time. How?
Milestones are accomplishments attained...
Memories are made by spending precious times with those we love. Balance between the two is critical...
Interestingly,
Ellen Weber once shared, "You cannot give to others unless you are filled and happy within yourself." The younger Robyn ran on empty because she gave and gave to everyone and consequently ran on fumes... Do you ever find yourself in this position?
On the other hand, when I began to top off my tank, such as when I took four years out to earn a PhD, I reached a
milestone -- that filled a need within and part of a larger dream. And now when I
give to others, there's balance between milestones and memories. A work of art in progress...
Rick Cockrum at Shards of Consciousness tagged me to share what
habits I have to achieve my goals. Here's how this works for me...
1.
Fulfill a Dream. Begin here. When reading Natalie Goldberg's books on writing, she suggested that readers write details about a dream. I discovered I didn't have a dream. So, I prayed for one that would bring meaning. It took time and the answer came unexpectedly. But when I caught hold of the dream, I began to organize to
save and spend simultaneously my minutes, hours, days, weeks... I tapped gifts and talents that had shriveled.
2.
Make an Action Plan. By having an action plan to reach a goal, I break down steps, which I jot into a daily planner or calendar. In past, that was missing and I "winged my days" so to speak. When I began to see the big picture, I did not get caught in the moment by pressing circumstances. This only happens when I...
3.
Create a Daily Checklist. That includes time for tasks such as, work priorities, exercise, family events, reading and writing, well-balanced meals and fun, too. There's a sense of accomplishment as I scratch these off. The secret's not to include more than is humanly possible to accomplish in a day.
4.
Plan a reward system. To accomplish major milestones, rewards along the way work well. I'm very human. The milestone can seem very distant and it's so easy for a person like me, who built procrastination into her
basal ganglia for years, to fall back. Rewards are a great way to stick to the path. Plan times and kinds of rewards... Here's a hint -- avoid food rewards.
5.
Reflect to adjust and change. Daily reflection helps me see where I am, what is working well and what needs changing.
6.
Celebrate. Share share plans and dreams with others who care about you. These folks then encourage you along the journey. And because they're very much aboard, celebrate with them as you reach milestones. Because you are filled, you'll
spill over to others in meaningful ways.
Rick, these are the steps that made a dream a reality for me - that lifted me from a place of merely flowing with the tide. I've learned to
spend time and save time simultaneously...by setting goals and having a system to insure I follow through with them...as in a realistic painting.
Folks, these are but a foretaste of what you'll experience at SOBcon, in Chicago, May 11-12. Why not sign up if you haven't already?
