Good morning, friends! I mentioned in my post last week that I had begun participating in Lara Casey’s #2015GoalSetting series. This process is one I so looked forward to after jumping into it for the first time last year. In working through my PowerSheets, I’m here today to share what I came up with to make things happen in 2015!
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Step 1: What worked in 2014? What am I grateful for and what good things happened in 2014?
- You can check out all the good things from last year in my 2014 Year in Review post.
- I’m grateful for beginning to learn the rhythms of grace and rest, and putting them into practice, as I journeyed through 2014.
Step 2: What didn’t work in 2014?
- Letting circumstances (and often people) getting the best of me and stealing my joy.
- Not letting go of control and trying to force change where change is not welcomed, at least at this time.
- Playing small. Not always being true to myself and who God calls me to be.
- Anxiety and tension that resulted from built up frustration and lack of emotional and mental self-care.
Step 3: Get Visual
- Check out my Pinterest board: Making Things Happen in 2015. These are the things empowering and inspiring me for the year ahead.
:: my 2015 vision board ::
Step 4: What I Learned from What Worked
- God provides a way for us to learn the lessons and truths we are not able to learn on our own. I feel that God has taken away some things from me (for a time) in order to make it possible for me to develop and grow in other areas, and trust Him through the process. It doesn’t always feel like He’s with us when we’re going through the challenges that come with loss and things being stripped away, but as I look back, I see just how far He’s brought me and what amazing things He accomplished in and through me this past year.
- Life is happening all around me. God is working good every day, all of the time. Making the choice to look for Him and be still and present opens the way to joy and peace.
- It’s okay to say, “I need help,” and take time to work on me (practice self-care). I’m not perfect and I can’t do it all. I have limits and I need to take care of myself on all levels – mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual. Being honest with myself and others about my limitations and vulnerabilities opens the door to connection, healing, and ultimately wholeness.
- I need to do more of what fires me up and makes me happy. These are the things that give me energy and restore my zest my life. They keep me focused on what matters and give fuel to my heart, mind, and soul.
Step 5: What I Learned from What Didn’t Work
- God calls me to surrender to Him and trust in Him. For ALL the things. When I am not looking to Him or walking with Him, I stumble and fall. Life doesn’t work when I am not abiding and remaining in Him.
- God calls me “Redeemed” and to be BRAVE. No more playing small. I need to live as the woman He calls me to be.
- It’s okay to “take a day.” A random day here and there to rest and regroup is just plain good for the soul and prevents burnout.
- The time to go after my dreams is RIGHT NOW. Life is not slowing down. God has a plan for my life and has given me glimpses and desires to pursue in His name. It’s time to chase hard after Him and what He has in store for me now and into the future.
Step 6: What Fires Me Up?
- So many things light a fire in my soul, but I’ll name just a few here: early morning workouts, coffee, quiet time with God, bible journaling, spending time with my hubby, family, and friends, dancing, laughing until I cry, traveling, photography, blogging, writing, reading great books, watching good chick flicks, listening to music, dreaming BIG, social and community change, sparkles, bright colors, and inspiring / serving / helping others.
- To see more things that fire me up, check out my Pinterest board here.
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Step 7: What is my 2015 Vision?
My word for 2015 is BRAVE.
I will be BRAVE in the pursuit of God and the plan and purpose He has for my life. I will be BRAVE in saying “Yes” to the adventure that God has in store for me. I will be BRAVE in prayer, asking God for the deepest desires of my heart, for myself and others. I will be BRAVE in becoming the woman God desires me to be in every area of my life: marriage, family, friendships, career, hobbies, etc. I will be BRAVE in standing up for the things of God and being a light to the world around me. I will be BRAVE in loving and serving others well, sharing the Good News through my actions, prayers, and speech. I will be BRAVE in not settling for anything less than God’s absolute best for my life. I will be BRAVE in trusting God and surrendering myself to His power and authority, relinquishing control and no longer doing things in my own strength. I will be BRAVE in saying “No” to anxiety, fear, and worry.
My vision for 2015 is to be a BRAVE, warrior-princess, daughter of the King who loves God with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength and allows all that I do to flow from this place.
I pray to be BRAVE in all things, living a good, free, and full life, influencing and inspiring others for His glory throughout the journey.
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Step 8: What Am I Saying “No” to in 2015?
- Playing small and standing on the sidelines of life.
- Settling for less than God’s best for my life.
- Anxiety. Tension. Depression. Letting stress get the best of me.
- Perfection.
- Burnout.
- Fear and doubt.
- Taking on things that I cannot do and that are others’ responsibilities.
Step 9: What Am I Saying “Yes” to in 2015?
- Saying “YES” to God.
- Self-care, on all fronts.
- Grace and rest. Without guilt and shame.
- Being present.
- More whimsy.
- Making time for the things that fire me up and that I crave doing.
- Collaboration, dreaming, networking, planning, researching, and vision-casting for the next phase of my career.
Step 10: Plant Seeds and Create Legacy
- Be a woman of influence and inspiration in every area of my life.
- Use social media (blogging, Facebook, and Instagram) to speak life and truth to others.
- Serve others well using my education, gifts, talents, and skills.
- Invite others to participate in the adventure of this thing called life alongside me.
- Take bold risks for His glory and live to tell about it.
Step 11: Define my ‘radical’
This year, I very much want to start working toward the next phase of my career. I believe I’m being called to the place where my education, work experience, knowledge, and skills intersects with my passions of creating / writing and encouraging, empowering, and inspiring others. So my “radical” is to take the steps needed to become a full-time consultant and blogger / writer to help others “live the good life” – whether it’s in their personal or professional spheres.
I love goal-setting, dreaming big, and seeing others come alive as they do the things that fire them up and create positive change for their lives. This is, indeed, what I most love about social work – the opportunity to serve people and show them that change, and the “more” they are looking for in life, is possible.
I plan to engage with and learn from others who do this work independently and take those steps to make this dream career a reality for myself.
Step 12: Sing Loud!
My song for 2015 is “You Make Me Brave” by Bethel Music featuring Amanda Cook, as the lyrics fit my heart for this year perfectly …
I have heard You calling my name
I have heard the song of love that You sing
So I will let You draw me out beyond the shore
Into Your grace
Your grace
You make me brave
You call me out beyond the shore into the waves
You make me brave
No fear can hinder now the love that made a way
You make me brave
No fear can hinder now the promises you made
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Step 13 + 14: Review + Set Good Goals
Spiritual: More of Jesus – His presence, power, vision, voice, and Word – in EVERY area of my life. Praying bold and BRAVE prayers – lifting all things up to Him – no matter how big or how small. Connection – worship, fellowship, church, participation with The Influence Network and through other forms of social media, and Bible studies. Speaking life and truth – and LIVING it out – for His glory.
Marriage / Family / Friends / Home: Increasing connection time with my husband – making time to date and be present with one another and experiencing new things together – keeping the spark of fun and romance and team-work alive and vibrant. Making more time for loved ones – visiting friends and family, hosting gatherings at our home and at our up north abode, getting out of our comfort zone and trying new things and going new places with others. Finishing the home projects on our list to make our space the best place it can be and a sanctuary for us to enjoy to the fullest in every season.
Health: Practicing self-care on all levels. Making room for things that are life-giving and soul-inspiring. Allowing myself more grace, time, and space to take breaks when needed. Recovering fully from injury and being able to run, stand, and walk again without pain.
Financial: Continuing on the path of being smart and savvy with our finances – not spending unnecessary money on things that don’t matter and building and saving for the things that do matter. Paying down student loans, if not getting rid of them entirely. Discuss our long-term financial investments and plans on a regular basis to keep our dreams a priority.
Professional: Finishing the process required to apply for and obtain my LMSW (by the end of April). Serving the community and developing my skills in a new capacity by participating on a Board of Directors. Continuing to pursue my long-term goal of having my own business through the accomplishment of full-licensure, networking, engaging in new endeavors, taking classes and continuing education, and enhancing my leadership and management skills.
Fun / Social: Blogging. Writing. Photography. Traveling. Coffee and Tea Dates. Laughing. Playing. Creating. Exploring. Believing. Serving. Inspiring. Dreaming.
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So, there you have it, friends – my heart and soul poured out in words for what it will take for me to make things happen in 2015!
I’d love to hear about your goals and dreams for this year. What are you doing to make things happen in 2015?
As Lara Casey says, “Purpose over perfect.” Let’s enjoy the journey over the next twelve months and give ourselves grace to be present and trust the process as He works His good and glory out in our lives. Amazing things await … I can feel it!
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This will be my last post for the next two weeks as I’m going on a little vacation with the hubby!
See you when I return, friends!
THE BLONDE PERFECTIONIST says
I love this! Great post and so inspiring! I just wanted you to know that I have nominated you for The Versatile Blogger Award and would love for you to check it out! http://theblondeperfectionist.com/2015/01/30/the-versatile-blogger-award/ xx