Just like setting a GPS

or using a map & a compass,

you need to know where you are

starting from.

Clearly define your current situation.

This exercise can be used for any situation.  From defining where you are in your business, career, finances or even relationships.  By writing it down, you have the opportunity to get clear.  Be honest  and explore what is real for you at this moment.  Then you can have a clear picture of where to start, decide what needs to change and plan for action.

“Appearance blinds, whereas words reveal.”

~ Oscar Wilde

This is one of the exercises in Create Your Corporate Compass with The Knowledge Series workbook.

Download a free sample version today.

http://theknowledgeseries.com/ebooks/

To learn more about how to bring our Create Your Corporate Compass training program to your company go to:-

http://theknowledgeseries.com/create-your-corporate-compass/

Do You Know Where you’re Going To?

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“Do You Know Where you’re going to? Do you like the things That life is showing you? Where are you going to? Do you know?”

♪ ♫ ♪♪♫

~ Diana Ross

Last month you created a mindmap or list of everything you dreamed of.  Then you wrote about why you wanted your top goals.  And you took at least one small step to begin your journey.

If you need a reminder, here’s the blog post

http://judypeebles.com/clarity-clarity-clarity/

How did that work for you?  Did you create some momentum?  Maybe you had to take a small detour, but now is the time to get back on track.  Grab that list again, revisit why you want your goals and recommit to creating what your dream of.

Stay in motion.  Keep taking steps even if you are not sure what the next step should be.

Here’s another blog post to inspire you:-

http://judypeebles.com/Where-Are-You-Now/

Sometimes our inner critic will stop us before we even begin.  We let self doubt and excuses get in our way.  I’m too old, too young, too fat, too thin, too broke…. Etc

If lack of money is getting in the way of even beginning to reach for your goal, you may have limiting beliefs around money.

There is still time to join us for the 13-week Master Your Money Matters with The Knowledge Series webinar

Use Coupon Code – SPECIAL

to attend this Interactive Group Coaching program

focused on breaking through your limiting beliefs around money

for just $197.

http://theknowledgeseries.com/13-week-telecourse/

Clarity Clarity Clarity

“Clarity accounts for probably 80% of success and happiness.  Your success in life will be largely determined by how clear you are about what it is you really, really want.”

~ Brian Tracy

Beginning with your dream, vision or big picture is the first step to getting what you want.  If you don’t know where you are going, how can you even begin to move towards it, or know when you have arrived?

I love this quote from Alice In Wonderland……

“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?”

“That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the Cat.

“I don’t much care where–” said Alice.

“Then it doesn’t matter which way you go,” said the Cat. “– so long as I get SOMEWHERE,” Alice added as an explanation.

“Oh, you’re sure to do that,” said the Cat, “if you only walk long enough.”

So, unless you want to just walk long enough, you need to get clear on where you want to go. You can start with a brainstorm of everything you dream of.

1.  Make a list or create a mindmap.  Think of all the areas of your life.

Here’s another blog post to inspire you:-

http://judypeebles.com/dream-wishes/

2. Take a look at your list and highlight 2 or 3 that are most important to you and that you want to accomplish in the next 12 months.

3.  Then from that list pick one and write about why you want it.  Knowing why you want something is important.  On the days when you don’t really feel like taking the necessary action to move closer to your goal, it will inspire you.

4.  You can repeat step 3 with the other goals.

5.  Take one small step today to begin your journey.

6.  If you would like to engage the power of creating a visual reminder of your goals, join us for the Magnify Your Vision workshop.  We will –

a. Explore your dreams & desires

b. Clarify your vision

c.  Create a vision board to reflect that vision

d.  Set you on the path to begin your journey toward you vision.

Use Coupon Code – VISION to attend this 2-Day event for just $197.

http://theknowledgeseries.com/events/magnify-your-vision/

Dreams & Wishes

Make a list of every dream or wish that comes to mind.

No limits, no critiquing or judgment.

Places you’d like to visit, people you’d like to meet,

experiences you’d like to have.

Have fun and dream on!!!

This can be an ongoing list that you add to over time.  It is fun to do in a group with friends and you can get ideas from each other.  It’s ok to “borrow” from someone else’s list.

Be sure to include things you want to learn – a language, how to dance, gardening, painting, etc.  Places to visit might not be typical tourist attractions, but can also include places like, where your grandparents grew up, or where you had your first kiss.  People you would like to meet might be include famous people or even historical figures.  You can always “meet” them by reading a biography.

This is one of the exercises in The Knowledge Series workbook.

Download a free sample version today.

http://theknowledgeseries.com/ebooks/

Groundhog Day

When you think of Groundhog Day, do you think of Punxsutawney Phil or the movie where Bill Murray lives the same day over and over again?

The legend of the groundhog is that if it is sunny when it emerges, and it sees its shadow it will return to the burrow and remain for six more weeks signaling six more weeks of winter.  But if it is a cloudy day, it will leave the burrow, indicating the end to wintery weather very soon.

Sometimes winter can be a time of hibernation, but if you are burrowing in for too long, consider the reasons behind it.

It’s a bit hard to imagine the darkness of winter as I sit here in sunny California.  But I have lived places where it is dark and damp and cold.  And facing those dark winter days you might feel a bit like Bill Murray and begin to think it will never end.  Some people suffer from SAD – Seasonal Effective Disorder.  Get out for a walk in the daylight as often as you can.

Be sure you have something to look forward to.  Start planning a weekend away in the Spring or your Summer vacation.  Create a Vision Board or a mini-collage in your journal.

Are you ready to leave your burrow?  Or are you burrowing in for six more weeks?

Leave your comments or questions below.

Judy Peebles, International Speaker, Trainer & Business Strategist

Creator of The Journaling Jenius™, Journaling Jems™ and The Knowledge Series – 5 Keys to Accelerate Your Success

Further Reading

http://judypeebles.com/from-misery-to-motivation/

http://judypeebles.com/creating-a-collage/

Making It Work

At the beginning of a New Year a lot of people make resolutions or goals.  Goal setting is very important and can really be done at any time.

Working with my clients, once they have identified a goal, we work on the “How”.

In order to achieve a goal you have to be taking action and have strategies in place that will compel you towards that goal.

For instance, losing weight or getting fitter.  Last year I decided I wanted to lose weight.  As a busy business owner, the question was – How?

Obviously, I needed to spend more time moving my body.  I decided to walk five to six times per week.  Often I am asked to meet with new contacts for coffee or a meal.  Instead I would suggest a walk.  I also enlisted friends to be regular walking buddies.

Of course, I had to eat less, too.  But the walking strategy really worked.  Having someone else to hold you accountable is a VERY effective strategy regardless of the goal.  There were certainly times when I did not want to go for a walk – it was cold or I was tired.  But knowing that I had made a commitment to someone else got me up and out the door more often than I would have on my own.

Oh, and I lost 37 pounds last year!!  Wooo Hooo!!

What do you want to achieve this year?  What are your strategies to do that? Who will hold you accountable?

Leave your comments and suggestions below.

Judy Peebles, Creator of The Journaling Jenius™, Journaling Jems™ and The Knowledge Series – 5 Keys to Accelerate Your Success

Further Reading

http://judypeebles.com/managing-time/

http://judypeebles.com/top-speaker-top-form-part-2/

http://judypeebles.com/topspeaker/

Making Connections

One of my New Year’s Resolutions / Goals that I actually started late last year was to re-connect with people.  Yes, part of it is an effort to grow my business, but also it feels good.

I know a lot of people / business owners who shy away from calling people, especially if you haven’t talked to them in a while.  But why let the passage of time get in the way of making a connection, renewing a friendship, or possibly generating some business or a referral?

How long is too long?  Personally, I say never.

Recently I called two people on my “list”.

One had come to a workshop about two years ago and for some reason, I had not talked to her since.  We had a nice conversation, catching up and it wasn’t the least bit awkward.

Another I had not spoken to in over four years, but I could still remember the essence of a great conversation we had outside of an event we were both attending in Los Angeles.   We played phone tag and then finally connected.  We had a lovely chat and it felt so good to reconnect and we both vowed to stay in touch.

I intend to continue re-connecting with old contacts.  I highly recommend it.

Who are you going to call today?

Leave your comments and suggestions below.

Judy Peebles, Creator of The Journaling Jenius™, Journaling Jems™ and The Knowledge Series – 5 Keys to Accelerate Your Success

Further Reading

http://judypeebles.com/appreciation/

http://judypeebles.com/who-is-in-your-life

http://judypeebles.com/support-system

From Misery to Motivation

You know those moments when you feel so overwhelmed you just don’t even know where to begin, don’t feel like doing anything or don’t even know what your are feeling.

What to do:-

• Grab your journal – You can begin by just free writing what is going on for you, just letting the words flow onto the page.  Or create a mindmap or list of what’s on your mind.  (See links below for detailed prompts for these)
• Take a shower or a bubblebath – There is something about being in water that clears the mind and frees up the creative juices to generate solutions.
• Go for a walk – Getting your body moving is always a good thing, but taking a break is sometimes the best thing.  You can come back to the tasks at hand refreshed and you also get the added bonus of burning some calories.
• Phone a friend – I know we often don’t feel like bothering our friends with our troubles (that’s were a journal can come in very handy), but sometimes just a chat with a close friend can create a huge shift.

What do you do to move from misery to motivation?

Leave your comments and suggestions below.

Judy Peebles, Creator of The Journaling Jenius™, Journaling Jems™ and The Knowledge Series – 5 Keys to Accelerate Your Success

Further Reading

http://judypeebles.com/breathe-and-listen/

http://judypeebles.com/when-a-to-do-list-isnt-enough-mindmap-you-way-out-of-overwhelm/

http://judypeebles.com/ask-for-help

Visit TheKnowledgeSeries.com to check out the great workshops and membership plans!

S.T.O.P.

Before the end of the year be sure to S.T.O.P.

Take out your journal and write:-

Successes – Make a list of all your successes and achievements this year.  From major accomplishments to small silly things.  Celebrate everything you’ve done that you are proud of.  If it makes it easier, imagine you are your best friend and he or she is reminding you of what an amazing year you’ve had.  What have you learned this year?  How have you impacted others?

Thanks – What are you thankful for today?  Expressing gratitude for the blessings you received this year.  This is something that you can write every day.  Even keep a separate journal for your blessings or gratitudes.

Opportunities – What are the opportunities you can imagine ahead of you next year and beyond?  What are your dreams?  What will you keep doing?  What do you need to do differently?  Create the vision in your future.  Write down all the things you would like to do – skydiving, singing lessons; places you would like to visit; and people you would like to meet.

Plan – Now that you have your vision – How will you begin to achieve your goals next year and beyond?  Start now to plan your year ahead.  You don’t have to know all the details.  Start at the end and work backwards.  Or at least begin with one small step in the direction of your dreams.

May 2012 bring you all the joy, prosperity and wishes you dream of.

Judy Peebles

Creator of The Journaling Jenius™, Journaling Jems™ and The Knowledge Series