b'JourneyIts About theNot Just the Destinationby Dr. Melanie Ross Mills | ContributorAuthentic life transformation cannot happen without clarity ofWHERE DO YOU NEED TO GET REAL WITH vision. As Empowerment Coach, Tiffany Hendra, states, It isYOURSELF? vital to get a clear vision for who you want to be, what you want toRevisit your personal goal statement and potential hindrances do, and what you want to have. She explains that without visionthat could get in your way. Eliminate the emotion and take an we will remain stagnant and ultimately unfulfilled. Ms. Hendra ishonest, objective viewpoint. Now it is time to get real. spot on! We all need goals, and it takes vision to get there.Heart Probing Questions: Do I have a long-term goal or a short-Goals help us assume responsibility and take the steps needed interm goal? How realistic are my expectations for myself? Can order to achieve our desired outcome. A plan guides us along theI overcome the hindrances that I identified? If not, what do I way as we determine whether or not we are staying the course toneed to do in order to get there? Will this require my forgiving get us where we want to go.myselfforshortcomings,lettinggoofguilt,bitterness,anger, The real-life change occurs as our vision dictates and defines theresentment? Are there loose ends I need to take care of before steps we need to take, our motivations, and our abilities neededI can move forward? How will I measure my accomplishments? to reach our goals. However, theres something we might overlookDaily? Weekly? Yearly?if we are too focused on the outcomethe beauty in the process. Goal setting offers so much more than hitting the mark orITS TIME TO VISUALIZE THE PROCESS.experiencing success. It is in the steps that we change, grow,Set yourself up for success! Prepare from beginning to end to the stretch, and see what we are really made of as we push ourselvesbest of your ability. Take time to meditate, envision, visualize. beyond our comfort zones. We see that a life that invests in theListen to music, read books that are in keeping with your goal, process over the outcome is a life with clarity of vision. talk to those who have gone before you in this area. Take it all in and let it sit for a minute. Tiffany Hendra suggests creating WHATS YOUR PERSONAL GOAL STATEMENT? vision boards to help you stay on track with your goals. Make Clearly define your motives, heart, desires, dreams as to why yousure you can see yourself on the other side of your goal.would like to reach this certain goal.Heart Probing Questions: What does my future look like once I Heart Probing Questions: Why do I desire this goal? Why doeshave completed my goal? Who is with me? What am I doing on my plan matter to me? Why am I willing to make difficult choicesa daily basis? What impact has this change had on myself and in order to obtain my goal? others? Who is celebrating with me? Who might be distracting Your personal goal statement will be your motivating factor,or unsupportive?your anchor. Your statement must be enough motivation for you to be faithful in completing the tasks at hand in order to reachSAVE THE DATE! your goal.Define your time frame. Revisit your personal goal statement. Lookatyourlifestyle,demands,responsibilities.Recordyour WHAT COULD GET IN YOUR WAY?datethatyouwillreachyourgoalandcreatemile-markers Identify what could hold you back. Look at examples in the pastalong the way.that held you back from taking risks, pursuing goals or that have caused you to pause or feel paralyzed. Self-examine hurts, fears,BRING IN THE SUPPORT SYSTEM.habits, unhealthy patterns, lies you believe about yourself, lack ofMostofuscannotaccomplishgoalswithoutrallyingthe support, relationship challenges, and any other areas that couldtroops for support. We need others to help us stay accountable, potentially stifle you from moving forward with your plan. encourage our efforts, and not tempt us to stray. You will need CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGEGoodLifeFamilyMag.comSEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 201931'