Use MUSIC to attain your goals

I think music has made one of the most positive impacts in my life.  When

I was a teenager it became my icebreaker.  I was incredibly shy and I actually

remember the turning point for me.  I had attended my first concert.  It was The

Eagles.  My best friend's (at the time) brother had taken us.  We were freeeeee!!!!

The stadium was packed, but dangerous.  It was one of the last events to happen,

as it was going to be torn down, because of a shooting.  So my newfound freedom

came with some fear.   I had started working at the time and I bought a

t-shirt.  I remember when I wore the shirt, conversations would start.  And, instead

of being mortified someone was talking to me and was comfortable with the

conversation.  My first goal as a teenager was not to be so nervous when meeting

people.  Then came the album Darkness on the Edge of Town by Bruce Springsteen.

I was a fan of Southside Johnny with anthems like Reach Up and Touch the

sky helped me feel everything was attainable.  I looked forward to this album, and

couldn't wait for a song like Born to Run or Thunderoad to sing along to while

driving back and forth to work.  Instead, came songs like Badlands and No Surrender,

and they seemed so negative to me.  But, I didn't realize how much these songs

would become my new anthems and would help me immensely when I was

really struggling to overcome my biggest fears.  When I went away to college my

song of choice was "Mr. Blue Sky" by ELO to lift me up from darkness and show

me the light.  I still use music today.  At work lately I started to listen to ABBA and

I forgot how uplifting that is.  At home we just got a "Google Home" and I can't wait

to say OK Google play me some Abba or Hey Google play me some Queen singing

Don't Stop Me Now as I FINALLY take down my Christmas tree!

Positive Quotes

I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.” 

— Albert Einstein,

I don't do a formal meditation each morning.  But, I love opening my computer and having a wealth of information at my fingertips.  I also buy magazines such as Flow, Calm and Breathe.  These magazines are full of posters of inspirations, which I like to put places I can read and be reminded of positive quotes.  Reading positive quotes helps you feel positive and makes reaching goals easy.  The weight watchers meeting I attend also ends with a quote to sum up the meeting.  Use a journal to write these quotes down, and go back to and read them when you are feeling the need.

Goal Setting 2018: Write it Down

 Rule #2:  Write down your goals.  Use planners, calendars, vision boards, write on the side of books, travel journals, weight loss journals, letters to yourself, letters to others, messages in a bottle.  You get the idea.  Not only write them down, but later re-read what you wrote.

 I am always surprised at my accomplishments, because I don't always celebrate them.  Acknowledge your accomplishments and give yourself an healthy reward system to celebrate your goals you made happen.

The biggest one is "let go".  Let go of what is holding yourself back.  What keeps you from making something you dreamed of your whole life happen.  Face your fears.  Embrace your freedom. Forgive yourself.  Be your own best friend.  Think positive thoughts and act on them and everything else negative, let them go!!!

Goal Setting Tips for 2018

Rule #1:  Don't be hard on yourself.  This is a picture of the Advent Calendar from Trader Joe's.  It was full of delicious chocolates and tea.  Even though I am on Weight Watchers I felt having a small treat each day would be fine.  But, look what happens, no matter how good what is behind the door, if you don't have the time or the focus days go by without taking the time for yourself.  The same happens when you set goals.  Then a week in, you beat yourself up and probably quit.  I am going to boast for a bit, but in 2017 I rocked most of my goals for the year.  My work, travel and weight saw the most success.  Hope you join me here as we set new goals and intentions going into the new year!