Power of Goals

You know how much I love the Personal Progress Program.

It is all about helping us become our BEST and reaching our full potential.

Goals are like that.

I was reading in Preach My Gospel: The Missionary Guide.

They have a section on "Using Your Time Wisely".

I thought I could learn something - about how to set goals.

It says, "Goals reflect the desires of our hearts and our vision of what we can accomplish.

Through goals and plans our hopes are transformed into ACTION."

Elder M Russell Ballard said in a talk for Young Adults 1981

"I am so thoroughly convinced that if we don't set goals in our life and learn how to master the techniques of living to reach our goals, we can reach a ripe old age and look back on our life only to see that we reached but a small part of our full potential.

When one learns to master the principles of setting a goal, (s)he will then be able to make a great difference in the results (s)he attains in this life."

I think that would be SO TRAGIC!
 

To meet Heavenly Father- and have full remembrance of my life, and pre-exsistance and see

with clarity, the talents and abilities I was blessed with... born with

and realize... I could have, should have, done so much more

yet I didn't tap into my resources/talents/ abilities and develop them!

I was too pre-occupied with latest trends.

I was too self absorbed- worried what other people would think

whatever... it is that keeps me from doing those things I should.

Just plain procrastination.

I'll get to it-

later.

If you've gotten side tracked from Personal Progress... jump back in!

Set a goal to work on this month!

You'll be glad you did!

Individual Worth: Self Worth

This month's theme is Individual Worth.

"Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God"
Doctrine & Covenants 18:10

This month's Theme:

"I am of infinite worth with my own divine mission, which I will strive to fulfill."

I was reading my scriptures, preparing for a talk and the story of

Jacob and Esau came to my mind.

Do you know this story?

It is found around Genesis 25

BASICALLY:

Jacob and Esau are twins.

Esau was born first

therefore he had the "birthright"- being the oldest.

I don't know ALL the implications of this but what I understand....

this means- when their father died Esau would get all the land/possessions

of his father and be the next patriarch of the family.

One day Esau comes stumbling into Jacob's camp.

Esau has been out hunting and hasn't eaten for a while.

Starving- he asks for some food from Jacob.

Jacob agrees to feed Esau in exchange for Esau's birthright.

Esau agrees.

(To satisfy his immediate hunger.)

(Maybe he didn't think his birthright could be transferred?

I don't think he thought about the seriousness of this fleeting decision.)

It got me thinking.

What do I sell my birthright for?

We are all daughters of Heavenly Father

with a birthright to live with Him again.

We have infinite potential to do good

to be our best, to reach our full potential

When we sin- we sell our birthright

When I am lazy and allow myself to sleep in, watch TV all day

instead of doing good, developing my talents, put effort into learning

I fall short of my potential.

The good news is- Jesus Christ is always there

to help us get back on track.

If we've sinned- we can repent!

if we fall short- we can change!

Don't let immediate gratification- distract you from your bright potential.

When tempted to do something wrong--

ask yourself:

"Is this worth my birthright?"

Don't sell yourself short.

Don't settle for anything less- than those things

that help you remain pure and worthy!

Because you are of infinite worth!

Good Works

This month - our theme is
"Good Works"

"Therefore let your light so shine before this people,

that they may see your good works

and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

(3 Nephi 12:16)

Our goal/focus this month:

I will help others and build the kingdom through righteous service.

We were just talking about Shining... last month.

Specifically- Not being afraid to shine.

NOt waiting until we are good enough,

accomplished enough,

skilled enough...

to share our talents and serve people.

Which is a good goal for me this month.

I instigated a school Fall play. Whenever BYU-H has a casting call in the community for children- they get a large number of children  who try out- but only two or three get to perform. I thought, Why don't we have a school play? I asked around- to see if there was interest. There was A LOT of interest... yet no one willing, brave, what-ever enough to take the lead and organize it. Lots of people willing to help- but no one wanted to shoulder the task of organizing this a week before our Fall break.
(gulp) So I stepped up.

I love - being behind the scene... and gathering people together to get this project rolling...

I loath at the idea of being the "face in front"

the person "running the show"... shall we say.

Yet that is my position.

{gulp}

It's that whole leadership challenge.

I'm up for the task. (that is my attempt at positive affirmations...)

"Because I am smart enough,

and skilled enough...

and by golly...

people like me"

(Okay- that is from an Old Saturday Night Live skit... )

THANKFULLY- I am working with a great group of kids and families and teachers and administrators.

Everyone is so supportive and willing to jump in and help out.

 

Serving isn't about showing off - though.

and you defiantly shouldn't try to be front and center when you are serving.

Often the most meaningful service- goes unnoticed.

In our Personal Progress book- they challenge us for two weeks to look for this kind of service- that often goes unnoticed... and record it in our journals.

Things like..

preparing meals, reading to a younger child, listening to a younger child...

holding a door open for someone, picking something up for someone

offering a friendly smile, a helping hand

jumping up to get someone a drink

When you look for it- ---you'll notice those moments...

Update: I had a lot of help! And we were able to pull it off! A week to write the script- and get key positions filled: director, music coordinator, set designer, costume designer, etc.. etc.. all the supplies, permission from the school, etc. etc. And then  4 days to practice- only spending 2 hours a day on rehearsals... with a performance on Friday. It was amazing... and happily this is now a beloved school tradition! Still going strong-- even after I am gone.

We have the ability....

Continuing my study of Choice and Accountability~

I looked up Agency in a little book titled: True to the Faith p 12.

I really like this quote,

" We have the ability to choose righteousness and happiness

regardless of circumstances".

That goes along with my last post about "blooming where you are planted" and looking for opportunities around us.



It is MY responsibility to develop my talents.

We are accountable for what we do with our gifts (and how we use our time).



It is so important that we don't idle away our time.



One of my neighbors is an amazing musician- as a hobby. (It is one of my friends- husbands) He has a small band that plays at community events and he plays multiple instruments. One day- I over heard him talking about how he learned to play the piano- his first instrument.



He said when he was growing up- his family didn't even have a piano. But that didn't stop him from learning how to play. When he started seminary in high school- he would go extra early while the teacher was still setting up and practice on the church piano.



I think about my own desires to learn how to play the piano- I've always joked that my parents gave up with my older sister and gave the piano away before I ever had a chance to learn.

But - it just goes to show- if I really was dedicated and WANTED to learn how to play, I could have found a way.



Don't put off learning and developing a talent you are interested in.

We have the ability to choose..... regardless of our circumstances.

Don't give that power away and let your circumstances limit you!



Now I am off to "go and do"... enough talk... it's time to walk the walk!

Choose to SHINE

Okay- this may seem silly
but every year I make new years resolutions......

(that isn't the silly part- wait for it.... wait for it....)

Three years ago I realized after reading journals from when I was 8 years old, each journal began in January with my new years resolution...
and every year
my goals were the SAME!

It had been 30 years and I was still working on

Not biting my nails

pray regularly

read my scriptures regularly

exercise more

you get the idea.
I was very discouraged!
So
I decided
that year
I wasn't going to have any goals

and ironically
that was the year I finally
stopped biting my nails down to the nubbins--- ( I still bite them, instead of clipping them) But I have white on my nails! And they look normal! (Like I am NOT a nail biter.)

I also started exercising regularly
(3-5 times a week running or walking- I started out walking because I was really out of shape.)

and I started reading my scriptures and saying prayers regularly.

isn't that ironic?
I think mentally- I was so completely disappointed in myself that I forced myself to "grow up" and step up my efforts to finish these goals I've had for 30 years!!!

Okay- that wasn't even the silly part--- "just sad/ in a pathetic kind of way" part of my story.

Since that epic year- The Year I decided NOT to make a specific list of goals.
I've decided to have a theme or motto for the year.

and naturally it has to rhyme- that is the silly part. (sorry for it to be so anti-climatic)
so last year was

SHINE in 2009

Shine meaning- develop my talents and SHARE my talents.

Don't be afraid to share the talents I am trying to develop.

I think I was waiting for some point of proficiency...

like ... I'm not good enough yet to ... do... xyz...

Instead I was challenging myself to step up to the plate- and get in the game.

stop being a bystander watching others going and doing....

I am not a natural leader-

I shy away from those types of roles.

I don't like to be in the spotlight...

(don't be like that- learn wisdom in your youth..)

 

God gives us so many opportunities to learn and practice leadership skills. (Serving as Beehive President, or counselors, or secretaries)

The Personal Progress Program with 10 hour projects, giving talks in church and callings...

There are scriptures too- that encourage us to

" Let your light so shine before men,

that they may see your good works

and glorify your Father in Heaven".

The young women logo is a torch- the light of Christ in all of us.

Have you noticed that?

Last year was a good year...

I did step up and out of my comfort zone-

I over came some fears...

and chose to SHINE.

You choose too- because you are a daughter of a Heavenly Father who loves you - and you are brilliant and bright- so shine!

Best Spent Hour of YOUR DAY!

I've started interpreting (again) at BYU-H.
I am a sign language interpreter- for one religion class- Teachings of the Living Prophets.
You might hear alot about this class. The professor is a sweetheart from England- serving a mission here in Hawaii teaching religion.

When I interpret... the information usually goes in my ears and out my hands. I have a really hard time remembering details... so please forgive me that I don't have the reference for this idea. (I think he was quoting Steven Covey- but I might be wrong.)

Anyway- he was advising the students on how to balance life and school studies. And this is the advice by... ???

"Start your day dedicated to

20 minutes exercise

, 20 minutes to meditate (pray and read scriptures)

and 20 minutes to plan your day.

If you do- that one hour will make the other 23 hours more productive. "

How many times have I thought, "I don't have time to exercise today, I just can't fit that in"?
Not so many times lately- I've worked in that time... but it is easier for me now... all my kids are in school.
But I remember that was a real problem and discouraging as a student and young mother.

20 min- I probably procrastinate making dinner 40 min... why not procrastinate while I exercise? (even if it is just put some music on and walk up and down the stairs? Actually- while I transfer loads of laundry up and down the stairs... I'm not just double tasking but TRIPLE tasking- if you count the procrastinating... )

You get my point. Make it work.
Since I've been doing this....

(I've been doing this--even before I heard this awesome quote)

But since I've been doing this- I have noticed I do have more productive days- and my mind seems more clear. I am able to see what needs to get done and not get so overwhelmed by everything that could/should get done.

Baby steps... make it a goal.
Let me know- the benefits you find from following this idea of the best spent hour of your day.

Where are you planted?

This month- our young women are focusing on Choice and Accountability.

I have read a few books that have talked about the power of our attitude.
Stand for Something by Gordon B Hinckely
Be Your Best Self by Monson
Good To Great by Jim Collins
The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R Covey.

I highly recommend each book- maybe later in the month I'll post reviews.

But basically- Life happens.
Bad things happen to everyone
Everyone has trials and struggles- even the people who we think have the perfect lives--- have challenges.

That is the one guarantee in life- you will be challenged.
So
Once you accept that
and stop looking for the easy way or path...
and stop wishing your situation was different
Stop feeling sorry for yourself

you can start growing.

One of my favorite sayings on this topic is "Bloom where you are planted".


Don't make excuses to why you are not reaching your full potential

I love this picture of the flower in the dry dirt.
It doesn't look like the ideal situation- dry, dusty bit of ground-a lonely little flower.

But when it was a seed- it had the potential to be a flower and it knew it.
It took advantage of the opportunities around it and reached it's potential.

So look around you- what opportunities are right in front of you?
For me- hockey season is going to start.
Which means over a two hour round trip drive in the car with my kids.
That drive use to be a big thorn in my side
I use to dread it ALL DAY
It use to make me grumpy and grumbly
Then I thought- okay- accept it.
How can I use those 2 hours a day... what opportunity does it provide?

Now- my kids and I enjoy listening to book on CD those 2 hours
We sing songs, quiz on multiplication math facts, help each other memorize vocabulary words, (Spanish words - now my son is taking Spanish)

What has changed?
my attitude

and now- those sometimes are the MOST productive 2 hours of my day!

So I encourage you- don't wait for your situation to change.
Sometimes- it is what it is.
But look for an opportunity to grow amid your challenges.

Another quick example- from high school
I didn't have a car
I shared a car with my two older siblings- so
I was low on the totem pole when it came to actually having the car to get to and from a summer job.

At first I was really discouraged
job opportunities near my house were limited.
(An Asian food store & 7-11 type shopping area)
My best friends (twins) suggested we be life guards-
I was curious as to HOW they planned getting to and from the pool
that was maybe 6 or so miles away each day.
(There dad worked and their mom was paralyzed/confined to a wheel chair)
They were going to run.
Both ways
EVERYDAY.
So we did.
It was great- not only did that open up more opportunities to work
WE were in GREAT shape in the Fall when Cross Country practice started up.
The Twins - were not just my best friends in High School
they were great examples of finding ways to overcome obstacles - to reach their goals.
Okay- I've got to run
GO AND make good Choices!

What is REALLY important?

As I have been thinking about this project... I am so excited to get started. I love challenging myself- especially when it is pushing myself to be creative/resourceful/frugal and thrifty.

But in the back of my mind- a little voice of warning whispers: Don't forget and loose sight of the purpose and goal of the project.
(This is for my Choice and Accountability Value Project. It could be used for Divine Nature, Individual Worth- a marketable skill, Knowledge- proper care of clothes,repairs, alterations, or Integrity.)


Heavenly Father doesn't care if we are fashionable.

He doesn't care if we keep up with the current trends.



He does care that we are neat in our appearance and clean- physically and morally.



D. Todd Christofferson in a talk titled :A Sense of the Sacred" says ( in relation to our outward appearance and probably referring to church attire.)



".... some say dress and hair don't matter- it is inside that counts. I believe that truly it is what's inside a person that counts, but that's what worries me. Casual dress at Holy Places and events is a message about what is inside that person. It may be PRIDE or REBELLION or something else, but at a minimum it says, "I DON'T GET IT. I don't understand the difference between the sacred and the profane." ... I worry about them.... You are Saints of the Great Latter-day dispensation- look the part."



Okay. I bold printed the parts that struck a cord with me...

How we dress & present ourselves-- advertise our inside package: our standards, beliefs, morals, values, etc... etc...




And I believe that while Heavenly Father likes us to be creative and craftsy and frugal and thrifty-- he also likes balance in all things...
He likes us to serve one another and be charitable and smart and responsible and develop our spiritual talents along with our other gifts.





So- with all this in mind- I have to set some boundaries for myself.
(Because I have a way of neglecting household chores and other undesirable tasks... under the pretense that I am "researching" for my new calling and spend all my time crafting and creating... )








And I challenge you to set some parameters too... sit down and set time aside for chores, homework study and spiritual study along with time for fun.

I have heard as a guideline...

Figure out how much time it takes you to "get ready (physically) every day."

showered, dressed, etc...

And then set that same amount of time each morning to prepare yourself (spiritually) for the day.

I've noted that it takes me about a half an hour to get dressed and ready for the day.


So I wake up a half hour earlier to read my scriptures before my day begins... to prepare myself spiritually. And I've noticed a difference in my days.
It is nice.
That time helps me keep things in perspective. Not sweat the small stuff.
Helps me focus on what the important things are for me to accomplish this day...
and helps me have more patience.

For those of you who goto seminary- you already have this time worked in your day.
If you aren't in seminary yet- try setting some time aside to prepare yourself spiritually each day.
See how it helps you.

Why I love the Young Women Theme

WE ARE DAUGHTERS of our Heavenly Father, who loves us and we love Him.

WE WILL "STAND as witnesses of God at all times and in all things and in all places" (Mosiah 18:9) as we strive to live the Young Women values, which are:

FAITH

DIVINE NATURE

INDIVIDUAL WORTH

KNOWLEDGE

CHOICE AND ACCOUNTABILITY

GOOD WORKS

INTEGRITY

and

VIRTUE

WE BELIEVE as we come to accept and act upon these values, WE WILL BE

PREPARED

to strengthen home and family,

make and keep sacred covenants,

receive the ordinances of the temple

and enjoy the blessings of exaltation.

In my life- how many times have I stood and recited this theme?

Many

Yet as I study it now and think on it....

" as we come to accept"...

I love that our leaders understand ... we need to grow into this.

I didn't accept some of these values when I was a beehive.

I didn't fully understand their value, importance, their weight- in my life

The role they would play in my life.....

and then , "as we come to accept and ACT upon these values"

It's not just accepting them as important values or character traits

it is ACTING upon them

working on them

developing them

weaving them into the fabric of my being

the fiber of my being

As I work on my Personal Progress- I wonder why it was such a chore when I was a young woman?

I love this program!

It is so-- so-- everything I love!

Self Improvement

Challenging one- self to grow and be better.

It's like a booster shot of self worth

Sometimes in life we see a measuring stick

a standard people expect us to live up to

and we use it to beat ourselves

to put ourselves down at all the places we are lacking

how we are not measuring up

how we are not good enough.

Do you ever do that?

I do.

Then one day I watched my young kids measuring themselves.

They put their back against the wall and were marking the spot on the wall where their head hit the wall...

My youngest was so excited.

He knew he didn't measure as high as his older brothers

but he was excited to see how tall he was

he stood straight.. even raised to the tip toe...

to try and close the gap between his actual height and the mark of his older brother

and

at

that

moment

I had a realization.

a lesson from my child

When I see a standard

When I am trying to be like Jesus

I shouldn't beat myself up for not measuring up

I should be excited about the growth I have made

the progress I have made

and then I should be excited and anxious to improve

stretch to my full potential

to reach a little higher

That is all that is really asked of us.

Do our Best

and endure (keep doing our best) until the end.