Tag Archives: goals

Operation Spread Hope, Love & Joy

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makesomeoneslifebetter 2

Point to Ponder:
Where does spreading hope, love and joy fall into your Christmas festivities?

iGnite Neissa

by Neissa Brown Springmann

Each year and upon entering the Christmas season I always set out to be more intentional and purposeful than in the previous years. Inevitably, my goals are always the same: don’t overspend, stick to the Christmas list, avoid perfection, resist shopping for myself while I am shopping for others (how does that always happen?!), and most importantly to live outside of myself by giving and sharing the spirit and meaning of Christmas: to spread hope, love and joy.

I cringe to think how extra self-centered my holidays would be without my attempted annual goals. Frustratingly, I always spend more money that desired, I get caught up in materialism and commercialism, and I exhaust myself by trying to make everything perfect which in turn stresses me out! Shamefully, beyond my immediate family members, friends and neighbors there is very little thinking outside of myself, no extra sharing of love, hope and joy and therefore no additional lives impacted. Really, it’s nauseating that I live in this perpetual state of insanity (setting the same goal and taking no additional action yet expecting a different result), therefore to end this ridiculousness and attempt to really spread hope, love and joy and make a difference in at least one life during the Christmas season, I’ve come up with a plan of action entitled “Operation Spread Hope, Love and Joy”, and I hope you will join me!

The goal of Operation Spread Hope, Love and Joy is exactly as it sounds: to spread hope, love and joy by putting a smile on someone’s face, being a source of encouragement and light and continuing to express gratitude which will in turn positively impact lives.

Starting today and throughout the next four weeks leading up to Christmas I will announce the weekly action. For this week, the suggested action is to print the provided note card printable, cut out the individual notes and give to as many people as possible. If you are like me, you will experience some fear and hesitation when handing out the cards, especially to a total stranger. You may likely make an assumption that the potential recipient isn’t going through anything, doesn’t need a pick-me-up and/or will think you are weird. Repeat these words: Nonsense! Everyone is going through something, everyone can use a little light and iGnite in their lives and if spreading some hope, love and joy by means of positive note cards make us weird, I gladly welcome the label! After all, the worst thing that can happen is the card gets thrown in the trash, but what if it makes somebody else’s life better?

Finally, share how you are spreading your hope, love and joy note cards by posting pictures via your favoritie social media outlets, using the hashtag #spreadhopeloveandjoy and tagging iGnite. This is not at all to be braggadocious or draw attention to your or iGnite’s actions. Instead, it’s an opportunity to let social media do what I believe social media has the greatest potential in doing, which is to be a catalyst for uplifting messages, positive change and spreading good around the world.

Action Item:
Print the provided note card printable, cut out the individual notes and give to as many people as possible. If you are able, share how you are spreading your hope, love and joy note cards by posting pictures via your favorite social media outlets, using the hashtag #spreadhopeloveandjoy and tagging iGnite.

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Embrace “The Juggle”

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Inspiration from the iGnite Archives

iGnite - The Juggle

As the summer is coming to an end and the shift to back to school and more activity is happening, we are embracing The Juggle.  Our inspiration is from a blog post from a few years back. We encourage you to read it again and determine your priorities and goals, set some realistic expectations and practice patience in the moments when it’s not all going according to plan.

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The Road Map & Magnets In Your Life

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Mantra: Look up & live now

“Your thoughts bear fruit. Think good thoughts and the fruit in your life will be good. Think bad thoughts and the fruit in your life will be bad. For as you think in your heart, so are you. ”
(Ending Your Day Right)

Point to Ponder:
Have you put off determining your mantra?   Don’t over-think it, just jot down a phrase that inspires you!

Action Item:
If you haven’t already, determine your goal/mantra/intention for Spring & repeat it to yourself first thing each morning.

by Neissa Brown Springmann

by Neissa Brown Springmann

There’s no doubt that our thoughts and words act as both a road map and magnet in our lives. If we think and speak words of encouragement and positive affirmation to ourselves and others, not only will our day and lives move in a positive direction, but the people we attract will add meaningful value to our lives.

Thoughts and words are magic. They can tear down or build up. They can quickly make a bad situation worse, like throwing gas on a fire, or they can boost our spirit in times of complete and utter frustration, annoyance and anger. They can quickly put life into perspective. They, our thoughts and words, have the power to transform our lives and the lives of those around us. Lucky us, because every thought and word we choose to think and speak is a choice, so choose yours wisely!

As we focus one more week on creating our mantra, motto or determining a goal for the spring season, iGnite leaders Betty, Meg and Sha have shared their comical and heartfelt mantras below.

“Look Up & Live Now”

Betty Cunningham

by Betty Cunningham

Too often I let the circumstances of my life overwhelm me and I begin to focus on the negative. “Too much to do, not enough time,” “Complicated problem, can’t figure it out,” etc. If I simply take the time to look up and put my problems into perspective, it changes my reaction. In 2014, I will ‘look up’ more and fret less. Even if it means looking up to the heavens and saying, “Really?!  You have got to be kidding me!”  This gesture at least gives me and God a good laugh.

My dad gave each one of us a nick name when we were in babyhood. My nickname was Short Fat and Ugly. My sister Theresa (a type A+++++ personality & complete overachiever) now calls me the, Short Skinny Procrastinator. It’s so true! (well maybe not the skinny part.) I must say that I am fairly accomplished at completing my day to day to do list, however, it’s the BIG to-do’s that I miss. Therefore, LIVE NOW is my mantra for 2014, especially when it comes to the relationships in my life. My kids will soon be off to college and living their own lives. It’s time to LIVE NOW and love all the laundry and dishes!

“Take Time For Me”

by Meg O'Connell

by Meg O’Connell

“What is necessary is to continue to love. How does a lamp burn, if it is not by the continuous feeding of little drops of oil? When there is no oil, there is no light. Dear friends, what are our drops of oil in our lamps? They are the small things from every day life: the joy, the generosity, the little good things, the humility and the patience. A simple thought for someone else. Our way to be silent, to listen, to forgive, to speak and to act. They are the real drops of oil that make our lamps burn vividly our whole life.” -Mother Teresa

February is here, the month of love. I have to admit, I get caught up in it all: the cute Valentines for the kids, aphrodisiac dinner parties with friends, and champagne and chocolates with my hubby. However, January was more a whirlwind this year than ever before, and because of this, there has been less self-care. As I move into this month’s celebration of love, I feel my desire to focus more on “me.”

With all of the emotional events that I experience or witness, I can easily close off part of my emotional capacity to myself and to others, and as someone who loves to take care of my people, when I don’t take the time to let go of these losses, stresses, and insecurities, I am not able to give. Therefore, in February, I will be taking that time for myself. You will see me on the mat more, running the lake and taking lunches with friends. I will inhale acceptance and let go of all stress when I exhale.

“Be Good to Myself from the Inside Out”

by Sha Klatt

by Sha Klatt

I am at a good place in my life to pay attention to my own daily needs, starting with great nutrition. I’m realizing more and more that ‘you really are what you eat.’  I feel so much better when I eat a healthy diet.

I’m also enjoying and focusing on my spiritual growth. I’ve been attending a Bible study for the first time in decades, and it is wonderful.

Another aspect of being good to myself is of course taking time to be physically active each day. My mom always said, “You have to take care of yourself so that you can take care of others.”   It feels good to focus on these words and put them into action!

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Wait…Can I Have YOUR Mantra?

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“Once you become consciously aware of just how powerful your thoughts are, you will realize everything in your life is exactly how you allow it to be.”
-Melaine Moushigian Koulouris

Point to Ponder:
Have you been putting off determining your mantra?
Remind yourself that it can’t hurt to create one,  why put it off when it could do nothing but GOOD for your life?

Action Item:
If you have already determined your spring mantra, repeat it to yourself at least once a day.  If you haven’t, do it this week!

by Neissa Brown Springmann

by Neissa Brown Springmann

Now that we’ve been sharing mantras for the past two weeks, I’m curious if you are suffering from “mantra envy” like I am?  Perhaps you have even asked, “Wait..can I have your mantra?”

I think there’s absolutely nothing wrong with identifying with and wanting someone else’s mantra, as it simply means that we have a lot in common. And, the more we allow ourselves to be vulnerable and share, the greater opportunity we have to connect on intimate levels, inspire one another and have the greatest impact. So in the spirit of sharing, below are the  personal mantras of three more of our amazing leaders: Alli, Jill and Kathleen

“Conceive – Believe – Achieve”

by Alli Phillips

by Alli Phillips

For the last several months my husband and I have been casually brainstorming a business idea that has me very excited. Not only do I think our idea is a good one, but I love that it involves us working together. However, even though I WANT to work toward making our idea a reality, I am prone to self-doubt as well as letting the busyness of day-to-day life consume me…. So, this spring, the areas of wellness on which I’d like to focus are “occupation” and “personal growth.” My mantra is “Conceive – Believe – Achieve” based on the quote from Napoleon Hill, “Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.”

“Embrace Life’s Challenges, Eager to Gain all the Blessings Hidden in the Difficulties”

by Jill Watts

by Jill Watts

Over the past year I have had many life challenges to deal with, and as I am not always able to stay positive and push through whatever comes my way, I certainly have not embraced many of these challenges. I have spent a lot of time and energy trying to figure out why they happened the way they did, how they could have been different and have whined about them. I realized that if I just accept things exactly as they are in the present moment and embrace the challenge, trusting that everything will work out in the end and that something good will come out of them– a blessing– that life would be so much easier and happier. This pertains to my work, my marriage, my children, relationships…ALL aspects of my life. We are constantly faced with challenges in our lives, especially as we get older and our children get older. Life is constantly changing and bringing upon new challenges, which is what makes us grow and become stronger, wiser and live with more gratitude. I often have to remind myself these days to embrace it rather than complain about it!  Almost always there is a blessing that comes out of it in same way. It also helps me realize how truly blessed I am.

“Don’t Be Afraid to Be Amazing!”

by Kathleen Parker

by Kathleen Parker

I have to confess I borrowed my mantra from the words of Olympic Snowboarder Gretchen Bleiler. When I first read her words I knew they meant something to me. Growing up with a driven and goal-oriented father, I remember his words to us 6 kids: “You can search for happiness your whole life and you will never find it. It is through your accomplishments that you find happiness.” Often I get “comfortable” with my day to day life, and at times get stagnant and stuck. “Don’t be afraid to be amazing” motivates me to continue to challenge myself in ALL aspects of my life, even if it leads to some failures and disappointments. My failures have been a vehicle for learning and growth, and if I did not go through them I would not be a better version of myself. BRING IT ON 2014!! I will NOT be afraid to be amazing!!

 

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Exactly Where You Need to Be

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Greatest Blessings come with patience

You will get there when you are meant to get there, and not one moment sooner…..so relax, breathe and be patient.
– Mandy Hale

Point to Ponder:
Do you question why you are where you are in life?

Action Item:
Remain patiently determined while understanding that you are planted where you and others need to grow.

by Neissa Springmann

by Neissa Springmann

Despite the fact that we profusely fought as teenagers, my older sister Shonna is my best friend. While our core values and beliefs are identical, we are two very different people. For example, she’s an ER nurse, while hospitals make me queasy. She’s direct and doesn’t mind confrontation, while I’ll do almost anything to smooth over an unpleasant situation. We both believe in the power of goal setting, however Shonna isn’t satisfied until it is accomplished, while I tend to find joy in the journey.

Over the past nine years, Shonna has been working diligently on accomplishing a long-term goal related to her career success. She has remained prayerful, faithful and determined, however she also stays perpetually frustrated and curious, wondering when she will see the fruits of her labor. Then, a few months ago during a bizarre dream (involving, of all weird things, a Rubik’s Cube), she was given the peace of mind she had been searching for. Not only did the dream reveal that she was exactly where she needed to be, but most importantly it showed her that while her time would arrive, she was where she was so that others could get where they needed to go.

We both believe that her dream was divinely inspired and certainly not coincidence. Its message is powerful and one that we all can benefit from, which is:

We all play a significant role in one another’s lives. Never is the meeting of a stranger or where we are at any given point inconsequential to the grand plan. We are planted where we need to grow, and, as frustrating as it can be, we must remember that 99.9% of the time it’s not about us. If looked upon from above, we would resemble an orchestra — everyone playing a different instrument, some well and some not so well, but nonetheless, creating a musical masterpiece together.

In case you feel like Shonna did, wondering when your hard work will pay off, why you are where you are, or when your time will come, just remember you are exactly where others need you to be, and therefore, exactly where you are supposed to be.

What do you think? Join the discussion here

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It’s Time to Make Magic Happen!

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iGnite Goal Setting Sheet

Goals are like magnets. They’ll attract the things that make them come true.
– Tony Robbins

Point to Ponder:
What are some different things you would like to do or accomplish by the end of 2013?

Action Item: 
Determine 3 different things (be specific!) you would like to do and/or accomplish by the end of 2013 and write them down on the iGnite-provided goals card provided above.

By Neissa Springmann

By Neissa Springmann

I don’t know about you, but for me the summer months are fairly unproductive. Maybe it’s the heat mixed in with vacations, but I just can’t seem to find my rhythm, which is why I love September! With school starting, cool temps around the corner and college football (random, but it helps!), I am energized and motivated to get organized, establish a good routine and set goals. September is the fall’s ‘New Year’ and we get a do-over, so let’s take advantage of this ripe goal-setting season and experience magic!

I am an absolute believer in setting goals, creating vision and dream boards and living an intentional life, but I’d be lying if I told you I didn’t need to be consistently inspired to take action. And, not that there is ever a bad time to get serious and set specific goals, but now that the lazy and crazy days of summer are in the rear view mirror and we are entering the final quarter of the year, September is the perfect time to get motivated. Need more convincing? Check out a study conducted on students in the 1979 Harvard MBA program and from the book What They Don’t Teach You at Harvard Business School by Mark McCormack:

In that year, the students were asked, “Have you set clear, written goals for your future and made plans to accomplish them?” Only 3% of the graduates had written goals and plans; 13% had goals, but they were not in writing; and a whopping 84% had no specific goals at all.

Ten years later, the members of the class were interviewed again, and the findings, while somewhat predictable, were nonetheless astonishing. The 13% of the class who had goals were earning, on average, TWICE as much as the 84% who had no goals at all. And what about the 3% who had clear, written goals? They were earning, on average, TEN TIMES as much as the other 97% put together.

So, do you believe in the power of writing down your goals? Are you motivated to set up to three specific goals for the fall? If so, take some time to determine what three goals (one physical, one mental, one spiritual) you’d like to accomplish by December 25, 2013. We have created the tool below for writing them down.  When you’re filling yours out, here’s one more goal setting suggestion:

Focus on the things you want, rather than the things you don’t want, and like the picture above states, choose a friend to share your goals with so he/she can provide you with support and hold you accountable.

…What do YOU think?

Join the discussion  & let’s learn from each others’ experiences
by leaving a comment at the bottom of this post. (it can be anonymous!)

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No Regrets

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Don’t fear failure so much that you refuse to try new things.
The saddest summary of life contains three descriptions: could have, might have and should have.

– Louis E. Boone

If you haven’t had the opportunity to count your blessings, celebrate your accomplishments or set new goals yet this week, we recommend you do!  Your accomplishments may not feel as giant as the ones seen in the video below, but we promise you’ll feel just as awesome!

 

What’s Your Monkey Bar?

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“First tell yourself what you want to be, then do what you need to do.”
– Epictetus

Action Item:
Set a goal, back it with objectives, then support it with action, practice and positive reinforcement (and let others support you!).

by Cary Fyfe

by Cary Fyfe

The quote and action sound simple, right? At first glance — yes, then when we move forward with the goal in mind, we get tripped up. It’s so easy to dream big and set goals, but not so easy to accomplish them. Why is that? A million reasons like: “I ran out of time,” “I don’t have the resources,” “I don’t have the strength,” “my life is too scattered,” etc. All true, but only if we set our sights on the goal, then neglect to engage in the small steps that enable us to reach the goal. And what are those small steps? Find them in this story about CK, a 4 year-old preschool student of mine:

CK stands alone on the playground, nestled into a shady spot beside the monkey bars. She seems unaware of the gleeful sounds of play surrounding her; she ignores her friends’ requests for her to join. I look toward the object of her thoughtful gaze, and she is intently watching a playmate guide her seemingly effortless way across the monkey bars – back and forth, over and over – reach, grab, dangle, swing, reach again…a natural and unselfconscious dance for this four-year-old peer. She continues to watch, then sees me and slowly approaches, something clearly on her mind.

“I want to do that.” She points to her swinging friend. “…but I can’t” she adds.

I reach for her hand and we walk together to the monkey bars. Together, we survey the ladder — up to the launch, the length of the bars to the ladder on the other side, and the length between the bars. We talk about how the metal is hard on sweet, innocent palms, of how it’s hard to maintain a strong grip.

“What CAN you do on the monkey bars?” I ask. Without answering, she shows me as she climbs the short ladder, affirms her safe stance, reaches for the first bar with one hand, then the other, then turns to look at me again. Where moments before there had been a look aglow with possibilities there is now a cloud, casting a shadow of self-doubt across her face. I smile and urge her forward with a nod, she turns again to the bars, and with the twinkle returning to her now determined focus, she reaches one hand out, then the other, and drops her feet from the ladder. She swings – I will her to hold on. The earlier shadow crosses her face again – I tense every muscle in my body as if that would be the force that enables her to stay aloft. And with my smiles and the excited hurrays of her friends who are now cheering her on, she breaks her personal record for holding that first bar, then moves ahead by reaching out for the second. Does she make it the first time? No. And not the second or third either, but she is now clear about her goal: she is going to cross the monkey bars. She now knows her objectives: to hold on to one monkey bar and swing, to reach for the next bar and repeat, to continue this practice until her goal is reached. Her support when she loses faith? The encouragement of her friends and her teacher, the inspiration of her peers doing what she so badly wants to be able to do, her growing strength from practicing and experiencing small successes.

And she moves toward this goal by doing just that – she practices. And even in her four-year-old world, there are roadblocks. It rains the next day and we don’t make it to the playground. She chooses to play chase with friends over monkey bar practice every now and again. She gets a blister and has to rest for a few days. But in time, she makes it across, and when she does, there is cause for celebration like nothing has ever been celebrated before in her short life. And it is a golden moment, one that launches her towards her next goal: to cross back over again.

So, what’s your ‘monkey bar?’  In other words, what goal/goals are you striving toward? Whether physical, mental or spiritual, this week is our week to allow ourselves to revisit the simplicity of moving forward with our goals and desires, which will move us closer to living our legacy. Therefore, set a goal or goals. Back it up with specific, reasonable objectives that enable you to move towards accomplishing that desired behavior. Then actively practice those objectives in your daily life – again, even in the tiniest ways. Find support and encouragement by surrounding yourself with supportive people, or positive and inspiring readings or situations. You can also share your goal someone who is happy to nudge you gently forward, as you see fit.

“First tell yourself what you want to be, then do what you need to do,” and we will continually celebrate together and for each other like no one has ever celebrated before!

Point to Ponder:
What is something difficult you would like to accomplish this summer, but don’t know how you will make it happen?

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Don’t Break Your Chain

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Don't Break the Chain

It’s not about being the best. It’s about being better than you were yesterday.
– Unknown

A few weeks ago, an iGnite Member sent me a quote, which happens to be our quote-of-the-week. I thought it was a brilliant quote, as the pressure of being ‘the best’ is overwhelming, daunting, and requires a winner and loser.  The idea of striving to be better everyday is personal and less competitive, making the goal much more achievable and enjoyable. At the time, I knew I wanted to incorporate the quote into a journal entry, but I wasn’t exactly sure how it would happen, as my intention is to let each entry grow organically and authentically. Sure enough, just as I was thinking about how I would use the quote, I ran across an article by Darren Hardy featuring Jerry Seinfield. This is what it said:

A young comic asked Jerry Seinfeld if he had any tips for him starting out as a comic. What he told the young comic would benefit him for a lifetime. Seinfeld told the comic that the way to be a better comic was to create better jokes. And the way to create better jokes was to write every day.
But his advice went further. He explained a technique that he uses to keep himself motivated, even when he doesn’t feel like it. Jerry explained the calendar system he uses to pressure himself to write. Here’s how it works:
He said, “Get a big wall calendar that has a whole year on one page and hang it on a prominent wall. Maybe somewhere your family can see or your office mates. The next step is to get a red magic marker. For each day you complete the task of writing, put a big red X over that day. After a few days you’ll have a chain. Just keep at it and the chain will grow longer every day. You’ll like seeing that chain, especially when you get a few weeks under your belt. Your only job next is to not break the chain.”
Seinfeld understands that daily action yields greater benefits than sitting down and trying to knock out 300 jokes in one day. This calendar system works because it visually reinforces us to stick with that consistent daily action. Skipping one day makes it easier to skip the next.

The visual of not breaking the chain resonates with me. Each consecutive day I don’t break my chain will allow me to be better than the day before, just as the quote states. In addition, every day that I take action towards my goal will strengthen my ability to be my best, and will build discipline and positive momentum for my goal and my life in general.

Honestly, I have not chosen my goal, habit, or positive action yet; however, I have come up with a multitude of positive actions that, if implemented everyday, would lead to incredible results. For example: drink 64 oz. of water a day, take my vitamins, tell my family I love them, write a note to a friend, exercise, pray, journal, get 7-9 hours of sleep each night, eat at home vs. eat out…

Literally, the list is infinite, but as Jerry suggests, “just choose one and purchase your wall calendar and a red magic marker.” Then, start your objective and don’t break your chain to being your best and better than you were yesterday.

————————-

Point To Ponder:

If implemented everyday, what habit, behavior or action would make the greatest impact on your life?

————————-

Action Item:

Determine your habit, behavior, or action. Then purchase your wall calendar, red marker and start your chain!

To your health,

About Neissa

Neissa

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POINT TO PONDER: How Open Are You to Change?

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Life Gets Better by Change

Change is difficult, this we all know — but it is a necessity for true life change.

How willing are you to make changes in your life?