“Create the highest grandest vision possible for your life, because you become what you believe.”
Oprah Winfrey
Hi! I'm back. As many of you know, I returned to school in the fall of 2017 to complete my undergraduate degree at Auburn University. When my workload increased, I had to take a break from my blog. I am happy to report that this past May 2019, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies.
It has been a whirlwind since I graduated and the past fall was so crazy that I didn't pay much attention to the whole end of a decade thing, and what's your vision for the next ten years. I made it up until midnight on New Year's Eve and was so proud of myself. It wasn't until the next day, January 1st, that I got it...ohhhh 20-20 Vision. The first thought that came to my mind regarding 20-20 vision was breaking up with a boyfriend in 9th grade (who I am sure I went out with for all of a week) via a note. He sent me a note back, and the opening line was, "hindsight is 20-20." At the time, I actually had no idea what that meant, and my friends and I got a huge kick out of it (we still do). Anyway, after I had a good laugh remembering this incident, I panicked! Why, you ask? Well, read on...
So now it's 2020. Over the past year, I achieved a life long goal of finishing my degree, I turned 50, and I'm an empty nester for the first time. The problem is I have no idea what's next, let alone have a vision for the next ten years of my life. Talk of dreams, goals, and visions were all over social media at the beginning of January. It freaked me out. However, I knew I needed to put some thought into these conversations. The only goal I knew for sure I wanted to work on in 2020, was committing to a different "challenge" every month for twelve months. I got the idea when I listened to the podcast, Ted Radio Hour: A Better You.The podcast features Matt Cutts, a technologist, who gave a Ted Talk on trying something new every thirty days for an entire year.
To help me achieve my 30-day challenge goal, I found a great planner (I'm a sucker for planners) called Commit30.I also purchased the goal workbook offered by Commit30 because I needed some guidance with my dreams and goal setting. Next, I started writing down my dreams no matter how big or small, and ideas I had for my 30-day challenges. The workbook suggested creating a vision board, and so I did! I had never made a vision board before, and I felt like I was doing a grade school project. However, in the end, it turned out to be pretty powerful!
All of this reflection prompted me to began reading and listening to audible books and podcasts about dreams and goals. I discovered Rachel Hollis and listened to her book, Girl Wash Your Face. One significant piece of advice I took away from Rachel was to write down your dreams and goals as if they have already occurred. For example, instead of stating I want to start my own business in 2020, say I started a business in 2020. Game Changer! After a very long month and a lot of soul searching, I came up with three goals for the new year.
There is so much more I want to write regarding dreams and goals. I will report back on how my 2020 vision is coming along! In the meantime, get out a pen and paper and write down your dreams and make them BIG!
*Oh and just an FYI, my first 30-day challenge was Dry January! Yes, you heard me right; I did not drink for thirty days! The topic itself deserves a separate blog post.