Looking back to move forward

Last week I wrote about time and dare I say ‘Time Management’ the term we often shy away from, thinking maybe that’s possible for someone who has a Personal Assistant 🙂

It got me thinking about time and goals that I’m pursuing.

Yes, this week I had a ‘moment’ with a goal where I was left feeling flat and disappointed. It is a running goal that I’ve set with a time and date. This is to happen in a couple of weeks time, so I thought I’d test myself out.

This run had me a little disappointed this weekend, ok I was in tears! I ran for a certain time; smiling, being grateful that I CAN run and doing the best I could on the day … and didn’t make the distance in the time planned and YES I was disappointed. “In tears about a dumb run?” The voice in my head questions almost mocking me. Yes, I cannot believe I’m admitting this to you.

This made me think of my running journey and looking back at my diary, I read:

“Jan 21, 2013 – Doing my long brisk walk session this evening, I found myself walking along a path with a huge grin on my face. This isn’t as long as I once thought… not so long ago it was a massive achievement to run this length. Now I finally take time to breathe and look back at how far I’ve come and the improvements I have made.

This is something I’m learning to do with this marathon challenge, as I have done in the past with my whole life journey, just to pause once in a while, breathe and look back and see how far I have come and where I am going.

I have heard people say, even motivational speakers, “Look forward and never look back.” I understand what they mean, but I still think looking back for me, personally reminds me of the journey that has led me to now hasn’t always been rainbows and lollipops reminding me how I have succeeded and struggled in the past to get to my goals. At this particular moment I am reminded of the fact that it takes baby steps to get to a big goal. So I look back at my small baby steps here; 30 steps, then this path and next my 5.3km fun run challenge and now it appears more achievable in my mind, encouraging me to keep believing in me.” 

Reading this brings me to a state that encourages me to keep going, keep striving to reach my goal, even if it doesn’t happen on the exact date. I must also admit, I haven’t put in the training time as I should to train for such a result to happen…

Have you ever made a goal and haven’t quite reached it at the exact time you aimed for? We all do it from time to time; I’m not claiming to be Queen Goal Achiever 🙂 So maybe we should look back once in a while and keep striving for that goal and pat ourselves on the back for the distance we have made already along the way…I’m not just talking about running.

The Power Is In Me…it’s in You too!

Donna

Ouch!

Creating time around our BIGGER picture goals is another goal in itself, it seems. I am finding this when writing my book.

Have you ever found yourself dreaming of a wish, goal, aim…whatever you want to call it? But hear yourself (whether it is out loud or that annoying voice in your head) saying; “Where will I find the time?” or “I don’t have the time!” or “There are higher priorities than me following some dream.” Oh, it looks sad when I see it written in words, but we find ourselves saying this too often.

I found this has been the case for me recently unfortunately. Yes, there have been distractions in my life in the last month or so that were truly important…but also if I think about it, I have allowed other not so important diversions get in the way.

Just the other day I had a discussion with someone about the lack of commitment I have recently felt toward my book writing, not intentionally, but maybe subconsciously through fears of my own. He stated; “Donna, you need to share your story, think of the people you will be helping when they read it.” Yes, I have heard this said to me before but then he went on; “Donna, STOP being selfish! This is not about you, this is about your message that you need to share, so give this book the respect that it needs!”

Whoa! Ouch! Was this a slap in the face OR just what I needed to hear? Whatever you call it, it shook me up! After we spoke of the lives that I have already touched, inspired and encouraged, including adults and children, and even how parents have stated to me how I have become a role model, this was the stuff that took me aback; me, a role model?! To children?! This is the kinda stuff that is honestly scary to me… maybe the stuff that makes me a little nervous about writing.

But after looking back with my friend, who just knocked me out, realising the impact that little ol’ me has given with my story already, he was right! I had to get out of my head and into my heart.

Reminding me also of other BIG goals I have achieved. The marathon I achieved by remembering “why”…Why was I doing (some would say) this ridiculous challenge? Why was it so important for me to achieve? These are the questions we need to keep reminding ourselves when setting a goal, WHY? Yes, it is important to know how too, but the real reason for reaching your goal comes from your why… and setting a date.

So the steps I now promised my friend I’d do were to set aside at least one hour (switch of my phone and email…aahh!!) to write at a specific time each day to give my book the respect it deserves AND the people who read it. Ready! Set! Go!

What steps will you make to reach your goal!

 

The Power Is In Me…it’s in You too!

Donna

It’s all in the mind

Announcing my scary goal to you a couple of weeks ago was a very big deal to me! Yes I have made the commitment of writing a book that reveals my true essence, sharing my thoughts and interpretation of my journey!

This is truly a big commitment. It’s time consuming and sometimes mind boggling as to how I am going to fit this into a legible form of interest; involving my experiences, story of determination, struggles, humour, motivation and lessons in my effort to pass on encouragement, inspiration, curiosity and hope this will guide readers into a time of reflection and motivation. I have done this many times at speaking events, but to write a book; to bring a certain voice to my pages can be a tricky mission.

For those who know me well, realise I am a person who detests being called a sufferer or a victim…eeew that really doesn’t work for me. I explain my story as a grateful survivor who just likes to get on with things and believe that there’s no such thing as can’t…

In the past I never liked to draw attention to myself regarding my stroke or diabetes, but then WHAM! Run Donna Run happened www.RunDonnaRun.com.au with no other reason but to raise funds for the RCH and encourage others, it was a huge personal goal too. No, I didn’t have to make a big song about it, but it just kind of grew into something I am proud to say made a positive difference and still does.

So back to the book writing dilemma, is it a dilemma or a process that I’ll grow into as the pages come to life? Yes, I write short pieces, such as my blogs, or articles where you are so wonderful to give feedback…good or bad, I am open to opinions and constructive criticism…although it’s all been good so far, thanks! 🙂

This reminds me of my first solo art exhibition a few years ago. I was revealing my work without hiding behind other artists talent, it was all me! Whilst being exciting it was scary too when I paused before opening night! Would people like it? Would they purchase my work? Would they totally bag it? Having a conversation with a friend of a pleased buyer at my exhibition; he said once he stopped painting for himself and painted what he thought would sell, that was when he actually didn’t sell! Hmm…interesting observation.

Where am I going with this? Well, it makes me think of scary challenges I’ve faced in the past, surviving a stroke, learning to walk again, changing my little sisters nappy (she probably won’t read this… 😉 ), launching a solo art exhibition, learning to run all over again (after 34 years) 30 steps to a marathon in 11 months…now writing a book… it’s written, in my mind, I just have to transform it into text.

We all have our own version of paintings, books, running a marathon, some sort of scary and exciting challenge, but do we go with “what sells” or conform to others expectations? Or go with our heart and our own PB (personal best)?

 

The Power is in Me…it’s in You too!

Donna