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Pivot, pivot, PIVOT!

We all have dreams, desires, and destinations that we want to experience. And how many times along that journey toward those dreams, desires, and destinations did we quit instead of simply pivoting?

I get it. I want the straight line, the smooth sailing, and the guaranteed success, but in my almost 50 years, I can honestly say that seldom happens. Have I mastered this? Nope. Am I still working through this? Yup.

First, for full transparency, me and goals, not such great friends. I have not had great success at setting goals and achieving set goals; instead, I like to set intentions. Yet somehow, manifesting through vision boards is kinda my thing. This year, I am seeking to reconcile this disconnect with goals in general and my relationship with them, still using my virtual vision board for darn sure.

Here is what I have going on so far for 2024: a word of the year, 2 goals, 1 personal, and 1 professional. I also have isolated habits that can support the goals along my path to achieving them. It is within here when we pivot. In the past, I never took the time to separate my goals from the process and path to them.

Recognizing the Pivot Point

How many times have we hit resistance in our journey and mistakenly judged it as, “this must not be for us”. When, in actuality, it was the path getting there that wasn’t right for us. Pivoting is not about giving up; it’s about adjusting our approach when faced with challenges or unexpected circumstances. It’s about recognizing when a certain path isn’t serving us, changing course, and not quitting.

Don’t be a Ross and pivot at the most inopportune moment.

Aligning Habits with Goals

Effective pivoting really boils down to having habits that align well with our goals. There’s a bit of wisdom from Aristotle that rings true here: we become what we repeatedly do. So, I’ve been giving my habits a good once-over to see what’s working for me and what’s not. It’s all about making sure my everyday actions are in sync with where I want to go. This way, I’m not just staying on track, but I’m also better at spotting when it’s time to pivot.

I’m focusing on cultivating habits that actively contribute to both my personal and professional aspirations. This approach is like having a roadmap for smooth pivoting. These habits guide me, even when I need to adjust my course. I’m convinced that this goal-habit alignment is key to pivoting effectively, making sure every step I take moves me closer to my bigger picture.

Embracing Flexibility

Using the idea of our goals as destinations, and our journey to our goals as the process and path we take to get to our destination, we can then see that detours are often part of our journeys. We don’t give up going to the store because of a stop sign, a detour, a roadblock, construction, or low fuel. We usually navigate around the circumstances between us and the store. The same can be true for our goals; our goals are destinations. And yes, it is okay to change your mind and not want that destination. Just make sure you are intentional in knowing the difference, and that you are pivoting instead of quitting on your desired destination.

As I continue on my path, I’m learning to embrace the pivots. Marty Neumeier’s words resonated with me: “…missteps are actually steps. Every mistake brings you closer to the solution.” These aren’t setbacks; they’re opportunities for growth and learning. Pivoting is an essential part of the journey, and I’m excited to see where these new paths will take me.

What about you? Have you identified areas in your life where a pivot might be necessary?

Goal Achievement Strategies:

How to Turn Your Goals into Daily Actions

I love a good plan. As a certified project manager, drafting plans is genuinely part of the fun for me. Every Sunday, mapping out my calendar is a key step in aligning with my broader vision for 2024. This year, I’m focusing on the granular details of my goals and intentions, breaking them down into quarterly, monthly, and weekly segments.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Break Down Your Goals

Dissect your 2024 goals into smaller segments – from annual to quarterly, to monthly, and down to the week. This granular approach helps clarify the path to achieving each goal and makes the journey manageable.

Step 2: Identify and Implement Supporting Habits

One habit I plan to embody is being a woman who honors her calendar. Determine which habits will support your goal achievement and add these to your virtual vision board as commitments to yourself.

Step 3: Organize Work into Categories

Starting small and being consistent is key. I organize my work into categories such as Content, Business, and Education, then allocate specific tasks or outcomes to each, focusing on tangible results rather than just activities.

Step 4: Allocate Time for Tasks

Setting aside dedicated time for these tasks in my calendar helps me stay focused and consistent. It’s about progress, not perfection, and these small steps have been instrumental in moving me closer to my goals.

Step 5: Starting Small and Staying Consistent

Embrace the philosophy of starting small. By focusing on achievable tasks and outcomes, you enhance your productivity and maintain motivation. This approach is instrumental in defining who you are becoming on your journey.

Step 6: Honor Your Calendar

Hello, I’m Suzette, a recovering people pleaser. Honoring my calendar is a crucial part of my journey. I’ve made “sticking to the calendar” a significant sub-goal, featured on my Virtual Vision Board. This commitment reminds me daily during my morning routine to prioritize my own goals alongside external opportunities.

Progress is key in our journey from intention to action. Embracing our calendars is more than task management; it’s a commitment to our aspirations. Each step we take is evidence of our discipline and consistency, shaping us into individuals who not only set goals but actively pursue and achieve them.

Now, it’s your turn. Identify a habit that supports your goals, and add it to your virtual vision board. Let’s celebrate each step forward, however small. The art of intentional living starts with one deliberate action. What will yours be?

Crafting an Artful Journey for 2024: A Path to Success

Setting the Stage for a Successful Year

As I sit down today to map out my goals and intentions for the first quarter of 2024, it’s all about the PLAN – a deliberate strategy for the year ahead. Carefully selecting my goals (or intentions) and refining my virtual vision board are essential steps to make sure I’m on the right track. If you haven’t created your vision board yet, I highly recommend the one I use; it has truly enhanced my planning process.

Navigating the Path to Achieve Your Goals

In the process of creating a virtual vision board, I am allowing myself to get familiar with the goals I have tentatively committed to. Getting situated this way helps me develop the process, a roadmap of sorts. This practice allows me to immerse myself in my goals and new desires while establishing habits that will carry me through the year, this quarter, the week ahead, and each day of the week.

January: A Month of Strategic Planning

January is the month for working out the finer details of how everything comes together. This month is dedicated to planning, plotting, and making necessary adjustments. Now that I’ve meticulously planned out Q1, next week, I’ll delve into the specifics to ensure everything aligns seamlessly.

Guiding Your Journey with an Overarching Theme

What remains clear and will continue to serve as a compass throughout this journey and beyond is my chosen word of the year. It’s an overarching theme that shapes my decisions, planning, and intentions. For 2024, my word is “ARTFUL,” symbolizing my aspiration to live an artful life.

Defining an Artful Life

An Artful Life is DELIBERATE, lived non-linear, and is Multi-Hyphenate. It Bridges the Gap between Ambition & Ability, it is about LEGACY more than currency, it is Unmistakable and processes profound DEPTH, and ultimately it is a Conscious Choice.

Join Me on the Artful Journey — Share Your Word of the Year or Your Virtual Vision Board with Me over on Instagram. 😏

Arrival Fallacy:

Are You Trapped in the Waiting Game?

Have you ever felt like life is just one big waiting room? Waiting for those elusive ducks to fall in line before you feel worthy? Waiting for that perfect person to walk in and fill your heart with love? Or maybe waiting for that dream career to finally bring you the security you crave?

Welcome to the Arrival Fallacy — the deceptive belief that happiness lies on the other side, that once we reach our goals or desired destinations, we’ll finally find lasting contentment. But the truth is, true fulfillment doesn’t come from reaching the goal; it’s about who we become in the process of achieving it.

How often have you caught yourself saying, ‘I’ll believe it when I see it,’ or ‘I’ll be happy when that happens’? These thoughts steal not only the joy of the journey but also the opportunity to grow into the person you’re meant to be along the way.

Think about it — life is a grand journey, with the final stop being, well, pushing daisies. Who wants to spend all that time just waiting?

So, here’s the question: How can we savor life and its myriad of experiences instead of holding out for a destination to feel content, secure, worthy, or happy?

What if, instead of waiting, you set your goal, trusted in its realization, and allowed yourself to feel the joy right now, on the path toward that goal?

What if the real treasure is who you become during the journey? It’s about trusting yourself, embracing the process, and basking in those good vibes, without the wait.

And what if getting there is as simple as stepping into the future you, even if it’s just for 10 minutes a day?

That’s precisely what I’ve been doing for over a year now. My 100-day challenge is my way of practicing the future me until I become that future me — all without waiting to experience the fulfillment that achieving a goal can bring.

Join me in this journey, where we learn to cherish the present while shaping our future. Let’s break free from the Arrival Fallacy and savor every step of the way.

Start my 100 Day Challenge TODAY!

Mood Board:

It’s finally here — my Canva Mood Board Tutorial on YouTube.

I’m often asked how I create my mood boards, and today, I’ll walk you through it.

I walk you through the 8 simple these steps I used when I created my monthly mood board template, a template I’ve used for all 2023.

Inspiration: Start by selecting images that truly move and inspire you. For me, Pinterest is the go-to source of inspiration.
Be Selective: Take your time and be selective about the images you want to focus on. Stay true to yourself.
Upload Your Images: Once you’ve gathered your images, it’s time to upload them.
Create Your Template: Now, let’s create your template. You have the freedom to choose the shape, size, and layout of your board. There’s no right or wrong way – do what feels right for you. I like to take my time with this step, making adjustments until I’m satisfied.
Upload Your Chosen Images: Once your template is ready, it’s time to upload the specific images you want. Play around with their arrangement until you’re content.
Arrange: Arrange your images until you’re happy with the layout. You can use grids for a simpler approach, but I prefer the flexibility of manual adjustments. Resize, reshape, and fine-tune until it’s just right.
Variety is Key: Having several designs gives you flexibility. For the next month, you can simply copy the design, change out the images, and voila, you have a new board.
Download and Rename: Finally, download your design for your use, and don’t forget to give it a meaningful name.

I hope this tutorial helps you create stunning mood boards, for many months to come.

Ciao for now!