Purposful goal setting

'Goals are dreams with deadlines' Diana Scharf 

When we record our goals we are turning wishes into reality.  Goals give us direction and aim and place to begin and end.

"People with goals succeed because they know where they are going"  Earl Nightingale

Success comes when we.............. 

1. Set goals
2. Prioritise the goals we set
3. Break down our goals into small manageable steps
4. Do our goals
5. Evaluate our goals
6. Share our successes with others

'She designed a life she loved'  author unknown

By going through these 6 steps the goals we make will be achieved.  They will not sit unfinished.  We will not feel discouraged, but energised ready to tackle our next goal.

I have found a couple of great blog posts on goal setting to help you. Alisa Burke has written this fantastic post on goals setting for artists 
which I have found very inspirational.  



http://alisaburke.blogspot.co.nz/2013/01/the-art-of-setting-goals.html?m=1


Another great article on goal planning.  I couldn't do as much has he has done in a year because I am different to him but I like some of his philosophies on goal setting.  It is an older post but I think it is still very relevant.




http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/how-to-conduct-your-own-annual-review/

Another inspirational time management person I love is Robyn Pearce.  She is the time queen.  Her website is full of wonderful ideas and hints (some free and some with costs attached) I have been to one of her workshops and she is just amazing.  (she lives in NZ )



http://www.gettingagrip.com/

Goal setting

As it is approaching the New year I have been thinking about what I want to achieve next year. I have so many ideas sometimes it is hard to narrow it down to the ones I need to do. But it is so important to be realistic in what I can achieve.  

Its a bit like climbing a mountain.  If my goal was to climb the mountain 10 ways, come down the mountain 10 ways, to take 10 pictures of the mountain from different angles and to try to get to the top of the mountain without touching the mountain on the way up or down in 2 weeks, I would be seriously overwhelmed.  Some of these goals would also be impossible so I have not only given myself to much to do at once but I have made myself fail before I've even begun.  Goals should be achievable and realistic.

Fine tuning our goals is so important because if we have too many or very difficult goals they tend not to be achieved. Too many goals become overwhelming. So my 'goal' is to write one to two goals per area of my life. Spiritual, physical, emotional, business, family and community. I need to make them achievable.  We can climb the mountain in one big step we do it one small step at a time.  Making a big goal is great but should only be a long term goal that we break down into smaller manageable steps.

Before the beginning of each year I write a list of specific suggested goals.  I then go through them and work out which ones are the priorities or the ones that give me the most fulfilment.  

My first goal for this year is to be creative everyday. 

I am so excited to do this.  I know when I am creative everyday I fell more fulfilled and more alive. Come join with me on my journey of creativity this year. xxx

Post Christmas creativity

We have had a wonderful Christmas with our family.  It has been lovely to see people that we love and care for.  We have been spoiled rotten and eaten beautiful food.

My daughter and son created this beautiful Christmas table

Beautiful lights

It has been so nice to be creative over the Christmas period.  Although we didn't manage every project I have blogged about, we did quite a bit.  My boys (hubby include) all got sick on the lead up to Christmas so my well made plans were slightly altered. It has been nice to see my children give to others and to create beauty with their own hands.

We are going to be creative into the new year with some wonderful new creative toys and activities to do. For Christmas one of my boys got a fantastic Meccano set.  Both the boys have spent an hour making a battery powered car.  It has got them working together and following instructions together and the added bonus was no fighting.

Finished product.

I am looking forward to spending a few days relaxing with my family and starting my beautiful new Christmas tree skirt for next year :)  thanks to my Mother in law for a wonderful new hand project.

I love hand work and this looks like a great project.

A close up of the train

I hope you have all had equally wonderful Christmas's and special times with your families. xxx

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to you all.  

I hope you have a fantastic day full of laughter love, and joy.

May your families be able to celebrate in their own unique and special way.

May you all be safe where ever you are.

Thank you for your support readership (is there such a word) this year.  

I appreciate you coming back to me time and time again.

Love Catherine xxx

N:B These photos are of the wonderful Christmas light display at the Hamilton, New Zealand temple.  It was just wonderful. :)

Christmas creativity: December 24th

Every year our family celebrates the days leading up to Christmas by doing something special each day. This year we have decided to be

Be creative each day

The aim is to do something creative to give away or to help someone else's Christmas be brighter.

December 24th 2013

Make a beautiful table setting for Christmas

This is going to be a collection of visual inspiration today.  Get your thinking caps on a make a stunning table setting. Remember you don't have to go overboard, simple can be very effective.


Music inspired 



http://celebrationsathomeblog.com/2013/12/music-themed-christmas-tabletop-design.html

Lots of ideas for the rustic look



http://www.modernhomeinteriordesign.com/rustic-christmas-table-decorations/

Lots of wonderful ideas



http://justinlovewithberni.com/2013/12/19/christmas-table-decorating-ideas/

Some more beautiful ideas



http://shadesofcinnamon.com/christmas-table-decor/

Golden Christmas



http://lauralusena.blogspot.co.nz/2013/12/golden-christmas.html

100 + ideas for decorating your table



http://decoholic.org/2013/12/06/100-christmas-table-decoration-ideas/

10 simple ideas to enhance your table



http://style-files.com/2013/12/09/10-christmas-table-decoration-ideas/

Christmas Creativity: December 23rd

Every year our family celebrates the days leading up to Christmas by doing something special each day. This year we have decided to be

Be creative each day

The aim is to do something creative to give away or to help someone else's Christmas be brighter.

December 23rd 2013

Make a cake for Christmas and ice it.  Give it to a person who is stressed and rushed this Christmas

My favourite cake is a traditional fruit cake but I am told by an american friend that a lot of Americans don't like fruit cake!  Is this true?  

N.B. Sorry my post is last today.  I tried to load it this morning and I had a few technical issues. I haven't tried any of these recipes.  They are ones that I would like to try :)

Traditional fruit cake

http://www.ziplist.com/recipes/2178663-Christmas_cake?return_to=/recipes/box#_a5y_p=1119487

Vanilla cake

http://www.yummytummyaarthi.com/2011/12/vanilla-cake-and-cupcakes-with.html

Christmas triple chocolate mousse cake

http://i-heart-baking.blogspot.co.nz/2011_12_01_archive.html

Christmas cake

http://fun.kyti.me/index.php/2013/12/christmas-cake/#_a5y_p=1121633

A grandmother's Christmas cake

http://evainthekitchen.com/blog/sweet-recipes/grandmothers-christmas-cake/

10 cake recipes

http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2011/11/fresh-food-friday-10-delicious-cake.html

Christmas creativity: December 22nd

Every year our family celebrates the days leading up to Christmas by doing something special each day. This year we have decided to be

Be creative each day

The aim is to do something creative to give away or to help someone else's Christmas be brighter.

December 22nd 2013

Make play dough, salt dough or gloop for a child

Play dough recipe

http://pin-n-tell.com/super-squishy-playdough/

Edible play dough

http://www.dealiciousmom.com/edible-play-dough-10-yummy-recipes/

 7 different play doughs to make

http://tipjunkie.com/post/7-playdough-recipes-to-make-for-kids/

Salt dough ornaments

http://www.freutcake.com/art-design/diy-art-design/how-to-make-salt-dough-ornaments/

Salt dough baubles

http://www.fallfordiy.com/blog/2013/12/diy-salt-dough-baubles.html

Glowing salt dough

http://craftulate.com/2013/07/glowing-salt-dough/

Another salt dough recipe

http://play2learnwithsarah.com/make-salt-dough-ornaments/

Christmas creativity: December 21st

Every year our family celebrates the days leading up to Christmas by doing something special each day. This year we have decided to be

Be creative each day

The aim is to do something creative to give away or to help someone else's Christmas be brighter.

December 21st 2013

1.       Make a Christmas stocking and fill it with goodies and give to a person who has served you or helped  this year

20 stocking patterns

http://hiddentreasurecrafts.com/christmas-stocking-patterns/

Cuffed stocking

http://patternrevolution.com/blog/2013/11/19/free-cuffed-stocking-pattern

12 stocking patterns

http://homeketeers.com/12-christmas-stocking-patterns-and-ideas/

Home style Christmas stocking

http://www.womansday.com/home/craft-ideas/craft-project-christmas-stocking-113534

Curly stocking

http://www.juxtapost.com/site/permlink/9e455520-5060-11e3-939e-751d5e57dda8/post/curly_christmas_stocking_pattern/

What to fill them with?

Lollies

Baking in cellophane

Small toys from the dollar/2 dollar store

One special doll or toy

Seeds and trowel

bubble mixture and bubble blowers

Pine cones and pompoms, pipe cleaners and glue

card (rolled up) felts/crayons/scissors

Use your imagination and make a child's day!!

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Christmas creativity: December 20th

Every year our family celebrates the days leading up to Christmas by doing something special each day. This year we have decided to be

Be creative each day

The aim is to do something creative to give away or to help someone else's Christmas be brighter.

December 20th 2013

1.       Make a Christmas wreath and leave it on someone’s front door step or make 10-15 different size and shaped cut out snowflakes and stick to someone’s front door.

Wreaths to make with kids

http://fun-a-day.com/christmas-wreaths-to-make-with-kids/

Snowflake wreath

http://www.bhg.com/christmas/wreaths/snowflake-paper-die-cut-wreath/

4 quick wreaths to make

http://craftsncoffee.com/2011/12/14/four-fun-fast-christmas-wreaths-to-make-tonight/

Some more wreaths

http://decoratorsnotebook.wordpress.com/2012/11/16/10-best-christmas-wreaths-to-make-and-buy/

Snowflake ideas

http://www.architectureartdesigns.com/28-cute-diy-snowflake-ideas/

Patterns for snowflakes

http://www.usefuldiy.com/diy-snowflake-paper-pattern/

Lots of great patterns

http://koduhaldjas.blogspot.fr/2013/11/paberist-lumehelbed.html

3D Snowflake

http://bakersbytes.blogspot.co.nz/2013/11/snowflakes-in-november.html#more

See what other designs you can create too!! 

Christmas creativity: December 19th

Every year our family celebrates the days leading up to Christmas by doing something special each day. This year we have decided to be

Be creative each day

The aim is to do something creative to give away or to help someone else's Christmas be brighter.

December 19th 2013

1.       Bake or make an edible Christmas tree and give them to the librarians in the local library

Fruit trees

http://londonparent.wordpress.com/2012/12/11/more-xmas-food-ideas-for-kids-or-all-fussy-eaters/

Cookie trees

http://www.landolakes.com/recipe/3949/cookie-christmas-tree

Trees from ice cream cones

http://www.couponclippingcook.com/candy-cookie-cones/

Lolly Christmas trees

http://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/edible-trees-gummy-and-sour-tape-trees/pictures/index.html?soc=holidaycentralsocialpinterest

A forest of fudge

http://www.handmadecharlotte.com/recipe-forest-fudge/

gingerbread trees

Just click the picture for instructions

http://bhgfood.tumblr.com/post/37202148920/gingerbread-trees-add-these-cute-edible-trees-to