The Latest News, Views, and Gurus
Vol. 1, No. 2
Hello Readers,
It’s us – Ann Leach and Michelle Beaulieu Pillen, co-authors of
Goal Sisters: Live the Life You Want With A Little Help From Your Friends, coming to you from our book’s online home at
www.goalsisters.com. Welcome back to our returning readers and greetings to our new subscribers! Each month you’ll find tips and techniques for incorporating the Goal Sisters process into your daily life. This newsletter is our way of supporting you along the many paths in your glorious goal garden.
* * FALLING AHEAD * *
Summer is almost over and Fall is on its way. If you are a mom of school-aged children, your kids (and maybe you) are back in school! Chances are you’re busier than ever: packing lunches, transporting kids to and from sports practices and classes, attending orientations, and taking care of your work and other home life responsibilities. If you’re not a mom and have added new activities to your schedule, you may be feeling overwhelmed with juggling it all. We know how easy it is to let your priorities slide but now that you’re a Goal Sister, you know the value of staying true to YOU!
How can you stay ahead of the changes of the season? Consider doing the following:
~ Let go of intrusive thoughts and set the tone of your day by journaling for 10 minutes in the morning before starting your day.
~ Carve out 15 minutes during lunch to review your goals and upcoming tasks.
~ Establish a new family ritual by working on your goals while your children sit down to do their homework. Doing so models good life planning skills and gives everyone a chance to ask for and receive help and support.
* * EXERCISE: GIVING BACK * *
With many clubs and organizations beginning their new year of service, now is the time to review your Volunteer Service goals. How would you like to give back to your community? If you need help answering that question, try the following exercise:
1. In your journal, take 15 minutes to write your response to: “What’s important to me? What do I value?” Is it your family? Having food on your table? Having someone to support you? Your creativity? Whatever you value, write it down.
2. Brainstorm a list of service groups in your community who encompass those values. Example: if you value family, safety, and shelter you might consider working on a Habitat for Humanity house that supports those same values.
3. Determine how much time you can give in the next few months to your chosen organization. Be realistic! Remember, you don’t have to do it all. Your one to two hours a week means a lot to a needy organization.
4. Share your plans with your Goal Sister. Ask her for feedback on your time schedule and if she knows of other worthy groups who share your values.
5. Make the call, Sister, and begin to give back today. You’ll receive much in return!
* * ANN’S STORY * *
I have been blessed by so many of my volunteer experiences and have developed several long-term friendships as a result. Lately though, with my focus on promoting Goal Sisters and my increased work responsibilities, I have decided to pull back a bit on my volunteer time.
At first I let myself feel guilty for not giving 'enough' and for becoming a slacker. Fortunately, reality hit me and I realized that no matter how much or how little I give, it is still enough!
Since then, I find myself seeking time-limited projects and commitments. For example, the local Arts Center is having a garage sale this Saturday. I agreed to work a couple of hours in the morning so I can have the rest of the day and evening free to play! This Thursday is my church’s World Day of Prayer service. I agreed to play a role in the presentation, which involved attending a 30-minute rehearsal last week and participating for only two hours this week!
Proceeds from the garage sale profit the Arts Center’s programming and the church service focus on sending powerful prayer energy to the planet for peace. Creativity and world peace are definitely important to me!
I am grateful for my new way of looking at my Volunteer Service goals. There is always a way to make giving back a win-win for all concerned. And doesn’t it feel good to be an active agent for positive change?
* * ATTENTION GRABBING GURUS * *
This month’s guru is Penelope Niven, author of
Swimming Lessons: Life Lessons from the Pool, from Diving in to Treading Water. In her chapter about ‘breathing’ she claims that ‘To breathe is to simplify.’ We don’t always remember that, do we? Those sports practices and dance lessons need to be attended. The report for the boss needs to be done. Our partner wants to review the monthly bank statement. Time for a deep breath may seem like a luxury. Yet as Penelope points out, when we don’t get the air we need “we pay the price of impaired buoyancy - stress, fatigue, irritability, even estrangement from the people we love and from ourselves.” So take a deep breath right now, Goal Sister! You are doing exactly what you need to be doing now, in this moment!
* * GOAL SISTERS HAPPENINGS * *
Ann had two great overnight adventures in August! The original Goal Sisters group had a great time at the Bridgeford House Bed and Breakfast in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, and the second group retreated to member Jane’s Sugar Creek cabin for lots of time in nature. A third group starts today, so stay tuned for word on their progress.
Meanwhile, Michelle returned this past Tuesday from the Maui Writers Conference where she relaxed poolside with our book’s editor, Georgia Hughes, and rubbed shoulders with writers from all walks of life and genres. Michelle left Maui feeling turbo-inspired by the wisdom shared by the presenters! She's already harnessed some of this inspiration and updated our Web site with new stuff and new ways to promote our book.
Please visit our site at
www.goalsisters.com, and let us know what you think about the changes and how you are doing. We’ll continue supporting you as you take the small steps toward your big goals and celebrate your goal successes with you!
Onward and upward,
Ann and
Michelle
P.S. Thanks for forwarding this newsletter to the women you know who are ready to amp up the fun and focus in their friendships while transforming themselves and their lives!
Copyright © 2004 by Ann Leach and Michelle Beaulieu Pillen, Ph.D. All rights reserved. No part of this Web site may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise.
_____________________________________________
Subscriber Information and Privacy Statement
You can get on or off the newsletter list by following the instructions on our site's Home page.
You can also request removal by sending an email to unsubscribe@goalsisters.com.
This newsletter is sent only to confirmed double-opt in subscribers who have signed up at goalsisters.com or who have emailed a request to be added. This mailing is part of a recurring series of monthly email newsletters.
By the way, Goal Sisters does not sell, rent, or loan subscriber information to any third party. Period. 
