goal sisters

The Latest News, Views, and GurusVol. 2, No. 5

Greetings, Sisters and Brothers!

We, Ann Leach and Michelle Beaulieu Pillen, co-authors of Goal Sisters: Live the Life You Want with A Little Help from Your Friends, are coming to you from our book’s online home at www.goalsisters.com. For most of you, it’s been 3 months since we last connected via the newsletter. We’ve missed checking in with you! For the rest of you, welcome to your first News, Views, and Gurus. We’re happy to have you here!

* * WHEREVER YOU ARE, YOUR GS IS THERE * *

It’s summer in the States and the living is easy – or is it? Some of you are taking a needed break from goal setting. Some of you are busy balancing your Family/friends goals and Job/career goals while your children are out of school. Some of you are experiencing personal challenges around your Emotional and Physical Health goals; some of you are facing challenges from unpredictable events.

Wherever you are right now, know that your Goal Sisters are close by – interested and invested in you living the life you want. Perhaps you need a break from the Goal Sister process. If so, contact her – she’ll understand and do so without judgment. Perhaps you need support. If so, contact her – she may need someone to just listen and care. She may also need help with problem solving and motivation. Perhaps you need to get away for a fun and focused break. If so, contact her – she may welcome having an impromptu meeting at the pool or café. Perhaps you need her to check-in more frequently. If so, contact her – she may appreciate you increasing your accountability nudges.

* * ANN’S STORY * *

Many of you know how much I love water. Sitting by it, swimming in it, walking through puddles of it and drinking it - it doesn’t matter what form it comes in, I love water! So it was with great excitement that I discovered my true connection to water while me and some Goal Sisters were watching the movie, "What the Bleep Do We Know?"

The main character was observing a photography exhibit of work by Dr. Masaru Emoto, a Japanese researcher who photographs water crystals that responds to words of varying emotions like ‘love and gratitude,’ ‘peace,’ etc. Dr. Emoto found that the water crystals developed their own form in response to different words and emotions!

As the main character observes the water crystal exhibit, another character approaches her and says, “Isn’t that interesting? If our thoughts and words can do that to drops of water and our bodies are over 70% water, just imagine what our thoughts can do to our bodies and our reality?”

Wow, that statement really clicked for me! I found a renewed commitment to using visualization of my goals, as they will be when reached and completed. Now, each time I am around water – taking a shower, swimming in the pool, washing a dish - I remember to set my intentions for the desires of my heart and say ‘thank you’ to the water that is literally keeping me in the flow of goal accomplishment.

* * ACTIVITY: From Lazy and Hazy to Outrageous! * *

This just in from the business owner community - now is the perfect time to look ahead to 2006 and set goals! The idea is that while most people are relaxing during the lazy, hazy days of summer, the truly successful business owners will be the ones who use this ‘slow’ time wisely to make next year’s projections and plan their 2006 successes. In true Goal Sister fashion we say, “Why not? Let’s do it with a twist!”

1. Shop at your local dollar store or surf the computer for an inexpensive 2006 calendar or template - yep, they’re already available!

2. Meet with your Goal Sisters and, with markers and colored pens in hand, work together to create your ideal 2006 by highlighting special dates and mapping out timetables to your goals. Notice we said ‘ideal’ year – we suggest you write in outrageous goals such as ‘Leave for my Provence balloon tour’ on the April 20th square, ‘Attend my film’s premiere’ on the September 1st square, and perhaps you need to ‘have yacht serviced’ on the May 2nd square so you’ll be ready for next summer’s cruising season!

3. After your creative session, brainstorm some steps to take to begin to turn these inner desires and fantasies into realities. For example, the balloon tour might start with a real goal of doing online research on hot air balloons or learning to bake French bread - whatever the connection might be for you to help you in seeing your long term goals accomplished! Your film premiere goal might inspire you to take a class in documentaries at the local college or learn script writing online. You’ll surely want to visit the bookstore for magazines about boating to find some great pictures of yachts for your 2006 treasure collage!

4. Before you leave your Goal Sister meeting, commit to taking two small steps toward your ideal 2006!

5. Send some of your ‘ideal year’ goals to us for posting on our Web site – who knows, you may find a Sister balloonist!

* * MICHELLE’S STORY * *

Have you ever felt “Lost and Found” at the same time? Recently, I lost many things on a trip halfway around the world. I also found new parts of myself along the way.

It all started 2 months ago, when my friend Phil told me about an opportunity to work together in Namibia, Africa. Our job would be to train soldiers to be emotional support counselors for fellow soldiers living with HIV/AIDS. After mulling over the decision and seeking guidance from friends, family members, and Goal Sisters, I said, “Count me in!”

That’s when I began second-guessing my decision: How could I train people to counsel others when I hadn’t counseled clients since the mid-80s? Where would I find the time to develop my portions of the training? It didn’t help that the training objectives weren’t clearly spelled out and the dates weren’t finalized.

Ten days before we were expected in Namibia, we learned that the training was a go! We switched into high gear and got our shots, submitted our contract paperwork, arranged our travel, prepared our families, finished our other work duties, and packed for our 10-day trip. We also developed three-quarters of the training. By the time I arrived in Los Angeles to meet Phil and our contractor Eric, I was worn out and pumped up about our trip!

We left Los Angeles at 1 am the next day and traveled 28 hours on 3 flights to Namibia. We had a day and a half to orient ourselves to Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. Windhoek felt like a small European city plopped down in a place similar to Bakersfield, California - except that most people spoke Afrikaners and German, and baboons ran wild alongside the roads just outside the city.

On the 1st day of the training, Phil revealed that he is living with HIV. The participants were astounded that he had lived with the virus for 18 years! Their experience had been completely different. The fact that Phil was healthy and living with HIV gave the group tremendous hope.

Later that morning, each participant spoke about their personal connection to HIV/AIDS. Some were raising the orphaned children of their siblings; some had lost their husbands, babies, colleagues, and best friends to the disease. It was moving and emotionally taxing to listen to and take in each person's story.

On day 2, Phil and I realized that our training objectives were way off the mark. We changed our focus and pace without letting the multiple language barriers, education differences, and knowledge gaps about HIV/AIDS trip us up. It was exhilarating when it worked and tough when it didn't!

Day 3 was longer and more intense. It started with a presentation by consumers living with HIV and continued with role-playing and practicing counseling skills. I was emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually spent at the end of the day. I also felt strengthened from watching the participants use their new knowledge and skills.

On day 4, we tackled the thorny issue of disclosure. It stirred up a lot of questions, feelings, and concerns. I taught from what I knew - asking questions, problem solving, and offering support is more helpful than telling a client what to do. The training ended with a ceremony honoring each person and their accomplishments.

On the long trek back to Hawaii, I lost more sleep – and my favorite pen, half-filled journal, travel pillow, and driver’s license. Losing these things was a small price to pay for finding new strength and confidence within myself and for being a part of a life changing experience with Phil, Eric, and 40 soldiers living halfway around the world.

* * ATTENTION GRABBING GURU * *

If you can’t travel to Africa to find inner strength, you might want to get a copy of Jennifer Lawler’s book, Dojo Wisdom: 100 Simple Ways to Become a Stronger, Calmer, More Courageous Person. In her book, Jennifer presents 100 lessons from her Tae Kwon Do practice to help you save your life and become a warrior.

One of our favorite lessons is No. 9 – Strike through the target. Jennifer describes how martial artists approach breaking a board. They do not think that hitting the board will accomplish their goal of breaking it (that only results in sore knuckles!). Instead, they strike through the target, aiming beyond the board to break it. Too often, Jennifer asserts, we see a target, set a goal, but forget to follow through. It is in the follow-through that we succeed. We agree, Jennifer, and appreciate your perspective!

* * GOAL SISTERS HAPPENINGS * *

Curious about how the Goal Sister groups are progressing? Check out their updates and photos on the GS Group page at www.goalsisters.com/bio.htm.

Pick up the September issue of Fitness magazine for an article that asks, “Is it too late to work on your New Year’s goals in September?” Ann is quoted and the book is mentioned! You’ll also see Ann’s name in an article appearing in the October issue of Natural Health magazine. The article describes the different types of women one needs in one’s life. Of course a Goal Sister makes the cut!

We may no longer be in your inbox every month but we would still love to hear from you regarding your progress, your stumbling blocks, and your successes anytime you want to share them. See you in next in October!

Onward and upward,
Ann and Michelle

P.S. Please forward this newsletter to all the phenomenal women you know! Thanks!!

Copyright © 2005 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.
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