Tips on goal setting

If you're like me you are constantly setting goals. I have a list of so many goals. They range from small to large goals. I believe in writing goals down to not only, well, just write them down so you don't forget them but also to have a reminder to help motivate and inspire you. Huge on it! It's something I love to ask people-- What are your goals in life? Some people are like whoa! And actually have to think about something to say to me and others are on the same page and have no problem telling me. Either way is cool to me. I get a thrill out of both of those types of people. The thrill that I get from people who are a little hesitant on how to answer are people that I know I've planted a seed in. I can just imagine myself smiling with satisfaction at the thought. Hell, I'm doing right now just talking about it! Then there's the type that will answer, spewing off goals left and right, I fall into this type, which is why I get giddy because you just know they are goal setting people. 

If I asked all of you if you believe in the power of writing your goals down, you would all raise your hands. But the real question is do you do it? The majority would say no. Honestly, no one can tell me that you don't have time to do it or I always forget because really! Put your social media away or turn the TV off and do something that will empower you!!

It's all about being S. M. A. R. T. Acronyms, you got to love them! I've had this acronym written down for so long that I don't even know where I saw it at but it's helped me so much with my goal setting. Of course, you need to go about setting goals with a smart mind and open heart, is what I like to say. 

1. Specific. When you start to set a goal you have to just get right down to it. Being as specific as you can will not only keep things achievable but also it will keep you from getting overwhelmed, no point in setting yourself up for failure. We do not want that! That would just be working against what goals stand for. Example: Take more photographs. MORE specific. Take one photograph everyday for a year. 

2. Measurable. What I mean by measurable is in order to help the success of accomplishing a goal it's more likely to happen with you having an amount to look towards. When setting a goal for example that involves you making more money this year. Great goal! But make it more measurable, I want to make $3,000 more this year. Making more money is very nice goal to set but with having that amount you want to push for will give you even more motivation!

3. Actionable. And action! With this one I think action words. There's something about action words that seem to really give written goals some razzle dazzle. It's easy to write something like Be more constant with exercise. But you really want to bring it more life. Run one mile a day. You see the difference. Just adding run in there creates a sense of action and now it's like you have to do it! Whole new level. Actions get you to move. 

4. Realistic. The most important in my mind and the hardest to really understand. Who are we kidding, if you don't set goals that are sensible and have you in mind well then they're just not going to get done. It's effortless to tell yourself that you want to loose 20 pounds. Is it realistic? Maybe and maybe not. I think setting a goal like that can do more harm than good. Why not something more on the line of cut out soda from my diet. This way you're cutting out something that you know is not good for you but it's clearly going to do good for you in the long run. Having more goals like that will ultimately get you to loosing 20 pounds but doesn't make it seem like you'll loose your mind. 

I've had the most trouble with this step in my goal making process. In the past, I always seem to set goals that were just too much for me and weren't very realistic for me at the time. The great thing about it is that goals that are not realistic at one point in time can certainly open up and become realistic! It's amazing this life we live! 

5. Timing. Goals need to have some sort of a time-bound on them otherwise they are more likely to not get done. It's just another tool to pursue you to reach those dream and goals. Read more books. Okay great but you need more! By the end of the month I want to have read 20 books! So simple. I can see where this can be hard for some people. By some people, I mean me! It can be a little stressful putting a time stamp on a goal but really it's just there to push you and who cares if you don't reach it by the end of the month. It rolls over to the next month and you keep at it until you do reach it. No worries! 

Hey! Goals are for you. You have the power here. No one else. Write them in a notebook, your phone or blog about them. Tell people or don't. Goals can turn into dreams and dreams are only yours to have. I love inspiring people to make those dreams happen. We only live this life once and we have the power to make whatever we want to happen, happen! 

images via 

looking back | looking forward

It's good to look back and reflect on our days, weeks and years. How can we grow as people if we don't do that? It's important to stew over what we've accomplished. To be proud of ourselves for doing the things we set out to do. Doesn't matter what it is. Maybe you did that home improvement project that you've been putting off for years and finally you pushed yourself to get it done or maybe you simply got rid of soda in your diet. Whatever it is, reflect on it and feel good about it. 

We need to ponder all that we didn't do too. Things that we need to get better at or need to work on. Personally, physically or at your work place. It's all good. We all need to grow as people in all those places. I'm not perfect in any of those, and if you think you are, most likely you are lying to yourself. Sorry, this is where I would insert hashtags #sorrynotsorry #thetruthsucks! It's okay to be aware of these things, I wholeheartedly believe that it already makes you a better person when you see things you need improve on. Huge pat on your back. 

Write it down! I'm serious. It's the best thing you can do. People can think it's a waste of time but I assure you it's the first step. Have a notebook dedicated solely for scribbling down your reflections of the past year. Heck, write down reflection of your day or week if you think it will motivate you and help your soul. I do. I reflect in my own ways and sometimes I write things down (like here on my blog!) or sometimes I take time to meditate on them. Either way it's allowing me to see what needs to change. 

Change. It can be scary for many. I encourage change! I love change!! I have faith in change and what it can do to the human spirit. Be whiling to change one thing. It can be something for the better of yourself. Change something in your diet, change your style a little, change your hair (do it!), change, change, change. It's ok to change. You always hear, "don't let anyone change who you are." Truth. However, you can let yourself change who you are, you are in that driver seat, you have the power to swerve off the road. Plus, I just change things for the hell of it. Like last week, I went to the drug store because I was in need of some new mascara and instead of buying the usual black color mascara I bought dark brown. I know, I know, call me crazy. I seems so small but when I was in that isle looking at all the different mascaras for a good fifteen minutes it didn't seem like such a small change. The change was good by the way!

Enough of my motivational preaching! 

Teamwork. This year has been, to say the least, amazing! We moved to Washington last December (still can't believe we've been here for a year already) and with that being a huge accomplishment for us it's been a challenging year non-the-less. With me being in cosmetology school full-time we had to figure out how to compromise and work as a team. For the first time ever I wasn't around as much as I was before. My husband, Bobby, had to learn to be a full-time parent and work from home all at the same time. Huge kudos to him for being able to pull it off. Since we live on an island it took a ferry and two buses for me to get to and from school each day. The trip to school was a chore on it's own. Most days I loved it and had no problem. The ferry time allowed me to study, do homework or even touch up my hair & makeup if I didn't get it down at home. It was nice to have that time to wind-down on my way home. And I won't lie, sometimes I took a nice 30 minute nap, sprawled across those ferry seats. Hey! You got to do -- what you got to do. Honestly, I confess that some days if I didn't have that nap I don't think I would have been able to go home and function. By function I mean come home, be coherent and cook dinner while trying to get in as much time to connect with Sebastian & Bobby. It was hard. I think for us as a family that was a great triumph. We learned more about teamwork than we ever have. 

I did it! I set out to become a hairstylist and I did. I jump up and down every time I say-- I'm a hairstylist!! I went to Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy where I truly believe I got the best education I could possibly wish for and at the same time met good people and made memories. I graduated at the top of my school and dived right into taking my state board tests. One written test and one practical test. Passed each test with 90% + and then just the other day received my license. It's real and it happened. I worked hard for this dream. 

As I'm sitting here writing it's such a surreal feeling, where I'm at in life. It's emotional and so many other feelings as well. I think my family only really understands how much of this has been a dream to me, the biggest dream of my life so far and it's done. My heart races just thinking about it. Now, I  set forth and keep this dream alive. I feel lucky knowing that I'll be able to do what I've only dreamt about for days to come. Year 2014 really was a huge focus on me and what I wanted. It's exciting and humbling to know that I was given the opportunity but now I long for this New Year to be about the grow of my family. 

I like to look forward to my hopes for the New Year! 

Family & Home

- a house! We are currently house hunting and hope to buy our first home by this summer. 

- be involved in Sebastian education more than ever. 

- plan road trips/adventures & live in the now.  

- regular date nights with the hubby. 

- start saving for a "real" vacation-- Disneyland for Sebastian's 8th birthday. 

Health

- whole 30 program

- gain more muscle & loose more body fat 

- cut stress, meditate more 

Self

- more artwork on my body, start on my chest piece. 

- be more social, go out more, let loose! 

- take compliments.

- pamper myself and do things for "me."

Career  

- learn and grow as a hairstylist.

- push myself to be the best.

- never let fear get in my way. 

- aim for success in the first year of being a hairdresser.

Creativity

- write more of my novel.

- pick up my banjo.

- take a photography class.

- keep blogging for the love of it! 

What are your hopes for the New Year? Do you write them down? Go ahead, comment and share them with me, I'd love to hear them. 

on goals for the new year...

(My father and I our first Christmas in Seattle circa 1989)

Happy New Years Eve! I'm excited for tonight because the fella and I are heading over to bring in the new year with some people we have not yet been able to spend time with since our move. I really can't wait to catch up, stay up and have fun. Around this time it's always good to reflect on the year that's behind us. Think about all the good things, all the things we can work on and all the things to look forward to ahead. I'm a huge goal maker. I love making goals for the New Year. I always tend to set way too many and sometimes they seem like they aren't very feasible but it doesn't really bother me. To me it's about looking forward to something and to work at it. I like challenging myself, it's what makes me keep going.

This past year as been huge for my family and I. We accomplished something that wasn't just a simple task but something that was huge and difficult and exciting. We moved to the West Coast. We are basically starting over, for most people that would be scary but for us it's thrilling! The second accomplishment was a personal one that's silently been a goal for many years now and just this past year I completed it. I worked very hard and lost twenty-five unwanted pounds! I'm back to a weight that I most feel comfortable in and it's been such a rewarding feel to have made it happen! Here are all of small & some big goals for 2014…

★ Read 30 books. It's going to be a busy year but I really wanted to set a reading goal so that I can stay motivated! I love reading but it's hard to balance everything and still make time to read a few books a month. My hardest problem is taking on books that have a million pages that take me a million years to read because I tend to pick them up at the worst times possible. Oh! And even though I have a fantastic Kindle I hope to purchase more "real" books and also blog more about what I've read!

★ Build things (with my dad!) I'll be taking advantage of living with my dad! He has so many tools and gadgets and of course he knows how to do everything. I've had so many projects in mind for our future home! I'm not kidding when I tell you I have a folder right on the desktop of my Mac that has at least a dozen DIY projects that I've been dreaming about building! Now that my dad's literally right here he can teach me and guide me with building. I'm super excited about it. Here's a project I'd like to build and you'll understand why!

★ Learn a song on my banjo. I was gifted a banjo for my birthday and since then I've been practicing chords and conditioning my fingers to move around but haven't really learned a song. So that my friends is something I need to accomplish.

★ 52 weeks of photography. I was inspired by James from Bleubird Vintage Blog with her beautiful 52 project of her children. I would love to take a photo of each of us once a week for a year and then combine all the photos into a coffee table book. This way I can work on my photography and put together something special to remember our first year in Washington!

★ Get my motorcycle license! I learned how to ride a motorcycle in high school and even had a dirt bike up until I moved to Philadelphia. My father recently just purchased a BMW motorcycle and kept his '83 Yamaha Virago 500 to pass down to me! I want to get my license and cruise around with my bike. I would eventually love to take a trip just me and dad on our motorcycles to Yellowstone National Park.

★ Camping. I grew up camping every summer and I want to start to make camping a part of something we do every year. I love roughing it out in the woods, cooking everything over a campfire and shore fishing with worms on the hook. I want to teach Sebastian how to appreciate the outdoors and learn that there's more out there that meets the eye. So many adventure to be had!

★ Rough draft of my novel. For those of you who already know I've been in the process of writing a fantasy novel. I really would love to slowly but surely work on finishing a rough draft by the end of this year. It's been my dream to write a book! Even though I'm not out to become rich and famous it's more something I want to check off my bucket list. Wish me luck!

★ Toni and Guy annual photographic awards. I finally get to start cosmetology school February 4th! Woohoo! Toni and Guy holds a nation wide photographic competition that allows you to face off on a more artistic level with students all around the USA, something I am dying to be a part of! Can't wait to start my hair styling career.

Well, those are my goals. Here's to the New Year!!

xoxo.

on five things...

You have got to know by now that I absolutely love making lists. When I first started this blog I created this huge list of things I would like to do before my time is up on this Earth. It was fun and it was a perfect kind of post to do to start this blog. I went back to it the other day and I was able to cross of a few things and some I had to alter.
I always end up writing goals or little things I want to do in the future or even just goals and things to do for this month. It's nice to have ideas and plans to keep you motivated. One of these days I will revamp my really long (like fifty-something) bucket list and re-post it again but for now I wanted to inspire everyone to think of your own goals, whether it's something fun for this week, next month or 10 years from now. Here are my five new goals to add to my bucket list...

Visit a wolf sanctuary. I've been in love with wolves since I can remember. They are fascinating animals and whenever I'm asked what my favorite animal is?-- well, wolves are it! One of my regular customers via the coffee shop told me about a wolf sanctuary right here in Pennsylvania. I had no idea there was one up until she told me. Then next day she brought in a newspaper clipping with a little article about the place and I just knew I had to go. The have tours during the day on the weekends and some week days but when I saw that they have a By the Light of the Moon Tour, I instantly became giddy! These tours are strictly tours which are held on days that fall on the full moon. You take a tour to see the wolf packs while your tour guide shares facts. Then afterward you get to sit by a bonfire, drink coffee or tea, listen to a Native American family tell stories and hear the wolves howl to the moon. So freaking cool! Since this particular wolf sanctuary is only about an hour and a half away I'm planning a trip for the full moon tour this September. 

Write a book. This has been on my bucket list for quite some time now. I always knew I'd write a book in this lifetime but the question remained, what sort of book and when? Some of you may already know that I've started writing a book! It was a thought that I had randomly come to me and once I brought up the courage to tell my husband about this idea he at once told me to write everything down so that I didn't forget. We both went out to buy a sketch book so that I could start to write & doodle all my ideas down. Shortly after I just began writing. I've only told a select few the premise of the book but I will say that it's a fantasy novel with three main characters. A vampire, werewolf and a witch. Are you surprised? You shouldn't be. I always wondered how all these wonderfully creative authors out in the world come up with what they put in their novels and suddenly now I know! It's an amazing thing to be able to take the things you make up in your mind and put them down on paper. Of course, it's hard work and with working full-time and being busy non-stop, this book will most likely not be release until like 2090! But alas it's a fun goal to have and once I do accomplish it, there will be no stopping me. Not to forget that I have some pretty awesome people who support and believe in me. That helps too! 

Motorcycle. My dad bought me a dirt bike for my 16th birthday. He was always one to get really great birthday and Christmas gifts but the dirt bike topped all! When I told my dad I wanted one he was very apprehensive. It's a dangerous thing to have and he didn't like the idea. But after I begged him to no end he caved in. I remember standing outside as he drove his truck into the driveway. I didn't see it at first until the bed of the truck was facing me and there it was. I freaked out to say the least. Long story short, I would ride that thing after school everyday just around our two acre property and be in heaven. 
My dad rode motorcycles back in Europe in his twenties until one of his dear friends died riding one. It took him forty years to get back on and it's been four years and two bikes later! 
One of the first things I want to do when we move back to Seattle is to get my motorcycle license. Ever since my dad starting to ride again I've been secretively longing to go on a trip to Yellowstone National Park with my dad on our motorcycles. Together on the road with just a backpack full of our things and a tent. Camp out where ever we want without a worry in the world. We're going to do it and I can't wait. 

Hair academy. Pretty much everyone knows that I want to go to hair school and become a hair stylist. It's been my dream for quite some time now and I'll be finally pursuing that dream once we're out in Seattle. Once I am licensed, I want to work somewhere downtown in a trendy salon where I'm not doing old ladies hair or the same hair style over and over again (no offense to all the old ladies out there or people that are boring!) but instead being able to be creative and help people be creative. Of course, soon after I'm out there gaining experience I want to open up my own shop. Hopefully with my little sister. 
But my biggest dream yet, the whopper of all dreams is to create my own hair academy! I vision to have a school where I teach my own philosophy and techniques to people who are equally as passionate about hair as I am. It's a pretty big dream!

Play the banjo. I've always wanted to play an instrument but there's never really been one that I've fallen in love with. When I was younger I wanted to learn to play the drums but now I've sort of lost interest. Until now! I want to learn to play the banjo and hopefully soon because I'm asking for one for my birthday in August. Eeeee!

What are your goals? 

xoxo.

on new year goals...

Hello 2013! I welcome you. December was quite a crazy month for this gal. I was working like a madman and supplying the crazy shoppers with their caffeine. I haven't been around much and I'm sure that all my billions and billions of readers have been missing me tremendously. Now that the Holidays are behind me (and what a wonderful Holiday season it was!) I should be able to make an appearance more often. Thanks for sticking around.

With this New Year upon us I am happy and healthy and ready for a fresh start. I always feel like the New Year brings new beginnings. I am the type of person that loves to live in the moment but most of all thrive to see life not just for what it is, but for what it can be. Sure there will be doubt, ups and downs, good and bad days but in the end we are just here to make this life what we want it to be. I think a lot of people lose focus of that.  

I'm a dreamer, so that whole seeing what life can be is huge for me. I daydream and wonder about the future and always love to set goals, big & small, to keep me moving towards the things that I want most in my life. It works for some and not for others. This year will be a great year for change and big things. My little family and I have some future plans in affect and soon they will bring us to a new chapter in our life. It's fun and scary all at the same time when reflecting on the future and what could happen this year but hell, I've got my arms wide open! 

Out with the old and in with the new, here are some of my new goals for this year...

We have a very busy schedule and because both my husband and I work full-time communication is super important for us. It can get a little hectic when we slack on keeping up on communicating with each other about things that need to get done or up and coming events or even bills. Keeping organized helps with communication. I am probably one of the most organized people in all the land but my husband not so much. And I've given up on trying to convert him so this year I am determined to help both of us stay on the same page.  

I'm addicted to being busy. Is that even possible? It's become a problem at times. There's always something to do and that mindset can get me in a heap of stress. This is always on my list and I'm always working on slowing down and I have become better at realizing when I take too much on. I have a tendency to start too many projects or take on too much and when I start I have a hard time stopping. I have a mission and, boy oh boy, stay clear of me man. I don't need to do everything in the whole world and all at once. I know why I take it all on and it's that wonderful feeling of accompaniment when it's all done. The weight lifted of my shoulders. The biggest thing I'll be working on is investing more of my soul into my family and the things that I love and balance the rest. This will enable me to be a better wife and mother! Amen. 

I would like to spend time in practicing my photography. There are so many resources and online e-courses that I want to take advantage of. I think I'll be selling my current Canon and upgrade this year! Fingers crossed. Hey you husband, you hear me, time for this lady to move on up. 

This is something that has been on my list for a while. I want to go on more adventures. Hike and go up to the mountains. Bobby actually just bought me some snowboard clothes and we are hoping to go up to the mountain next month for a long weekend. We shall see how that goes since I've never snowboarded or skied in all my life. The things I do for my fella. 

I want to travel more around Pennsylvania and the surrounding areas this year. Just pack a bag and go see things. This is something we don't do enough of and I crave more of the woodsy outdoors. 

I want this blog, my little corner, to grow. I hope to network more and create more relationships among the blogosphere. I totally need to get a little more organized with all my ideas and also with my time. Establishing time to really sit down and spend time on my blog is probably the hardest for me. 

One of my Christmas presents was an awesome online e-course dealing with blog design and right as we speak I am designing my very first blog template. How cool is that?! Knee deep in Html and fonts and all kinds of crazy things, gets me so excited! I am hoping to have my new design up and running in the next couple weeks!!

So, macarons are like my most favorite dessert in the whole wide world but I've been deathly afraid to make them. It's quite silly actually but for some reason I feel like I'm setting myself up for failure. The problem is that Beca from Tumbleweed is always posting photos on her Instagram of the most amazing looking macarons that I ever did see! I'll keep you posted on my macaron baking happenings. 

The other thing I want to try my hand at is a soufflé. Just saying "soufflé" has me all intimidated! Lord. It's just too sophisticated for me. But I must. No I can't! NO, I must. A soufflé is going to be created this year. And it's going to be epic. 

It's been a while my friends and it's time for some new ink. I've got a book full of ideas and sketches of numerous tattoos that I want. So this year I'll be adding some new art. 

You might not usually make yearly goals but I encourage you to! It can be anything at all. I think it's nice to have things to work at! Here's to making this year grand. 

xoxo. 

on a 2012 list...

(source)

I love creating a list of goals and dreams and hopes. It's such a feel good thing! The beginning of a new year is a wonderful time to write down goals that you would like to accomplish, things you would like to do or just silly random fun stuff (above all I really do enjoy the random silly things--here's my goals that I wrote last new years!). I think it's really important to set goals that are doable and that are fun or make you a better person. Start small and instead of saying I want to lose weight try saying I would like to shed 10 pounds by swimsuit season. Or even go a step further and tell yourself you are going to jog at least once a week or cut down on sugar. Whatever you think will work for you! 

I hate when I hear people say they don't do resolutions or set goals. Sad face. There's always something in life that you would like to get done or do and you have to let it be known before you can start stepping towards those dreams. You don't need a blog to map out goals for the year. Write something down on a sheet of paper and stick in on your fridge. Write it in your journal or notebook or calendar. Anywhere. Just do it, inspire yourself to do things that makes you happy. Keep dreaming! 

In 2012...I want to create at least one thing once a month. Whatever it maybe, a DIY project, sewing goodness or crocheting. Set some time aside to make some lovelies. 

In 2012...More date nights. Bobby and I are horrible about setting up date nights for ourselves. This was on last years list and I would love to go on a nice date at least once a month!


In 2012...I've been a bit shy around the blogosphere so this year I'll be less intimidated and more sociable. Oh and not to forget that I want to start doing Vlogs! Eeeekk scary.  


In 2012...Explore Pennsylvania more. Get out there and find new places. Go on more hikes and adventures. 


In 2012...Thrift more! There's so many treasures out there in the world!  


In 2012...Take a photography class and a beginner photoshop class. 


In 2012...Send ten "just because gifts". 


In 2012...Revamp and decorate our bedroom. 


Well, that's my list. Have you made one yet? Go ahead, start out the first day of the year with some fresh new ambitions to get you going!! Happy New Year. 

♥A.

on some summer goals...

(yes! that is my lovely wedding bouquet :)

Summer is finally here. It has been beautiful ever since we've been back from Seattle. Sunshine all the time with a few summer storms in the evening. Although I can do without the humidity I am as happy as a clam. Why are clams happy? Hmmm. Not sure if I like that saying anymore...Any who, life is back to normal yet there are tons of things I would like to get done in the summer months that in turn were put on hold because of the crazy wedding planning! 

For starters, one of the most important things that is going to be on this list is frame wedding photos plus photos that have not yet been framed. We've gotten some very lovely frames from family members that I want to use up which is perfect. But then I also have some professional photos of Sebastian that I've neglected to put on the wall. I've got to do it!

I'd like to clean, rearrange & organize my little nook. I've mentioned this awhile back but I do not know what I was thinking! No way was I getting that done with a wedding on my hands. But that has passed--pheww! And now this project has got to get done so I can use my space. 

Sewing! I want to use my practically new sewing machine. Once my nook is done then it's time get cracking on some sewing. I already have a few ideas and Bobby's sister Britt  gave me a pretty romper to covert into a shirt project. Lots of ideas are in my head and hoping to finally knock them out. 

Our bedroom needs some serious loving. Another important to-do! It's looking quite sad actually. Our Ikea dressers are mangled up and we are in the market for some new ones, well used but decent looking ones. I've made a pledge I'm not going to buy any new furniture until I'm done having kids and they are old enough to understand that if they spill something on my couch that I'll kick them out of my house...just kidding. Or am I? Mhmmm. So, people out there that love me, I'm looking for some dressers. Thanks.

Read, read and read some more! This is always on my summer goals list. I don't know why when my goal is to read year round but I think it's because when I was still in school I would always try to read as many books before school started. Books that I wanted to read, before the teachers got to dictate what was to be read. Many books on my book list. Share those soon with you. 

Hair extensions. Woohoo! This is more of a fun goal but I've wanted to do it for a while and told myself this summer is the time it have to happen. Hoping it does because I always want to try the whole long hair thing. So, we will see if that pans out like I'd like it too. Cross your fingers for a long mane of hair :) 

What are your goals this summer?

♥A.