It is hard to hit your target when you do not know what you are aiming at. We have all had “tornado days” inundated by calls, emails, and a never ending to do list. Then add the medical appointments, school meetings, and therapies needed for those living with a disability or caring for a child with a disability—and the tipping point can come quickly. These unstructured days often freeze us up, as we become so overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the task at hand that we do not know where to start. These days fly by, and at the end we feel emotionally exhausted and like we got very little accomplished—although we were on the go all day. We spend so much time planning vacations, meals, holidays, work projects, home projects, etc., but little or no time planning what our day, week, month, or year holds.
I’m going to let you in on a secret that my parents would confirm—I am a procrastinator by nature. I’m a fairly laid-back person and the procrastination came with the territory for me. The organization of high school and living with my family helped me to coast right through, but college hit me like a ton of bricks. Suddenly I was faced with all the responsibility of living on my own, but with no boundaries. I had endless free time, little responsibility, and was unprepared for the big world. These college years taught me that with my personality I would have to commit to written goals to finish my degree. I mapped it out, stuck to the plan, and before I knew it I was walking across the stage at Arizona State University. My plan had road bumps—a major car accident, a move from Minnesota to Arizona, and planning a wedding during my senior year in college to name a few—but I reworked my goals and kept moving forward.
I began to view life like a game that we write the instructions for: define, work hard, accomplish, and repeat. I followed this simple philosophy through a Master’s degree, and then each day for almost 15 years of a career in higher education. The definition of my target (goals) has gotten a bit lengthier as my responsibilities have grown, but I have found a method that works for me and keeps me from procrastinating (on most days).
If you did not inherit the procrastination gene, then you are ahead of most. If you share the procrastination gene, then I assure you if I can write and follow goals you can as well. The two main things I have seen hold people back are fear and not knowing where to start. We are here to help you shine!
Our team offers Executive Function (life management) & Transition Coaching (life after college). We also pride ourselves on writing awesome IEP goals for the students we work with. Goal setting & growth is a huge part of the Shine Advocacy Group’s foundation & our team has helped clients in the below ways:
- Formulate a plan after a child’s disability/medical diagnosis
- Transition to life after high school
- Set a path to a college degree
- Explore or change careers
- Growth plans for ADHD and Executive Functioning differences
Define your target and give some structure to your days. Start small, even if it means jotting three items down on a sticky note tomorrow. When you cross these three items off you will feel much more accomplished than going through another “tornado day.” Once you get to the point of mapping out your year with written goals, your days will seem to slow down, and your sense of accomplishment will be the only thing growing out of control.
Reach out & we will help you hit your target.
Best Wishes and Happy Goal Setting, Shannon & the Shine Advocacy Team
