Seasonal Transition, Time for Personal Growth

It is that time of the year - the societal end of summer in the USA which brings about a lot of activity. Transitions and change often trigger stressors in people, young and old, especially those that thrive in routine but they are also a great opportunity for new beginnings, cleaning house, both literally and mentally, and refocusing on what is important. More than anything, these periods are ripe with a combination of boredom, wanting, eagerness, and desire, which all work together to help you plan for your future, whether that future is next week, the next few months, the entire year – or even the next five years.

For me, this weekend, Labor Day weekend, is the turning point from summer to fall and school days (since I have kids), it is the last flurry of big planned socializing until fall and winter holidays. It is often a phase when busyness is enjoyed as a step towards accomplishment. So, periods of transition become a great opportunity to re-calibrate since your mind is already in a state of flux. It is the perfect time for personal growth.

This is when I take out a notepad and write goals. For me goals start big and then become smaller tasks – probably because of my business past and since I tend to see endpoints of where I want to be. I am inclined to think big and work down to tasks. If that works for you great - put pen to paper and write out 3-4 goals for the next month, 3 months and 6 months. Then, start mapping out a few tasks to accomplish these. A plan is born!

Now what if your brain tends to start with tasks (long lists of to-dos)? It’s not so bad - your strategic goals are there but they are hidden and a little outlining will make them pop right off the page, and give them an identity. Looking for the common thread and building blocks in to-dos will show you the goals you are carrying within you. Organize them into 1 month, 3 month and 6 month timeframes too. Don’t forget to think beyond typical to-dos of household chores (a common mistake), to yourself and beyond. In the end you will have a set of goals too!

So what if you are neither a to-do writer or a big picture thinker, and just don’t know where to start? You can still get to your goals but might need a little creative prompting to bring them out. And in fact, this activity is a great one I use in my one-on-one coaching practice for all types (even for the folks described above who can map out a plan on paper), since it uses visualization. So let’s get started with uncovering your heart’s desire.

Visualization boards are a wonderful tool and a fun activity that really help you ‘see’ where you want to be and then help your brain subconsciously map out a path and direct you to do things to get there. They are a fun project that is guaranteed to put you on the road to your dreams.

•Start collecting pictures, words and phrases that you are drawn to. Use magazines, the Internet, books, anything. They can be cut out, copied or even hand drawn / handwritten.
•Don’t collect in one sitting – allow yourself a little time to ‘run into’ all the things that make you pause, yearn, sigh and feel excited and peaceful. Select pictures and words that make you say, “I’d really love ______; I wish that ______; One of my dreams is to visit ______; I will feel abundance when _________.” Think near term and far – even beyond the 6 month timeframes we talk of above.
•Get a piece of poster board or even foam core (stiff board that can stand/lean on it’s own), rubber cement (works absolutely best with paper) and get back to your childhood with making a collage.
•Pick a size that will work for you since this board needs to be placed where you can ponder and reflect on it - closet, bedroom, kitchen, office – you decide.
•That’s it. You can now probably write out goals in 1, 3 and 6-month timeframes and might even be a little surprised at what you came up with.

Carry your goals with you but also look at and absorb your visualization board often by putting it where you can see it at least once a day. Take it a step further - snap a photo of your board with your cell phone and look at it lovingly just like you would do with other photos you cherish. Your vision is the child in you - care for it, nourish it, admire it, encourage it, and be GLAD for all of its unique traits that are a part of you and your journey of personal growth.

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