Creating At Will Newsletter - January 2006

Under The Radar

ELIMINATION OF GOALS

For every revered approach, there is always someone who’ll come along to contest it. That may be so we don’t rely too heavily on other’s advice or get bogged down in ways of doing things without testing what works best for ourselves. In this case, business consultant Stephen Shapiro, suggests eliminating goals altogether. Goal Free Living is his new book in which he says to take your short and long-term planning lists and get rid of them. His interviews with business leaders throughout the country revealed to him that the most fulfilled people led more spontaneous lives and were the least goal oriented. He cautions that in following a map for living, you will lose yourself in the process. He recommends the following:

Find out whose goal you’re following. “Most people’s goals aren’t their own.”
Be careful in focusing on a goal that you don’t “put your blinders on. You lose your peripheral vision and miss out on all the great opportunities around you.”
When you focus on a goal “you’re always living for the future… I’ll be happy when…”

He asks you to consider, “Do you have the right goals and are you relating to them the right way?” "[not] as a way of escaping from being present?…” “Goal-free living is about being passion-driven in the moment, while knowing you can change course.” “This is meandering with purpose.” “So give up control. Create many paths. And play hard.” "[Continue to] apply creativity to every aspect of your life.”

These all sound like great goal strategies to me. And, if you’re someone who produces more positive desired results from applying structural methods, writing your goals into a timeline and monitoring benchmarks for progress, — go ahead and do it. Just be mindful that life happens moment by moment and as Shapiro cautions, don’t miss where you are now in the journey to get ahead.

Quotations from Are Your Goals Holding You Back? O magazine, by Dawn Raffel, Nov. 2005.

Recent Career Trends

SKI TIPS APPLY TO LIFE

Andrew McLean, ski expert, whose first descents included Baffin Island, Antarctica and Alaska, has this to share about knowing the mountain and getting the best skiing. (Life goal comparatives are in bold.)

“Devise a Storm Strategy — With a solid storm plan you can find good backcountry skiing…before the flakes fall, you need to familiarize yourself with the aspect, angle and elevation of the slopes in your area.” A well-devised plan directs your most important actions, including taking advantage of timely changes.
“Work Bottom to Top, Low-to-High Angle — Immediately after a storm, head to…low elevation slopes with southern exposure. Any danger is lowest there…” Move step-by-step to reach higher goals, especially after an intense period. Make sure to correct your course if necessary to minimize failures.
“Keep Tracking” — “…move higher to mid-elevation slopes…you’ll score freshies while lazier skiers are drowning their buzzkill in beer.” Your plan should include break periods, but also know when to stay steady and give a little extra, which can bring a bigger payoff.
“Understand Aspect” — “In warm weather, sunnier south and east facing slopes have the best corn”. View your objective from a new vantage point and possibly retread on familiar ground that’s well primed.
“Find the Last Stash — As the last soft pockets vanish, seek out recrystallized snow in north-facing areas sheltered from the wind and sun by trees or a ridge. Savor it: This will probably be your last powder wallow until the next storm. Take full advantage of your opportunity and savor results before moving on.

Hugo Harrison, 28-year old skier who won the 2000, 2001 and 2002 IFSA Extremes, says to “Sharpen Your Edges.” Learn what you need to know before starting out. “Study for Style,” “Take your time picking a steep line and choosing something that you know you can ski fluidly, stepping it up a little more each time.” Start slow and steady with your aim in sight, then build momentum. “Get Centered and Stay Upright.” Stay focused and self-trusting. “Adapt and Conquer.” “Stay light on your skis and make quick transitions from one foot to the other. With your head up, you’ll be ready to adapt when the snow changes from ice to powder to windblown.” Be flexible, adapt to new transitions as needed.

Excerpted from Know the Mountain, Get the Goods, Andrew McLean and Ski Tough Steeps With Style, Hugo Harrison, skiing, Dec. 2005

Career-Life Symmetry

SUPPORT FOR YOUR NEW YEAR GOALS

Have you considered joining or starting a support group for your personal and career development? You may not think of yourself as a “group person.” Then you may want to seek out a trusted counselor, Life Coach or Business Coach for one-on-one support. Creating At Will offers a variety of coaching programs and consulting programs at our website. However, if you think you would like to try a small group process here are just a few of the reasons why they can be advantageous, according to James Miller’s simple but helpful, $7 pocket book, Effective Support Groups: (Miller’s book includes types of groups, criteria for choosing members, ground rules and facilitation tips).

“Support groups affirm the importance, worth, and dignity of individual persons. Each person is invited to participate freely and fully. They’re listened to and responded to.”
“Something positive happens when people choose to depend upon each other and when they hold themselves accountable to one another.”
“Support groups create synergy.” “…greater than the sum of all the individual energies.”
“They’re organized to help people lead fuller lives and find more wholeness.”

To find a group near you that may be low-cost or free, contact your local Chamber of Commerce, your church community representative, your YMCA or YWCA or search online for support+groups+[area you live in].

A 7-SESSION SUPPORT GROUP FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS STARTS FEBRUARY 27th, IN THE
LOS ANGELES AREA. IT WILL BE FACILITATED BY LAURIE SHEPPARD. Click here for more info.

I started back at the gym after a holiday break, along with so many other well-meaning health aficionados, only to find that the gym had installed television screens and remote controls on each elliptical and treadmill machine. Of course, we can choose to turn them off, but I discovered how they make the time pass. Then I thought, what is this about, that I’m looking to rush time? What happened to feeling my body’s sensations and enjoying the moments I’m working with it? I have to fight the temptation to not tune in and enjoy the simple, quiet time when I’m not distracted by pagers and cell phones, which thankfully are not allowed on the workout deck.

I asked my husband what his new year’s theme was going to be. (See new year’s theme game above.) He said, “To be present.” I thought how perfect and simple that was…and yet how challenging.

Gordon Hempton, an acoustic ecologist, has traveled the world listening and recording sounds. He especially seeks out the pure sounds of nature. His concern is that “quiet is going extinct,” having located fewer than ten quiet refuge places left in the entire nation. He says, “Quiet is the presence of time undisturbed.”

Will your new year’s goal be another to-do, another place to get to, or maybe just a place to be?

Quotes from John Balzar article, A voice for silence, Los Angeles Times, Nov. 15, 2005

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