Five Goals for the Year
Monday, November 21, 2011 at 12:37PM 
Gold Rings Necklace - The Quintet by Lemonade Handmade on EtsyThe whole point of my weekend in Palm Springs was to share my Life List (Have you written yours yet? If not, here's a good place to start) and to choose five items to complete this year. It's all well and good to make a life list, but unless you are actively pursuing your goals, it's not doing you much good, is it?
I had highlighted about ten items on my list that I felt I could accomplish this year, but I waited to choose "the five" until I was sitting at lunch and in the moment. I surprised myself by choosing an item that I HADN'T highlighted and it turned out to be the item that I got emotional about. (#4 below) Clearly it is something that I need to do.
Standing up in front a group of 25 people and stating what we wanted to accomplish this year was a very powerful exercise. It was empowering to boldly make these statements, to feel supported in them and to in turn support others. At times like a group therapy session, there was laughter, tears and even hugs. Later that night, at our final dinner, each attendee was given this lovely necklace with five gold rings to symbolize our commitment to these goals.
However, despite the power of a group therapy session, my most important message is that you do not actually need to attend a Camp Mighty or a Mighty Summit to do the same work. You can write a life list, choose five goals for the year, and BUY YOURSELF the necklace! Share your goals with a close friend, your book club, or a sibling. Post it to Facebook or your blog and ask for help in achieving your goals. Send it to me! You might be surprised by what comes from it. The more that you talk about your goals, the more likely it is that you will achieve them.
I actually chose six items to accomplish this year because one of them, our family portrait, had been scheduled and rescheduled and I knew I'd be able to check it off without much effort soon after returning home from Camp Mighty.
1. Have a professional family portrait taken. CHECK! We did this on Sunday! It was so much fun. As a photographer, my instinct is to just do our family portrait myself, but it's really, really hard to be both photographer and subject. Really hard. I just wanted to focus on being a family and let someone else worry about the logistics of taking our picture. I can't wait to see them! Milo and Quinn were so awesome, jumping and dancing and being fun and cute. I look forward to making this a regular thing every few years.
2. Make a pinhole camera. I love the idea of getting back to the basics of photography. Not only will I shoot film, I will also make my own camera! It's crazy talk in this age of digital gadgets and that's what I love about this goal.
3. Volunteer 20 hours at my son's school. I would like to find a way to be involved where I can make a real difference in the school. I think there is an organisation that meets monthly and I'll be looking into that. I also love the library and the art room and I wonder if there is a way to make a difference those places too. I have already put in about 7 hours in various places, but I'm not sure I have found the place that I can make a real difference yet. If anyone has experience with volunteering in your child's public school, I'd love to hear it.
4. Spa weekend with my sister. I began crying when I said this one in front of the group. I think because it's something I really want and need. We used to spend a lot of time together before I had kids and now it's mostly family time when we visit each other. I would love to have hours of uninterrupted time to just talk with her. We have already discussed a few plans and while I'd love a whole week with her in Iceland or something grand like that, the reality is that we might just do a spa afternoon in one of our home towns during a regular visit. That's ok. It's the spirit of the goal, to spend alone time with my sister in a relaxing, supported environment that I really want and need.
5. Help 5 people complete an item on their life list. Help me, help you!! I have a year to help five of you complete an item on your list. At Camp Mighty I read through everyone's lists and I chose items from my personal collection of stuff, mostly books, to give away in the hopes that these items would help people complete their goals. If you cross an item off your list and I helped you with it in anyway, won't you please let me know?
6. Write Photography 101 articles. I have plans for this website, in particular offering more instructional, photography related content. I asked for help in developing this content and have received a few offers from people to proofread and test out my instructions. If you are interested in improving your photography skills, please let me know what you are looking for. I am starting with a guide on how to shoot in manual mode on your digital SLR camera.
The next year will be a good one for me I think, setting these goals will help keep me focused. Being the overachiever that I can be, I'm thinking I might even be able to do MORE than this. What do you think? What are your goals for the next year?
Five Goals in Camp Mighty, Inspiration, Life List
Reader Comments (10)
Did I hear that you and DeAnn helped Mai cross an item off her list? Man, you are EFFICIENT! I chose my 5 during lunch that day, and I played it pretty safe. There was one big one (and I *will* make it to Ethiopia to see that rig at work, darn it!) but for the most part I chose things that weren't too scary. I'm sorry about that now - I should have chosen 5 huge ones and just attacked them.
Excited to read the Photography 101 material :)
Daffodil - Yes, I guess we did! I asked my husband this morning to do a little investigating for me on Mai's behalf and he came back with the doctor's page and his picture. He also called the office to confirm a few details. It's pretty cool, isn't it? I thought it was great that Mai wanted to send him a letter in the first place. I'm so glad that she gets to do that. Don't beat yourself up about what you did or didn't do!! You did what felt right in the moment and a trip to Ethiopia is huge! That needs to be balanced out by some more manageable tasks, right? Besides, if you get it all done before the end of the year, you can set five more goals! xo
Thanks for posting this motivational piece, Leslie! It's been several weeks since I looked at my life list/menu, though "type life menu" is on my to-do map EVERY DAY. You have given me a good kick in the pants, and (after I bake a couple pies and get my family ready for a short road trip to Grandma's for Thanksgiving) I will devote some quality time to my life menu and will try to zone in on 5 specific goals.
Heather, so excited to hear that I motivated you! Hope you find a little time to yourself during the holiday to work on your list. Choosing 5 items is similar to Karen's mind mapping, so also have a look back at that and see what was standing out to you then. I tired to keep it balanced, a fun thing, a giving thing, a working thing. Have fun!
I will help you with your goals....any of them...all of them!!!! Just ask and I'll do what I can sister!
Oh, and you definitely need some quality time with your real sister. You have been talking about needing that for so long now. I hope it happens soon. And more than once in 2012!
Thanks friend. I know I can count on you. xo
This is a very inspirational post. I have been STUCK with the things I have revealed about myself by participating in Pathfinders. I am so used to putting myself on the low-priority list, being a part of a group with daily assignments was so...helpful. I was avoiding reading Pathfinder updates (which semi-forced me to look at what I was NOT accomplishing) because I did not want to be honest with myself. I am always so scared to invest in myself. I always have felt it is so selfish. This post that you have written makes me feel like it is not so scary to believe in those possibilities. That being me might not be selfish but a gift to the universe. Thank you.
Hi Theresa, Investing in yourself is the single best thing you can ever do, but I do agree, it can be scary. Start small, make your goals realistic and fun and just focus on bringing a little joy to your life. xo
Hi Leslie....It was really wonderful to see you, Chris and the kids over Thanksgiving! I really saw your passion for Camp Mighty and what it's brought to you in your life....it really shined through you!!! I found a little something that I'd like to mail to you....can you shoot me your mailing address in an email?
You're are a force of beauty and light.....every time I get to see you I am better for it!
Love to you....Eva xo
Aww Eva, you are so sweet. Thank you for all of your kind words. It was great to see you too and hear about all your fantastic plans. Let me know if you need any help with your blog idea! I'll send you an email. xoxo Leslie.