Goals Archives - Stephanie L. Jones

Goals April 20, 2022

DO THIS TO HIT YOUR Q2 (APRIL – JUNE) GOALS

Can you believe we are halfway through April? Where has 2022 gone? I know I've been stuck in what seems like a never-ending house remodel. I'll be super grateful when the countertops and sinks arrive so I can finally have a kitchen! Since December, we've had no kitchen, yet we've survived cooking meals in the microwave, on a hotplate, or in the air fryer.

As this project winds down, I'm reevaluating my goals, and it's an excellent time for you to do the same. Here are five questions to help you see where to focus (or refocus) your time in Q2:

What goals did I set in January? Am I on track? If not, why? And what step do I need to take to get back on track? If yes, yippee! What do I need to do to keep the momentum?
Have my life priorities changed? If so, do any of my goals need to change?
Is there a goal I didn't set, but I should have?
Are my goals stretching me? If not, what would make me uncomfortable? If we are not stretched, then we don't grow.
Do I need help with a goal? If yes, who can help me?

Hopefully, these questions got you thinking about your goals, making tweaks if necessary, and put you on the path to a successful second quarter!

Stephanie L. Jones

Inspirational Speaker and Award-Winning Author of "The Giving Challenge: 40 Days to a More Generous Life" and “The Gratitude Challenge: 41 Days to a Happier, Healthier, & More Content Life”

Speaking April 11, 2022

I Never Thought I Would Do This

Friends, it has been one heck of a week. In three days, I went to four schools and gave 12 talks. If you would have told me I would walk out into the center of a gymnasium, with the stands full of hundreds of high schools, to share my message of giving, gratitude, and goals, I'd say you were crazy. I never thought I would be sharing my message with kindergartens to high schoolers. What's the saying, "We make plans, and God laughs"?

I did a lot of praying before I walked out and shared some of my stories. And I had a lot of people praying for me. I doubted that this 44-year-old woman could connect with teens. But I was wrong.

I had to lower my expectations. I knew there was no way to impact every student, but I could go back to the original goal I set back on January 1, 2021. Look for a way to make a difference to another person each day.

And guess what happened? After my first high school convocation, I got messages from several students thanking me for coming to their school and sharing how my message impacted them. Oh, I was so grateful for them taking the time to share with me their feedback.

I should have learned my lesson by now and stopped doubting myself. I'm not sure where that lack of confidence in these situations comes from, but it's an area I'm going to spend time working on over the next couple of months.

The next time you are asked to do something outside of your comfort zone, here are my suggestions/lessons:

Say yes! I'm so grateful I didn't say no just because I hadn't spoken to high schoolers before.
Stay in your lane. It would have been easy for me to try to put in my message what I thought the students needed to hear, but I couldn’t relate to some topics that came to my mind. I stayed focused on what I knew. The students would have sniffed out authenticity in a heartbeat!
Show gratitude. I've already sent emails and started sending out gifts of appreciation to those who helped or were involved with me getting to the school. Never forget to thank the people that gave you the opportunity.
Flip your mindset. Instead of telling myself I was nervous, I told myself I was excited. Our body has the same reaction to nervousness as it does to excitement. I chose the positive mindset, and it made a big difference. Whatever you are thinking about negatively, flip it to the positive.
Keep going. For my last session, the microphone battery died. I didn't panic. I looked for the guy that could help; he walked over, I handed him the microphone, and while he changed the batteries, I continued to speak. I had the student's attention, and I didn't want to lose my momentum. If something that you don't expect happens, keep moving forward!

Will I speak at schools again? I don't know. I've been doing a lot of thinking and praying. Let’s chat if you are at a school (elementary, high school, or college) and would like to bring me in as a speaker! I need to keep doing things I never thought I would do and challenge you to do the same.

Blessings,

Stephanie

Goals December 7, 2021

Ask These 9 Questions for More Focused Goals in 2022

Several years ago I attended an event focused on goal setting.

One of the most meaningful exercises I participated in was the “Year in Review.”

I hadn't went through this exercise before as I'm usually forward thinking and don't often like to look back. But looking back, just for a moment, can help you get more focused on your goals moving forward. Now this is important, don't stay too long in the past. It is easy to go down rabbit holes and get caught up in disappointments and what might have been. So dig into these questions, and then move forward!

Okay, let's begin!

Grab a mug filled with your favorite warm drink, snag a pen and paper (this might be the same paper/journal you used for noodling) and find a quiet place to work.

Look back over the year 2021 and answer these questions.

What are the three best things that happened in 2021?
What is your fondest memory of 2021?
What are two "not so hot" moments in 2021? (I want you to write them down, and if you are struggling with something that happened in 2021, make a goal to move forward in 2022. 2021 is in the past. Focus on the present and your future!)
What are three goals you accomplished in 2021?
What is a goal I missed in 2021. (Maybe jot down why you missed these goals.)
What is the greatest lesson I learned from my “not so hot” moment and/or missed goals?
Who were the three most influential people in my life in 2021 (note if they are good influences or bad)?
What is one thing would you do differently in 2021?
What one word best describes your year in review?

I hope you found this exercise helpful. I look forward to serving you in 2022.

Blessings,

Stephanie L. Jones

Inspirational Speaker and Award-Winning Author of "The Giving Challenge: 40 Days to a More Generous Life" and “The Gratitude Challenge: 41 Days to a Happier, Healthier, & More Content Life”

Goals October 12, 2021

Do This to Gain Momentum for 2022

Friends, can you believe we are in the last quarter of the year? Two and a half months, and we will be ringing in a new year. Yippee!

With Thanksgiving and Christmas, and often all that comes with closing out a new year, we lose sight of our goals, get off track, and may ditch them altogether and say, "I'll just start on January 1^st."

I know the feeling. I've been heading that way with my health goals. I also have my 5^th book that is almost finished, but it's just been hanging out there, waiting for me to open the file and finalize the last few edits.

So how do I get moving? How can you get moving? One action.

Yes, break it down to one action you'll take each day. Not 3, not ten things on your to-do list. Just one activity each day that moves you closer to accomplishing your goal. How do we do this?

It's easy!

In the morning, grab a notecard or sticky note, and think about the next step you need to take. For example, for my book, I need to find some notes I took I my phone. The next day, see notes I wrote in a notebook. The next day, type notes into my draft.

You might think, "Stephanie, couldn't you do all these one days?"

Well, I could. And maybe when I sit down to work on the project, I might, but sometimes I get bogged down by the details. So if I just do one thing, I get a dopamine hit when I accomplish that small task.

And guess what? By the end of the year, in three short months, my book will be done and to the printer!

What goal do you want to work on from now until the end of the year?

And then what action will you take tomorrow?

Consistent actions each day will help you gain momentum going into 2022!

Blessings,

Stephanie

Inspirational Speaker and Award-Winning Author of "The Giving Challenge: 40 Days to a More Generous Life" and “The Gratitude Challenge: 41 Days to a Happier, Healthier, & More Content Life”

Dreaming Big August 9, 2021

This Social Media Post Got to Me

The post from @rubiofuerte (and I have no idea why I'm following or how I came across him, but I digress) stated:
Nobody cares:

What you almost did.
What you want to do.
What you say you'll do.
What you didn't do.
What you could have done.
What you did a long time ago.

Just take action!

Yikes! I'd consider myself an action taker and a doer, but this post reminded me to pay attention to my words. Am I holding myself accountable for the things I've committed to doing? Are there activities I'm talking and talking about but never seem to be making progress on? If so, I need to stop talking about that activity or take steps to move me forward.

The list above is a great reminder to make sure we live life and not just talk about living or living way, way in the past.

Over the next week, take inventory of the experiences you are chatting about and bounce them against the list above. If you almost did something, want to accomplish a goal, etc., ask yourself why aren't you making progress?

A few weeks back I discussed when it's okay to delay a goal. You may have a legit reason. But if the reason is more of an excuse or downright fear, jot down one action you can take this week that will move you out of the talking phase of your goal to walking that goal forward to accomplishment.

I talk a lot about running and physical challenges, but I haven't done a challenge since February 2020. My spider bite/infection delayed my progress, so I'm committing to you by next week; I'll be signed up for a half-marathon. Let the training begin!

Kick butt this week,
Stephanie

Inspirational Speaker and Award-Winning Author of "The Giving Challenge: 40 Days to a More Generous Life" and “The Gratitude Challenge: 41 Days to a Happier, Healthier, & More Content Life”

Goals April 27, 2021

5 Ways to Keep Fighting for Your Goals

Friends, what a wild ride I have been on since being bit by a brown recluse. For those of you who do not know, they are venomous spider, with no anti-venom available for treatment. I got an infection, and since then have been struggling with side effect after side effect from the various antibiotics I have had to take.

This past weekend I was scheduled to deliver three keynotes at a women's retreat. I am grateful to share that by the grace of God, I walked onto the stage and shared what God laid on my heart.

Getting to the stage was not easy. The event team totally understood if I wanted to back out. But I remained focused on the goal.

So how did I get across the finish line of accomplishing my goal to speak at the retreat when most of the time I felt miserable?

I focused on the opportunity and the impact. It's been a year since I've been live on a stage. I had prepared quite a bit prior to the spider bite, and I didn't want to forgo such a great opportunity.
When I felt well, I didn't waste that time. In the pockets of time that I felt good, I used the time to continue to prep, work on my notes, and slides.
I gave myself grace. I knew that how I prepared for this event wasn't as extensive as I had prepared for other live speaking engagements. I did the best I could, with the energy I had, and showed myself grace in the moments I got disappointed with the lack of preparation.
Think short term. I focused on one talk at a time, instead of thinking of three talks together. Breaking our goals down in bite size goals, gives us quick wins, to then move onto the next goal.
Fake it. I truly felt incredible on Friday night for my first keynote. By Saturday, I wasn't feeling so hot. I'm not a fan of faking it but sometimes we have to put on a smile, muster up some energy, and go out and shine. I paid for it later, and slept until 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, but the goal had been accomplished!

There are various reasons we may struggle with our goals but as long as we keep battling for them, we are never out of the fight.

Blessings,

Stephanie

Inspirational Speaker and Award-Winning Author of "The Giving Challenge: 40 Days to a More Generous Life" and “The Gratitude Challenge: 41 Days to a Happier, Healthier, & More Content Life”

Goals March 29, 2021

5 Questions of Reflection

Can you believe the first quarter of the year is over? Three months down and nine to go before we begin another new year.

Now is a fabulous time to reflect on the year and decide if we are moving in the right direction. It is never too late to course-correct.

Here are five questions of reflection:

Is there one change I could make in the morning that would improve my day?
Maybe it is getting up 15 minutes earlier to sit in the quiet. Or what about reaching for your Bible first versus the phone. For me, I started drinking a glass of water before my first cup of coffee. It feels like a small win as I tackle staying hydrated each day.

How did I give to myself?
Oh, this could be a tough one. Are you looking back and do not remember any time you spent on yourself? I know for me, I usually get a monthly massage, but they fell off my radar. Massage helps me in so many ways. Guess what I am doing today? Scheduling a massage! What do you need to book on your calendar for you?

Did I stick to my budget?
You might say, "Stephanie, I don't even have a budget!" No worries, review your expenses from January-March, look at your incoming income. Do they match? Can you save? Are there areas you need to cut back? I recommend the budget exercise monthly, but each quarter is good if you do not have time for monthly. Something is better than nothing.

What goals did I set in January? Am I on track? If not, why? And what step do I need to take to get back on track? If yes, yippee! What do I need to do to keep the momentum?
My physical goals are half and half. I have been physically working towards them, but I haven't signed up for any of the events. Registration is a priority for me in April!

What am I grateful for over the past couple of months?
Gratitude is always a great tool to reset our mindset and attitude. Let us begin a new month with an attitude of gratitude!

Let me know, did you like this exercise? Was it helpful? Would you like me to create a couple of pages you can download and fill out?

Here's to a fabulous second quarter!

Stephanie

Inspirational Speaker and Award-Winning Author of “The Giving Challenge: 40 Days to a More Generous Life” and "The Gratitude Challenge: 41 Days to a Happier, Healthier, & More Content Life"

Goals March 8, 2021

Five Ways to Lean In

Do you remember the book Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg? It was a big hit several years ago. All the rave. I thought I would pull it off the shelf for International Women's Day.

Here are five takeaways from the book:

"Career progression often depends upon taking risks and advocating for oneself."

My question to you, are you taking risks at work and advocating for yourself?

"I believe that all of us - men and women - should acknowledge good fortune and thank the people who have helped us. No one accomplishes anything alone."

Who has helped you in your career? Who can you thank?

"An internal report at Hewlett-Packard revealed that women only apply for open jobs if they think they meet 100% of the criteria listed. Men apply if they think they meet 60% of the requirements."

Women, next time you see a job opening that interests you, go for it! Even if you do not meet all the requirements. 🙂

"One study showed that women who found mentors through formal programs were 50% more likely to be promoted than women who found mentors on their own."

Do you have a mentor?

"Done is better than perfect."

I couldn't agree more! What are you holding back from releasing out into the world because it's not perfect? Wrap a bow around that project and send it out my friend!

Blessings,

Stephanie

Inspirational Speaker and Award-Winning Author of “The Giving Challenge: 40 Days to a More Generous Life” and "The Gratitude Challenge: 41 Days to a Happier, Healthier, & More Content Life"

Goals February 22, 2021

Perfect Timing

Two years ago, today I keynoted a women's giving circle event.

All the women in the room had one mission, to give back to nonprofits in their community.

I miss speaking.

As I type this, I should be keynoting a women's retreat, but it got canceled due to weather.

I could look at…

what I do not have right now.
the money I am losing in my business.
the opportunity to meet and connect with others in person. (FYI, Referrals are the number one way I book speaking gigs.)
the drop in books sales, as I sell lots of books at events.

Yet I am making the choice to look at the opportunities to work on because I have the "extra" time.

There are several fun projects in the works that only came about because I was not speaking.

If you are doubting where you are in life, or life does not look like what you've had planned, don't worry, God knows exactly what He is doing. His timing is always perfect.

I am reminded of His timing by reading Proverbs 3:5-6. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."

With gratitude,

Stephanie

Inspirational Speaker and Award-Winning Author of "The Giving Challenge: 40 Days to a More Generous Life" and “The Gratitude Challenge: 41 Days to a Happier, Healthier, & More Content Life”

Goals February 15, 2021

How to Change Your Mindset (Live from the Trail)

What's the snow situation where you live? I know for me, an inch here, an inch there has accumulated to a foot with other areas nearly two feet.

This weekend I slid into my snowshoes and hit the trail. When I'm out on the trail, my mind declutters, and thoughts, ideas, and motivation flow freely.

Sometimes I'll make a couple of quick notes and then be on my way. This weekend I felt led to record my thoughts. I ended up making four recordings.

This week begins my trail series. Enjoy the stories, lessons, and scenery.

With gratitude,

Stephanie

Inspirational Speaker and Award-Winning Author of “The Giving Challenge: 40 Days to a More Generous Life” and "The Gratitude Challenge: 41 Days to a Happier, Healthier, & More Content Life"