Most quilters have at least one UFO (UnFinished Object) in their lives - a project that for whatever reason has not yet been completed.
While focusing on clearing out the things in my house that no longer belong, I've also found another category: USOs - UnStarted Objects. Everything is there - pattern, fabric, thread . . ., but the project has never progressed beyond its original form.
As I pondered how this happened, I soon realized there are many other USOs in my life -- books unread, recipes untried, goals unmet.
Why?
In some cases, I put the projects away and forgot about them because I no longer saw them. Those need to be revisited to see if I'm even interested anymore, or if it's time to send them on their way to a new owner.
In other instances, I started the book, mapped out a strategy or gathered necessary ingredients and reached a point where I felt "stuck". I have found that taking a break can be beneficial when I reach that point. I can rethink why I started and see whether or not I want to invest more time and energy in it. If I do, I can get back on track. If not, it's time to let someone else have a go.
It seems that my projects have a shelf life. Just as I disposed of the apple sauce that made its way to the back of the pantry ("Best used by 2007"!), there are objects in my life that are out of date and no longer belong.
I can continue trying to fit far too much stuff into my life, which will result in frustration and stagnation, or I can make room for my roots to spread so I can grow into the person God intended.
I think it's time to grow.
Showing posts with label goals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label goals. Show all posts
Monday, October 12, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Don't (just) look back - look sideways
The Cafe Press anti-Valentine contest has proved to be an eye-opening experience for me.
First, I was amazed at how easy it was for me to come up with ideas that reflected a cynic's view of love. Negativity is not the most desirable of traits. :-)
Second, when I looked at the designs others created, I learned that there are people who are a lot more cynical than I am out there. Bitter, bitter, bitter.
Third, was the major "duh" moment I had when I realized that I could create designs with a positive message even though they weren't part of the contest and added a couple of positive valentine designs to my shop. I think this was the most important thing I learned from this experience.
It reminded me of times in the past when I have started a project with specific ideas and goals in mind and gotten stuck when I found something blocking my path. Sometimes all that's required is a tiny adjustment - other times, not so tiny.
If I keep focusing on the problem, all I will see is the problem. On the other hand, if I glance around a bit, I may see an alternative that I had missed before. In many cases, it might not have been there earlier - timing is everything. Often the best way to deal with getting stuck is to change my perspective and look "sideways".
First, I was amazed at how easy it was for me to come up with ideas that reflected a cynic's view of love. Negativity is not the most desirable of traits. :-)
Second, when I looked at the designs others created, I learned that there are people who are a lot more cynical than I am out there. Bitter, bitter, bitter.
Third, was the major "duh" moment I had when I realized that I could create designs with a positive message even though they weren't part of the contest and added a couple of positive valentine designs to my shop. I think this was the most important thing I learned from this experience.
It reminded me of times in the past when I have started a project with specific ideas and goals in mind and gotten stuck when I found something blocking my path. Sometimes all that's required is a tiny adjustment - other times, not so tiny.
If I keep focusing on the problem, all I will see is the problem. On the other hand, if I glance around a bit, I may see an alternative that I had missed before. In many cases, it might not have been there earlier - timing is everything. Often the best way to deal with getting stuck is to change my perspective and look "sideways".
Thursday, January 24, 2008
How to deal with criticism
As my new year has gotten off to a less than roaring start, I've decided to focus on quotes made by people who successfully negotiated their way through life.
This was my first choice because it reminds me that it is very difficult to reach a goal when I am listening to a variety of conflicting voices. My intention this year is to remember the people who are sources of encouragement and wise advice and listen to them. Everyone else is welcome to find a more appreciative audience. ;-)
"Do what you feel in your heart to be right - for you'll be criticized anyway. You'll be damned if you do, and damned if you don't." -Eleanor Roosevelt
This was my first choice because it reminds me that it is very difficult to reach a goal when I am listening to a variety of conflicting voices. My intention this year is to remember the people who are sources of encouragement and wise advice and listen to them. Everyone else is welcome to find a more appreciative audience. ;-)
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Transitions
Is change good or bad?
Yes.
The choice is yours.
Diane Mashia says: What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, God calls a butterfly!
How do you find the butterfly moments of your changing life?
Since change is part of our lives, we benefit from learning how to cope with change.
Choose your goal and approach it one small step at a time. It’s easier to commit to small changes and simpler to adjust your course when necessary.
You are daily surrounded by opportunities to make progress toward your goal. As you focus on your goal, you will become more aware of these opportunities.
When you decide to change it is important to remember:
Change is uncomfortable, even if you have chosen it.
Anatole France said, "All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another."
Are you clinging to things that are holding you back?
It may be time to release some of the things that suited you at other stages in your life to make room for the things that will help your reach your current goals.
Is it time for a change?
Yes.
The choice is yours.
Diane Mashia says: What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, God calls a butterfly!
How do you find the butterfly moments of your changing life?
Since change is part of our lives, we benefit from learning how to cope with change.
Choose your goal and approach it one small step at a time. It’s easier to commit to small changes and simpler to adjust your course when necessary.
You are daily surrounded by opportunities to make progress toward your goal. As you focus on your goal, you will become more aware of these opportunities.
When you decide to change it is important to remember:
Change is uncomfortable, even if you have chosen it.
Anatole France said, "All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another."
Are you clinging to things that are holding you back?
It may be time to release some of the things that suited you at other stages in your life to make room for the things that will help your reach your current goals.
Is it time for a change?
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
5 things I do every day to be successful
At the beginning of the month Andy Wibbels wrote about the 5 things he does every day to be successful and invited his readers to do the same.
So, here goes:
I have a daily routine. Routine is often assumed to be boring, but I find a routine frees me to concentrate on my goals and helps keep me on track. I may not be diagnosed with ADHD, but I can very easily find myself distracted by things that will keep me from accomplishing anything if I don't have some way to corral myself and stay focused.
My morning walk helps me get started. My body gets a workout from the walk, my spirit gets a workout thinking about the positive things in my life, and my mind gets a workout as I consider short and long term goals I want to accomplish. Spending this time alone in the morning refreshes and prepares me for the rest of the day. I'm also becoming more aware of my biorhythms and can take advantage of that to accomplish more when I'm at my peak mentally and physically.
In addition to my morning walk, I spend time outside each day. It may only be 5 or 10 minutes, but I stop and really look around at the sky, the landscape and any animals that may be in the area. After a few deep breaths and a stretch or two, I'm ready to go again. Maintaining contact with nature helps calm me, keeps me aware of changes in my environment and reveals the beauty around me, even if it's something as tiny as a seedling popping up through asphalt. If I can't get outside, I can go online for sights and sounds of nature.
I have a ready supply of 3 x 5 index cards on hand to record ideas, lists and anything else that comes to mind. They may be old-fashioned and low tech, but they don't need batteries, fit in a pocket or purse and can be readily sorted and stored. It's easy for me to purge index cards that I no longer need, and that's important to a slowly recovering pack rat.
Last, but not least, I include breathing space in my schedule by alloting more time for each activity than I think I'll need so I don't have to rush and I'm not frustrated when I hit a roadblock, literal or figurative. So many people seem to be rushed and angry; I don't want to be one of them.
I know that none of this is earth-shattering, but I have found that when I include these small steps in my life I am much more productive.
So, here goes:
I have a daily routine. Routine is often assumed to be boring, but I find a routine frees me to concentrate on my goals and helps keep me on track. I may not be diagnosed with ADHD, but I can very easily find myself distracted by things that will keep me from accomplishing anything if I don't have some way to corral myself and stay focused.
My morning walk helps me get started. My body gets a workout from the walk, my spirit gets a workout thinking about the positive things in my life, and my mind gets a workout as I consider short and long term goals I want to accomplish. Spending this time alone in the morning refreshes and prepares me for the rest of the day. I'm also becoming more aware of my biorhythms and can take advantage of that to accomplish more when I'm at my peak mentally and physically.
In addition to my morning walk, I spend time outside each day. It may only be 5 or 10 minutes, but I stop and really look around at the sky, the landscape and any animals that may be in the area. After a few deep breaths and a stretch or two, I'm ready to go again. Maintaining contact with nature helps calm me, keeps me aware of changes in my environment and reveals the beauty around me, even if it's something as tiny as a seedling popping up through asphalt. If I can't get outside, I can go online for sights and sounds of nature.
I have a ready supply of 3 x 5 index cards on hand to record ideas, lists and anything else that comes to mind. They may be old-fashioned and low tech, but they don't need batteries, fit in a pocket or purse and can be readily sorted and stored. It's easy for me to purge index cards that I no longer need, and that's important to a slowly recovering pack rat.
Last, but not least, I include breathing space in my schedule by alloting more time for each activity than I think I'll need so I don't have to rush and I'm not frustrated when I hit a roadblock, literal or figurative. So many people seem to be rushed and angry; I don't want to be one of them.
I know that none of this is earth-shattering, but I have found that when I include these small steps in my life I am much more productive.
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