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Achieve Your Goals: Use Guide Words This Year

02/25/2019 · In: Inspiration

Guiding words by nina from sharingajourney.com

This year, I’ve noticed a trend in goal setting and success building: choosing a guiding word for the year. I’ve been using guiding words and phrases for about five years now. My system emerged naturally and I have found it an amazing technique.  Listening for, and acting on, guiding words has lead me to a much more successful and fulfilled life.

It seems the more I listen, the more guiding phrases or single words come through. It started a few years ago. My marriage was in trouble and had been for years. We, (or really I) tried to fix it—six ways from Sunday, but nothing was improving. When I’d think of our marriage, the phrase, “beating a dead horse” would float through. At first it was sort of like a whisper in the wind. Each time I thought of a potential solution or a new way to try to fix things, the phrase came.  I’m not usually a pessimist, nor one who gives up easily, so at first, I just took note. It was happening with my work as well. (I was stuck and beating a lot of dead horses at the time). In both cases, I tried and tried, but none of my efforts seem to yield the results I sought, just the quiet whisper “you’re beating a dead horse.”

collage of woman wearing white lace shirt and leather jacket and floral high heel boots As I prayed about my circumstances and for guidance, I began to really listen and notice not only what I heard, but what I didn’t hear and also the outcome.  The truth became as  clear as day. In the case of my marriage, I  realized he wasn’t going to budge—he wanted to keep things exactly as they were.  Seeing this, I knew my options:  I could choose to stay or go. It was similarly  true of my work. The market had changed, I knew I could regroup and continue on, but I no longer had the passion and fire to fight. In both instances, I was “beating a dead horse.” It was up to me to make the next moves if I wanted to improve my life.

Fast forward to January 2017.  My prayer was “I want to go big or go home.” The word that floated in was simply “ say yes”.  I stopped second guessing things and said yes. I tried things I thought might be long shots, I opened my heart, and just said “yes.” Oh the year I had in 2017! While I faced several challenges, saying “yes” to life opened me in ways I could never have imagined. You can read a whole post about this here.
My guiding words changed throughout 2017, as I prayed my way through various challenges, words and phrases moved me forward and re-routed my efforts.

sharing a journey wearing lace shirt, leather jacket and blue jeans

For the blog, “ say yes” was followed by  “use what you have” and “everyone started somewhere”.  This came through because I wondered how I could take my beginner blog to the level of blogs that had been around for years. I came to see that we all have different resources and that our blogs are gems that reflect the deepest essence of who we are—each one has it’s own unique beauty and no two are alike. Part of what makes us each unique is how we use the resources we have, and thus I worked on using what I had on hand and trusting that if I needed any more it would come my way.  Working with this guiding phrase was huge.  It forced me to be much more creative, patient with myself, and from a spiritual perspective, much more faithful.

In the fall, as I tried to keep all the balls in the air, the guiding phrase that came through was “put the oxygen mask on yourself first”.  I had taken on lots of things by saying yes.  Even without the setbacks we experienced last fall, I was a bit overwhelmed and felt I was running in too many directions.  I was being guided to slow down and focus on myself, my family and just blogging.  As I scaled back, I re-evaluated my obligations, established priorities and let go of several projects.  As soon as I let go, new ideas and renewed energy emerged.

Right now, I am listening. I think about what I can offer that enriches, nurtures and improves the quality of our lives. I try to take note of what brings pleasure and joy and what makes for a vibrant, supportive and creative community.  Do you use guide words or have another way of navigating life? 

Mature Style: Summer Shapewear for Women Over 50

Spring Dresses for Women Over 50

By: Nina · In: Inspiration · Tagged: goal setting, Self care

About Nina

Sharing A Journey is an award winning blog for women "of a certain age" who love life and style with a little inspiration mixed in. The blog and it's author Nina Anders has been featured in notable publications including Forbes, Next Avenue, Thrive Global and Parade. Photos by RSEsteyphotography Let's do midlife together!

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Comments

  1. josep-maria says

    01/16/2018 at 2:06 AM

    I love your blouse, it is super delicate, feminine, romantic and elegant. And your booties are really spectacular and beautiful. Magnificent look mixing informality and chic.

    Reply
  2. Shelbee on the Edge says

    01/16/2018 at 6:05 AM

    Nina, your outfit is brilliant! Those boots are everything! And your message is spot on. I have been sort of choosing guiding phrases over the past few years as well. Last year, my phrase was “Choose Joy” and it literally came to me in a moment of frustration with a person in my life as I was running an errand and saw the word JOY spelled out in wreaths in someone’s front window. So many times throughout the year, I found myself taking a deep breath and repeating those words “Choose Joy”. The frustration would then just drift away and I could move on to more meaningful things. This year ,within my first few blog posts, I noticed a pattern emerging in my thought process and the phrase “Make It Count” keeps popping into my head. Life is too darn short to do something halfway or to settle for mediocrity. So that is what has been driving me so far into 2018…the motivation to make everything I do count for something. Thank you so much for another thoughtful and inspiring post! I am excited to see where 2018 takes you, my friend.

    Shelbee
    http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

    Reply
  3. Maria | Passion fruit, Paws and Peonies says

    01/17/2018 at 8:28 AM

    You really cleverly kept everything simple so the boots could make the statement they deserve. Beautifully put together as always. Lovely heartfelt read too x

    Reply
  4. Emma Peach says

    01/17/2018 at 3:47 PM

    Sometimes we just need to listen to our inner voice, but it’s hard with all the “noise” going on around us. Hearing that guiding voice is one thing – it takes courage to act on it when it creates upheaval, but it’s the only way to achieve the life we want. I love your blouse and those fabulous boots! Thanks for linking up!

    Emma xxx
    http://www.style-splash.com

    Reply
  5. Debra Barretta says

    01/24/2018 at 10:41 AM

    [* Shield plugin marked this comment as “trash”. Reason: Failed GASP Bot Filter Test (checkbox) *]
    Nina, I love your post. It is nice to see transparency in others. I think this is very beautiful. I also have words for the year. Last year was seek. I was seeking to follow the Lord closer. This year my word is courage. I must learn to trust & take more chances. So happy to meet you.
    Debra
    stylewisebydebra.net

    Reply
    • Nina says

      02/10/2018 at 7:25 AM

      I love your choice for guiding word, may it take you on many adventures.

      Reply
  6. Liz Klebba says

    02/25/2019 at 12:14 PM

    Happy day, Nina! I love how you express the words choosing you, rather than the other way ’round. I started choosing a word of the year quite a few years ago, and it wasn’t until I started letting the word choose me, that growth became visible. I’m not sure how this year’s word is going to work out, but I’m trusting the process! Wishing you a peaceful week…

    Reply

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2025 is my year for a Glo Up starting with my skin 2025 is my year for a Glo Up starting with my skin care routine. I just started using the ZIIP Halo on my 65 year old skin.  Cant wait to see the results. #livingmybestlife #over60andfabulous #over50model #over65skincare @ziipbeauty
This week’s mini adventures had us in one of my This week’s mini adventures had us in one of my favorite spots-Dunedin Florida. We went for coffee and croissants at @dunedincoffeecompany where they have amazing coffee and a real in house bakery. Every so often the baker comes through with delicious creations right from the ovens. We went for some design inspiration @lrhome their shop never disappoints then on to the book shop. That made us hungry so we had to go to  @casatinas. How could you not?#livingmybestlife #over60andfabulous #over50womenoninstagram #over50style #outfitoftheday #over50model
I've been making a point to spend a lot less time I've been making a point to spend a lot less time on screens this year. It's been amazing how much free time I have to enjoy new hobbies and spending time with friends and family. I even tried my hand at painting with a Time For Art kit and actually made this sweet dolphin painting. I was surprised how easy it was even for someone like me who has very little painting experience. I loved how the kits came with everything I needed to make the painting, and I when I needed help, I watched a video on the Time for Art website. I thought it would be fun to host some friends for a girls painting night, invitations are in the mail--plus it would make a perfect gift. Be sure to check out @timeforartlive--I will link all their info in my link tree.
For the next 65 Days I am challenging myself to ch For the next 65 Days I am challenging myself to change a few bad habits and prioritize health, friendships and activities that enhance happiness and creativity.  I am looking forward to going into 65 and beyond healthier and happier than ever before. I hope you’ll join me over the next 65 days by choosing something you’d like to improve or a habit you’d like to break and see where it leads. #over50womenoninstagram #over60andfabulous #livingmybestlife
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