| Focus January 1, 2006
|
Kary's not only a
successful physique competitor, but a motivational speaker, author, and mother, too!
(photo by Terry Goodlad) |
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New Year's Dream List
Special guest editorial by Kary Odiatu, 2002 CBBF Canadian
Fitness Champion and IFBB Pro
Once again it is time to reflect on the past, learn from
our actions, and resolve to make the most of a new year. It sounds easy, but every year
most people make verbal resolutions without taking any action. Goals are put on hold until
next year and procrastination rules once more. Don’t be sad if this is your story
– you’re not alone!
A very small percentage of the population practices goal
setting and even fewer actually take the time to write down their dreams and goals. Fear
creeps in and whispers in your ear: "You’re not good enough, not pretty enough,
not smart enough, not old enough, not young enough, etc." You worry that a commitment
on paper makes you a failure if the goal is not achieved. The end result – you
don’t even try.
I once attended a seminar by Mark Victor Hansen (creator of
Chicken Soup for the Soul) when I was an amateur fitness competitor, and he
challenged the entire audience to make a dream list. Not just any dream list – but a
100-item "Dreams and Goals" list. He encouraged us to be possibility thinkers
and to write down bold, audacious goals. By inking our dreams, we would be making them
more powerful and real – like a written contract with ourselves.
This may sound daunting and it is hard work; it took me
over thirty minutes to compile my first list. On that list I wrote things that seemed
impossible at the time. For example:
- Win the Canadian Fitness Championships and an IFBB Pro Card
- Be invited to the Arnold Classic
- Qualify for the Fitness Olympia
- Meet Arnold Schwarzenegger
- Write a book
- Model in fitness magazines
- Have a magical wedding on the coast
All of these dreams came true for me over the next few
years. It is amazing what you can achieve once you dare to dream it is possible. Just ask
some of the most successful athletes, box-office movie stars, or the owners of some of the
best companies in the world.
"The best way to succeed in the future is to create
it."
-- Robin Sharma
To make the task easier, answer these questions to
stimulate your imagination:
- What do you want more of in your life?
- What would you try now if you knew you could not fail?
- What’s one thing you would love to do before you die?
- What would be your ideal career – if you could do
anything?
- Where would you travel if money were not a factor?
- Whom would you like to meet?
Another way to simplify the task is to make categories so
that you have a balanced dream list that encompasses all aspects of your life. If you have
ten categories, then you only need ten dreams or goals in each category to make 100. Some
suggestions are: spiritual, relationship, family, career, fitness, self-development,
education, financial, health, and travel.
Try playing some uplifting, enjoyable music while you write
out your list. Having a special journal or beautiful paper can also help to set the mood.
My husband, Uche, and I have made this practice a yearly tradition. Every year we take
some time on New Year’s Day to write out our new lists. I start by taking dreams from
the previous year’s list that have not been achieved yet, then adding new dreams and
goals. By the way – New Year’s Day just happens to be the anniversary date of
our magical wedding on the California coast.
I had the opportunity to speak at one of Jenny
Hendershott’s Phat Camps in Toronto two years ago and I recommended that everyone in
the seminar make their own list. A few months later Jenny told me that she had made a
list, and I know that one of the items on her list was "Win the Fitness
Olympia"!
...Kary Odiatu
You can learn more about Kary at her website, www.KaryOdiatu.com, and at www.fitspeakers.com. |
