I captured the image (above) a week or so ago when my hubby, son, and I were exploring downtown. The chair is colorful and worthy of photographing, but I was drawn to the quote.
I dream my painting and then paint my dream. –Van Gogh
It is perfectly aligned with where my head is at the moment–planning and working toward a few goals.
A few days before encountering the chair, one of my besties and I decided to work toward completing our top three goals and report our progress to each other every week. By the beginning of week one, I was ready to slay in a serious way. By the end, I was whining inwardly that I’d made zero progress on any of my goals.
Thanks to Thanksgiving Break, I’ve had a moment or two of clarity and I’ve concluded that “goal slay” is as much about slaying the dragons that stand in our way as it is about actually achieving our goals: Dragons of time. Dragons of demands. Dragons of habit. Dragons of neglect. Dragons of doubt and fear.
The reality–life is busy and full, so we often have little time to squeeze in a new thing, goal, activity, even person. We’ve developed some patterns and routines that must change. Even our perceived good habits have to change if we are to accomplish our goals. What’s more daunting? We must sharpen our swords on our own imagined dragons before we can slay the really scary ones.
So although I’ve not checked any of the boxes directly leading to any of my goals, I’ve made significant progress on the process. I have well-defined goals and a solid plan to slay some dragons. That’s something…isn’t it?
Pics and Posts 
I think the smartest thing I ever did was to join two other ladies in an accountability group. Each week we email each other our progress from the previous week and our new goal list. We set our goals at the beginning of the year, and we check on them quarterly. Sometimes we prompt each other, checking on what we might’ve done, or what we might’ve done differently, or making suggestions. It is so, so, so helpful to me. I still waste plenty of time, and I don’t make the progress I should, but I am definitely making more progress than I would have been without this.
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Yes! This is exactly what my friend and I are doing, except we’re writing letters to each other. It makes us sit down at least once a week and consider what we’ve actually done toward our goals. I hope we can stick to it and actually make some real progress. Your experience is encouraging.
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That is for sure something!
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I’d love to share your post on my blog, as it’s in line with the work I do. Would that be okay?
I’d like to copy this part
[Thanks to Thanksgiving Break, I’ve had a moment or two of clarity and I’ve concluded that “goal slay” is as much about slaying the dragons that stand in our way as it is about actually achieving our goals: Dragons of time. Dragons of demands. Dragons of habit. Dragons of neglect. Dragons of doubt and fear.]
and then link to your article to read the whole post – so people will get to visit your blog. If you prefer a different way, I’ll repost or share in the way that you prefer.
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I’d be honored! Reblog away! Thanks!
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Terrific art and post! Yes, yes, yes! Preparation progress counts too! Why is it so easy for us to forget that? Keep on plugging!
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Dear Chandra:
I do not get to pics and post regularly but I love those that I do read. Thank you for adding a scintillating touch to my day. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. We are in Orlando with Ndala and hers, finding the weather much better.
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Oh, if only I could join you in Orlando! Happy Thanksgiving! Give me a call when you return. I miss our time together.
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Done: https://procrastinationcoach.wordpress.com/2017/11/23/slaying-dragons-and-painting-dreams/
I hope you like the result. If you’d like me to make any changes, let me know!
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One of the things I wondered about is if a reblog is best carrying the title of the original post, or with its own title.
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Considering your slant…I’d give it a new title–maybe, work in the “time thieves.” By the way, I’m going to see if I can find that book! 😊
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