goals | Words For Hire

Life, Death and Dreams

May 6, 2009 by Karen Swim

Written by Karen D. Swim

Do you have a dream graveyard? Tombstones planted in the backyard of your life that trumpet the life and death of long forgotten hopes, goals and plans. Birthed with possibility, shining bright with a vision, they now lie silent in a land of dry bones.

“It whispers; all is waiting here

Kept safe for thee, year after year,

Beautiful songs in thousands;

Where hast thou been, where, where?”–Erik Axel Karlfeldt

There are many reasons we allow dreams to die – impatience, lack of know how, fear, doubt or perhaps timing. The good news is that you can resurrect the dead. I took an eye-opening trip through my own graveyard recently. There were dreams that were mere fancies of imagination, lacking the passion needed to sustain them. Yet, there were others which made me linger at the tombstone, desperately trying to recall why I had not taken life-saving measures. Even from the grave, they called out to me, causing a swift intake of breath as I was filled with the possibility of a second chance.

“The inability to open up to hope is what blocks trust, and blocked trust is the reason for blighted dreams.” –Elizabeth Gilbert

In this place, as I came face to face with death, life was renewed. I could shed the things that did not fulfill my life and my purpose. With a clearer vision I could also wisely choose the dreams that had never really died but simply rested in peace until it was time.

How about you – any dreams that deserve a second chance?

The Myth of Magic Fairies

January 19, 2009 by Karen Swim

: Image via Wikipedia

Written by Karen D. Swim
If you do nothing, nothing will happen. It is such a simple truth yet one that we persist in trying to prove wrong. We whine about our jobs, but will not do anything to change our situation. We want more from our business but do nothing to make it happen. I suppose magic fairies could make all our dreams come true but is that really the life strategy you want to employ?

I get it, I really do. Doing is sometimes scary (ask me about the nausea I felt at releasing my first info product) but doing nothing should have you quaking in your boots.

You see the funny thing about doing something is that sometimes magic does happen but it favors the prepared. What’s the purpose of faith if you never put it in action. What good are dreams when you never make plans to make them happen?

There have been many times in my own life when I’ve needed a little nudge (or heave) to take that first step. Today, it’s your turn. Do something, you may be surprised at how much better it feels than doing nothing at all.

I Yam A Writer

November 27, 2008 by Karen Swim

Written by Karen D. Swim

From Words For Hire

Last night around 11 pm, I realized that I was less than 1500 words away from my goal. Was I seriously going to pull this off? With visions of yams and a stress free Thanksgiving in my head, I leaned in and went for it! Right around midnight I had typed the final period on my first draft. I uploaded my obfuscated text (thank you YWriter for including this function) to the NaNo word count validator. Confetti fell, bells rang and the screen blinked YOU WON! Actually the confetti, bells and blinking were only in my mind but hey you know anyone who even attempts this is deserving of bells and confetti, don’t ya think. So the screen is flashing and I did what any winner would do, I started bawling. Yep, that’s right I cried. Go figure, I have had the same reaction at the end of every marathon I’ve run (well that might be from the pain but you get the picture).

I wiped my eyes and downloaded my winner’s goodies (don’t ya love the instant gratification of the digital age) and then started sobbing again. So at 12:15 I was a sobbing, dancing mess but heck I think I’ve earned just a bit of craziness.

Now, here’s where it really gets good folks. I am not special. Nope not one bit. (Yes that’s the sound of loved ones hysterical with laughter in the background.) No magical superpowers, unless you count the super human ability to blunder my way through this thing called life. And if I can meet a crazy, big fat goal, you can too. I encourage you to try. Yes you may fail along the way. However, you can get up and try again and you know what you just might make it.

Go ahead, take a risk. We can dance and sob together when you meet your big fat hairy goal!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Carrots, Sticks and Such

October 6, 2008 by Karen Swim

She lay in the grass, eyes toward the sky feeling the soft slightly damp earth beneath her. She did not remember how long she had been lying there thoughts drifting along with the clouds. Had it been minutes, hours, or perhaps days? Somehow, it no longer mattered. She had just decided to stop. The relentless forward movement and the frenetic pace – she was over it. The others had passed her by unaware of her decision as they continued to press on with increasing force in pursuit of …the carrot.

Like them, she had wanted that carrot too. It had haunted her days and nights dangling from that blasted string. So often she had been so close and as she stretched forth her hands to capture her prize, it moved once again. Then today suddenly, she had simply stopped reaching for it. She had not planned to stop but in one split second had simply made the decision. As the crowd thinned around her, she sat, and then lay in the grass listening to the stillness, allowing the quiet to engulf her.

Conditioned to covet the carrot she had forsaken all others in pursuit of the prize. After all EVERYONE wants the carrot. So, for years as it dangled just out of reach she kept moving toward it with a laser sharp focus. She stepped over piles of manure and around boulders as kept the carrot in focus. Often the prize dangled closer and she stretched to capture it only to have it move once again.

The day she stopped, she realized they were wrong. She did not want the carrot at all. In fact, capturing the carrot would have been a huge disappointment. Her brows knit in a furrow as she thought of their ploy. Without thinking, she had been lured into a senseless maze by something she truly did not desire. She shook her head and arose from her spot on the grass. With a deep breath, she turned and walked in the other direction. She finally knew what she wanted and it was not that carrot.

The age-old carrot and stick metaphor originated with the tale of a boy who used a carrot and stick to keep a donkey moving forward. The carrot hung just out of reach, a desired reward that encouraged the animal to keep moving forward. The reward kept moving and so did the donkey.

Have you ever found yourself in pursuit of a carrot only to discover it is not really what you wanted? What did you do?

Are you a commitment phobe?

June 20, 2008 by Karen Swim

by Karen D. Swim, Photo: Jeff Belmonte, Flickr.com

”Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes… but no plans.” —Peter F. Drucker

Do you have a fear of commitment? According to Queendom.com, “Commitment phobia is the fear and avoidance of having to commit, particularly to relationships.” The site offers a commitment readiness test to help you assess if you are commitment phobic or “ready to take the proverbial plunge?”

Commitment phobia is not exclusive to relationships. You may fear making a commitment to yourself. You will not invest the time and resources in your goals and dreams because you are not quite ready to take the plunge.

Commitment to yourself requires a willingness to accept change, and that can be scary. However, change is necessary as standing in the same place, doing the same thing will yield the same results.

“The relationship between commitment and doubt is by no means an antagonistic one. Commitment is healthiest when it is not without doubt but in spite of doubt.” —Rollo May

Commitment moves your “I Want” to “I Will.” When you are fully engaged, losing is no longer an option. Tiger Woods did not delay surgery because he wanted to win the US Open. He made a firm commitment, stating his intention to win the US Open.

Melanie Roach captured the #1 one spot on the four woman 2008 Olympic Team. Melanie has a full life as the mother of three small children under the age of six, one of whom is autistic, owner/operator of a gymnastics training facility with over 500 students, wife of fourth term incumbent Washington State House of Representatives legislator, and Sunday school teacher! Yet, she committed to her dream of making the Olympic team and made it happen.

As in relationships, commitment does not come without bumps in the road. You are certain to hit some speed bumps along the way. Work through them and keep moving forward. As you move through challenges you will find that your commitment will deepen. Do not fear the challenge, fear quitting!

Are you willing to take the plunge for YOU today?