CityU alumni discuss their personal milestones; planning experts share tips to use in 2009
By Anna King
Velocity Contributor
David Neisen balances his family, school and career by taking small steps toward larger goals.
The 30-year-old Renton man just graduated from City University of Seattle last spring with a general studies degree. He did it while working full time for Target as an executive recruiter.
“I would take one to two classes a (quarter) just to chip away at it,” he says. “It took me 11 years to finish my degree, so yes, the sense of accomplishment was huge.”
Neisen’s goal setting hasn’t stopped with his degree. He’s also an ironman competitor. To get himself in top shape he uses the same strategy he did for his academic career.
“Bite off small chunks,” he says. “You can’t run a marathon in one day. Do small things and they add up. If you are patient and pay attention you will see results.”
Whether it’s losing weight, finishing a degree or starting a new business — goals can help people reach those milestones in 2009. Experts say many successful people set goals for daily life as well as bigger ones down the road.
Karen Langer, CityU of Seattle’s Counseling Center Director, says goals are a good way to see the bigger picture.
“It helps you avoid all the little things that can trip you up,” she says.
Langer says making a calendar or schedule can really help people keep on track to meet their goals. It’s harder to procrastinate, or not make time for something important, if it’s on a calendar.
Langer also says making time for exercise, fun and family is just as important. For example, students who neglect personal relationships can derail a term paper if they get into an argument with friends or family members.
Fran Fisher, a master-certified life coach in Bellevue, Wash., says people who want to reach their goal should explore their motivation. Identifying why they want to reach a goal will help them overcome the obstacles, she says.
Fisher says it’s also important to measure progress.
“Without having a plan or measuring their progress, they will get discouraged or give up,” she says.
Fisher says people should also have a goal buddy.
“That could be a support group, a buddy, a church group or a classmate,” she says. “You are there for each other, you meet on a regular basis and you help each other stay on track.”
Perhaps the most important skill to have if you want to reach your goal is scheduling time to plan.
“People get so busy, they are always going, going, going,” Fisher says. “I encourage my clients to schedule 30 minutes a week. It’s sacred time but it’s for themselves.”
Fisher advises people to use that time every week to reflect on what worked and didn’t work. Finally, Fisher says people should balance their heads and hearts — like partners.
“What the heart does best is show us what our deepest desires are,” she says. “The head is the planner and executer. Life is more satisfying when we let our heart show us what we want, then let the head shows us how we can get there.”
Plans Goals for 2009: 10 Quick Tips
• Take small steps toward a larger goal
• Eat well
• Make time for good sleep
• Exercise
• Limit caffeine intake
• Identify those things that might keep you from reaching your goal, then strategize how to overcome those obstacles
• Make time for family, friends and personal relationships
• Create a schedule or calendar with your goals lined out
• Enlist your friends and family to help support your goals
• CityU of Seattle’s Counseling Center is available to help students and the public with their goals. For an appointment call 425-709-5333.