By: Christie Ruffino
Dynamic Professional Women’s Network, Inc.
www.dpwomen.com

I can honestly say that I have always been prone to working on several projects at once while at the same time, watching TV, talking on the phone and chewing gum. I felt that this was the best way for me to get the most accomplished in the shortest amount of time. This is what is called multi-tasking which is not actually the best way to increase ones productivity and efficiency, but that is an article for another day. I am working diligently to alter those habits, but what I am discovering to be my biggest challenge is that I often get distracted and add new projects to my agenda if I should happen to get inspired to create or start something new. This is what I call a Squirrel Moment taken from Dug the Dog from the Pixar movie “Up” who spends the whole movie being constantly distracted by a pesky squirrel.

I am naturally one of those individuals who tend to process life and execute behaviors in a more ADD manner. I have never actually been diagnosed as having that disability, but it is very hard for me to remain focused and truly engaged in one task at a time for any length at a time. Although this can make it very hard to complete projects, I feel that I have been very successful at remaining disciplined when needed and organized enough to ensure that I finish my projects and meet my deadlines as required. In fact, I feel that the skills I have developed and the creativity I exhibit are blessings directly as a result of my ADD tendencies.

So what is the problem you ask?

By: Christie Ruffino
Dynamic Professional Women’s Network, Inc.
www.dpwomen.com

One of the headline stories a week ago was about a professional athlete who, without an apparent reason, was denied the opportunity to experience an opportunity he worked so hard to achieve. Tiquan Underwood loved being a New England Patriot so much that he shaved their emblem into his hair but was tragically cut from the team on Saturday, just hours before the Super Bowl. To say that he was disappointed is an understatement, but during this adversity he remained honorable and positive. Although I was not able to find his exact quote, I heard one of his comments were that; God gives us difficult circumstances to overcome so we can become successful over-comers.

We all face challenges in life from time to time. There is no way to avoid this truth and there is no way to become exempt from the pain and suffering that usually accompanies it. Weather your specific challenge is as small as a minor traffic accident or as large as losing a loved one; or if it seems that you are faced with a regular supply of challenging times or you are fortunate to be fairly challenge free, we all have to do the best we can to overcome our personal challenges in the best way we can.

At the beginning of every New Year, the topic of resolutions and goal setting always comes to the forefront of everyone’s minds. Although I am not a proponent of resolutions, I am a firm believer of goal setting and have seen firsthand how powerful this exercise can be. You have probably read many articles already this year on how to set and achieve goals so I don’t want to go into that whole process. I do however want to point out that, in my opinion, there are two characteristics that must be present when creating your goals for them to be worthwhile and successful.

The first characteristic that should be included in your goals is that they should be “Scary” yet obtainable. This is so important yet so often overlooked in the goal setting process. It is okay for some of your goals to be common and rewarding like getting a new car, going on a vacation, obtaining a promotion, growing your business etc. But why not reach for the stars with most of your goals and strive for outcomes way bigger than you would have ordinarily desired.

Dream BIG, believe BIG, achieve BIG, and be BIG!!!!