The Peace Center
August 4th, 2011 - Day 96
Hello Fellow 100 Day Challengers,
We are winding down our challenge time together. I'm so proud of you that have already met your goals and there is still time left for the goals that we haven't quite met. This is a great time to review your overall experience and see what might be worth changing next time.
At the beginning of the challenge we had scheduled to meet this coming Saturday but as it turns out, it seems that most of you have preferred email contact. We won't be meeting this Saturday but please reply to me with your accomplishments over the past 96 days. I would like to put together a summary to help everyone else see the power of the challenge and help each one of us realize that with a little effort...OK, a lot of effort, we can each set a goal and reach it if it is important enough to us. Please respond to this email with your comments, accomplishments, suggestions and if you're interested in going again before the end of the year.
Thanks for sharing this challenge with me!
June 17, 2011 - Day 48
You know we are only/already half way. Today is Day 48. For some of you, this means you might have already met some goals (congrats Mary & Eddie & Mike & ???). This happens just because you decided and then focused on what you wanted. Others, that means you still have half the time to finish what you started or start what you need to finish. You still have plenty of time!
Also, don't forget, to look back over the week (or last two weeks) to see what you've accomplished towards your 100 Day Goals, where your strengths and weaknesses were and then plan what you can do over the next week. Doing this weekly helps you move towards your goals. Even if you don't work on a goal for weeks at a time, if you revisit the goal at least once a week, you are bound to make a decision to do something about it. If you've forgot or skipped this weekly step, just pick up today and restart. I set a timer and don't spend more than 15 minutes.
One more thing, if you already met your goals, you may want to think of another one to work towards for the rest of the 50 days. This goal achieving skill is not about meeting any one particular goal but more about learning to set, work towards and then achieve the goal. It takes dedication, commitment, focus, and persistence.
June 8, 2011 - Day 39
Hello Fellow 100 Day Challengers!
The problem with expectancy points is that they keep us stuck at that specific level - and never allow us to grow past that point. In fact, our expectancy points work automatically to maintain our current level so that you don't have to think about the day-to-day thoughts and behaviors required to maintain it. Anytime you deviate from what your brain deems "normal," you unconsciously revert back to your old ways. This works just like a thermostat does to keep a room at the programmed temperature.
It's the same powerful part of your brain that keeps your heart beating automatically and digests your food effortlessly, not to mention sustains your life.
This part of your brain constantly comes up with multiple excuses... and works to sabotage all of your business or life-goals and dreams. It literally takes a nano-second to break the promises and plans you've made when this part of the brain is not conditioned properly and is working against you.
May 11, 2011 - Day 11
Hello Fellow 100 Day Challengers!
Ideally this is a WEEKLY review so you don't get too out of touch. I like to do mine on Wednesdays so there is still time in the week to address where I may be lacking or feel great about the fact that I've already accomplished a lot this week.
Cheers to your success and growth!
May 3rd, 2011 - Day 3
April 28, 2011
Hello Fellow 100 Day Challengers!
I felt like we had a pretty good meeting last night. One of the things I forgot to ask everyone to share was why were they willing to think about doing the 100 Day Challenge. I know for me I need the accountability of the group. I also enjoy the camaraderie of the kind of people willing to become more self-aware through this experience. I know anyone of us can accomplish what we want, especially if there is fear or pain driving the change. However, it is quite a different enterprise by choosing to change and accept the challenge. So, thank you for participating!
We briefly talked about the pieces of the program which include: setting SMART goals, doing a weekly review of your actions, coming to meetings to learn from others' experiences and to hear what some others are doing for their goals. We also set the meeting schedule. We will meet on 5/14, 6/4, 6/18, 7/9, 7/23 & 8/6. I am hopeful that meeting at 11:00 AM will be acceptable. When we were talking about the timing of it I forgot that we have a 10:00 AM meditation in that room on Saturdays beginning May 7th. Please let me know if 11:00 is too late and we'll try to figure out something else. We could meet across the hall in a smaller place if 11 is too late.
Day One of the challenge is May 1st and the last day is August 8th.
Attached is the 1-3-5 Goal Form - use this to list out your goals and at least do the "Why" and "Actions" for it. The why will help you with an emotional attachment to the goals. This is helpful in keeping the goal important to you. If there isn't a strong enough emotional attachment, I believe the challenge will just be boring, you might give up because other things seem more important, etc. The actions list will get you started in activities to engage in toward your goal. The Six Questions are helpful in narrowing down details about your goal. As I said in the meeting, sometimes it gets redundant but give them a chance because the question may stimulate some ideas or thoughts about the goal that hadn't come to you previously.
Remember, they should be SMART goals. The SMART acronym has a few alternative labels but here is one that seems simple to follow: S - specific; M - measurable; A - attainable; R - relevant; T - time bound. Please feel free to send your goals to me and we can either exchange emails or talk about them if you wish.
Please consider the difference in goals that are “performance” goals, versus “outcome” goals. It can be quite dispiriting to fail to achieve a personal goal for reasons beyond your control! In business, these reasons could be bad business environments or unexpected effects to government policy. In sport, they could include poor judging, bad weather, injury or just plain bad luck. If you base your goals on personal performance, then you can keep control over the achievement of your goals, and draw satisfaction from them.
Also, consider who is involved in the achieving the goal. The first time I did the challenge I set a goal that was to increase the amount of cases assigned by 100 per month. This was a memorable learning experience because I spent the first two weeks figuring out how to calculate how many more calls we needed to get to get the number of assignment up by 100. After spending a lot of time on that, then I realized after the first month or so that I had no power in how many cases were assigned. The Case Management department chose whether or not to assign a case. I only had control of phone calls coming in.
Another important lesson I had to learn was to try to set up the measuring process prior to Day One because I spent a lot of time figuring out how to measure and didn’t get to work right away on the actual goal. Now is comes more natural to think about measuring progress as I set the actual goal.
On May 14th we’ll talk about the weekly (or bi-weekly) reviews you have done to see how your progress is coming. You don’t have to spend a lot of time reflecting, just a couple minutes. Remember, be objective, not harsh on yourself. In the review you will answer or jot down notes to the following four questions for each of your goals. Personally, I set a time for 10 or 15 minutes and just get it over with so I don’t take too much time analyzing and spend more time getting to work on the goals!
Have fun and I really look forward to hearing your experiences. Please feel free to write or call anytime with questions and/or comments.
Good luck,
Tracee
April 8, 2011 - Day 92
Hello my friends,
The clock is winding down on this challenge. We're going to meet one more time this Saturday at 10:30 am. Bring your experiences, comments, observances, self-analysis of your performance. You could just look at it and consider what was helpful or not helpful. Or, you could dig deeper and you might want to complete a SWOT Analysis. The SWOT Analysis is a strategic planning tool used in many situations. We can use it to evaluate the unique Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats of our challenge performance over the entire 100 days. In the SWOT Analysis, the first step is to identify a key objective and then assess it based on the internal and external factors that are favorable and unfavorable. Even if you don't do the SWOT Analysis for this ending challenge, you may want to consider it for the next one.
Analysis Format:
1) Key Objective - identify the key objective(s) that you are trying to achieve and by when - (this is your goal)
2) Strengths - identify the unique attributes that could be helpful to achieving the objective.
3) Weaknesses - identify the unique attributes that could impede achieving the objective.
4) Opportunities - identify the unique conditions that could help to achieve the objective.
5) Threats - identify the unique conditions that could impede achieving the key objective.
By the way, this is a timeless tool to help with any situation on which you may have a block. It helps see an issue from many perspectives, or at least a different one. :)
Example:
Key Objective – Run a 10K
Strengths – determined, understand the benefits of utilizing the training schedule, already in a running condition from Turkey Trot
Weaknesses – not much extra room in my schedule, cold running weather
Opportunities – health benefits, releases stress, gave me a chance to follow a running plan and complete it – feel how it feels to succeed
Threats – training interferes with my special time with daughter, training takes a lot of time, increased laundry, I have to pay attention to what I’m eating on running days so I digest my food by training time
If this tool is too complicated for this past challenge, just make a list of pros and cons. It is may be more ideally situated as a planning tool for the next challenge you undertake. If you have a goal in mind for the next challenge, try the SWOT.
Please rsvp... thanks!
March 10, 2011 - Day 62
Are you hanging in there or did you delete this email without even opening? We are on Day 62 of the 100 day challenge. That means there is still 40% of the challenge time left. TONS!!! This is a great time to dig deep and see what you have to offer the universe. I suspect we all can dig much deeper but just don't realize because either we haven't had to or have forgotten those time in our lives when we did. If you have had the experience of digging deeper previously, this time might be different because you have made a choice to do it. In this challenge you are not moving away from pain, which can be a phenomenal motivator. You have chosen to face a challenge - set a goal and go after it!!! Personally, I think that is pretty brave.
Remember a time when you felt great with your accomplishment(s). Really think about how it felt to jump in the air or pump your fist or look at the admiration and respect of your loved ones. Feel what it felt like, hear the way it sounded, smell the smells. Take that memory experience and apply it to this challenge - to your goals you've chose to go after. Have that memory in your mind that see yourself on Day 100 reliving that feeling of success!
For those of you who are still playing, please remember to do your review for this Saturday's meeting. The time is at 10:30, not 11:00. At 11:00 we will be showing a movie. Information about it is on the website or Meetup.com or FaceBook. See you Saturday!
(Also, if you're not feeling it - this is a great time to throw in the towel and say, "I'll do it again next time. maybe." It is a life skill and the ball is totally in your court.)
February 23, 2011 - Day 50
Hello Fellow 100 Day Challengers!
You know we are only/already half way. Today is Day 50. For some of you, this means you might have already met some goals. This happens just because you decided and then focused on what you wanted. Others, that means you still have half the time to finish what you started or start what you need to finish.
Also, don't forget, this is Wednesday - the day to look back over the week (or last two weeks) to see what you've accomplished towards your 100 Day Goals, where your strengths and weaknesses were and then plan what you can do over the next week. Doing this weekly helps you move towards your goals. Even if you don't work on a goal for weeks at a time, if you revisit the goal at least once a week, you are bound to make a decision to do something about it. If you've forgot or skipped this weekly step, just pick up today and restart. I set a timer and don't spend more than 15 minutes.
One more thing, if you already met your goals, you may want to think of another one to work towards for the rest of the 50 days. This goal achieving skill is not about meeting any one particular goal but more about learning to set, work towards and then achieve the goal. It takes dedication, commitment, focus, and persistence.
February 3, 2011 - Day 30
How’s it going? Remember to do your weekly review earnestly. I wanted to share a couple links I came across today that can help you re-orient your compass on life.
John Assaraf – discusses the “how” to change your life:
http://www.johnassaraf.com/change-your-brain-change-your-mind/visualize-the-life-you-want/
Bruce Lipton – discusses why the “how” works: http://www.2011tappingworldsummit.com/VideoSeries/?page_id=60&blog_prm=6465 (35 minute video - I know, may be long to sit still, but it is worth it)
Look forward to seeing you on February 12th with your progress updates!
January 27, 2011 - Day 20
Hello my challenge buddies - how's it going?
I'm writing to remind you that you all wanted to meet this Saturday at 11:00 am at the Peace Center. We are going to get together to see how it is going, revisit our goals to see if they are ones you can see yourself sticking with or if you need to reassign measurements, tweak the actual goal or scrap it all and start over.
If you haven't done so already, please take a few minutes and actually write out the answers for each one of your goals to the review points which are:
1) Outcome - provide a brief description of current outcome.
2) Strengths - identify what went right and why
3) Weaknesses - identify what went wrong and why
4) Future Activity - what will/should I do differently next time?
Please remember, this review session is not meant to be an opportunity for you to judge yourself harshly. If you find yourself disappointed in your performance, you may be in danger of falling in to some old bad habits and abandoning the challenge. Who wants to feel bad on purpose? DON'T DO IT!!! Please just evaluate and move on. It shouldn't take more than 10 or 15 min. I do this for more than 5 goals and it takes me 15 minutes. I often see this as an opportunity to start over or build momentum. If I didn't get much done, I get to start clean and if I did get some movement toward my goal, it is an opportunity to recognize that and keep going in that direction.
I think this activity and challenge is a life tool that we learn. Once learned, it can be applied to riskier and bolder goals. That's where the excitement comes in. Can I do it!!!
Look forward to seeing you Saturday ~
January 18, 2011 - Day 10
Hey Fellow 100 Day Challengers -
I thought we had a pretty good meeting last Saturday talking about being accountable to the group, what SMART goals are, setting a meeting schedule, talking about the weekly review and you were all very kind in listening to me read some inspiration at the end from The Answer by John Assaraf & Murray Smith.
You all decided to meet every two weeks at the same time (11:00 am) to stay connected, get help and encourage one another. Schedule will be: 1/29, 2/12, 2/26, 3/12, 3/26, 3/9.
Good luck! the hardest thing may be to keep the goals in "mind" so your subconscious can give you ideas and inspiration to move and act on them! Let's talk on 1/29 about what kind of system or schedule you set up so you can remember you're in the 100 Day Challenge and how it helps you keep in touch with your goals. Also on 1/29, we will talk about the two weekly reviews you have done to see how your progress is weekly. You don't have to spend a lot of time reflecting, at least just a couple minutes. Remember the those questions are as they apply to each goal you've set (there are no "rules" on how this has to be done, however, certainly written will help you remember and see progress):
1) Outcome - provide a brief description of current outcome.
2) Strengths - identify what went right and why
3) Weaknesses - identify what went wrong and why
4) Future Activity - what will/should I do differently next time?
January 8th, 2011 - Day 1
I’ve been told this is a very auspicious day, four days after the new moon and a great day to begin endeavors! So, here we go. Another 100 Day Challenge. Really, 100 days is just enough time to really get something changed, completed, make great progress and short enough to not be too overwhelming for most.
You should have already received the forms to help you complete your SMART goals. If you have not, please submit a form immediately from the site indicating so. We will get together next Saturday, 1/15/11, to set our meeting schedule, accountability strategies and look for support from one another.
Be fearless and good luck!
December 31, 2010 - Day 100
Hello Fellow 100 Day Challengers!
Time is over - you're done - put down you pen and turn in your test. You'll have an opportunity to retake in January if you want to get a better grade.
December 10, 2010 - Day 80
Hello Fellow 100 Day Challengers!
We are winding down our challenge time together. I'm so proud of you that have already met your goals and there is still time left for the goals that we haven't quite met. This is a great time to review your overall experience and see what might be worth changing next time. Rejoice in the feeling of accomplishment and good luck in this "big push" time. Dig deep!
November 10, 2010 - Day 49
Hello Fellow 100 Day Challengers!
You know we are only/already half way. Tomorrow if Day 50. For some, this means you might have already met some goals. Others, that means you still have half the time to finish what you started or start what you need to finish. Remember it will be tougher to maintain intensity those last 50 because there are a few holiday celebrations that may throw you off a little.
Yesterday I saw Bryan Tracy speak live at The United Center in Chicago. He is definitely one of my favorites. His message yesterday was about success principles and "Someday Isle".
1) Vote yourself off the island! You do this by taking responsibility for your actions.
2) Have goals - this makes me be responsible for deciding exactly what I want. Actually make a decision!
10 Goal Formula (write down 10 goals to achieve in 12 mos (or shorter)):
> decide exactly what I want - make it clear so that you can tell it to a 6 year old who can understand it.
> Write it down
> Set a deadline
> Make a list of tasks to achieve
> Organize the list - prioritize
> Take action immediately
> Do something everyday towards the goal(s)
> Circle the goal that would be best for me to have it done in 24 hours - task it out, organize it think about this goal all the time. Write it down and put it in your pocket. Amazingly, as you moved forward on this goal, so will you on the rest. It is as if you are playing football and as the scrimmage line moves for this one goal, the rest will progress too.
3) Commit to excellence - commit to be in the top 10 in my field. Decide which skill would help me the most to double my income. Take this skill and write it down on the goal list and make this high priority. Get good at what you do!
I know none of this information that Bryan Tracy shared is new - but we all have to take action. That is the key.
Also, don't forget, this is Wednesday - the day to look back over the week to see what you've accomplished towards your 100 Day Goals, where your strengths and weaknesses were and then plan what you can do over the next week. Doing this weekly helps you move towards your goals. Even if you don't work on a goal for weeks at a time, if you just revisit it every Wednesday, I am pretty sure you will be sick of saying "didn't do anything" and you will do something! If you've forgot or skipped this weekly step, just pick up today and restart.
Do something towards making 2011 start off on a positive note.
October 13, 2010 - Day 21
Hello fellow 100 Day Challengers:
Having trouble with procrastination? Consider the following excerpt from the Introduction in a wonderful book written by Brian Tracy called Eat That Frog.
The Truth about Frogs
Mark Twain once said that if the first thing you do each morning is to eat a live frog, you can go through the day with the satisfaction of knowing that that is probably the worst thing that is going to happen to you all day long. Your "frog" is your biggest, most important task, the one you are most likely to procrastinate on if you don't do something about it. It is also the one task that can have the greatest positive impact on your life and results at the moment.
The first rule of frog eating is this: If you have to eat two frogs, eat the ugliest one first.
This is another way of saying that if you have two important tasks before you, start with the biggest, hardest, and most important task first. Discipline yourself to begin immediately and then persist until the task is complete before you go on to something else. Think of this as a test. Treat it like a personal challenge. Resist the temptation to start with the easier task. Continually remind yourself that one of the most important decisions you make each day is what you will do immediately and what you will do later, if you do it at all.
The second rule of frog eating is this: If you have to eat a live frog at all, it doesn't pay to sit and look at it for very long.
The key to reaching high levels of performance and productivity is to develop the lifelong habit of tackling your major task first thing each morning. You must develop the routine of "eating your frog" before you do anything else and without taking too much time to think about it.
Tomorrow we have our Vision Board session. I'm looking forward to exploring and sharing our visions.
Make it a great day!
October 6th, 2010 - Day 14
Hello fellow 100 Day Challengers:
Day 14 is the end of two weeks in the challenge. Please take this opportunity to evaluate your performance thus far. For me, this is a time when I really get to see if my goal setting has been SMART. Are you making any progress? Are your activities measurable. Will it be possible to reach your goal at the end of the 100 days? At the end of every week in this challenge you will be encourage to make a list of things you did right, list the things you did wrong or areas you were weak and then make a list of future activity - what you will do differently this next week. Please do not judge yourself harshly or you may become discouraged. Just report the facts and start over again this week.
September 29, 2010 - Day 7
Hello fellow 100 Day Challengers:
Day 7 and every other end of week will be a day of reflection to look back on your week and see how you've done. Make of list of the things you accomplished this past week with respect to your goals. Then make a list of things you did right, list the things you did wrong or areas you were weak and then make a list of future activity - what you will do differently this next week. Please do not judge yourself harshly or you may become discouraged. Just report the facts and start over again this week.
My Example:
#3 Goal: Get out of all boxes by end of year
1. Outcome – broke down (and put the items away) two boxes and emptied 4 plastic crates. Great progress.
2. Strengths – planned ahead of time to get at least two boxes done this past weekend so when Saturday came, I already had it in my mind that I was going to have to set aside some time to do this. They I actually followed through.
3. Weaknesses – I do not enjoy this goal for many reasons, which can cause me to not want to do it. Also, I don't know where to put some of the stuff.
4. Future Activity - A) break down two more boxes this coming weekend. B) Make some plans on how to organize.
C) Examine why I do not enjoy this deeper.
I hope this helps you in your 100 Day Challenge! Please email me and let me know how you are doing. It is important to be accountable to someone else as this helps follow through. You can email me every week on your progress or get in on the discussion on our FaceBook Group about this. Also, we will be meeting at The Peace Center on October 16th @ 11:00 am to talk about this challenge, our progress and vision boards. Hope to see you there - please rsvp.
September 24, 2010 – Day 2
Day 2….I am still getting things set up. The Peace Center will soon have a blog to post periodic messages, inspirations, ideas, thought provoking questions and opportunity to exchange information. I am hopeful this will be up by the end of this weekend.
Some challengers have been talking about making vision boards. I love the initiative and sharing happening organically. One of the best books I’ve read in that last couple years is The Answer by John Assaraf and Murray Smith. In my humble opinion, it makes The Secret come to life and helps one see that they do have control over many things in their own life. If you are interested in reading this book together and meeting to discuss, please let me know by emailing or calling me.
As I was composing this, I’ve review my Weekly Focus and am happy to check one activity off.
Tracee
Email: Tracee@ThePeaceCenter.com or call 630-730-4500
PS: Here are my goals (for those of you anti-FB friends):
1) Complete Attorney project by 12/31/10. (I realize this isn’t specific here but I do have the project outlined in detail with phases needing to be completed).
2) Stay in monthly spend plan (aka budget) and save half income taxes due for 2010
3) Get out of boxes by end of year finding a “home” for everything or getting rid of it.
4) Complete a business plan for The Peace Center
5) Spend 30 minutes quality time with my daughter daily for the 100 days.
September 23, 2010 – Day 1
Hello fellow 100 Day Challengers!
I am excited to take on this next 100 days. Taking these baby steps one day at a time and one week at a time will really pay off – most likely before the 100 days is over. Towards the end it might be difficult to stay involved due to the holidays (I did this last year too) so my advice is to start out strong and steady.
We are also set up on our FaceBook Group, unfortunately FaceBook doesn’t seem to be document friendly and I have a lot of documents to share. I am creating an email distribution list and perhaps a couple times each week, we will send out information. These documents will be my and Kiran’s ideas of what might be helpful for everyone to think about. You don’t have to participate in this part. If you wish to receive these emails, please let me know through FaceBook or email me directly.
On Wednesdays we will be reviewing the past week. The questions you can ask yourself are on the discussion board already and will be sent out for next Wednesday. In my experience (I’ve done the challenge twice now), this part is the most important to keep moving along on your goals. You can post your progress on your own bulletin page in FaceBook.
Another very important part is the actual setting of the goal and make it a SMART goal (Specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, Time-Based). Link to article about them: http://www.goal-setting-guide.com/goal-setting-in-simple-words. Making your goals SMART goals makes actually accomplishing your goals easier – it’s definitely your choice! Two of the mistakes I made first time around was not making sure my goals were measurable and making goals that depended on others for my outcome.
If you have not already, you may want to post your goals in FaceBook on a discussion topic with your own name on it. Kiran set up a few or you can create your own. You just go to Discussions tab (at The Peace Center FaceBook Group) and then click on Start a new Topic. Set it up how you like it now and then we can all support one another along the way. You can look at some others to see how it is working already.
Also, I set up my weekly focus by listing my goals and then make a list of activities I think I can accomplish this week. I use this list every week to set my intentions toward achieving my goals for this week. This helps me focus. Basically it is my 5 goals with activities that I can do this week to make progress. I also have another focus category called “Other” which are daily practice activities that I want to do every day that are not an identified goal such as meditate, visualize reaching my goals, etc.
Good Luck – feel free to post comments on the main wall in FaceBook, email myself or Kiran with questions and definitely, feel free to ENJOY your progress. Achieving goals can be fun and bring peace into your life.
Tracee
Email: Tracee@ThePeaceCenter.com or call 630-730-4500
