Despite my most fevered imaginations, this last week has sadly not transformed me into a Mary Berry or Gordon Ramsey equivalent. Nor have I managed to embrace veganism or even progress greatly up the scale into clean eating. While the challenge has encouraged me to try out a few new ideas and put a bit more thought into what we eat as a family, the main lesson learnt has, oddly, nothing to do with food at all.
I mentioned in an earlier post (Eureka... I've figured it out, it's all about the smile.) that I am a bit goal orientated, however, this challenge made me fully aware of how un-‘SMART’ (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Time-based) some of my goals really are. I halfheartedly joked about how I had not morphed into a Mary Berry or managed to go vegan but in my head that was exactly what was going to happen by the end of the week. The fact that it was not remotely realistic was neither here nor there, what mattered was this amazing transformation that I would undergo which would contribute to turning me into a much better person.
Seeing it on paper I realise how absurd it all is, but looking back, I see that a lot of my goals have been like that. I seem to completely disregard the attainable and realistic aspect of goal setting, the only and possibly the worst place I allow the dreamer in me free rein, and see myself achieving 0 to 10 in one giant leap.
The obvious problem of doing things this way is that it invariable ends in disappointment. Also, by being a bit too focused on the outcome I am forever placing my thoughts firmly in the future and in a lot of situations I know I consign the ‘now’ to something that just has to be ‘got over with’ in my hurry to reach my goal.
So perhaps I need to treat it as I would a recipe… prepare in advance and commit myself to the process, follow the steps, leaving nothing out but making any necessary tweaks that I require, put the dish in the oven and trust in the outcome.
Perhaps something to do with cooking after all!
Vicki
6 Comments
So true, Vicki! I suffer from metamorphosis fantasies too - no wonder The Great Wake Up appealed :-) - but you are so right that the times I am successful at doing something different are the times I put in the effort to plan. That way whatever it is I'm trying to do - cook, exercise, change my life (LOL...) - doesn't fall at the first hurdle when I don't have the right ingredients... More than anything, that's what this first month has showed me - be aware of what I want to do, plan to do it, and move in the right direction, forgiving myself when I(inevitably) stumble.
Also agree with' getting things out of the way now 'so can enjoy the outcome....I have found myself forever in this mode instead of enjoying the moment . Changing this mindset I guess this is what this year is about.
Also agree with' getting things out of the way now 'so can enjoy the outcome....I have found myself forever in this mode instead of enjoying the moment . Changing this mindset I guess this is what this year is about.
Hi Vannessa, Glad to see I'm not the only one that suffers with illusions of grandeur. I think you have it right... plan and most importantly, forgive ourselves our stumbles, as long as we get right back up again.
Hi Fi, most definitely. If over the year, I learn to let go of the outcome or just trust that it will take care of itself as long as I lay the correct groundwork (by being present!) then I will count this a year well spent and one that lays the foundation to many a happy year in the future. oh dear, I am already looking forward. ahhhhhhh
lovely!