An Effective And Exciting Goal Setting Strategy

By Buffy Greentree

A lot of information on how to set good goals is readily accessible out there. For some reason, a lot of that information is really irritating. Yes, I know they should be 'Specific - Measurable - Attainable - Realistic - Timely' (aka SMART), but who wishes to be smart when setting goals? That just makes it sound boring, when in fact it should be fun.

I think goal setting, at least the big, end goals, should be exciting and reflect the life and death nature of it all. So, I think they should be more like an Indiana Jones movie than a business plan.

How does my little analogy work? Follow me!

(To follow this it is useful to have watched Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, but if you haven't, just go to YouTube and search for 'Indiana Jones Raiders of the Lost Ark Famous Scene'.)

To begin with you need to be able to see the glinting, glistening, golden idol in front of you. This is your goal, sitting on its stone pedestal. Can you see it? Asking you to reach for it, grab hold of it, claim it as your own? Good.

However, you cannot just grab the idol and walk off, it always comes at a cost. Like Indiana, you need a bag of sand the same weight as the idol so you don't set off the alarm system. For you the bag of sand will be the everyday resources you will need to give. This might be money or time spent watching TV. How heavy is your idol? You need to calculate whether you have enough sand to swap for it.

You hold your breath as you test out your theory - is there really enough sand there to take the weight of the idol? When you schedule in all the time you will need to spend on your goal, is there enough there? You celebrate when you pull it free - you have just agreed to a goal you believe you can reach.

But wait! That is not the end. You still need to get out of the cave with your goal to realize it. It doesn't count until you are safely back home with the idol. It's usually once you have decided on a goal that everything in your life tries to stop you from achieving it.

You start running. Then comes your first pit with stakes or snakes (not snacks as I originally wrote, unless tempting snacks are likely to distract you from your goal... hmmm, snacks).

Some helpful person says you should throw them the idol and they will give you the mundane life item to get you across this barrier.

What do you do? Indiana threw them the idol, only to find they then ran off leaving him. For you, it is more likely that you will get the help you need, but at the cost of having to start all over again back in the cave with your goal. Only now you are a bit older and wearier.

Perhaps you manage to get yourself across the obstacle and keep hold of the idol. Well done. But next comes the giant rolling boulder. Your run as fast as you can, feeling that you are only one step away from disaster. While stressful, just keep in mind that as long as you are running towards the entrance and don't actually get crushed, you'll just achieve your goal faster.

Obviously, when you break free of the cave with your goal, there will always be people who want to cut you down and criticize you. Therefore, think like Indie, have an escape plan set up to enjoy the results of having fully achieved your goal.

That is the way I think goals should be handled. So much more exciting and adventurous than being SMART.

Also, if you create a goal that isn't worth the sand you are swapping for it, or risking your life to cross the pit for, or even facing all the tribesmen wanting to kill you, then you haven't really got a good enough goal. Stick with your sand and your day job.

About the Author:

This is an extract from Buffy Greentree's exciting new book for writers, The Five Day Writer's Retreat available at Amazon, or for more advice and services for writers, see her website www.thefivedaywriter.com

Get To Know The Duties Of A Houston Midwife

By Cathy Mercer

It is not easy for expectant mothers to know the condition of the baby. This is why they need to settle with the professionals, who shall give them the right feedback. With the assistance of a Houston midwife, one has the chance of getting the correct facts. This leads them to make wise decisions about the health of the baby. The caregiver in question has the role of advising parents about the condition of the babe.

The food a pregnant mother eats speaks volume on the overall health of the child. Some mothers want to minimize the amount of food since they want to watch their weight. This is not advisable since if the baby does not get sufficient nutrients for growth and development. The caregiver has the rights to indicate the right meals, and offer a number of different food options.

Taking care of the child is the responsibility of the parents. They need to bond, and communicate with them. The professional has the role of teaching parents the process of communicating with children. This gets easier for them to change diapers, feed them, and play with the children. This bond shall make the baby comfortable, and at ease when around the parents.

During pregnancy, many mothers find it hard to control their hormones. You find some not having sufficient vitamins and this will require supplements. Those who suffer terminal illness or are on regular medication need more care. The caregiver needs to know the right drugs to administer. This shall prevent them from consuming toxic medications, which end up harming the baby.

You never know when you shall need to have emergency assistance. This is very common in pregnant women and they need urgent help. Failing to get help instantly might lead to loss of the baby. A professional shall give you the right solutions on time. When you feel internal pain, or do not feel the baby moving, you shall need to call the caregiver.

It is sad to note that some health care providers do not follow the code of conduct. You find they administer the wrong drugs, or offer ill advice. This will lead to poor health of the baby and mother. It is usually advisable for one to select the professional who makes you comfortable. It is important to go through their documents before you hire them. This will eliminate chances of hiring the faulty ones.

A qualified birth attendant has all the rights to train the juniors. This makes it easier for them to acquire the necessary skills for the job. However, it is not easy for them to do this without sufficient experience. Many hospitals have taken the initiative of investing in professional educators to train their workers.

When you are in contact with the Houston midwife, you have the assurance of getting the right solutions. In case of an emergency or want answers, you shall greet them on time. Pregnancy takes nine months, and many do not have the capacity to undergo this process without professional assistance. Take time to choose the best provider in the area to get the best results.

About the Author:

You can visit the website houstoncertifiedmidwife.com for more helpful information about Learn The Importance Of A Houston Midwife