Clear the mind

Holding much gratitude in my heart for each of you at this Holiday season. Thank you for being such an important part of my life.

December is always a time of deep reflection for me – thinking about what is working well, what is not and what needs to change. As I was contemplating goal setting for next year, I found a need to clear my mind of some energy draining experiences so that I could re-focus my energy in a more positive way. I woke in the morning with an old song playing in my head… one that I just couldn’t shake!

“You’ve got to Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive… Eliminate the Negative… Latch on to the Affirmative… and don’t mess with Mister In-Between!”

Do you remember it? Well, I remember this oldie from listening to my Mother’s Perry Como albums back in the 60’s. Actually, the lyrics were first sung by Johnny Mercer in 1944. They are amazingly timeless and as meaningful today as ever!

This song immediately gave me insight to some pressing questions and seemed like a good way to build my goal setting map for the New Year. By reflecting on what is working in my life, what is not, what has promise, and what I need to let go of, I could construct my goals more efficiently. Try it out…

Clear-the-Mind Goal Setting Plan: 
  1. Accentuate the Positive: What is working, what (and who) gives you joy, what makes you feel good and keeps you positive? These are the keepers. Enhance them, focus on these thoughts, things, and people often.
  2. Eliminate the Negative: What is holding you back, causing stress, and creating negative energy? Are there activities and/or people who make you feel bad? Drop them. Clear the slate for new opportunities. Choose to be around supportive people who make you happy.
  3. Latch on to the Affirmative: What holds promise, what would you love to do, what new choices would you like to make? Take steps to try something new… reach for fresh possibilities.
  4. Don’t mess with Mister In-Between: What things do you do out of duty or obligation? Are there challenging situations or people that rob your time and energy? Make a decision and take action to walk away.
  5. You’ve got to spread joy up to the maximum:Keep your thoughts happy, think only on what gives you joy. Share it whenever you can… share a smile with at least three people every day.
  6. Bring gloom down to the minimum: When your thoughts are focused on what gives you joy, there is no room for gloom. Think about happy moments and fill your mind with positive energy.
  7. Have faith, or pandemonium’s liable to walk upon the scene: Trust that everything is going to work out better that you could ever expect. Take heart, take action, and take care of your self.

Go ahead, set your New Year’s goals with this plan. We often define goals based on what we need to do… to take action on. Yet, what is often more important is the “stuff” we need to get rid of first to make room for those new options.

It’s like clearing the mental computer of any virus before planting new thought-ware, or clearing the closet of old clothes before we reorganize. When you let go of what no longer serves you, you create room for new people, places, and things that bring you joy, growth, and empowerment.  

 If you would like assistance with clearing the mind-clutter so that you can clearly set success goals, I am always here to help.

Many blessings to each of you this holiday season, and wishing you a successful New Year,

Lois Hermann

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own, and you know what you know. And you are the guy who’ll decide where to go.” ~ Dr. Seuss