As the new year is in full swing, with gorgeous weather to spend most of my days outside, it seems to be the right time to sit back with a cup of green tea and set out my objectives for 2017. Aside from working hard and making a comfortable living for my family, there's more to look at. Objectives help to achieve specific results that a person or system aims for within a time frame and with available resources. Sharing my objectives with you on this public platform creates an immense sense of accountability for me: knowing that many people might check in with me to see how I’m achieving my objectives feels like a proper (and sometimes much needed!) stick behind the door. So, here we go!
Objective #1: Write 6 published articles
Every 2 months I will post an article on my website and on social media related to life topics: relationships, nature, work, children, health…who knows what might pop up this year and wants to be spoken to. Writing them will give me the opportunity to reflect on my own life and hopefully inspire others to reflect on theirs. This is obviously the first article. Check!
Objective #2: Have 2 public speaking appearances
I have always loved entertaining an audience. As a toddler I was dancing and singing the days away, and haven’t really stopped since. Through my work as coach and trainer I get to be in front of teams too, which is a different way of expressing the art of entertainment. This year, I’d like to take this art form to the next level for me via public speaking. Although I’m not yet sure about the what, how and when, I’m setting the intention to speak once in both halves of this year. Watch this space.
Objective #3: Clean up!
Maybe it’s the weather that causes me to feel restless and with a strong urge to spring-clean. Maybe it’s the book that my close friend Frank Landsiedel shared with me, called “Magic Cleaning” by Marie Kondo, which speaks about how to drastically clean out your belongings, so you surround yourself only with items that you truly love and cherish. I’ve already started with my clothes, books will follow next, and after that category by category of the house will be handled. To be accomplished in Q1.
Objective #4: Sing my heart out
As mentioned in the second objective about public speaking, I love to sing. And here in Dubai I’ve been less involved than I actually would like to. Over the past 4 to 5 years I have had private singing lessons with opera singer Christina Belbellian (from the Emirates Opera Project) and even had the chance to do a solo performance for 50 fellow Dutchmen in a beautiful intimate setting in 2014. In March and April last year I participated in the West End production of “The Sound of Music” at the Madinat Theatre. 21 shows. An amazing experience. These high intensity performances have been peak times: lots of rehearsals beforehand and then performance time. This first quarter I will join a group of singers that get together weekly. Steady, stable, less stress.
Objective #5: Breathe
Without breathing one cannot sing. Without breathing one cannot live. Of course I’m breathing, and at times I somehow don’t feel fully alive. Meditation and breathing techniques have been offered to me numerous times by my personal coaches, colleagues and friends. Time to listen to the message. As a start, I’ve booked a breathing course later this month with “Art of Living” in Dubai. I’m looking forward to learning new techniques that I can apply in my daily life to create stillness. And cleanse my soul.
Objective #6: Read
Reading has been and still is a way for me to relax: a moment of ‘me-time’, diving into a different world or learning something new related to my work. At the moment I’m reading 5 different books simultaneously, and I’m losing track of their content and message. So my goal is to start and finish one book every two weeks. I will keep a list of the books I’ve read and make a note or two about the key learning points that I’m taking away from each book. Sharing that on my website. Book club anyone?
Objective #7: Track my financial situation
Also this task has come and gone several times in my life. Now, with running my own business and not relying on a fixed income, it is key to understand expenses, earnings and savings. I will schedule a fixed date per month to spend time on my personal finances, as well as the shared financial responsibility to run our household. Ultimate goal: to set aside savings so we can start looking into buying our own house somewhere in Europe.
Objective #8: Balance my roles
Coach, mother, wife, sister, daughter, trainer, friend, colleague, student, singer, gardener… These are all active parts of me. Roles that I occupy and love. Just not one role all the time. For me not to get frustrated with lack of time for myself, for our children, or for my marriage (ehhm…perhaps not a random order of importance here), I will plan my time. I want to feel fulfilled and balanced and feed my needs for each role. An adapted version of the ‘Wheel of Life’ will help me to check in with myself on a monthly basis and create action steps when not satisfied.
Objective #9: Stay fit!
On December 10th 2016 I participated in Dubai’s first ever ‘Tough Mudder’ challenge. A great obstacle course that included crawling, climbing, wading and more through (yes, you guessed it right): mud. Lots of it. I loved the obstacles. What I loved less was the 8 kilometers of running through the desert. I simply hadn’t trained enough and felt weak. Knowing that it is much easier to train when there’s a goal, I will participate in at least one sports race per quarter. The last one of 2017 is already booked: ‘Tough Mudder', this time the full distance of 16 kilometers. Gulp.
Objective #10: Stay healthy!
As I’m having a thyroid condition caused by an autoimmune disease, it is important to keep my blood sugar levels as constant as possible. My sweet tooth with daily sugar cravings is not helping. I know deep down that cutting out sugar will benefit my health. I’ve known that for a long time. Now it’s time to do it. I will sign up for the 8-week ‘I Quit Sugar’ program by Sarah Wilson, to start in April. Bye cookies, chocolates and cakes. Hello alternatives! Hello health.
Objective #11: Live and define my life purpose
Being a coach myself, and having worked with a few coaches for my personal development, I’m no stranger when it comes to defining your life purpose. I have learnt that my life purpose has become clearer over the recent years, and yet that it is still manifesting. At the moment it sounds and feels like this: 'I am the positive energy and light that entertains and inspires people to explore their true nature.'
What are your objectives for this year? Working with a coach can help you define your personal goals, and you will be held accountable. Get in touch with me via kiki@kikikesseler.com to schedule your free first session.
