Vanya Wryter Consulting Services

Tag: goal setting

  • What Gives You Direction in Life?

    What Gives You Direction in Life?

    Daily writing prompt
    What gives you direction in life?
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    Finding direction in life isn’t always easy—you can walk through life aimlessly and without a compass, unsure of what’s ahead. Over time, I’ve found some key sources that help me stay on course, even when life gets confusing or uncertain.

    1. People I Admire

    I’m constantly inspired by the accomplishments of people I look up to. For example, Barbara Corcoran’s story—I love reading about how people like her approach life and overcome challenges and become successful. I try to apply those lessons to my own life. Learning from successful people reminds me that direction doesn’t always come from knowing the answers, but from making bold decisions and adapting as you go.

    2. Friends and Family Who Get Me

    I’m lucky to have friends and family members who share similar values and experiences. When I feel lost or unsure, I can turn to them for life advice. Especially those who are a few steps ahead and they’ve tackled the same dilemmas I’m facing now. Their stories and support provide me with greater clarity and confidence. There’s something comforting about knowing you’re not alone in figuring things out.

    3. Goal Setting

    I’m a planner by nature, so goal setting is a huge part of what gives me direction. I set goals at different increments—yearly, monthly, weekly—and I check in with them daily. These goals help me check that my actions align with my bigger goals. They don’t just keep me productive—they give me purpose. Even when I don’t hit every goal perfectly, the process keeps me focused and intentional about how I’m spending my time.

    4. Self-Reflection and Personal Values

    Lastly, regular self-reflection helps me stay in touch with why I do what I do. When I take time to pause and ask myself what matters most—what kind of person I want to be, what kind of life I want to live—it gives me clarity. My personal values act like a compass. Even when the path isn’t clear, those core beliefs point me in the right direction.

    At the end of the day, direction comes from both outside inspiration and inner clarity. It’s a mix of learning from others, planning ahead, and self reflection.

  • How to Beat Procrastination and Finally Get Things Done

    How to Beat Procrastination and Finally Get Things Done

    We tend to think of procrastination as a bad habit — and it is — but it’s also a way to cope. When we feel overwhelmed, unsure, or just mentally drained, avoiding a task can feel like the only option. The problem? That relief is temporary, and the stress always circles back.

    If you’re tired of riding that cycle, here are four practical ways to break it when you’re not feeling 100% motivated.

    1. Lower the Barrier to Starting

    Most of us don’t procrastinate because we’re lazy — we procrastinate because starting feels like a mountain. So instead of saying “I need to finish this,” reframe it to “I’m just going to work on this for ten minutes.” Ten minutes is a small commitment compared to finishing a whole task. Starting is often the hardest part, but it’s easier to keep going once you’re in motion.

    2. Make the Task Clearer

    Vague goals result in vague actions. If your task is “Work on project,” it’s harder to measure how much you’re getting done. Break the task into specific actions: “Write intro paragraph” or “Choose paint color for bedroom wall.” This removes decision fatigue and gives you a clear starting point.

    3. Change Your Environment

    You can’t expect deep focus in a space that’s set up for distraction. If your phone’s constantly buzzing with notifications or you’re working where you relax, your brain won’t switch gears easily. Create a work-friendly zone, even if it’s just clearing off a part of your table or playing mood music to shut out unwelcome noise.

    4. Find Rewards That Reinforce

    It’s tempting to binge YouTube after a productive hour, but make sure your rewards don’t undo your progress. (Work for one hour, and watch fun videos for one hour.) Think small and restorative — a short walk, a coffee, a chat with a friend. Your brain should associate completing a task with feeling good, not being distracted.

    Key Takeaway

    Procrastination isn’t about fixing yourself — it’s about adjusting your systems. With a few intentional changes, you can build momentum from small accomplishments instead of waiting for the best moment to get an entire project done.

  • Tips to Improve Your Mindset and Well-Being

    Tips to Improve Your Mindset and Well-Being

    Words have tremendous power and influence. Terse statements such as “I love you,” “I hate you,” “You’re hired,” and “You’re fired” can dramatically change a person’s life. But it isn’t just what we say to another person that can have a tremendous impact. The words we choose to say can change how other people perceive us, and change our own mindset. Here are some tips to create a positive way of thinking.

    Tip 1: Choose words that put you in a positive light.

    Compare the following statements. What does each pair of statements say about the speaker’s mindset? Which words are confident? Which words are apologetic?

    Sorry, I’m late.

    Thank you for waiting.

    The first expression is very common. However, you are starting off with an apology (nothing wrong with that). But by saying, “Thank you for waiting,” you are acknowledging the other person and speaking in a more positive way by not beginning with sorry.

    Tip 2: Say what you mean to avoid a possible misunderstanding.

    Giving an order with “Don’t” is quick and to the point. “Don’t step on the grass.” But using “don’t” also emphasizes the negative. Sometimes, what people hear is not “DON’T step on the grass” but “Step on the grass.” You can make the same point using positive wording: “Remember to avoid the new grass.” Or “Remember to log off before you leave the office.”

    Tip 3: Be careful with meaning and intent.

    I didn’t hear what you said. Could you say it again?

    Could you repeat what you said in a different way? 

    A slight change in wording changes your meaning and intent. In the first example, you’re admitting you weren’t paying attention and the speaker must remember what he or she said. In the second example, you’re implying you were listening (even if your mind drifted) and you want to make sure you understood what was said.

    Tip 4: Speak like you are being proactive, not reactive.

    How do I know if I can finish the task correctly?

    What if I make a mistake using the new software?

    These two examples have the same negative mindset in common. The speaker is focused on failure or possible failure. The speaker is leaving the outcome to chance and fate.

    What can I do to ensure I finish this task correctly? 

    What are some common mistakes and what can I do to avoid them?

    Compare the negative mindset examples to the sentences above. Notice the change to a positive mindset. The speaker is taking initiative and controlling the outcome. The speaker doesn’t know what to do, but is telling the listener that he or she wants to be prepared and will make sure the outcome will be the best possible one.

    Key Takeaways

    The words you choose to express an idea are part of your mindset. You can express an idea in a way that makes you appear negative and lacking in confidence. Or you can choose words that show initiative and positivity. Your words are a powerful extension of your personality and mindset.

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  • How to Deal with Distractions While at Work

    How to Deal with Distractions While at Work

    Distractions can be relaxing. Distractions can be harmful. How you deal with distractions determines if you can manage your time or watch it slip away from you. Especially at this time of year, it’s easy to lose motivation at work. We’re still partly in holiday mode and readjusting to our work schedule. If you are distracted while at work, try these tips on how to deal with distractions to keep yourself focused.

    1 Shift Your Mind into Work Mode

    Imagine your mind as a bunch of rooms. If you can, divide your life into compartments to avoid distractions. If you work from home, there is plenty to distract you from doing your work. Your family members may want your attention. Or your delicious lunch is tempting you to go to the kitchen. That TV series you’re hooked on is beckoning you to finish one more episode.

    A mental switch into work mode can include changing into work clothes (your work sweater, your work hoodie) and starting your routine, such as getting your cup of coffee, opening up your computer, and checking your work emails. 

    If your job involves a lot of brainstorming and creative thinking, it’s easy to take a moment to check messages on your phone, wander off to get a quick snack, or peek out the window to see what the neighbors are doing. “I’m doing some research,” you say. The break might inspire you with a breakthrough.

    The ding! of a work email can be super exciting if your mind is completely blank and you’re stuck on your creative work task. What should you write next? How do you tackle this problem? Checking a work message can be a nice distraction. After all, you’re still in work mode. You’re just off task. Having a timer helps keep you on task.

    2 Prioritize and Time Your Tasks

    Sometimes, despite your best intentions, it is difficult to stay in work mode. You might still be in holiday mode and feeling sleepy now that you’re getting up early again. However, office hours have begun and you need to get some work done. Devoting a whole eight hours to work instead of doing whatever you like can be daunting.

    Start by mapping out what work tasks you absolutely must complete and what tasks would be nice to complete. Prioritize tasks that must get done by a specific time or end of the day. 

    Use a timer and block off your day in 15 or 30-minute chunks – decide what increment works best for you. It’s easier for your mind to wander if you think you have all day to finish your work. Set a goal to complete a specific task within your time block. With short-term goals, it’s easier to stay focused.

    3 Set Aside Time for Self Care

    Sometimes, telling yourself to switch to work mode or prioritize tasks isn’t enough, especially if you’re dealing with something that affects your mental or physical health. 

    For example, you just found out you have a major health issue to deal with in the coming months or you’re dealing with a conflict at home that’s giving you sleepless nights.

    Provide yourself with something to look forward to, such as a favorite snack or lunch to reward yourself when you finish part of the work day. If you can, take a nap or listen to some music. Go for a walk during lunch. Talk with a friend during your break. What you do after work is important as well, such as spending time with friends or family, or going to the gym. Check if you’re getting enough sleep. Plan an activity so you have something to look forward to at the end of the work week.

    Distractions can be fun, but sometimes too much distraction can lower your productivity.

    What do you do when distractions pull you in multiple directions?

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  • Should You Make New Year’s Resolutions?

    Should You Make New Year’s Resolutions?

    Do you believe that a new year brings a new you? Some people make New Year’s resolutions and set new goals for the new year. January 1st is a reminder to turn over a new leaf and to make a list of self-improvement goals. And for some ambitious people who like New Year’s resolutions, the first of January is a time to reflect on the past year and see how many of their resolutions from the past year were achieved.

    Now, if you’re one of those who cringes when you think of the resolutions that you abandoned in the first months or (gasp) the first month of the outgoing year, you’re pretty normal. According to the Pew Research Center, at the start of 2024, “Of the 70% of Americans who did not make any New Year’s resolutions this year, a majority (56%) say their main reason for not doing so is they simply do not like to make resolutions.”

    In the same survey, the Pew Research Center found that “Three-in-ten Americans report making at least one resolution this year, with half of this group making more than one.” The numbers aren’t high. 

    I used to make a list of ten New Year’s resolutions in January, and in December of that year, I was usually dismayed to find that perhaps only three of the ten items were completed and maybe an additional two were started and not finished. Perhaps I set the bar too high for myself. Or maybe I needed to review that list more often than twice a year. After a few years of making resolutions, I quit. They weren’t lists of resolutions. They were lists of dreams!

    If you can make New Year’s resolutions and accomplish them in twelve months, that’s amazing! I’ve found it more practical to make a weekly to-do list. Maybe it’s the same thing, but the terminology (“to-do”) certainly seems less intimidating. Stuff that you just have to do is more bite-sized than Resolutions that have a vow-taking status.

    Thanks for reading this post!