Goal Setting 101

(article by Cathy Sykora)

In preparing for my holiday challenge, a review of good goal setting practice was in order.  I love New Years because I like lists, assessing and making a plan.  I like success with goals even more.  It seems like the more clarity and conviction you have the better chance you have of succeeding.

Everything I learned about goal setting was from Anthony Robbins.  My son used to get nervous because he said he could tell I was in a challenging time or situation because I would pull out Anthony Robbins.  It is true,  Tony could always get me to take steps forward that I wouldn't have done on my own.

Before even setting the goal, you should take several steps to be sure that you have clarity and you are striving for goals that are really important to you.  If you are confused or misguided on your goals, it is harder to stick with your plan.   Tony Robbins says that there are 7 steps to setting goals:

1.  Clarity

You must get clear on where you were and where you are.

2.  Certainty

Once you get clear on where you are, you must get certain that you can attain this goal.

3.  Excitement

After figuring out where you are and that you can achieve anything you set your mind to, you need to decide where you want to be.

4.  Focus

Out of your list of goals, circle the top 3 or 4 you would like to achieve during the holidays.  Which of those goals would inspire you to take action?

5. Commitment

Take each of your 3 or 4 goals and decide why you MUST achieve them.  What are some of the things you don’t want to do that you will have to if you want to achieve them.

6.  Momentum

Resolve to do one small and one large thing immediately to move toward reaching your goals.

7.  Get SMART

One popular guideline for setting goals is the SMART method.  The more often you measure yourself and hold yourself accountable, the stronger your results.

·         S – Specific (or Significant).

·         M – Measurable (or Meaningful).

·         A – Attainable (or Action-Oriented).

·         R – Relevant (or Rewarding).

·         T – Time-bound (or Trackable).

Now, I am ready to set my goals for the holidays!  I hope this helps you too.

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Key Tips to Ensuring You Get the Best Pet & House Sitter

10 Keys to Getting the Best Pet & House Sitter

1.       Ask Open Ended questions versus Yes/No answer questions.

2.       Get References and Call on them – again ask open ended questions.

3.       Don’t look for the cheapest; you may just get what you pay for.  Ask about activities and time that you get for the per visit rate.

4.       Research ahead of time, places like Angie’s List, the BBB and on line Reviews.

5.       Research their accreditation's, certifications, education and training.

6.       Let the Potential service provider do most of the talking to really find out what they know, how they do business, and what they will do for you.

7.       Pay Attention to their interaction with your pets, the questions they ask you about routine, favorite toys and play activities, routine, age, supplements, medications & their attention to detail and discussion points about other potential issues that might arise.

8.       Pay attention if they taking notes, asking key questions, ensuring they have every little detail and possible situation covered.

9.       If possible, when you have someone new, ask a neighbor to watch the amount of time a pet sitter is at your home and compare it to what time they promised in for each visit.

10.   If you have a nanny camera, use it.

If Your Pets Could Speak

If Your Pets Could Speak

By Patricia Pantazis Hunnybun

Owner of Pampered Pets & People

www.pamperedpetsandpeople.com

February 5, 2013

Seeing Things from the Perspective of Your Pets - 

Humans spend a lot of time socializing and networking with other people.  They love to engage with others who make them feel valued and important.  They treat themselves to the best, such as; picking their favorite styles and tastes when they chose clothing, vehicles, homes and even the foods they eat.  People want to be engaged with one another, have lots of fun activities and feel that they fit in, belong, and are valued.  People love to get lots of positive attention and interaction through others.

We, companion animals, are limited to fully engaging in our natural environment or with others of our own species.  We rely entirely on you and your time you make available to me.  I am entirely at your schedule and your tastes in how much time you spend with me, what you provide for me, and how much fun and interaction I get with others of my own species or with you.

When you are busy or have to leave town, I am lonely, scared and I miss you.  I am apprehensive, nervous and stressed at the change in my routine and environment.  

When you have to leave, can you please provide me with an attentive, caring, dedicated care giver that will engage with me, play with me, treat me the way you do when you are home.  Can they give me more of their time and not just run in and out to feed me and make sure that I have water.  I am already stressed and miss you.  I need lots of love and attention, fun and playtime, engagement when you are away to make me feel important and valued.  I really need a care giver that understands that my normal routine, safety, security and well being is the most important thing to me; because I am already stressed with being away from you.   

What I love in a pet sitter is someone who will talk to me, play with me, engage with me and understand that I am missing you and stressed.  Someone who will touch me, pet me, groom me to help ease my nervousness and anxiety.  I need someone who isn’t distracted by anything else and is paying complete attention to me while they are with me.  I need to trust them and feel completely comfortable with them.  I truly will appreciate someone who realizes that time is more important to me than anything else.  Please don’t look for the cheapest price when looking for someone to take care of me.  I hope that I am worth more to you than that.  You spend a lot of money on the really important things to you, please look for someone who will give me everything I need when I am away from you and will give me dedicated time and attention just like you do when you are home.

When you interview a potential pet sitter for me, please ask them how much time they will spend with me.  What types of activities will they do with me?  Ask for proof of what they tell you.  Look for someone who is experienced, trusted, and reliable and also has training and education in working with animals.  I prefer an experienced adult who will be able to identify any subtle change in my behavior or physical condition to recognize something is wrong and are capable of dealing with it.  I prefer someone who won’t be on their cell phone or device texting or playing games, listening to music instead of paying attention to me.  I prefer someone who is capable of ensuring that my manners and obedience are consistent with your expectations and who can teach me things if I am still young and learning.  And, I really appreciate someone who understands my natural instincts and behaviors and will engage with me as if they were my owner or best friend and spend time playing with me to help me not feel stressed that you are away.

Pampered Pets & People

Patricia Pantazis Hunnybun