Want Minutes 1-16-08

W.A.N.T. Meeting Minutes

January 16, 2008

 

Present:          Gina, Barb, Seanne, Troy, Jim, Doug L.

 

I.                WANT Group Hello

 

The best thing that happened to each of us since last we met: 

 

Gina connected with the National Academy of Sports Medicine and ordered information in preparation for becoming a certified personal trainer.  She is making great strides in setting up her business.

 

Troy has been looking for a volunteer project about which he is passionate.  He found it somewhat by accident.  The organization called One in Ten is a gay youth program that provides support and assistance to gay teens as they deal with personal issues.  Great cause, Troy!

 

Doug L. admitted that he is experiencing some professional setbacks and he was not fully engaged with the group last week.  He typically maintains that "when one door closes another opens" and was struggling to maintain this mantra.  Over this past week he went to Kansas and spent time with family and reflected on the situation.  He had a great day today and is now retooling and focusing his energy on the positive again. 

 

Barb just re-hired a former employee who will be a great contributor to the success of the flight scheduling team at West Coast Charters.  She is highly optimistic for her business in 2008.

 

Jim is "quietly doing my thing."  He had a great day with the four boys from the foster home.  They went to lunch and a car show.  They had a day full of fun and energy.  Jim is a role model for these boys and is finding the experience personally rewarding, as well.  He also had his first day of class that was initially a little uncomfortable; he made the choice to fully participate and ultimately the first day was a good experience.

 

As Seanne mentioned last week, her mother is finished with her chemotherapy treatments so the travel to Santa Barbara has slowed down.  Seanne is reveling in "me" time and is working on personal projects that have been neglected.  As Seanne put it, she is reveling in her "OCD-ness."

 

II.              Elements of the Dream Circle

 

Gina and Troy reviewed the elements of the Dream Circle as shown in our retreat booklets.  There are seven elements; over the next several weeks we will review these elements individually.

 

#7 – Celebrate.  This element is self-explanatory.  As you reach this stage of the circle, celebrate; you deserve it!

 

#1 – Identify WANTs.  Troy and Gina have created some new processes to help you identify your WANTs.  There are no limitations to what you may want.

 

#2 – Limiting Thoughts/Belief System.  This is the first filter in the circle through which your WANTs will pass.  We have put limiting thoughts in place to keep us safe; as we grow and mature we must be able to adjust these limitations and open our minds.  We may need to overcome the fear of the unknown.  We will be working on this element at our meeting next week.

 

#3 – Purpose & Balance.  This element has changed positions on the Dream Circle.  We must ensure that our WANTs are in harmony with our purpose in both our conscious and sub-conscious mind.  For success, our WANTs must meet the criteria to stimulate our RAS. We will work on a process to help each of us define our purpose and core values.

 

#4 – Additional Possibilities.  Your initial WANT may be a stepping stone to a larger, deeper want.  We must explore how smaller wants may give way to the core desire.  As Gina put it, the shallow want scratches the itch; the deeper want cures the source of the itch. 

Book Recommendation from Gina:  The How of Happiness; a Scientific Approach to getting what you want.  By Sonja Lyubomirsky.  The premise of this book is that we are all born with a happiness set point which accounts for 50% of our happiness level; 10% comes from life circumstances; leaving 40% that is within our control.

 

#5 – Determine Success.  In order to successfully program the RAS you need to know when you have achieved your want.  Where will you be in your life; what will it feel like?

 

#6 – Successful Outcome Statements.  What is the outcome you really want?  State this in the present tense as if you already have it.  Here is a review of the SMART method of goal setting (your subconscious must believe the A and R):

      S – Specific

      M – Measurable

      A – Achievable

      R – Realistic

      T – Timed

 

The Dream Circle should be visited often and you may find that your WANTs evolve as you go around and around.  We will work on the elements of the circle on our own and will discuss at our meetings to support and assist one another. 

 

 

For our next call, bring your WANTs and dream lists and we will review a process to break through our limiting thoughts and belief systems.  Also, if you come across any applicable books or articles that may be of interest to the group, please share.

 

NEXT MEETING IS WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23 AT 7:30 P.M.

 

See the WANT website for the agenda.

 

Sign offs . . . see you next week.