On January 27, 2007 Fresh Start for Women kicked off the 2007 year with its goal setting seminar. Appropriately titled, “Out with the Old/In with the New – Goal Setting 2007”. Mrs. Janice Pettigrew and Mrs. Laquita Heard-Nortey facilitated this lively and informative seminar.
The seminar was held at the Flat Shoals Public Library in Dekalb County from 10:30am until 12:30pm. Topics discussed included, Think Outside the Box, Getting to Know Self,and 10 Tips to Achieve any Goal just to name a few. Mrs. Pettigrew began by making the distinction between New Year’s resolutions and setting goals. Understanding the difference she explained would be tremendously beneficial as each person began to review the past year and set goals for 2007.
Mrs. Heard-Nortey pointed everyone in the right direction by providing helpful tools as well as a fun yet informative test to help each person know self. “Understanding who you are and what drives you will lead you to discover your passion”, said Mrs. Heard-Nortey. Next, Mrs. Pettigrew took attendees through the 10 steps that would enable each one to achieve any goal. Some of those tips included: Writing the goal down, analyzing current position, identify investments and sacrifices, identify obstacles and risks as well as setting a deadline and having a support team. Throughout the seminar both Mrs. Heard-Nortey and Mrs. Pettigrew used personal experiences to support the information provided.
The final step for the day was one in which Mrs. Pettigrew invited all to stand, close their eyes and listen to the sound of her voice. For the next four minutes she took them on a journey in which she encouraged then to feel the sun beating down through the trees, to smell the flowers and other exotic plants along the way. Slowly she carried them through the thick brush while the chirping of birds could be heard overhead; mixed into the surroundings were the faint sounds of a gorgeous waterfall and the joyous laughter of children at play. Before reaching their final destination there were slips, a few falls and stumbles but the soothing sound of her voice encouraged the listener to keep going. Finally!! Just ahead were huge branches blocking the view ant it was at that time that Mrs. Pettigrew prompted the listeners to reach out their hands, brush the branches aside, step forward and open their eyes, with passion in her voice she exclaimed, “welcome to your future!”
This was truly the way to jump start a new year of empowering women as they renew their lives. The next seminar is scheduled for February 17, 2007 and will take on the topic of money mangement and budgeting. Please visit the events calendar for more details.
