We are approaching the third week of January…how insane is that? Time is flying and winter is here, but have you set your intentions and goals for 2019? Have you already fallen off the “new year/new me” band wagon? Whether you have or whether you haven’t sat down and really thought about what you want for 2019 there is no time like the present to get your mind and life in gear.

I have been doing vision boards since 2007 ever since I saw Rhonda Byrne on the Oprah Winfrey show talking about the Secret and the Law of Attraction.  That episode truly resonated with me and I purchased the Secret DVD. I have literally watched it over 10 times and from that point on I have been making vision boards ever since.

In my ever evolving journey of self awareness and living my best life with intention and purpose I have been blessed to meet some amazing people who are doing amazing things. Three years ago I came across the Instagram page of the self proclaimed Latina Oprah Nancy A. Ruffin. From the moment I heard Nancy on her page I knew she was a true powerhouse and a woman who not only talks to the talk, but lives it. Nancy is that friend in your head, your support, and cheerleader. She shares her life on her Instagram page @iamnancyruffin and provides motivational content and real life solutions.

Nancy Ruffin

In 2016 I attended her Fierce Women’s Brunch in the Bronx and I got to meet her face to face. She was just as genuine and lovely as she was online. I left that event feeling so inspired and empowered. I knew from then that I would always do my best to attend her events.

I attended her Vision Board workshop in 2017 and of all vision board workshops I have attended her version really clicked with me. Nancy brings you through a process when creating your board and its not just about cutting out pretty pictures and listing material items.

Nancy begins her workshops with a guided mediation, which is great to release any negative energy from your mind and the space and relaxes you. She then has you recap the prior year which is so important to see how far you have come and where you want to go for the next year. She discusses how your value system will play a major role in creating your main three goals for that year and will help you stick to them. She helps you understand you why, and what you need to do to complete you goals. She shows you how to use the SMART mnemonic which stands for S-Specific (or Significant), M-Measurable (or Meaningful), A-Attainable (or Action-Oriented), R-Relevant (or Rewarding), and T-Time-bound (or Trackable). This system alone will completely changing the way you view goal setting. Its a very powerful exercise.

I have to say attending this workshop made my 2018 a year of transformation. She was such a cheerleader for me throughout the year and offered me so much love and support. On January 5, 2019 I attended her Strategic Visioning workshop in Hoboken, NJ and brought my sister with me so she could experience her first Nancy event.

Nancy at the Vision Board event 1/5/19

This event like every Nancy event was filled with women who want more for their life and want to achieve goals and manifest their dreams. I was taken aback when Nancy asked me to speak about my experience and 2018 transformation, yet I was happy to share how this system truly changes your mindset and helps you make changes to achieve your goals.

Nancy says “Every January I create my personal vision board. Not only do I create the vision I also set goals to help me stay focused. Goal setting is one of the concepts I teach in my vision board workshops because when you set goals instead of resolutions you give yourself a better chance of completing and attaining the goal. Goals unlike resolutions can be broken down into smaller goals. You can set deadlines and identify potential roadblocks. Resolutions, on the other hand, are just arbitray statements that people make with no clear idea or game plan to how to make it happen.

So for this new year I encourage you to set a goal instead of making a resolution. Break that goal up into smaller goals or steps. These are the actions that you need to take that will ultimately get you to that end goal. Once you identified the steps set a deadline for each stepand identify any potential roadblocks that may arise and plan for them. When you make a plan, you are arming yourself with the tools necessary to follow-through on your vision. They say a goal without a plan is a wish. Stop wishing and start planning and execute with the follow-thru. When you follow-thru all your visons become realities.”

Nancy will be hosting two more workshops and helping others manifest her vision. Her next event is on February 15th at Cranford High School and at Hostos Community College on February 28th. She is also coordinating a college scholarship fundraiser event for April. She also hosts her weekly podcast show called the EmPOWERment Hour. It’s a must listen too!

To connect with Nancy visit her website at https://www.iamnancyruffin.com/.

Follow her on Instagram @iamnancyruffin