Every. Goal. Matters. Blog Post by Darlene Whitehurst What’s in a Goal – and why do I have to write them down?   Recently, a young woman asked me to be her business coach. I said I would be glad to do it.   We set up a time for our first meeting, and I asked her to...

Dare to Dream Big! Blog Post by Darlene Whitehurst Creating a “Success Mindset”   “The key to success is to maintain a positive, yes-you-can-do-it, mindset.” Annette Bau As a GoalFriend, you know that it’s up to you to define your own success, and it’s your unique...

A year ago, I took a chance and opened another chapter of my life because I wanted a change.  A recent Army retiree after 20 years was all that I knew.  However, I bought a brand new townhouse and moved to Raleigh, N.C., then started school at Wake Technical Community...

Life is short, but don’t forget to stop and smell the roses! These common sentiments make me want to hurry up to experience life to its fullest before it’s too late, while making sure to slow down to appreciate life at the same time. Being a working parent with an...

This month, we celebrate the giants who came before us. We thank the women who created the suffrage movement for us to vote. We celebrate the women who shattered every glass ceiling. We cheer the women who, against terrible odds, soared, achieved and accomplished what...

November is what I call the gratitude train month. Everyone is getting on and showing gratitude. I love it and encourage everyone to start a habit of gratitude.  Is 21 days of gratitude in November enough to change your mindset and make you happier?   21 days is not...

Let’s be honest here.  With the first whiff of crisp, fall air and the newest Pumpkin Spice Mochaccino Iced Latte, we start heading toward the big comfy chair we call:  THE HOLIDAY SEASON.  You know, the one that reels you in and slyly says: “Now here’s the remote,...

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which first began in 1981 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Domestic violence affects millions, both women and men, of every race, religion, culture and status. It’s not just physical abuse and...

Focus on strengths and solution-talk to figure out your goals.   There are exceptions to every problem.  Every individual is unique, so too is every solution. These are the assumptions of a solution-focused approach which I practice whether it is in my work at...

The number one reason that most fitness programs and diets fail is quite simple.  We don’t carve out the time to do them.   As women, we try to fit these things into an already busy and hectic lifestyle.  While we have all the right intentions, our programs end up...

Now that you have taken a week or so to decide what you want in your life, it is time to write your goals down; preferably in a notebook or journal but it will work just as well on a scratch piece of paper, post-it note, napkin…anything that is legible! This is the...

When I was growing up, I had friends from all social classes. Nothing really mattered at that young age when it came to choosing friends except that we had common personal interests. If an interview was required in order to be selected as a potential friend, it would...

If your “WHY?” is not strong enough, you are less likely to persevere. Every goal you set, with conviction, has to have a strong “WHY?” in order for you to persevere and achieve it. Your goal needs to have compelling reason or “WHY?” to emotionally influence you – to...

Also known as Treasure Mapping, Vision Boards, Goal Boards etc…If you don’t have a cork board you can use poster board or a sketch book. Below is what Jayme Barrett from Feng Shui living had to say about Manifestation Boards. Attention involves focusing. You must...

Did you know that it is easier to accomplish your goals as a group when you factor in the accountability of sharing your intentions? Yes, that is correct. You have a higher percentage rate of reaching your goals when you share with friends in an informal gathering....