Saturday, June 11, 2011

Do Goal Posters Really Work?


I started using goal posters a few years ago.  On my very first one I wrote that I would be visiting Italy.  For years I had wanted to go, but there was always a small voice in my head telling me that I would never get there.

However, this time I decided that it was going to be different.  I could picture myself looking at the Leaning Tower of Pisa, walking through Rome and seeing all the sites, and traveling around the Mediterranean.  I never shared this with my husband.

For two weeks I rewrote and read my goals over and over and when I closed my eyes I would picture myself in Italy.  That next day my husband announced that he had a surprise for me! I couldn't believe the surprise, he had purchased 2 tickets to Rome and we were going on a cruise to the Mediterranean in less than a week!!  Then I showed him my notebook and he couldn't believe what he was reading!!

We landed in Rome and spent two nights in a Bed and Breakfast right in the heart of the city.  As soon as we ate breakfast we were off to see the sites.  The first place we visited was St. Peter's Basilica, we walked  through  St. Peter's Square and went inside.
Of course I had seen pictures of the Basilica before, but nothing could equate to actually seeing it in person. It really could take you more than a day just to see everything. We then went to the Sistine Chapel. It was pretty hot in there and I was glad it was only April.  I am not sure how it would be in the summer's heat.

   
"The Last Judgment is a fresco by Michelangelo on the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. It took four years to complete and was executed from 1537 to 1541."
View of Rome from the Vatican Museum
I still couldn't believe we were here.  The next day we continued walking through Rome.  Our next stop was the Trevi Fountain. The fountain was finally finished in 1762. One of the legends is that when you throw a coin into the fountain, it will assure you a return visit to Rome.  There is reportedly over 3000 euros collected from the fountain each day! 
Of course we couldn't miss the Colosseum, that is my husband in the picture!  We had a wonderful time there and can't wait until we can go back.

The next morning we woke up early and walked to the train.  It was a little nerve-wracking at first, as the train station was a little confusing to us, but we soon figured out which one to take and we were on our way to Savona.  That next morning we were to catch the cruise ship to continue on our trip. 

From Savona we went to Naples and then we stopped in Palermo, Sicily.  That  was a treat for me since my family is from there. The trip continued stopping at Tunisia, Africa and then on to Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma, which is more commonly known as La Seu
We just thought this was funny to see there, but they serve beer  too!
We then traveled to Barcelona, Spain and the following day we arrived in Marseille, France.  We had such a wonderful time.  Finally on Easter Sunday we arrived back in Savona, Italy.

We needed to get to Pisa so that we could go to Easter service.  We rented a car and drove from Savona and finally found our hotel in Pisa.  I wish I could remember the name of the Bed and Breakfast there, but it was so wonderful.  We knew that we needed to get to the Leaning Tower of Pisa if we were to catch the service.  The kind man at the hotel desk told us that we could walk to the tower from there.
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We started walking the winding streets of Pisa, and still couldn't see the tower.  We came upon a bridge and crossed it.
Then I looked up and right in front of us was the beautiful Leaning Tower of Pisa.  It almost looked like a picture on a poster than the actual building. I guess I still couldn't believe I was there.
Rick and I in Pisa
It was a wonderful Easter Sunday.  We made it to church and enjoyed Mass in Italian! Then we walked back to the  hotel and stopped and had a delicious dinner in town.  I had my favorite dessert, Tiramisu and I don't think I have ever had one like that one!

Our room was on the second floor overlooking the garden, we woke up to the aroma of fresh baking bread and the birds singing off of our balcony.  I think this was the highlight of our trip for both of us.  After breakfast we reluctantly got in our car and started the final leg of our trip back to Rome.
Driving through Tuscany
We will never forget this trip and how blessed we were to be able to go and see all these wonderful places. 

Now is this a mere coincidence or does the action of writing your goals down, or creating goal posters work?  I sure think so!!

34 comments:

  1. I need to work on my Goal Posters. I have so very many things that I want to do in this life time that seem impossible. Including travel... I'm so happy for you!

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  2. Hi Annie!
    I think when we write them down they are more clear in our minds. Thank you! Lisa

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  3. What a wonderful trip! Glad you enjoyed such an awesome time.

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  4. Hi Prairiemade!
    Yes, we had a great trip, one we will never forget! Thank you. ~Lisas

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  5. Great post! I'd love to see Italy. Our only trip has been on a cruise on our honeymoon. We've not really travelled abroad. Great pics.

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  6. Oh my God this was wonderful! I live in Europe and I haven't even been there! Sigh.

    I'm glad you are able to accomplish one of your goals. I better start writing mine and then pray for a miracle ha ha.

    Spanish Pinay

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  7. Goal posters or a wonderful coincidence... either way, it looks like you had a wonderful time:) I loved the time I spent in Italy and would like to go back there again - so beautiful - something to always be remembered.
    Thanks for sharing,
    Kristina

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  8. Amazing pics Lisa. That pic of the Sistine chapel, wow, awesome!!! I'm sure it was more special since your hubby was with you. Yep, goal posters are a good idea---I had potty training as my goal & I have to say that my daughter has mastered all that by herself :) lol
    Nos vemos,
    Barbara
    Espanol para Ninos

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  9. Love the pics from the Mediteranean. I found a button on your blog, to pray for Gabriel. When I flipped over, I read about how well he and his Momma are doing now. I still prayed, and I thanked God for all the answered prayers I have been able to witness lately. Thank you. I really needed that this morning. Please drop by my blog when you have a minute, I would love to see you there!
    http://klcmaher-themorethemerrier.blogspot.com

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  10. I can't believe he bought tickets to Rome without you directly telling him! I can tell my husband and the tickets still don't arrive. LOL! However, we are currently sending all our money to various colleges.

    Joyce
    http://joycelansky.blogspot.com

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  11. My goal posters are more like toilets that never clog, a bed that's always made,(without my assistance)trash that's always taken out and kids who always look AMAZINGLY CLEAN and say, "Our mom's #1!!!!

    Ah....it is a dream I have.

    And I am SO jealous that you got to see the Vatican. A Catholics dream.....

    You're #1 fan
    Sharon
    http://sharon-moms-madhouse.com/

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  12. What an amazing story. Goal posters...this is something I need to work on. I think visualization really works, in lots of situations, but you have to believe it and you have to get over your own little hang-ups (the little voice in the back of your head telling you that your dreams are impossible or that you're not worthy). Thanks for sharing!

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  13. Hi Lisa! This is a wonderful story! I grew up litening to my mom say: "La palabra tiene poder" "Words are powerful"...and I truly believe so.
    Italy is mesmerizing...and I have only seen in in pictures. I am 75% italian, my daddy was born and raised in Bari, Puglia and he married my mom at Santa Sabina's Church in Rome. I breathe Italy everywhere I go...from my name, the food I eat to the time I go to bed and say "Buona Notte" to my mom on the phone. Maybe I should have my poster put up...I really really want to go and see my family there! Thanks for a wonderful post!
    Always, lots of love for you from me!
    Flavia
    One Cute Nursery

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  14. Such a beautiful post! Those pictures are awesome! I found you on VoiceBoks and I would love to have you follow back!
    Camille @
    SixSistersStuff.blogspot.com

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  15. I'm a big beliver in visualizing and dream boards. Is the poster similar to a board or is it more specific, did you only have Italy on it? All the great things I have gotten have come becuase I put them out in the universe. It sometimes just takes me time to get clear. Thanks for this post, it is just what I needed to read today!!! I always enjoy your posts!

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  16. What beautiful photos and it sounds like a dream come true vacation. I've always wanted to go but have never written that goal down. Maybe I should try that!

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  17. Lisa, That is soooo wonderful that you were able to check this trip off your list! It seems so amazing to me that your hubby did not know and he went and bought tickets to the place you truly wanted to visit. Now you know, you've married the right man! lol. Congratulations. It looks like you had an amazing time. My husband and I went for our honeymoon and we dream of the day when we can return... it was nice to relive the memories though your photos.(sigh....)

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  18. how lovely! Praying works too you know. Last year, I remember praying "Oh God, if you'd know how much I'd love to go to Europe." A months later, I received a letter, the content stated that I'd won myself 2 free tickets to Rome! So God answered my prayer. I love Rome, and all of Italy. such a romantic country

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  19. That Pisa is really nice.. my son went and he had a jolly good time there!

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  20. I am here visiting from VoiceBoks. I am your newest follower and would love it if you would follow me too! Thanks!
    -Nikki
    http://chef-n-training.blogspot.com/

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  21. Stopping by from vb!

    I'm going to have to give this a try. It's a dream of mine to go to Ireland. Maybe if it's in front of my face constantly I'll do what it takes to make it happen!

    Lisa

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  22. I have never used (or heard of) goal posters before, but hey if it got you a trip to Italy, I'm going to give it a try!

    Visiting from VoiceBoks!

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  23. Now I can promise you I'll be writing down some goals like this one! I love Italy. If I could go back, I would visit Tuscany. I would also stay in Venice again. Florence was amazing!! Awesome post. Your hubby deserves some big hugs for this one! http://homesandbabies.blogspot.com

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  24. What a great story!! I believe that we attract what we think about and believe in (like The Secret, only not quite so mystical) and love things like goal posters and written goals. They really work as your story proves.

    Beautiful pictures!! I would love to go to Rome someday =)

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  25. What a fantastic trip! The last time I was in italy, i found out i was pregnant with our first child. It was the best and most memorable trip ever! Give your husband an extra hug, what a great gift.

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  26. Sounds wonderful! Italy is one of our next destinations - can't wait... :-) Visiting from VoiceBoks...

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  27. Wow, that's awesome! My little brother and his fiance are going to Italy in a few months. They're very excited. She used to live there and is basically obsessed with it. He's never been there before. I told him to bring me back part of the Colosseum. I was kidding, of course, but apparently people DO steal parts of it! That's crazy!

    Your pictures are gorgeous and it looks like you had a wonderful trip! I'm visiting from VoiceBoks, by the way!

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  28. I'm so jealous! I have always wanted to go to Rome. Goal posters or not, does it really matter? I mean, you seem to always have something going on. Also, I think you may have found the ONE and only really nice and romantic Filipino! Ha!!! You guys are really cute!

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  29. This is really awesome...law of attraction maybe? or a really awesome husband? I pick, really awesome husband! =)

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  30. Wow ur husband is soo sweet!!! I miss Rome. Went there as part of the youth exchange program more than 10 years ago. I wish I could go there again, and this time with my husband. :)

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  31. I´m sooooooooo habppy that your dream came true! I really don´t know if it was the goal poster or your desire to go but wao! Just great that you could ; )
    Isn´t Italy just the most beautiful place? I love it!
    See you around, your friend from VoiceBoks

    Lolo

    http://www.detodounlolo.blogspot.com

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  32. Wow that is amazing! My husband always says about visualizing what we would like to do or have. I'll pass this on to him :)

    Via VoiceBoks weekend :)

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  33. What an awesome trip! I thought I was lucky to see Italy, but Africa & Spain too in one trip?! I'm jealous! :) Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures!

    Amanda

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  34. BEAUTIFUL photos! I am so glad you got to have your trip! I have often considered making a "dream board" and think I may just have to after reading this post! Thank you for sharing these beautiful moments with us!
    Visiting from VB
    http://naturallynena.blogspot.com

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Not what we give,
But what we share,
For the gift
without the giver
Is bare.
~James Russell Lowell

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