My Resolve in '10

I'm reflecting on reaching some of my recent goals. I managed to tackle the travel component on last year's list even with my move to Cairo from the U.S. Probably because of my move to Cairo. As for the language, well, let's just say I swapped learning Spanish for learning Arabic instead.

Now, we're six months into 2010 and I'm just now getting around to posting my goals for the year. I'd made the list, but life got in the way and I never posted it. I was hopeful that when I went back to check it out that I'd have already accomplished at least one thing on this list. That doesn't seem to be the case. But there's still time, right?

Seems most of these are sort of work related:

1. Produce an audio documentary. I've been working toward this one. I have all of my interviews and I just need to put it together.

2. Produce a feature for World Vision Report. I need a good, strong story for this one. And although Cairo is full of interesting stories, many of the stories have already been told. I'll need to think on this one a bit longer, but it is going to happen.

3. Workout for 20-30 minutes at least four times each week. I haven't yet achieved this goal consistently. Though I can say that I often work out for 40 minutes, two days a week. Not the same ... I've discovered Motion Traxx for motivating, uptempo music (with some narration).

4. Publish an article in a journal. This is work related and on my goals list for work too. But I've partially completed some interesting research on "30 Rock". Looking to add a bit more to what I have and find a publishing platform.

5. Publish an eBook. I was reading Chris Brogan and Julien Smith's "Trust Agents: Using the Web to Build Influence, Improve Reputation, and Earn Trust". There was a suggestion about give back what you learn by creating an eBook. That's what I'm gonna do.

That's all for now. Actually, that's plenty. Happy belated 2010 to me. Living my life and loving it.

It's Already Summer? Get Your Goals Back On Track.

I am going to get right on this one. I did not even getting around to posting my goals for 2010. Shameful. I've whittled my list down to three things. In previous years, I think I had like, five or six things. Anyway, I plan to publish this year's goal list in the next day or so. Seriously.

But here's a motivating post. Hope it gets you going.

May's Women Grow Business post: Already Summer? Get Your Goals Back On Track

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My resolve in ... '09

I am getting into a little rhythm as it relates to making goals annually. Check out my '08 list and my '07 list.

I did okay for '08. I'm pleased w/the out come, but it could have been different.

When making this list, I try not to make it too complicated or create something that will cause me to disappoint myself in the end ... really it is just of things that I would like to do, but if I don't do it, oh, darn.

So here I go ... I am carrying over three things from the '08 list:

• snowboarding lesson
• travel (by airplane) to at least two cities I have never been to before
• run at least two 5Ks

I've selected these because I like them as personal thing I enjoy. Unfortunately, I've had snowboarding on the list for two years or more, but it is going to go down this year.

I already have some travel on my radar and I have my passport too, so the travel part could be really fun.

In my effort to keep in shape, I think the goal of more than one 5k is doable.

Here's what's new:

• learn Spanish - I've already started on this one by joining Live Mocha (and using it; it's a social media platform for learning languages), but I plan to enroll in a course as well

That in addition to this little list that I compiled based on the "Your 3 Goals for 2009" blog post from Twitterati (top Twitterers) Chris Brogan:

• Enjoy: I plan to enjoy my life even the frustrating parts
  
• Educate: I've been soaking up knowledge like a sponge, time to share the love
  
• Explore: This should tie in nicely w/my travel goal, but gives me reason to learn more
  

I know, it sounds like it could be the slogan for a children's museum, but like Brogan says, you want a goal that you can attain, but after you reach it you still have more to strive for.

And for me this is the stuff that might have gotten pushed aside, I still plan to meditate and workout and be more social. Good stuff indeed.

Looking Back on my 2008 Goals

It's time for a bit of reflection and I do mean just a bit. Because it is full steam ahead for your girl in '09.

Here's the list that I created for last year's goals:

• snowboarding lesson - I did not get around to this, but I got really close
  
• travel (by airplane) to at least two cities I have never been to before - I did not do this either but I did not have a travel budget for '08
  
• run a 5K (at least) - I did do this sort of, I walked
  
• Get published in Cards magazine! and other craft related publications - I did do this. I was published twice in Cards magazine
• Spend less and less often
• This is a big one; I want to shop less. I can do that, but I like fresh fruit and veggies, so that will be the only exception. For my own sake, I will have to more clearly define this one - I managed to pull this one off, but that's what happens when the cash flow is low. I use coupons on nearly all purchases and most items are on sale
  

• Get my mental act together
• This really means: do not allow other peoples negative actions to affect me emotionally - ooooommmmmmmm - this one came to me about mid-year when I had to do me and make no amends, it seemed selfish, but I was also happier and proud
  

• Do Pilates at least once a week - I started off real well on this one, but being cash strapped, something had to go; I did walk and rollerblade and do the steps, so exercise remained high on my list
  

• Meditate for at least 5-10 minutes first thing in the morning - unfortunately I did not stick to this one. I'd like to give it another try, but I don't think that I will make it a goal
  

That's it for me ... tomorrow I will post the resolution list for 2009. It won't be lofty, just some fun things to do.

My resolve in ... '08

Yeah, I know ... it's February already and I am just posting my New Year's Resolutions! Don;t hate me because you were stressin tryin to get it done, while I took my time and let the resolutions marinate = less stress, happy me.

So last year, I concocted a lil New Year's resolution list. I did okay with that list. Here is the list of what carries over - and note to self: if it does not get done this year, it can not - will not roll over to '09.

• snowboarding lesson
• travel (by airplane) to at least two cities I have never been to before
• run a 5K (at least)
• Get published in Cards magazine! and other craft related publications

Now here is what I've come up with for this year:

• Spend less and less often
• This is a big one; I want to shop less. I can do that, but I like fresh fruit and veggies, so that will be the only exception. For my own sake, I will have to more clearly define this one

• Get my mental act together
• This really means: do not allow other peoples negative actions to affect me emotionally - ooooommmmmmmm

• Do Pilates at least once a week

• Meditate for at least 5-10 minutes first thing in the morning

That's it for now ... gotta keep it doable.

Gettin it done!

I usually have a running list of things that I need to do. When I don't have my list, things don't get done - like bills don't get paid. That is crazy, but that is how it goes down over here.

So here is a list of some of the things I've done in the past two days, especially yesterday, since I worked from home:

• called the post office to follow up on a package that I mailed
• wrote and submitted my annual report for work (I thought that it was due on Thursday, but it was actually due on Tuesday)
• located some boxes to pack some packages; then packed the packages
• returned some camera bags to the store
• purchase a cinder block (don't ask)
• picked up prescription
• called Verizon to try to straighten out the phone bill (still no resolution ... they remain on the list for a call back)
• paid car insurance

There's more, but I think that you get the idea.

Still on the list:

• get a recipe for Potato Soup (I absolutely love potatoes)
• make copies of a few pages from a book a co-worker let me borrow
• call the electric company regarding the current bill
• print out my lesson plans for work
• gather other reading assignments for work
• confirm trip and transportation to main campus next week
• pack 4 packages to be mailed
• finish making Valentine's Day cards
• Oh, and complete my New Year's resolutions (been thinking about this one a lot)
• renew gym membership so that I can take Pilates at least once a week

So there you have it. A glimpse into my life. Though that is in no way typical for me. Next week will look totally different ... love that.

Thinking ahead

I'm thinking about New Year's resolutions - things to do. But before I write up a slate of activities, let me reflect on how the '07 resolutions panned out:

take at least one snowboarding lesson (I attemped several times in the last two years)

• I did not get to this one; I could chalk it up to a crappy winter w/not a lot of snow action, but I think I will transfer this one to the forthcoming '08 list

learn spanish

• I did not make any progress on this one since I can't count thinking about it

complete a small 6x6 or 8x8 scrapbook

• I make cards because I can get them done and usually quickly; scrapbooking no matter the size of the pages, just seems too daunting to me - MISSION NOT ACCOMPLISHED

complete 3-4 mini books

• I did complete some mini-book; I think I did two and I really enjoyed them.

Travel (by airplane) to at least two cities I have never been to before

• I went to Boston in April, but that was it; this one will also roll over to '08

Run a 5K (at least)

• I sort of accomplished this one; I did go to a 5K; I ran for a good portion, but I also walked for a good portion; in '08 there will be another one of these and maybe a 10k

Get published in Cards magazine!

• cha-ching! I got this one! I was in the October '07 issue! Yeah.

Stay tuned for more ... and hopefully more ambitious resolutions.

Huffin and Puffin

So, one of my New Year's resolutions was to run a 5k or a 10k. I want to check that off of my list as the latter part of the year is nearing and nearing time to make another list.

But I don't know that I can honestly check it off the list so quickly. I did make an attempt. Yes, I did. I was looking for a race to run and I remembered that there was one on Saturday morning, but I could not get myself in gear quick enough to get out of the house and to the running venue.

So I searched for another, possibly on Sunday morning. I found one and did a Google map on it to see if it was easy to get to. The cost was also reasonable: $2, but honestly, I thought that was a typo.

Before I headed off to bed on Saturday evening, I gathered my running gear (except for my shoes because I could not locate them; I would look again in the morning or just put on my old everyday sneakers).

Everything went as scheduled: the alarm went off at a just a bit past 8 a.m.; I hit snooze and closed my eyes, but I did get up when the snooze went off for a second time; I washed up and got dressed; I double checked the directions (then decided to use my cell phone GPS) and I headed off to the race which had a start time of 9:30 a.m .

I got the the race site 15 minutes before the start of the race, only to discover that no one was there. I was totally disappointed. I finally saw a woman sitting in her car and I asked her. After some chit chat, I ventured off to locate the race venue - turns out it was to begin at another section of the park.

It was a nice long race ... I know that it was a 5k and they are all 3.1 miles, but this seemed like a much longer race - lots of swirly trail and peaks and valleys and some huffin and puffin on my behalf. I started off running, but gradually took to a brisk walk; which is precisely how I finished the race ... no proud moment, no photo finish ...

So many questions and queries ... ?

• I'm was starting to wonder if a certain American Idol contestant was beginnning to believe all the hype ... ?



• How/why is it that some airlines adhere to rules on check in baggage and others do not ... ?



• I've concluded that I am strongly in favor of the U.S. troops pulling out of Iraq ... does anyone else feel emotionally stripped when watching the names of the fallen soldiers on This Week on ABC ... ?



• I don't drink alcohol, smoke or do illegal drugs ... is it okay if my vice is cussing ... ?



• What is wrong w/the fact that I am just now getting around to fulfilling one of my New Year's Resolutions ... ?



• Can you think of one really good reason why I should attend my college reunion ...?



• I'm wondering, was I really unaffected by the premature implimentation of Daylight Saving Time ... ?