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#9: Write a Two Year Career Plan

January 25, 2012 in Goals & Lists with 0 Comments

While writing out my goals for 2012, I decided one of them would be to create a two year career plan. I’m pleased to report that my first draft is complete. I say “draft” as things may change throughout the course of two years. Writing down my intentions gives me a clearer picture of where I’m headed. You never know what new opportunities may transpire along the way and this makes it all the more exciting.

In devising my plan, I broke it down into sections. I started with “Top Priorities” listing out those intentions I wished to finalize by the end of the two year mark. Secondly, I broke down my plan into a category called “Scheduled Process” which consisted of selected timeframes such as “January – May 2012.” Within these sectors I dissected even further, naming each goal I planned to finalize within each top priority.

This entire project made me realize that my goals are obtainable and I have the ability to see results at the end of the two-year period.

Here’s an example of my layout:

In other news, I’ve entered into the lottery for the 2012 TD Five Boro Bike Tour.

Dear Registrant,

You have successfully entered the 2012 TD Five Boro Bike Tour lottery registration system!

I’ll find out my status by March 1. It’s about time me and this guy below become reaquainted.

 

#4: Complete a race every month of the year

January 3, 2012 in Goals & Lists, Running with 3 Comments

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One of my 2012 goals is to complete a race every month of the year. I began to look at my calendar to see what I’ve signed up for so far as well as what else I’m interested in signing up for in the near future. Below is my race schedule to date and of course I’ll be making additions as the year progresses.

To those whom it applies, happy racing in 2012. To those who haven’t done a race, you should consider. It’s great fun and good for the soul.

January

Saturday, January 7 – NYRR Joe Kleinerman 10K

Saturday, January 21 – NYRR Manhattan Half-Marathon

February

TBD

March

Date TBD – St. Patrick’s Day Half Marathon

April

Sunday, April 15 – Once registration opens, I’ll register for the More Magazine/Fitness Magazine Women’s Half-Marathon.

May

I’ll enter the lottery for the Five Boro Bike Tour which takes place the first weekend in May.

June

TBD – June 3 – Sprint Triathlon

Date TBD – NYRR New York Mini 10K 

July

TBD – Summer and Suds series

August

TBD

September

TBD

October

TBD

November

TBD – Sunday, November 4 – I’m qualified to run the ING New York City Marathon if I wish.

December

TBD


My 2012 Wish List

December 31, 2011 in Goals & Lists with 0 Comments

I’m getting ready to say goodbye, 2011. As always, I’m so grateful for all of the loved ones surrounding me in my life.

Since I’m such a goal-oriented person, I enjoy making all sorts of lists. I create seasonal goals, lifetime goals, you name it. I’m more than happy to get on board with creating new year’s goals as well. These are great fun to create as I have a year to accomplish each of them.

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Without further ado, my 2012 New Year’s aspirations in no particular order.

1. Travel somewhere new: I want to explore a place I’ve never been this year.

2. Complete a sprint triathlon: I completed two triathlons thus far. Last season I took a break. I would like to search out and do one tri this coming summer.

3. Take a course in nutrition: I have something in mind but haven’t quite bitten the bullet to move forward just yet.

4. Complete a race every month of the year: I run plenty of New York Road Runners races which can make this an accessible goal. I’ve also been looking into a few races I’ve heard about through New York City Runs.

5. Plan something special for my summer birthday: I haven’t any ideas yet but plan to put on my thinking cap in the beginning of the year.

6.  Read The Great Gatsby.

7. Complete 15 yoga classes: This doesn’t sound like too much of a challenge but for me it is indeed. I would like to amp up my yoga practice.

8. Save “X” (private to me) amount of dollars in my savings account.

9. Write a two-year career manifesto for myself.

10. Enter the lottery for the NYC Five Boro Bike Tour: I’ve been wanting to do this race for a few years but have only talked the talk. There is a lottery entrance this year since it has become so popular. Let’s see what happens.

11. Take a beach vacation: The beach is quite possibly my favorite place on earth.

12. Participate in National Novel Writing Month in November 2012: I’ve attempted this three times without completion. I have a partially-written novel I would like to build upon in the coming year.

13. Keep a notepad of awesome moments.

14. Face a fear every week: When I push myself out of my comfort zone, it is when I truly see myself grow as a person. I’ll document this weekly on this blog.

15. Have the time of my life. General, enough said.

I have a feeling about this coming year. It’s going to be the best yet. Here’s to 2012.

Do you make New Year’s resolutions? What are some of your goals for this coming year?

 

Before December Ends

December 12, 2011 in Goals & Lists with 0 Comments

Good Morning.

This weekend marked the finalization of my blog redesign. I’m extremely happy with the new look. It’s very me and I couldn’t be more thrilled. A huge thank you to Lauren who saw my vision and ran with it.

I also realized that December will be closing in on us before we know it. We are at the height of holiday festivities galore. I thought it would be a good time to revisit my original list of “fun” goals for the fall to see where I stand and what else could possibly be accomplished in what may become crunch time.

*Originally posted on September 24, 2011

At the beginning of this past summer, I created an array of goals for myself I wanted to check off my list. Nothing pertaining to pressure, just cheery projects. It was called Before August Ends and I got through a good portion of my list which you can view here (if you are so inclined).

I thought it would be exciting to do a similar list for this season. Why not all the year round? Low and behold in no particular order, 30 Things To Do Before December Ends:

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1. Attend a beer tasting.

2. Run the Steamtown Marathon on October 9. 

3. Visit a haunted house around Halloween. I opted against this as I couldn’t find the haunted house I wanted to revisit from my younger years.

4. Participate in National Novel Writing Month in November. This didn’t happen and tail is between legs currently.

5. Run the Poland Spring Marathon Kickoff 5 mile race. This race was cancelled due to the snow storm. I still went out to the park that morning and ran my own race.

6. Reach my “feel great” weight. Not quite. This doesn’t look like it will happen by the end of December unless I stop eating altogether from now until then or invest in a tapeworm. I’m on my way and that is all that matters (to me anyway).

7. Take a Zumba class at the gym. There is no reason this one can’t happen. I’m all over it. 

8. Book an appointment at Blush Nail Lounge for a milk & honey spa pedicure. I have a coupon! 

9. Read Shake the Devil Off by Ethan Brown. This is a possibility but I’m currently reading “Little Bee” and will be reading a new book for book club shortly thereafter.  

10. Girls’ night out.

11. Go to brunch at Taste. This isn’t likely to happen as it’s not at the top of my list right now.

12. Run the New York City Marathon on November 6. Deferred my entry until next year.

13. Finish draft of my novel. This will happen but not by the end of December. 

14. Run the 18 Mile Marathon Tune-Up race on September 25.

15. Read Ultramarathon Man by Dean Karnazes.

16. Beach vacation. 

17. Run the Las Vegas Marathon on December 4. Trip was cancelled.

18. Visit a NYC street fair.

19. Take a spin class at the gym.

20. Run the NYRR Ted Corbitt Classic 15K on December 17. This is on schedule. 

21. Eat a cupcake from Molly’s Cupcakes. This can happen. I can take a nice leisurely stroll at lunch since it’s semi-nearby the office. I hear Molly’s has vegan cupcakes. 

22. Become a regular morning workout gal. Epic fail…but I’m still working out so that is all that matters…that last statement may or may not be a lie.

23. Starting now, do something every day that is fun - big or small. In progress and enjoying myself!

24. Lay off dairy. Give my body a break for awhile. Epic fail…when will I ever learn? 

25. Try a class at SoulCycle. This is still a possibility. 

26. Go on a mini shopping spree to TJ Maxx.

27. Run with a group.

28. Try a hot yoga class at Yoga To The People in Brooklyn. This could work. I need a plan. 

29. Have a Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks.

30. Venture out to a restaurant in my neighborhood once every two weeks. Isn’t happening. I’m all over the city and rarely in my neighborhood only as far as eating is concerned. 

Manifesting Goals

November 12, 2011 in Everyday Life, Goals & Lists with 2 Comments

Yesterday I took my favorite Friday yoga class at Equinox. During one of the classes back in October our yoga instructor asked us in the beginning of the class to start focusing on some changes we want to occur in our lives and what goals we would like to see come to fruition in the near and/or distant future. Yesterday she asked us to bring those goals to the forefront and make them a focal point in class so that we’re putting our intentions out there.

I realize goals are a big portion of what I talk about on this blog. Some people are a fan of them while others are not and prefer to live in the moment. Living in the moment has its place but I also feel you can grow and thrive off of ambitions that will make you a stronger person. I personally enjoy having set goals to strive for as it keeps me from just wandering aimlessly and not living to my fullest potential. It’s not to say I can’t live in the moment and enjoy myself as I make time for that too. I definitely find ways to treat myself and have fun. That’s probably my biggest goal of all in life, to be sure I’m having fun in the process.

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The following were the thoughts that came to my mind during yoga class:

  • Spreading the word on The Gumption Project
  • Spreading my wings as a writer
  • Becoming a faster runner
Now, I’ll leave with an inspiring video. Happy Saturday.

November On My Mind

November 3, 2011 in Goals & Lists with 2 Comments

November is shaping up to be a busy month for me in terms of personal goal-setting. All of which are exciting and challenging to me (of course) or else I wouldn’t pursue them. In between all of these goals I also have fun events/outings planned with loved ones. It’s a nice mixed bag. I’m already extremely grateful.

Here’s a wrap-up of my personal goals for the month:

National Novel Writing Month – I’ve mentioned this previously when I initially signed up. I’m thrilled to bite the bullet and move forward this year to see what happens and where I net out with my novel. I do not have a detailed outline lined up. It’s more of a scenario where I’m winging it day by day with my initial thoughts and plan of attack in my head. I’m leading by feeling.

My continued training plan for the Las Vegas Marathon – Marathon training and running marathons have been a bit of a struggle for me this fall. I ran the Steamtown Marathon in October. After much thought, I decided to defer the NYC Marathon this year. I’m still training for the Las Vegas Marathon keeping in mind the suggestion of my coach to possibly run the half marathon instead of the full 26.2. I’m still gunning for the full marathon at this point since one of my biggest running goals is to run a marathon in every state.

Blog Re-Design – I keep looking at the design/layout o f my blog and it just doesn’t fit who I am as a person anymore. After some thought, research and inspiration boards on Pinterest, my blog is about to get a face lift. I’m looking forward to the outcome!

Re-Launch of The Gumption Project – I created this mission solely for myself to keep me accountable but now I would like to share with whoever may be interested in jumping on the bandwagon. It’s a place where I list daily goals where we better ourselves on a regular basis but in a lighthearted, spirited way. Please feel free to stop by for a visit.

More focus on treating my body right – I wrote a post yesterday on The Gumption Project regarding this very topic. I’m ready to be re-inspired and discovering Kris Carr lit a spark in me this past weekend. Her energy and charisma resonated with me. I never plan on depriving myself in life, but I do plan on adding in some extra care for my body in the form of green juices, raw fruits and veggies.

Entered into the lottery for the NYC Triathlon – I have yet to sign up for a 2012 race as I wrapping up my final races of 2011. The one thing I missed this year was participating in a triathlon. I raced two triathlons the previous season and had a blast. So, I figured why not put my name in the lottery and see what happens. This triathlon is basically in my backyard and I’ve always had my eye on it. Despite that I’d have to swim in the Hudson River. There are worse things?

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