Not So Bad For 3 Months’ Work, Kid!

It’s funny how when I have setbacks in my personal life, I am thrown off and I have to remind myself that it’s not the end of the world and that it doesn’t mean I failed. This doesn’t happen to me in my professional life, only personal. I don’t know why that is.

Having to cancel my dinner last weekend really bummed me out but then I thought about my goals and after looking at the list again, I realized how much I’ve already accomplished in such a short amount of time. It’s only hit me now how posting my goals on my bulletin board at home and particularly, declaring them to the world on this blog, are such great ways to renew my motivation and inspiration when they lessen. People are holding me to them more so now, than ever before. For kicks, here’s an update (following the order of my list):

• Educate myself on Causes I believe in regarding the environment, women and children’s issues: This is an ongoing thing, but I definitely feel more knowledgeable now, than I did 2 months ago. Everyday I find new sources of information on these 3 areas of interest.
• Take action by writing to Government officials on issues close to my heart: I have not written direct letters yet, however I have shown my support by signing various petitions I come across that mean something to me.
• Select a local organization and volunteer with it: I am in the process of collecting letters of recommendations from peers and superiors for whom I have volunteered with or for. The organizations that interest me require such letters for the interview process.
• Train for and run the Montreal Marathon next September: I have started running, yes, but I’m not crazy about doing this for an hour on a treadmill but since I suffer from cold-induced asthma, running outdoors in glacial temperatures is not an option. So, while waiting for this crappy weather to abate, I’ve been running 30 minutes at the gym per workout. My goal is to do this 5 days per week until I can safely run outside.
• Choose one organization per month and host fundraiser dinner to raise awareness and money for the Cause: My March event was canceled but I will reschedule.
• Read at least one book per month for my personal growth: I have done well so far on this. This goal has actually helped me to decrease my TV watching time, which has been something that has annoyed me for so long but have been addicted to (sadly).
• Join Toastmasters Club: I attended my first meeting last week at the McGill University Toastmasters chapter and love it! Really great group of people. I’m allowed to attend for free 3 times before I must decide if I want to join but I have already made up my mind. This week, there will be 3 new members who will be doing their first presentation. I can’t wait to see how that goes!
• Speak publicly: This is going to happen very soon in fact. I joined this organization called Girl Geek Dinners where a group of girls (approx 25 of us) who work in the digital space (the common denominator of the members) meet once a month in a Montreal-area restaurant. Each dinner has a guest speaker (a girl) and she talks about something specific about the field she works in and we all exchange on that topic. It’s very empowering and a lot of fun. The organizer has asked me if I wanted to speak at one the events. I said yes, but I have not specified when.
• Continue to green my home and life as much as possible: I feel that I have done all that I can in my home for now. This Spring I will instate new green practices that I have already defined. I feel like I am so ahead on this goal that I am now working on greening the office for the company I work for ;) Greening my life is another thing however. I’m still looking for the perfect personal care products but it’s been quite the challenge. Some products may be all natural, but not necessarily biodegradable and others that are both just don’t give me the results I want. The quest goes on!
• Lose the weight I gained in the last 3 years: I don’t know how long this will take but I know if I deliver on my promise to myself and get my butt in the gym 5 days a week and watch what I eat, it won’t be long. It’s never taken me very long to lose weight. I am very optimistic that come mid-Spring I will be in top shape.
• Become fluent in Spanish: Just yesterday I started my Level 2 at the YMCA Language School. I finished Level 1 two weeks ago with a B- grade. I am so not fluent yet, but the sentences are coming slowly and I must confess that I have a wee-bit of a crush on my new teacher and so I’m sure that will help too ;) If all goes well, by the time my summer trip comes around, I will be half way through my Level 4, which is awesome!
• Plan a 1 week volunteer trip to Central America this summer: I have actually decided on South America in August. It will be an excursion that combines outdoor recreation and volunteer work.
• Plan a 3 week volunteer trip to either South America or Africa for next winter: I haven’t started on this yet.