I have exactly 7 months to complete my 30 Before 30 list. Talk about pressure! To keep me on top of things I am going to do a monthly review of where I am with my progress towards marking everything off:
Journey towards loving my body:
1.Get in the best shape of my life
8.Go to a water park and not feel self-conscious
21. Go skinny dipping
I started going to the gym again and I’m watching what I eat. But I didn’t go crazy with it. I am doing small steps. I went to the gym almost every day last week. Even if it was really late or I really didn’t feel like going, I tried to force myself.
Things that have helped me:
1. I have a piggy bank in my kitchen and I put a dollar in it every time I go to the gym. Just the act of putting that dollar in the piggy bank motivates me to go. It’s like getting a gold star for that day.
2. I try to change into my workout clothes as soon as I get home from work. Even if I don’t go to the gym right away, having the clothes on almost forces me to go.
3. One day I REALLY did not want to go and it was super late. But I forced myself to go and at least do 20 minutes on the elliptical. It isn’t all or nothing. I don’t have to spend over an hour there, as long as I get myself there, I can pump out at least 20 minutes.
4. I’m trying to go a whole month without weighing myself. I am trying to judge this by how my clothes fit and learn to not live and die by the scale because it fluctuates so much.
Journey towards deepening Faith:
14. Go on a mission trip
19. Travel abroad (just because this is most likely going to be tied to a mission trip for now)
27. Read the Bible all the way through
I emailed the church about going on a mission trip and there was an opportunity to go on a trip to India in March/April. But the focus of that trip was coaching local church planters and I just didn’t think that was a good fit for me since I don’t know much about effective church planting. But this Sunday I am going to a meeting about a trip the church is planning to Dubai in July. The needs for this trip are mainly providing hospitality at a missionary conference which is much more up my alley. I really hope this one works out!
As far as the Bible reading, I am really behind! I bought a “Read the Bible in One Year” companion book last year and I think I am just in March on that plan. I need to get on the ball with this one!
Journey towards Financial Freedom:
3.Get a job I love
5.Pay all my own bills (with no help from mom)
25.Invest in the stock market
I would mark off “Get a job I love” if it weren’t for the fact that I am making 2/3 of what I was making last year and can barely make ends meet. My job is not perfect, but I love working in Real Estate and I can see this progressing and I don’t feel like I am in a job that will never go anywhere. Eventually I want to activate my license and start selling, but I love the marketing aspect too. I am close, really close to being able to mark that off, but not quite there yet. I need to have a frank discussion with my boss on my salary and opportunities for advancement, but I am trying to wait until the market warms up a bit and we are bringing in more money before broaching the subject. (ANY TIPS ON HOW TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION?!) The other 2 depend on what happens with that first one. I continue to try to cut out as much as I can. I keep my thermostat set on 66. I have learned to live with approximately 4 channels on the TV. I’m not going on the annual ski trip. I am cooking at home more. I am buying generic and cheaper everyday items. Hopefully I’ll get there soon!
Journey towards LOVE:
6.Ask out a crush
11.Open my heart to someone
26.Kiss in the rain
The past year I have spent in an on again off again relationship/non-relationship with the same guy. I have no crushes that I want to ask out. I don’t feel like I have opened my heart completely to this guy, and the kissing in the rain one is more about getting a “movie love” moment which has not happened. I have learned a lot about myself in relationships, what I want/need, and ways I need to improve my loving and respecting skills, but this one is still the biggest struggle. It’s hard because I feel like it is something that will just happen. But that doesn’t mean I’m not doing what I can to help it along.
Have a little fun along the way:
10.Catch a fish- Anyone have a pole?
18. Upgrade one room in my house- I REALLY want to get hardwood floors throughout my downstairs. With my connections with work, I could get it done for about $1500-$2000. But that may not happen. I might just have to settle for putting hardware on the kitchen cabinets and upgrading the faucet for the kitchen sink.
23. Take a dance lesson- I looked into the dance lessons and there was one I wanted to do to learn ball room dancing, but it is for couples only and I would need someone to go with me. It starts up again in April I think, so maybe I could find someone interested before then.
9. kayak & 29. Attempt Surfing - I think I am going to try to accomplish these two when I go to my mom’s timeshare at Atlantic Beach in August. They had both options available down there last year, but I just couldn’t fit them in. If I find someone who will do the kayaking before then with me, then all the better. They have lots of options for kayaking around here in the spring/summer.
I’m not even half way there yet! I have a lot of work to do over the next few months!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
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8 comments:
You can do it! My 20 before 30 list was the reason I started my blog. I think I only finished 17, but gave myself my whole 30th year to complete the other 2.
Wow, you really have your hands full with things to do :)
I think it's amazing that you've found the courage to go to the gym this often, I have no doubt you'll be able to cross those 3 things off in no time !
And a trip to India or Dubai !? Wow, that sounds great :)
When it comes to asking for a raise, I think you're right .. you should probably wait until times get a little better. I have no real strategy to offer you unfortunately.. just dive in !
I tried not to put too many Love objectives on my list 'cuz frankly, it's not something you have any power over.. don't really wanna rush into anything just to cross it off my list, you know ?
I have a fish pole and a kayak if you're interested :P and I wanna try to surf again.. just sayin'. lol.
Alright, I'll end the world's longest comment now ! Have a great evening !
Susan, you have a lot of things on your list, I'm sure you will accomplish them, it just might not be exactly how you pictured it. But I have complete faith in you. You and I have a lot of the same goals. I would totally love to kayak, that would be the best! If you want to try it this Spring I'm game!
wow, but you've still accomplished a lot. I think changing into your workout clothes asap is key! I've always found getting dressed to workout is the hardest part!
This is such a great list! I love how ambitious you are!!! :)
When you do figure out how to have that whole salary/ advancement talk with your boss maybe you could help out the rest of us on it too?
And with the dance lessons, do you maybe have a friend that would be willing to take a class with you? Back in college I signed up with one of my friends for a class and we just alternated who got to be the male lead. I can't say I remember a lot of what I learned, but it was fun at the time.
I forget how exactly I found your blog, but I have been loving keeping up with your 30 before 30! I turn 30 this year, as well, and I would love to have a 30 before 30 but I think it wouldn't be too adventurous cause I know that I only have 7 months to complete it. I know there are certain things, like take a mission trip, that I can't do because I can't get the time off of work.
Anyway, thanks for a bit of inspiration!
Love your list, I'm starting my own 30 before 30 project. I'd love to hear your thoughts on my list. http://30beforethirty.wordpress.com If I can help you with your list I would love it. I know some kayakers that would love to help you.
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