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Reverb 10: One Word

Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you?

Disappointment. That’s exactly how I feel about the year 2010. It began with bright hopes and big dreams. I began looking for a job that would pay me what I wanted and offer benefits. Instead, I took a job I wasn’t entirely wild about. The pay wasn’t up to par, and the people weren’t nearly as bonded as I had been accustomed to. I didn’t quite want to take it, but I knew restructuring would eventually force me to leave my former job. I also found a way to make the salary work, but somehow it still didn’t feel like the right move to make. Ultimately, it was not meant to be as I spent the later half of this year unemployed. I was cautioned that the last one hired is the first one fired, but that thinking wouldn’t permit for me to accept employment elsewhere. This time of unemployment has set the stage for the rest of my 2010, and it’s been quite unpleasant. I’d prefer never to relive this sort of discomfort again.

I would like 2011 to be summarized by success. I’m preparing to start my own business as a freelance writer, editor, English consultant, and English tutor. I see a real need for enhanced writing skills amid the nonsense of texting and “lolspeak.” Don’t get me wrong — I love a good macro just as much as the next person, but I can’t stand seeing it pervade everyday writing. I’d also love to finally make my words count for something more than pennies. I would love to wrap up my 2011 knowing my single member limited liability corporation can pay the bills and make life comfortable. I want to know I’m capable of employing myself — no bosses, no office politics, no nonsense.

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Mindful Monday: Gearing up for Reverb 10

Last December, I participated in Gwen Bell’s Best 09 blog challenge. It was a great way to get some creative ideas following and reflect on the year gone by. This year she’s done it again, along with two other amazing women — and I plan to participate again. I will be reflecting on the year 2010 and manifesting what’s next for 2011 via her Reverb 10 project. The year 2010 has brought me some very interesting life changes, and I’m looking towards 2011 for something fresh and new. June 11th, 2011 will mark the 10th anniversary of my high school graduation. Whether or not I’m able to attend the reunion remains to be seen, but the occasion will still be momentous in my life. Has it really been that long already? And yet, it also seems like decade ago in that regard. Life has changed so very, very much since high school. I’m looking towards 2011 for the formal beginning of my career as an entrepreneur, a freelancer, an independent contractor, a free agent. I’m looking towards 2011 to be my escape from the rat race, being someone’s assistant, having someone to tell me when, where, and how to work. It would seem all signs are pointing to the perfect opportunity to do so.

As the Thanksgiving holiday fast approaches, I will be counting my blessings in life. Sure, things aren’t exactly perfect and shiny at the moment, but life could be so much worse. For example, did you know that most people settle for a partner they’re not entirely in love with just avoid being alone? Yet here I am, nearly 10 years involved with my soul mate, feeling blessed to have him enriching my life on a daily basis. As I’ve told my wise friend who drives one of the buses we take regularly, I really do scratch my head about that one everyday. I might not have all the greatest things, but I’ve got something that even the wealthiest never find. See? Always something to be thankful for in life.

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Mindful Monday: Goals vs. Resolutions

Clearly, goals made in conjunction with New Year’s Day really do have that curse around them, don’t they? Nicki’s post today gave me that last little push to review my goals for 2010, knowing full well I haven’t made much progress. I’m mindfully taking stock of each day that passes by without too much regard to my personal goals. Rather than parade back out my less than likely to be met goals, I’m going to assure you that I’ve not made too terribly much progress on anything — none. In fact, the second half of the year has been filled with brand new challenges that present themselves as more urgent and important than everything else. Granted, my goals are all Quadrant 2 — which is the best Quadrant to be in — yet I find myself in Quadrant 1 on a regular basis. We’ll save the cynicism for my private journaling.

So in lieu of a December 31st deadline, I have extended my goals until next December 31st. The year 2010 came packed with challenges, and I think I deserve to cut myself some slack. After all, negative self-talk further pushes one down the spiral of despair, and that is not the purpose of being mindful. And while I’m pointing out the unmet goals, I do have to commend myself for staying mostly mindful of my thoughts, actions, and words. I’ve slipped up here and there, but overall I’ve done a great job keeping my mind in the present.

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Assessing My Progress

We’re already halfway through 2010 — have we decided it’s two thousand ten or twenty ten yet? — and it’s high time I assess my progress on this year’s goals. Obviously, I’ve been granted the time to recenter and refocus, so I’m most certainly going to take full advantage of that fact.

Health
Healthy eating habits: I’m going to be brutally honest with all of you — I really don’t think I’ve done a single thing to work towards a more balanced diet. While I’d been snacking on apples, a simple 60 calorie piece of fruit isn’t exactly a good way to prevent those sugar cravings. At the very least, my easy access to those Panera chocolate duet with walnut cookies is long gone.
Exercise: Again, I have a confession to make. I have not had an ounce of discipline with regards to exercising. Sure, I walk a lot, but that doesn’t count for everything. How can I sit here whining about my weight loss plateau when clearly I’ve not done a thing to keep the weight melting off?
Lose 29lbs and 33 inches: I’ve lost 11lbs and 9 inches since the start of the year. That leaves me with 18lbs and 24 inches more to lose before the year’s over. That’s a pretty tall order to fill.

Home
Get back on the Flylady band wagon: I think you’re going to see a pattern here. No surprise, I haven’t done so well on this goal. I’d get home at the end of the day feeling wiped out and ready to veg. So many things added up, and I really just didn’t know how to process that sensory overload. Too many things were happening at once, and it obviously culminated in Thursday morning’s unpleasant scenario. Well, at least I have more time to devote to routine creation, right?
Potty train Tati: We’re still welcoming the Disney Princesses into our home. What? It can get pretty hectic around here.

Self-Betterment
Write Daily: For the first quarter of the year, I did fairly well — right up until I became overwhelmed with everything going on in my life. No, we’re not going to detail everything, but clearly my mind was far too disjointed to formulate coherent thoughts. I’m getting back on track, though.
Make Friends/ Strengthen Current Friendships: I could still to improve upon this, but I’m pleased to say I’ve gotten better with talking to people. Okay, only when I’ve slept for a fairly decent amount of time. I still have  my moments where I feel like I open my mouth and stupid comes out. 😉 And hey, this whole losing my job thing has opened my eyes to the social network I’ve created for myself. I have connections, and this time I’m not afraid to ask for help.
Religion/ Spirituality: Well, I’ve certainly seen some signs and either chosen to heed or ignore them. Sometimes, I just don’t learn to trust the instincts I’ve been blessed with. Yes, Sir, I hear you loud and clear — minutes are worth more than money! Thanks for the lesson and the test. I’ll do better next time.

Overall, I’ve got a lot of work to do if I’d like to achieve my goals. This little unplanned vacation will be spent as wisely as possible.

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