Board to Inspire
Hi friends 🙂 How are ya? Hope you’re having a great morning so far <3
As y’all know, I’m kind of an anti-resolution girl. If I want to change something, I change it. There’s so reason to wait, or have the added pressure of an ambiguous date (ie New Years).
I am however, an inspiration board kinda girl 🙂
Every year around New Years, I like to put together a little sumthin’ sumthin’ to post in a place where I’ll see it everyday (usually in the closet). It provides general mindset and motivational ideas, reminds of my big picture goals and keeps me on track throughout the year.
It’s also a fun little arts and crafts project 😉
I’m a huge believer that if you call it out the universe, it will happen. When I was in college and met the Pilot, I was in the interview process for a job I really wanted, and had also landed a job with a Fortune 5 company. I was ready to climb the corporate ladder and my world was flipped upside down. I married the love of my life and from then on, I’d be at the whims of the military. As a total Type A and control freak, I had a hard time dealing with the fact that I’d have no control over where we’d be living or how long we would be there.
Something lit a fire under my booty while we were at dinner with my parents and one of their friends. During dinner conversation, we were talking about the friend’s job, who worked as a military pilot. The pilot said “I get to fly around and have a great time while my wife has to work worthless low-paying jobs wherever we go.” I was enraged. His his wife followed him around, took care of their family and there he was, mocking the fact that she was unable to find a meaningful job wherever they were sent. I knew from that moment on that I would refuse to settle for mediocrity and push myself to do what I truly wanted to do, no matter what obstacles the military lifestyle threw at us. I called it out to the universe to help me find my path, even though I had no idea what it would be.
It took a lot of soul-searching, working painful jobs that I knew weren’t for me, tears and research to discover what I wanted to do with my life, and it’s still a huge work in progress. If we wouldn’t have moved to Valdosta, I wouldn’t have started the blog, which ended up being the most rewarding hobby and best job I’ve ever had. Everything happens for a reason.
While I only have a small glimpse into what this year will bring, I have a good feeling it’s going to be amazing 🙂
Here’s what this year’s inspiration board looks like: (2010’s can be found *here* and *here*)
In 2011, I will…
-Live a richer life, by getting the most that I can out of each day. At the end of each day, I’ll write down something I learned or took away from it, no matter the magnitude. Every day can teach us something.
–Be calm, mindful, patient, understanding and PRESENT. This is a huge one for me because I’m such a busy body and am always thinking about what’s next.
–Follow my heart and be true to myself
–Be fearless
–Practice yoga and dance as often as I can
–Get back to my eating roots. My eating has changed dramatically since I started the blog. The most awesome thing about this is that I’m eating way less processed foods than I used to back in the day, but the kicker is that my macronutrient balance is off. I’ve lost a lot of muscle definition since I stopped eating chicken, and am going to try to make protein more of a focus in my life by still rolling with whole, unprocessed foods. You can get enough protein by eating plant-based foods, but it doesn’t seem like I’m doing it correctly.
–Travel to exciting places with my love. Literally and metaphorically 😉
–Continue to pour my heart and soul into the blog and increase readership by 50%. Last month was the best month ever for my little blog (she was very excited about it!) so expect a “Thank you” macaroon giveaway this week <3
–Make my first year as [insert fitness franchise here] owner fun, profitable and a positive impact on the community. I mentioned in my New Year’s post that the Pilot and I bought a business last week. I am over the moon excited about it and am waiting until he gets home to spill the beans. I will say that it is something that I’m insanely passionate about 😀
I’m off to spin, but before I go, here are some pics of the beautiful inspiration boards that you sent me:
Since I received so many, and they’re all amazing, I’ll be posting some each morning for the rest of the week <3
Thank you to all of YOU for inspiring me on a daily basis 🙂
Something to talk about: What’s your Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG) for 2011? The kind of goal that scares you, it’s so important and exciting. Run a marathon, open a business, adopt a pet, travel to another country? I love hearing what you’re up to 🙂
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I am so NOT an arts and crafts person but am really tempted to do an inspiration board. I’ve been thinking about it since you were mentioned it last week, but now that I see them, I really want to make one! That may be today’s plan. 🙂
just reading this post makes me SO EXCITED for the new year and for LIFE, in general!
thanks, gina, for sharing your goals and your inspiration board. you’re going to have a great year!
i am with you on not waiting to make changes – just go for it when you get the vibe. and i, too, am keeping track this year of doing at least one nice thing each day for someone else – did this in 2009 and it is really fulfilling!
have a great monday!
i LOVE your inspiration board! my BHAD for the year is to also grow my blog. i’ve honestly never thought of my blog in terms of increasing readership (it’s always been a hobby… and will continue to be), but i would love for it to grow into something inspiring, positive and resourceful… like YOURS. 🙂
What a great board. I totally believe in “if you call it out the universe, it will happen” as well. I tend to use Twitter for this purpose. Thanks again for the inspiration. I gotta get a jump start on mine when I get back from the Disney half this weekend!
do a third triathlon! its been 2 years so time to get on it 😉
I am with you, Gina. I think we have the power to make changes at any time of year, not just on New Years. I am, however, inspired by this inspiration board and will be making my own this week 🙂 I love the fact that it is so visual (an arts and crafts are always fun too)
I love your board! I am so inspired by it and think I’m going to make one of my own! I also have stopped eating chicken and most meats (still eat fish) and am definitely noticing a change in my body. I need to find a way to get more plant-based protein or find a way to reincorporate different protein sources.
ahhh…i may just have to link mine!! i even took a photo of it with my Iphone and use it as my backdrop now.. it’s with me where ever I go!
Great post Gina, I’m going to be working on my board over the next few days. Lost my mojo the past few months and going to use it as a tool to get it back. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Love the inspiration boards! My 2011 goal is a doozy: run a marathon! I’ve never done one and I want 2011 to be my year.
I think I might have to make my own inspiration board today. I have a lot of goals for the upcoming year, and seeing them every day would really help me stay focused and positive about the journey. Thanks for sharing yours and for the others that have shared there boards, too.
I too put things out into the universe. I also rely heavily on the guidance of the archangels. They steered me to massage therapy school which is actively changing my life for the better, and they steered me to write my blog, which I have gained more fulfillment from in 2 short months than anything I’ve done in a long time!
My big goal is applying for grad school! I’m taking the GRE in two weeks (eek) and have been putting it off for almost three years now. Thank you for your story about finding your love and a career path that you love! My bf and I have been talking about getting married, but moving around the country without a job really scares me. He’s career Army so I’ll have to get over my fear of change and uncertainty. Love seeing everyone’s inspiration boards!
For some reason this post almost made me cry, Gina! It’s great, and I’m going to make my own inspiration board this week. Thanks so much for your blog…I can’t wait to read it every day of this year! 🙂
<3
Loving all the Inspiration boards…I’ll be working on mine this week!!
What a lovely post…
My BHAG has to do with work and I’m not quite ready to share it but for me it would be a huge change and a big switch to improving my quality of life. I’m scared!
I love your inspiration board! I especially love the sparkly backing paper. That is one of my goals is to get back into my scrapbooking. I’ve been putting it off. I’m in need of doing our wedding and our honeymoon and that is going to be a lot to catch up on. But, I need to get back into my other creative outlet though. That’s why I had so much fun creating my inspiration board is because it feels so much like scrapbooking to me!
This is exactly why I started eating chicken again. I will never forget the day I walked into out Supplement store “house of fitness” to get my hubby and the firefighters thier goods, and one of the regualr guys that worked there commented on the fact I was looking “skinny” and he didnt mean it in a good way. I explained to him I changed my eating habits and was no longer eating chicken or drinking whey protien and then he sat me down and had a talk with me LOL All i did was add chicken to my daily meals and the occasional whey protien drink after my weight lifting workouts and I have packed on at least 8 lbs of great solid muscle. I feel amazing too <3 good luck with everything this new year!
i edited my original comment because my brain to keyboard filter wasn’t on and i don’t want anyone to be offended
when i saw my back yesterday i was surprised at all of the muscle definition i’ve lot. i’m excited to get it back
hahaha me too! The guy told me its called skinny fat hahaha! things started drooping that have never drooped before so I need to change something LOL
I recently started eating fish and dairy/eggs again and noticed that my body definitely changed. When I was vegan I was SO bony that I could see every rib, but now I’m definitely a little ‘fuller’. It has been kind of difficult to get used to.
The fact that you guys are joking about this is REALLY disturbing on many, many levels.
I’m not joking…
i’m sorry you’re upset about it- wanting more muscle definition is a good thing.
as a blogger, it’s impossible to talk about your body (good or bad) without a handful of readers getting upset or taking it the wrong way, which is why i almost never mention stuff like that on the blog
I haven’t yet made mine but these are really inspiring to see!!! Can’t wait to hear about your new business adventure!!!
I love the idea of the inspiration board. That’s on my agenda this week. My BHAG is to move to Cali after next school year (i’m a teacher)…it scares me to leave my current job and family, but it’s been my dream since college and I just want to go for it!
I’m really interested to hear how you address your macronutrient imbalance. That sort of thing fascinates me! I do eat, meat, but in pretty limited amounts (and generally chicken, turkey or fish) and tend to only have meat at dinner if I eat it at all on any given day. I do make a point to have either eggs or beans during every meatless meal (and eat Greek yogurt in the morning) to try to get enough protein. I do this mainly for appetite reasons though- I’m starving in no time if I don’t have enough fiber and protein at any given meal!
I too want to make one but I have no magazines and no money to buy any. Any ideas? I LOVE yours! 🙂
all you need is paper and markers! sketch out some cute little pictures and write out what you want to accomplish 🙂 maybe hit up the dollar store for some fun paper or stickers?
I love your board! Thanks so much for inspiring (pun intended ;)) me to make one! It was so much fun and I think it will be a great source of motivation throughout the year!
I posted my goals and board this morning, but my BHAG is to run a half-marathon. Ah! Scary, yet exciting!
Hi Gina,
I love the inspiration boards—I am SO with you on not being into resolutions. They just feel like a set-up for failure and changing things in the wrong way for the wrong reasons!
Changing the mindset, including the universe, and going out and taking charge is so much more effective…and getting inspired sure helps 🙂
~Lisa
I love that it’s called an Inspiration board, and not a Goal board. Goals seem to add timelines and pressure =] Great job!
I LOVE the way your inspiration board came out!!!! There’s just something about being centered and focus on what you want! 🙂
And btw I’m SUPER excited to hear about your new business endeavor! I say it has something to do with Zumba or Dance Trance. Either way it will be awesome!!!!
Love seeing all the inspiration boards! My big goal for this year is to find a job that I love!
I think I’m going to make one of these – they all look beautiful and very inspirational, indeed!
My big goal of 2011 is to graduate college and start culinary school. I’m so excited!
Does this mean you’re going to start eating meat again?
great inspiration board as well as the others!!! my BHAG this year is to run a race! I’ve never done it and totally scared of it! thinking of a 10k early this year then half later on. but for this month, i’m doing a 30 day yoga challenge at my yoga studio! keep rockin gina!
I too am an “anti-resolution” person. People usually promise to do something everyday and end up hating whatever it is. However, I do resolve to step back from any situation that stress me out, take a few deep breaths and ask myself it this is worth getting upset over. I realize I waste too much of my life being upset when I’d rather be happy.
Like you, my man is a big part of my excitment for 2011 : ) I’ve been in a long distance relationship for about a year and a half, and this summer, he is planning on moving to Minneapolis, MN where he grew up and where I live! I can’t wait to enjoy living in the same city, enjoying simple things, summertime, running together, etc…
I’m sure you will be simply ecstatic when the Pilot gets back. I’m sure you hear and think this all the time, but the upside to being away from your hubby ensures that you never take a minute with him for granted. It seems obvious from the way you talk about each other that you both share something very special.
I’m so glad to have found your blog this year. I’ve been reading for a couple of months now and find myself, when I have some extra time, to go back and read back a bit. I love your inspiration board. I want to see if my girls (11 and 14) want to make one with me, I’d love to see what they put on theirs.
Yay! Thank you for including mine…it looks like we read a lot of the same magazines and have some of the same goals 🙂 This was a very inspiring project. Good luck with your business. I can’t wait to hear more about it!
I have two:
1. Run 500 miles this year.
2. Laugh more, worry less.
Goal #2 will probably be harder than #1, even though I only ran 250 miles in 2010!
Loving that you always take charge and refuse to settle! Our big time scary goal this year is to sell our house and move……here’s the kicker though, my husband and I grew up in the same small town where both sides of our family still reside. Even our grandparents went to school together, so moving somewhere (even if it’s just an hour away) feels really weird and I don’t know how I feel about meeting all new people. We are excited about it though because we want the chance to travel and live in a better climate if at all possible and it would be nice to have more things for our kids to do!
Thanks for featuring my inspiration board!
My BHAG this year is to run a marathon! It is going to require discipline and training, but I think I can do it!
My BHAG is get a jov *gulp.* I’ve never had a job, it’s a bit scary to put myself out there with the possibility of being rejected.
I am making an inspiration board! I love LOVE LOOOVEEE IT! I just started my blog in hopes to turn my health an fitness around! I am enjoying it so far! My goal for 2011 is to lose 20 – 25 lbs! I want to be able to keep up with kids, be sexy for my husband, and be healthy! I just found and started reading your blog and I think it’s great!
I started cutting magazines last night for my inspiration board. Now I’m INSPIRED to finish it! =]
I love your board! I’m so excited for you – I can’t wait to hear about your new adventure. I made a list of goals for 2011 (not resolutions) and plan to make smaller goals to reach them each month and week – check for these on my blog!
The Inspiration boards are BEAUTIFUL gina! love it 🙂 I wanted to share this post with you. Along with making an inspiration board, I believe making a DECREE for your year and your goals is an amazing way to honor your commitments. Many of my clients and friends have gotten a lot out of it – check it out!
http://thecarolineinthecity.wordpress.com/2011/01/01/fearless-fitness-weekly-update-112011-ready-set-goal-set-three-exercises-that-will-help-you-get-your-mind-right-for-your-best-year-yet/
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Love the inspiration board–what a great way to start the new year! I’m very excited to hear about the new business enterprise. My big goal for 2011 is to plan our wedding–which isn’t as big as some of the other goals (marathons, etc) but it’s, as you know, quite an undertaking.
I love your inspiration boards!! 🙂
This year is going to be one wild and crazy ride for my boyfriend and me. Going back to school (me, for fun), working full-time, trying hard to incorporate yoga into my daily hectic schedule (because lets face it, I’m going to need it), cleaning up our condo for the owners to potentially sell it this spring, find a new place to live within our budget, move, create a new budget, and try to have fun in the process. 🙂 It seems overwhelming right now, but we are trying to take it one day at a time and are looking forward to creating a new home together.
So, my goal for 2011, is to not let things bother me that are out of my control. To incorporate yoga/meditation into my daily routine, making them both a habit. To be flexible with this crazy schedule. And to have fun! <3
I don’t have a board but I do put post it notes up in the closet (for life goals) and fitness goals are posted by the treadmill.
For 2011 I am going to become a certified personal trainer, I have been wanting to do this for about 2 years and have been afraid of so many (silly) things….money, age (34), etc….BUT – On Jan 2nd I registered for the course! 🙂 Now I just have to study by bum off and pass….and then hopefully find a job!
Great Board!
Hey Gena,
Long time reader here! I don’t comment too often, but felt the need to. I was vegetarian for 5 years and vegan for 4 of those years. I did all the research, I had all the science knowledge (I’m pre-med), but as the years passed and I got sicker and sciker and my stamina decreased dramatically, I knew I had to make a change. I started eating eggs, and noticed a huge difference. When I was ready (about 10 months later) I introduced fish, and again, noticed a dramatic difference. I thought I could do it on just fish and eggs, but I was still not feeling as energized as I could and felt I needed to eat fish all the time. I clearly cannot eat fish everyday due to the concern of mercury, dioxins etc. After a lot of contemplation and soul searching I decided that I can’t love animals more than I love myself. Some people can thrive on a vegetarian diet (like my sister) and get enough protein for their body, but some of us need more, and need our protein to be complete. Approximately 5 months after adding fish to my diet I introduced chicken and there was a tremendous difference in how I felt. More protein= more energy + more muscle (specifically a ‘lean’ quality to my body) for me. I understand you write a blog and likely are concerned about what people will think of you, as you are known as a vegetarian. All I can say is that what really helped me is what I now consider my “motto” that I wrote above- I can’t love animals more than I love myself. I have no doubt that you will make the right choice for your body- whether that be adding chicken or making some other change. Good luck with your goals!:)
My big goal for this year is to run a sub 2 hour half marathon. I’ve run 2 half marathons so far, and my fastest was in the 2hr30min range. I hope that with plenty of training and eating well, I can accomplish this. 🙂
Congrats on buying a business, whatever it may be. How exciting!
I LOVE the inspiration boards and i can not wait to hear about what this business is, especially if it is fitness related!! I know any business you have a hand in will be super successful!
My 2 BHAG for 2011 are to grow my blog readership and increase reader interatcion (through comments), and to 4un 4, 1/2 marathons! 🙂
I love love love that “Be Fearless” quote from SELF this month, I cut it out to put on my (unfinished) inspiration board as well… it’s so fitting no matter where you’re at in life.
I adore all the inspiration boards, I can’t wait to go finish mine today too!
Nice Vision Boards!! I have one right above my computer and I try to look at it everyday. It totally helps. One of my goals this year is to run another Olympic distance triathlon! I start training tomorrow! It is going to be an amazing year!
My BHAG- haha, love the acronym- is pretty scary: to be out of restaurants by New Years Eve 2011. While I’m beyond grateful to have a job in such tough economic times, I’d really like to be able to be off my feet and the clock at dinner time, while everyone else in their right mind is with their loved ones around a table. It’s a big one since it’ll require finding a whole other source of steady income but I plan to put my nose to the grind stone. Can’t wait to hear about the big business plans 🙂
I love this Gina, totally *inspiring!!*
I will be sending mine your way when I put the finishing touches on it tonight!
So excited for you – and for me – for what this year will bring. Change is exciting, no? Also, TOTALLY AGREE on the universe guiding and things happening for a reason… sometimes it is hard to see, but usually, things just have a way of working out!