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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Love your inspiration board and goals! My husband and I are going to make 2011 the year we buy our first home! Calling it out to the universe…
I love the idea of writing down something you learn each day! I think that is a great way to stay positive and focused.
My goal is to run a sub 22 min 5k. Really I would like to be under 20 min, but 22 is more realistic.
I love the inspiration boards!!! I am with you on being an anti-resolution chick. We are in the business of helping people make changes, and this is usually the most popular time for it. When I want something, I change it, and I follow a healthy life throughout the year, not just in January.
On another note..I am totally with you on losing muscle definition since going veg again. I still eat fish, but it’s not often..and I am not keen on eating tons of soy to get my protein either. This is something I definitely am going to talk about more and see what needs to be done about it. It’s a little misleading though, because I am 6 months pregnant, so I am not sure if the arms slowly turning to mush has been the lack of protein, or the hormones….I guess I won’t know until the baby girl is here and I start my transformation process 🙂
Thanks for always being an inspiration to the readers!
i lurv this idea!! yeah! so good to always stay inspired..<3
Gina, thanks for doing this and posting everyone else’s boards. IT inspires me to get mine completed and really focus on 2011 to be a fabulous year. Writing down resolutions can be helpful, but I’m much more of a visual person so an inspiration board really hits home with me.
I can’t wait to hear more about the franchise you and the pilot purchased. You are going to be great at it! 🙂 Happy 2011!
on june 18th, i will compete in my first half ironman triathlon….crazy, i wake up in the middle of the night thinking about it sometimes…
I want to find my passion! I love teaching Zumba and fitness in general, but not for sure how to make a career out of it. First step is getting my ACE group fitness instructor certificate. That manual is a beast and it scares me, so I’ve been dragging my feet!
I set the goal to run a marathon in 2011! Ah! So excited!
Gina! Love the board and the readers boards!
I SO agree on the universe guiding, I LOVED the book The Secret and all that it had to say!
Yay for a wonderful 2011! I am so excited for you and big things happening for you! : )
I love your inspiration board! My two BHAGs for 2011 are (1) to start a website and (2) to successfully brand a new series of workouts. I have the name and domain for the website, but I am keeping the details classified until they are all ironed out 🙂 Have a great day!
Aw all the inspiration boards came out great! And Im so glad you ended up creating this blog because its one of my faves 🙂
thank you! <3
I like the ones with hand-written in goals! great!
I am a big believer that everything happens for a reason. Right now, however, I’m waiting for the reason that whatever is happening is happening now! I’m trying to be patient 🙂
I know you’ll have a great 2011. Thanks for being an inspiration, Gina!
I have two really big goals this year. One fitness related and the other personal/financial.
I’ll be training for my first figure competition which is something totally new and outratgeous for me. Totally excited. And the personal is paying of my last bit of debt (studant loan) and be debt free by 2012. Which I’m also excited about because that means possible wedding bells next year for me and the other half! yippee!
amazing!!! i’ve always been so impressed with the figure girls- i’m sure you’ll rock it!
Yay! I’ve been waiting to see this one – looks amazing, and I’m sure you’ll accomplish everything!
My goal is to be calmer about my surroundings. I get very anxious, worked up and constantly thinking about the future. I have been telling myself “It’s okay!” in my head when something doesn’t go right (like my luggage being in a different city than me right now), and calming myself down that way.
I posted my board today (http://wp.me/pSUCS-1rq) and I think my biggest BHAG is definitely saving for a new car. I am not very skilled in the saving department, and this one is going to mean paying attention to other areas of my life, like altering my eating habits a bit so that I can stick to my grocery budget. It’s definitely an intimidating goal for me now, but I have some back-up plans and small goals set so I do intend to reach it!! LOVE your board Gina, and I can’t wait to see what happens to you over 2011 – I’m so excited to hear about your fitness franchise/company/studio because it’s a dream of mine too. Have a fab afternoon! 🙂
What an awesome vision board and what an awesome outlook on life! The universe has beautiful things in store for you, with faith and the right mind set, you will discover them! 🙂
Loved seeing all the boards- they are such a great idea! I can’t wait to hear the news about the fitness franchise!
I love the inspiration board. Its such a great visual. I look forward to following you in 2011! Fearless and all!
😉
LC
Love the inspiration foods, so fun to check out everyone’s! My BHAG is running multiple half-marathons and a pretty steep mileage goal for the year.
Love the inspiration boards! 🙂 My BHAG is to successfully complete yoga teacher training (starts this month – EEK!) and begin teaching at a studio. I’m so freaked out because I honestly don’t know if I can do it. I mean, I know we can all do anything we put our minds to, but this goal is going to take an enormous amount of time, sweat and work – and I’m a little intimidated!
Your inspiration board and goals are the best and most exciting I’ve seen yet. I cannot wait to follow along with you in this year. You are amazing and I have no doubt great things are coming your way. 🙂
I love this idea! I may be stealing it and having a craft day next week! 🙂 I love your board! 🙂
I love your board!! I used a corkboard instead…but I like the fancy glitter paper better!
I have been in a miserable job for 18 months and today, I quit! Happy New Year to me!
What a great board! I should really write down my goals and look at them on a daily basis. It’s all too easy to not stay focused when you don’t have your goals staring you in the face everyday!
My scary goal this year is to become a vegan. (Already a vegetarian.)
It’s scary because it’s a huge life change and will require a lot of changes for me. I’ll also have to actually start cooking!
My BHAG is to run the Sydney Australia ‘City to Surf’ – 14KMS of hilly torture!
In 2011 I will begin teaching classes that make me happy, like Zumba and Jazzercize. And I will be good at it. 🙂 I would also like to think I will meet someone (especially since my mom saw a psychic – which she thought was just for fun – who actually told her that I would have the relationship thing figured out by 29 – I can live with that 🙂
I’m so excited to see what you and the pilot are up to. 🙂 As for my goals: I’m running a marathon next week, I’m also going to challenge myself to fall in love with exercise again, and to find a new job (which is a must, not an option).
Gina your post is awesome! These are the kind of posts that grow readership by 50% and give you the best month ever…congrats 🙂
I love your honesty…on everything from more protein to the worthless/lowpaying job story and that you never wanted that to happen to you to growing the biz you two just bought. I know you will be FABULOUS at it! It’s totally right up your alley and you WILL make a difference in your community…and I can’t wait to see how it unfolds in 2011 for you!
Nothing like putting down roots in AZ, buying a biz, and getting back to your eating roots…all in one post…love it!
For me, I want to, no, I will, save a 5-figure sum of money this year. After paying off all debt. That’s a big goal, but somebody’s gotta do it 🙂 And I want to grow my blog, too!
i’m cheering for you, friend <3
thank you for your amazing comments- i look forward to them every day 🙂
love you!
That is such an amazing idea! I really need to put down my goals.
My hubby also has a job where we may have to move alot, and I am looking for something fulfilling to do from home as well. Thanks for inspiring me 🙂
As a new military wife (married 10-10-10) to a Captain, and a long time reader (was SO single when I started!), this blog hit home with me. I left two careers to make the first move a few months ago, and now I am facing a 6 month stint of his schooling in Vir. + a unknown duty station in less than a month. Thank you for making me think… I am from Seattle, and it is becoming more and more real that I will be no where near there for the duration of his career… Advice?! I am finding it so hard to find a direction/ set goals/ feel rooted/ etc… in the last few months= healthy eating/ weight fluctuated causing uneasiness in the day to day, wedding, moved to an island, tense mother visited for our 1st Christmas, 2 grandparent deaths (one yesterday), living with husband for first time& being in the same city for the first time ever, learning to cook again/be a wife, hangups/unhealthiness coming to light because of marriage/ things needing explanations/ husband talks
girl, i totally hear ya. on everything.
so sorry to hear about the craziness (and losses) this year. my best advice is to follow your heart. dig deep inside and try to figure out what you’re best at, what you love, and how you’re going go prosper from this. i highly recommend the book “good to great” and the brian tracy cd’s- they changed my life and motivate me all the time.
just be confident that you’ll figure out what you’re supposed to do.
hang in there <3
I made a board too! Theyre awsome:) I love your sparkly background…as for lacking muscle definition I totally hear you as well. I had been a vegeterian for almost 2 years and suddenly began craving chicken again, I decided to honor my craving so we will see if it helps me get back to my old shape!
My BHAG is to FINALLY pass my personal trainers cert test! I’m a horrific test taker and can’t seem to pass the stupid thing. However, since I lost my weight fitness is in the blood and I want to help others who have struggled all their lives like I did. If you don’t mind me asking who are you certified through?
Also I think doubling my readership is a good idea too. However if I doubled my readers I’d have a whopping total of…8! LOL! Little by little!
hey, every step counts 🙂
my group fitness cert is through afaa and my personal training cert is afta
oooooooooooh i think i know what the biz is 🙂 wont say it here because i know you want to keep it under wraps, but i did a little sleuthing and i think i’m right. many good wishes to you in 2011 🙂 you are fabulous
I want to get married this year!!!
I can’t tell you how meaningful it is to hear about other strong women who also happen to be military wives, pursuing their dreams and goals right along side their husbands.
I just spent the last year in middle of nowhere Texas, unemployed and thousands of miles away from the academic community that has supported me through getting my Masters (which just so happens to be in Orlando). I could have stayed in Orlando while my hubby trained in TX, but I made the decision to be with him since it was the first year of our marriage. Although that year in TX was extremely difficult for me (being away from friends & fam in a tiny tiny town), it also motivated me to get out and start running – which has changed my life! Out of a not so ideal situation came something great & now we are stationed in beautiful Hawaii. I’m still trying to work out my career and education goals in a way to make them work with the military lifestyle, but I am so thankful for where 2010 has brought me. Anyhow, thanks for being an inspiration & I can’t wait to hear about your new business!
I’m in Hawaii too right now- small world! 🙂 Hope you are finding fun things! Let me know if your have questions- natalie.warner@hotmail.com
Wow, your board looks amazing! I need to get some arts and crafts happening too.
My big goal for 2011 is to make my little baby blog (just started yesterday!) into something that I can be proud of every day. There’s much fewer UK blogs – hopefully the trend will pick up here too! Maybe you could take a look if you have a second and let me know what you think 🙂
Gx
My biggest goal this year is to prepare for motherhood–physically, financially and emotionally! Eeek! As a major type A personality like you, I have to make sure everything is in order and the timing is juuuust right before I set out on getting pregnant. (I know, I know, “you’re never really prepared…”) But we’ve decided this is the year we’re going for it.
i love seeing everyones boards, you have a very nicely planned one out as well. best of luck this year with everything you do <3
Ahhh I can’t believe my inspiration board is on your blog! So excited and I <3 all of them so much!! I too have my inspiration board in my closet. My BHAG for 2011 is to get my blog going consistently and to set a plan for opening my own business in the near future!
Just wondering, how did you know your macronutrient balance was off? Did you have a test done? I am wanting to have some tests done b/c I have days where I feel really tired, moody, etc. Thanks so much for your blog! It is the very 1st blog I started reading and is still my FAVORITE! If you look at my blog you will see I am always referencing you or using your recipes. Thank You so much for your inspiration and advice 🙂
BTW this is quasichick
love the post!! my BHAG for this year is running a half-marathon (hence the great big ‘1/2’ on my board). can’t wait to see the rest that you’ll post this week. thanks for this!
I love your board – very inspiring. And I can’t wait to hear all about your big plans for the year. My BHAG is that I want to run a 5k. It’s going to be hard because I’ve had knee and ankle problems in the past but I really want to do it.
so interesting that you mentioned the macronutrient balance as i’ve had the same problem recently. i was vegetarian for a while, then started feeling bad, went to the doc, and found out i am low in certain things. good luck to you with this. i’ll be interested to get some ideas from you!
I am going to run a half-marathon (and other races!)
I am going to move out of my parents house for the second time….*sighs*
LOVE those inspiration boards. I was planning on sending mine but I’m not finished with it yet, but oh well. I’m hoping on getting it done soon! Oh my gosh, I think I know what you and the Pilot bought, though!!! I read that sentence, paused for a couple seconds, literally GASPED, and then screamed “DANCE TRANCE!!!!!!!!!” 🙂
I love this idea!! Very crafty and inspiring. I’m definitely going to make one. 🙂
I have been on creative lifestyle journey for the last year and totally will be begin to create my inspiration board tonight. Of course after I run. I found your blog through a foodie stays fit and am inspired by them. I made a list of 11 goals in 11, basically to have a balanced life mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Thanks for the inspiration.
Awww I love all the sparkles on it!! Thanks for posting mine- my mom was admiring it this morning. I can’t wait to hang it!
Mine is run a marathon. I. Hate. Running. HATE. But I think it’s because when I was young I was extremely uncoordinated and really unathletic, I hated gym class, and the worst day of the year for me was always the “mile run,” which I would walk the whole way and always be the last with everyone else jeering at me from the finish. I’m now a Pilates instructor and have been taking the time to challenge myself physically, trying new things that I have no idea if I will be good at, or even things I *know* I’m bad at. I want to run with my uncle and stepdad in the New York City Marathon – no idea if I can, but I started running last week and I will keep going. Even if that marathon doesn’t really happen this year, teaching myself discipline will be so good for me.