Happy Fall! Turn over a new leaf
Hi friends! Happy humpday and happy first day of fall! Even though it’s still 400 degrees here (with lots of humidity), I still feel like I’m in the Autumn spirit. I’m enthusiastically looking forward to plaid shirts, boots, hot cocoa nights, the return of college basketball (YESSSS) and pumpkin-ifying everything. Oh wait, I did that already. (And “pumpkin” is definitely a verb.)
(Canada! Take me baaaack.)
With the new season, it’s also the perfect time to initiate change and assess your plan for the rest of the year. Each year I make an inspiration board, and take another look over the fall season to determine which goals are no longer important to me, which ones need a final push, and aspirations I’d like to add/change.
Here are the major goals from my inspiration board and how I’m doing for 2015:
Personal:
Work on my patience. I think that I’ve made some big changes here, but there’s always room for improvement. As someone who feels like they always need to be doing something, I’ve slowed down a LOT, and have really focused on segmenting work and play instead of letting everything blend together. I’ve been really enjoying this special time with Liv before she becomes a big sister. Sometimes scrambling to make a deadline late into the night, and it’s 100% worth it. I’ve tried to be easy on myself, and give myself some grace on the days where I’m exhausted or just want to slow down and enjoy instead of constantly “doing.”
Work on compassion. Yoga teacher training has helped dramatically with this one. I’ve learned to observe situations as “a bystander from the park bench” and see them for what they are, instead of my perception of reality. If someone is being hurtful or negative, there’s no reason to make it personal or about yourself. It’s often because they’re hurting, or have a warped/impolite way of stating something that has a hint of truth. You take it for what it is, and move on. I’ve learned that you can’t constantly react to everything, or you’ll exhaust yourself. As far as helping others, this is also a constant goal, and I’m exploring ways to help instead of solely feeling the empathy and sadness for the events that occur around me. Even though time is limited, there are other ways to support organizations and individuals who help others.
Work on being the best mom, wife, sister, friend I can be. Another constant goal. All is can do is the best I can with what I have each day, and spend time reflecting on the ways I can improve. While I know that being a mama of two will have its challenges, I’m so excited for this next experience to unfold.
Explore going back to school. I haven’t done this at all, and I have to admit that I got excited when I saw a commercial for an online MBA program. It’s definitely something I want to do, but feel like I’ll make it happen when the timing is right.
Career:
Finish my Women’s Fitness Specialist certification. Instead of blitzing through the materials and taking the test, I’d rather take my time and let it all soak in. It’s definitely something I’ll finish before the end of the year.
Write my proposal for book concept #2. This one went totally to the back burner, and I’m not sure if I want to write a second book right now. “HIIT It!” was a labor of love, and I’m really proud of it. If I write a second book, I want it to be something that I’m equally passionate about.
Explore DVD #2. I haven’t done this one yet, but will definitely check it out in the spring after I’ve recovered from that whole birth shebang. I still think a full Barre Blast class would be awesome! (Also, if anyone know amazing videographers here in San Diego, please let me know.)
Improve my photography skills. Still working on this one! I finally upgraded the camera and am getting more comfortable with the settings.
Wrap up another huge project that’s in the works. Post Baby Bod! It’s on the way, and my incredible group of testers are moving through the workouts. I’m thinking of launching a beta version in late fall/early winter, and an updated version after I’ve followed the plan post-baby. Either way, it will be here soon. 🙂
Health:
Work on fitness goals. I’m just excited to sweat from my eyeballs again, and for my body to cry sweat tears of joy at my return to Orangetheory.
Meditate more often. YES, and it’s changed my life. I highly, highly recommend a daily practice and have personally witnessed a variety of benefits from it.
Reduce stress and anxiety. This goes with the above! Meditation and yoga have helped dramatically with stress and anxiety. Instead of being two steps ahead of myself, and “What if..”-ing like crazy, it’s much more attainable to focus on the present moment.
Prioritize sleep. Uhhh. Sometimes we’re good at this, and other times, not so much. Guess I should get in those zzz’s now while I can. 🙂
What leaf are you turning over this fall? What’s something you’re going to do or change?? Are there goals that were important to you, but not so much anymore?
Hope you have a great morning. <3
xoxo
Gina
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I have similar leaves turning over! hahah. I’m applying to doctorate programs now, studying up for the GRE (I hate math so much!!! so scared), and working on focusing on my training and fuel. I was starting to get a little slow and chub there for a while, and id rather not do that!
Also saving money, and paying off the little bit of debt I have left. It’s not a lot, but it’s enough that it effects my psyche hahah
I am not very big on New Year resolutions, but I do have life goals. Some of them are lifestyle (being more kind and doing little random acts of kindness as often as I can), some are financial (saving for an emergency fund), some are about health (learning to eat to energize my body and mind and feel good). And then there are my fitness goals. I have a long-term plan of keeping my running fitness up with an under two-hour half marathon goal. I nailed it this summer for the first time (last year I was a couple of minutes shy). My goal is to keep it up until I turn fifty. (I do also strength train, but it is mostly to support my running, which is the exercise I love.)
Now, nevertheless, I have had to replace my fitness goal with a patience goal. I had toe surgery last week and recovery will take weeks. I am not likely to be cleared for running until December. I am itching to work out, but have to let my body heal. And I have to learn accept help from my loved ones (I have always been the one helping others, and this role is not natural for me). And not be frustrated with my inability to do basic things myself.
I am grateful for being able to afford this surgery (see above the emergency funds goal), and because of it I am likely to be able to run again. (The surgery was to repair a ruptured tendon, which, if left untreated, would eventually have prevented all running, not just sub-two-hour halfs.)
best of luck with healing!!
that is an awesome fitness goal.
thinking about you as you recover <3 when you're forced to take time off from something you love -and in my case, something that makes me sane- it is HARD. sending you lots of good healing wishes, and i'm happy that you went for the surgery. even though right now sucks, you'll be so happy you did it when you have years of running ahead of you
xoxo
Such great goals. I’m really trying not to react to other people’s negativity and just let it be … It’s so hard and I also want to not come off as self-righteous about rising above. Thanks for sharing and inspiring me!
<3
I am trying so hard to stop worrying so much and just do the best I can in all aspects of my life. I’m currently on an emotional roller coaster about baby #2, if/when it will happen. I’ve been carrying all of that worry and energy into other parts of my life and that’s just not cool. I’ve been making a conscious effort lately to let go of the negativity and enjoy what I do have instead of dwelling on what may or may not happen. That’s my main goal right now and I’m pretty happy with how I’ve been doing 🙂
I may have missed it, but have you announced where you guys will be moving to next?
that’s good to hear that you’re doing well, and i’m sorry you’re going through so much worry/stress. i’ll be thinking about you <3
we find out in november. AHHHHH
Those are some epic goals, but you’d be the one to achieve them! Looks like you’re doing a great job of looking at ALL aspects of life!
thank you so much, joanna <3 hope you have an awesome autumn 🙂 xo
Honestly, I would like to quit my job. It’s just too much stress, but I’m overqualified for everything else. It’s funny how when you real for a goal and think it’s what you want, then when you get it it’s not at all what you wanted or expected.
ohhh man. i hope it works out for you and something you love comes along. that’s stressful.
It’s Fall! Woo hoo! I’m not really sure where this season will take us, but I loved reading all of your goals AND you reminded me to get cracking on my Behavior Change Specialist cert. I’ll (hopefully) be finishing that by the end of the year! Also, pumpkin everything. That is all.
pumpkin ALL THE THINGS. miss you, friend!
Hi, long time reader first time posting. I’m.from So Cal too, not sure if you knew this but we don’t really get fall or winter weather here. Hot every freakin day unless it rains 🙂
haha you’re right. there are two seasons here: spring, and scorching summer
So. I’m in Canada and it’s the first day of fall, and none of the trees here look like that yet!
Also … we’re hitting 25 Celsius today (77 F), the sun is shining, and it still feels like summer (yay!) I’m embracing this because in 3 months time, we will have snow, ice, and cold.
I do like the start of new seasons though, it’s an opportunity to refresh/reset. I’m looking forward to getting making a move professionally, trying orangetheory (next week!), and tackling some big home organization projects.
haha! they WILL though! 🙂
let me know how you like OTF! i think you will love it
xoxo
The first 6 months of this year were really rough, and the summer was crazy, so I’m working on spending this fall becoming the “best version of me” I am able to be at this point in my life. Happily this has included so far lots of meditating and yoga and a solo trip to Africa (hi from Marrakech!). I really appreciated your post on building a daily meditation practice, I read it not long after getting back into mine. Congrats on your accomplishments!
wow, that is incredible! way to go for traveling and following your dreams. very inspiring <3
Your post baby body series is coming at a perfect time for me! I can’t wait to try it! My goals are to be patient and to fit in exercise. Also to stop beating myself up when I don’t fit everything in that I want to!
wahoo! <3
This is the type of post that makes you one of my favorite bloggers. Your goals are inspirational, but you don’t beat yourself up if some of them don’t get accomplished. It’s refreshing to remember that not everyone can do everything. I have never been good at setting/keeping goals, but I would like to start meditating regularly. My husband has started and loves it. I think it would help ease stress & anxiety around work and infertility. Thanks for always being so positive!
thank you so much, jill <3 i hope that meditation is helpful for you. let me know if you need any help or resources!
My currently life goals are to get back to the gym (after nursing an injury has kept me away), get back to eating lots of veggies and less bread/pasta/pizza (AFTER Italy – we leave on FRIDAY!), and to really learn to accept my body however it looks!
Yes to meditate more often! I’m always working on that!
I feel like improving photography skills is always on my to-do list. I have a DSLR but mainly shoot in “A” mode. As for this fall, I’m hoping to try a lot more new recipes. I love to cook so it’s fun to experiment in the kitchen.
same! i shoot in AV mode 90 percent of the time.
i would LOVE a barre DVD! I feel like you coach so well on videos here.
out of curiosity, what was book #2 (proposal) supposed to be about? 🙂
thank you so much!
it was going to be about pre/postnatal fitness, but i figured i’d rather just put the prenatal stuff on the blog and the postnatal stuff into an ebook
Ooooh, I would totally love a Barre DVD! But broken down into shorter segments that can be combined, like your first DVD.
Now I’m so sad that it’s not already available from you!
I need to do this! I am a little scared to look back and see what I haven’t achieved! I have probably achieved things that weren’t on the list though so there is always that!
A Full Barre Blast DVD would be so awesome!
My biggest fitness goal I am working on is doing more cardio. I’ve got the lifting part down (it’s my favorite!). I feel like cardio is my nemesis! I really hate it, but know it’s good for me and when I do it I see results. Time to buckle down!
And, I need to start meditating. I feel like I would be able to sleep better if I do this!
I always have viewed fall as a time to re-evaluate and turn over a new leaf, too! This fall is a bit different for me since I am having my first baby and really have no idea what to expect out of life once he gets here. I am also leaving my career to take care of him, at least for the first few months. My focus is going to be on figuring out life with him and hopefully by the spring I will have an idea of where I want my life to take me – hopefully more in the direction of fitness and writing or something that will be more fulfilling than what I’ve been dong. Fingers crossed!
i’ll be thinking of you, and congratulations on your growing family!
Woooo! Favorite season! We haven’t put out any fall decor just yet, but we have definitely burned through a few fall candles already!!!
Those are some amazing goals! I usually pick just one or two things I want to work on or else I get overwhelmed and fail at everything. Right now I’m really trying to work on stress management – that means getting back to practicing yoga and also working on deep breathing. 🙂
I loved this post because it was such a good reminder to check in with myself and my goals. I just started graduate school and my life is now completely different than it has ever been. I think the biggest thing I want to work on is giving myself grace and being compassionate with where I’m at. I’ve been dealing with some things in my personal life that have not made the transition to grad school an easy one, and picking up my yoga practice has been on my mind. It’s so hard to find a good studio but maybe a home practice would be the best fit for me right now! Hope you have a great weekend! (PS–I have another batch of those pumpkin bars baking because I can’t get enough of them!)