Inspiration Station
Every year, I’ll do a little arts and crafts project:
an inspiration board to hang in the closet, and help me remain mindful of my goals throughout the year.
I’ve fallen in love with Pinterest, but there’s something to be said about having a tangible board in an easily visible place.
Here’s my board for this year:
For my board, I’ve learned to make the things that I write down a little more general instead of specific, because priorities tend to change throughout the year. Every day I have goals I want to accomplish, but it’s easier to scratch them out and allow plans to evolve in my notebook- the inspiration board is more of a general reminder of the grand scheme of things.
Here are some of the personal, professional and health goals that I have in mind for 2012:
-This will be our first year as parents, and I want everyone in my family to know how much I love them every day. It will be challenging to settle into our new roles, figure out our baby’s needs and make her feel like part of the family team, but I’m really excited about it.
-More friend time. Since we moved to Tucson and have been busy with the Pilot’s work schedule, getting the house set up, and my fatigue, it’s been more challenging to hang out with friends as often as we like. I’ve been able to hang out with friends at least one a week, whether they come over to the house for dinner, we take a Zumba class or go for a walk together, or meet for lunch, but more friend time is something I’d definitely enjoy.
-Pray more. I always like to pray by thinking about how grateful I am for the blessings in my life, sending love and good thoughts to those who are hurting, injured or ill. This is always something that I could do more often. I used to say “I’m going to meditate more often” but let’s be real… for me, meditation = nap time.
-Accomplish 2012 savings goals. The Pilot and I have found a pretty good balance of having fun and saving (you can read more about how we budget *here*) and we have a pretty hefty savings goal for 2012. I think we’ll be able to do it without it significantly affecting our lifestyle and allowing us to do a few home remodels that we have planned.
-Travel. ITALY! I’ve been talking about going to Italy pretty much since I started the blog, and then for whatever reason (moving, deployments, TDYs, work conflicts), it doesn’t end up happening. Later this year, we’ll be celebrating our 5 year anniversary, and since the Pilot is instructing instead of preparing for deployment, we would like to spend it in Italy. It will be my first time in 27 years, the Pilot’s first time in 2 years (he was “stuck” in Italy on the way to Afghanistan last year for a month. I felt really bad for him, haha) and the baby will be 7 months old- definitely old enough to see the sights with us.
-As always, the little blog is going to be a huge focus for me. I’d love for readership to continue to grow as I focus on content and adding new features. This year, I want to post even more workouts for you guys, and also make it easier to navigate, track what you’re doing and cheer each other on. If there’s anything else you want to see, please let me know <3
-Freelance is also something I’d like to get into this year. One of my goals has always been to write for magazines, so if that’s something I could dip my toes into, I would love it. As far as the book proposal goes, I’m taking my time with it. I cranked out 3 pretty quickly that were all rejected, and looking back on them, I’m not proud of my work. I want to take my time and write something that I’m truly passionate about, and write it well, even if it takes a while. Reading Young House Love’s story about their book proposal (which took them a year to write) made me realize that not everything needs to happen insanely fast, and quality always trumps quantity.
-At work, I’m going to expand my teaching horizons. I feel really comfortable with my core classes (Zumba, stretch, cardio/weights, Buff Booty, aerobics), but am going to work on new-to-me class formats and becoming a stronger, more diverse instructor.
-I’m really excited to get back into yoga and dance this year. I’ve missed hot yoga with all of my soul, and have access to incredible dance classes here in Tucson.
-I’d also like to get back into fun running, especially shorter runs and HIIT sprint intervals. I’d also like to do another Half Marathon- it’s been a while.
-Get my abs back! I’ve been asked frequently if I have a plan to get my body back in shape after having the baby. I’m planning to go with the flow and let my body settle back to how it was –no reason to go balls to the wall- but I’ll have more freedom as far as workouts go. I’ll be posting about the changes I make and progress on the Family Page.
-Continue to nourish my body and the baby in the best way possible. I’ll need to intake more fuel to accommodate breastfeeding on top of teaching fitness, so I’ll have to continue to make sure that we both get a lot of nutrients and clean foods, with chocolate and fun stuff sprinkled in there too 🙂
I have a good feeling about 2012….
Hope you’re having a great year so far and I’ll see ya later today!
xoxo
Gina
Here’s my 2011 board and 2010 board – it’s fun to look back and see how my goals have evolved and what I’ve accomplished
Here are some of the inspiration boards that were sent me to from fellow readers and bloggers:
Meredith
Racheal
Heidi 
Jen
I’m not able to post all of the boards I receive, but will be posting as many as I can throughout the week as a daily inspiration dose. Thank you so much to everyone who has sent in a board- I love looking at them!
Do you make an inspiration board? What are some of the goals you’re focusing on this year? If you’re looking to amp up your fitness routine, Winter Shape Up starts January 16th!
61 Comments
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Yay! Thanks for posting my inspiration board! I love yours and seeing everyone else’s! Happy New Year 🙂
Aww the inspiration board is so adorable! Great idea!
Hi. This doesn’t have to do with an inspiration board (although I am planning to put my first one together this year), I just found out that a friend of mine reads your blog too. We’ve never talked about reading blogs and it came out the other day. You have such a great blog.
Love these!! having some physical to remind me of my goals definitely helps!!! And these are SO inspiring!!
Awesome!! I know you’ll get that trip to Italy!! Now that you have the board set, emotionalize everything you see on here to really manifest into action!! WOOO HOOO!!
xxoo
I don’t make inspiration boards but love the idea! My biggest goal for 2012 is to try and destress more and not take on so many things to do each day. I need to just be able to enjoy my spare free time and not worry about my to do list. Besides that, I want to be the best wife and Mom (only one month left to go) that I can be!
I love the idea of an inspiration board but have never made one myself. It would make sense for me to try – I am a visual person!
I’ve never made anything like this before but I was planning on doing it this year. Thanks so much for sharing all yours! I may be looking back for ideas in a few days 🙂
love your goals!! about the italy one – i went to italy this summer and fell in love. i visited venice. definitely try to visit there!! it is so amazing because there are no cars.. just boats and gondolas on canals and walking. it is my favorite place in the entire world!! we stayed in an apartment and got the real feel of what it is like to live in italy – the food is to die for and waking up to gondolas floating by on the canal below was so surreal. i could go on forever but i won’t 😉 feel free to email me if you want to go to venice and i can provide you with some contact info re: where we stayed and etc!
What great goals! I’m sure you’ll accomplish what you’ve set out to do.
I love all of the boards that you posted up, including yours. This is going to be my year to really strengthen my physical and financial goals. Oh, and my roommate has been in Italy for the last 2 weeks and says it’s amazing! Your family will have such a great time 🙂
Aw I love the idea of this! Plus I love arts and crafts. That’s definitely a great way to remind yourself everyday. Blogging is also in my opinion, the best way to keep focused, you’re not just writing it but there’s an army of readers that will keep you on track also.
🙂 Love your plan about wanting to visit Italy… that’s where I live! 🙂 I would love reading about where you would go and your adventures here! (and feel free to ask for any possible advice or suggestion!) Have a great year!
I love this post! It really encourages me to sit down and really focus on not only what I want to accomplish this year, but who I want to be. I hope to sit down sometime this week and focus on what I want for 2012!
I’m working up the courage to sign up for my first half marathon, so all of my fitness goals for 2012 will be revolving around that!
I am loving the goal boards, good to be specific about the year ahead!! Good Luck 😀
Love the inspiration board! This year is our 5 year anniversary as well, and we also made a goal to travel more this year. We have a Mexico trip planned for this summer, and we may do Cali in late fall for our anniversary. Italy is one of my goals for the next few years. I hope you get to go!
Hi, gina. can i, please, have a pinterest invite my way? Thanks.
“sent”
I love, love, love the idea of an inspiration board! Thanks for posting this, I’m going to do one this week. I think it’s important to be reminded of our goals 🙂
I agree with you re: the tangible board v. pinterest. There is definitely a difference in having one, cohesive, touchable board in your house than a collection of images online.
Your goals look great, and I’m already excited to see pictures of your adorable little family in Italy in 2012!!
Thanks for putting up my board! I wish I had some of that glitter paper…so cute! 🙂
Also Italy?? That would be so amazing!! I hope you can go this year!
Thanks for the inspiration (<– hehe) to make my own inspiration board. I plan on making one when I'm back from break at college (a few weeks from now) so I don't have to take it with me + so I have it with me there! But I will begin putting together magazine scraps for it. 🙂
Love it, Gina!
I love how you included lists of your goals on top of the images – that’s a great idea. I just made my board last night and stuck with just pictures but I will try to keep the specific goals in my mind as best as I can. I also chose one central word to base this year around – I do this each year as does my family. My mom’s word is CONNECT, for example. Mine is MANIFEST :).
I haven’t made one, but I need to! Sounds like a great way to keep yourself on track 🙂
I think it’s wonderful you have ideas, goals and visions for the new year. Italy would sure be an amazing trip. We traveled first with Skylar out of the US when while was 10 months old, to Aruba. It was a very long travel journey, 18 hours, but once we got there, everything was fine. Traveling with kids can be hard but also some of the most rewarding time as a parent has come when we are traveling as a family.
Here’s to you doing and accomplishing what you want in 2012 and navigating the waters of new parenthood!
Gina, I am a new reader of your blog and LOVE it!! Every morning after my workout I drink coffee eat your famous protien pancake and read away! I just read your budgeting tips entry and was wondering if you ever posted the food budget one? I became gluten intolerant last year and whole foods, or as you better call it, whole paycheck, literally takes up sooo much of my cash! I would love some input on food shopping, how u prepare for the week, ect! You are an ammmazing inspiration and love every single blog!!!!!!!
Xoxoxoxox
jax
Wow! I love those boards! I want to make one to. You are so right, it is really helpful to have that kind of tangible reminder of your goals. It is so easy to let life get in the way, and to have your goals fall to the back burner. Thanks for the inspiration inspiration!
This is a great idea. Thank you for sharing your budgeting tips and other boards as well! I love goal setting and am looking forward to mine for 2012 – one being joining a food co-op so I can up our home produce intake!
Lilly
pancakesandbeetjuice.blogspot.com
Leaving on our honeymoon momentarily. Completely unplugged for 11 days. Can’t wait to come back to read about a new baby!
fantastic!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR GINA!
love this post and your board- I need to work on mine- its so neat to see how goals progress. BTW your blog is my number one favorite!
AWESOME inspiration board and goals- you’re inspiring me to make one for myself [hope you don’t mind?]!
Hey Gina! I’m studying my masters in Italy now (in Turin) and I’m a huge and long-time fan of your blog 🙂 If im still around by the time you all get here, I would love to show you some of the north/get a gelato and espresso and everything else thats delicious (EVERYTHING) with you guys! I really hope you get the chance to come here, because I can honestly tell you–i have fallen in love with it. Come experience the beauty of italia 😀
Love this! 🙂 I think I’m going to make one soon. 🙂
I want to make one. That will be a good project for me to do tomorrow because I’m sick.
Will you be bringing the baby to Italy with you?
Budgeting is huge for me too! I tried to read your budgeting post, but it’s scary! I guess that means I need to do it!
Since you are a fan of Chalene I was wondering if you’d seen her new book, Push? It’s all about setting goals.
I love how flexible and laid back you are. That would be a good “goal” for me.
Thanks so much for the mention, Gina! I love your board, and totally agree – Pinterest is super addicting, but there’s just something about having a tangible piece of paper (or multiple pieces of paper!) that makes goal setting so much more to me. Let me know if you have any questions about Italy, specifically Milan – I’m not sure if that’s on your list of places to see, but I was just there for Christmas and it was great! Best of luck with all your amazing goals this year – I know you’ll rock ’em!
Great Goals! I cannot wait to see the year 2012 in Fitnessista’s life! It should be a very exciting year for you and your family, so glad we can all celebrate with you!
What a great idea! I am going to Michaels to pick up some glitter pens and making my own this week!!!!
Such a great idea! I really agree about seeing something vs saving it to Pinterest, although I do heart Pinterest 🙂 Also, you HAVE to go to Italy! I went for the first time this summer and it was ah-mazing. We went to Rome, Amalfi Coast & Sicily. I blogged about it day by day starting here if you want to get some ideas started 🙂 : http://deannaferrari.com/2011/09/02/italy-part-1-rome/
We took our niece to Italy when she was one and it was great. The plane trip was mildly challenging (30 hours from NZ – she was good for the first three…) but she just loved Italy and Italy loved her. The Italians love children and you get star treatment everywhere. You have to be prepared for the touching though. Strangers will come up, touch your baby, ask questions. Jasmine is very blonde/blue eyes and was a complete novelty in a country of dark haired children. In Venice we were mobbed by people that wanted a photograph taken with her! I’m sure you will post closer to the trip, but a few things spring to mind. 1. Industrial stroller with proper tires – if you are sightseeing you will have to push that thing over ancient cobbled roads – babies quite like the bumpiness, but sheesh, hard work! 2. for such a child friendly country there is a real lack of changing tables/ parent rooms. We learned to always carry a change mat and full kit. Toilet floor changes were commonplace (ew, I know.. but what else are you going to do?).
I love inspiration boards! I too need something tangible to read and look at every day. Happy New Year to you!!
XxOo
Tasha
Hey Gina! I too also made an inspirational board this year, its my first time doing it. One of my dreams to accomplish this year is to become a certified group fitness instructor. I was wondering who you would recommend to get certified through? ACE, AFAA??
they’re both great. i have afaa and love it
Love your board!…I’m finally working on mine now 🙂
Your post is so inspiring and awesome!! I haven’t created an inspiration board before, but I think it’s a great idea and will work on it this week. What a great way to put a visual twist on goals as opposed to just writing in a journal that can easily be tucked away and forgotten.
I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog over the last several months and I am officially hooked. I’m excited for the arrival of your baby girl and hope that all goes well on her debut to the world.
this is such a good idea! ive never made one before, but i’m thinking i should. i’m such a grandma when it comes to arts and crafts, it makes me relaxed and happy.
Where is a good place to buy board? Thanks to everyone that shared.
you can find the goodies anywhere- office supply stores, stationary stores, target, walmart
THANKS GINA.:)
Awesome post! Last year I did an inspiration board after being inspired by you/your blog 🙂 and this post reminded me I should get on it and do a 2012 one – especially with my big goals I’ve got! Thanks for the reminder gal! 🙂