Have an Adventure

I can't believe we're already 10 days into the new year! Hope you are all well on your way to reaching your goals.

Most of us experience something resembling a daily routine. We get out of bed, wash and dress, go to work, come home, make something to eat, do some sort of activity, go to bed. The next day it starts all over, with maybe a few changes. If you're like me, the routine gets boring and makes you restless.

When you get to this point, an adventure is what you need.

When I say adventure, I don't mean something worthy of an action movie. Doing anything outside your comfort zone can be an adventure! Remember my fear of driving through Manhattan last month? Because of a mis-programmed GPS, I ended up driving over the (very narrow) Manhattan Bridge and through the heart of Chinatown instead of missing Manhattan entirely on my way to New Jersey. I will admitt, it was VERY scary at first. But some good things happened too. I was able to see beautiful views of the Manhattan skyline, and by the end of the trip I had a huge sense of accomplishment. I felt if I could drive through downtown Manhattan, I could do anything.

Think of an adventure you could have. Below are wikiHow's tips on how to have an adventure:
1. Try new things. Every new thing is a small adventure, whether it's eating sushi for the first time or exploring a city you've never visited before.

2. Keep an open mind. You won't have any adventures if you never try anything new, or if you try every new thing with the attitude that you definitely won't like it.

3. Lonely adventures are not at all thrilling. Take your friends with you for adventures. Sharing the path is so much more fun and enlightening than doing it alone–most of the time, anyway.

4. Learn to see the dramatic in potentially worrying or frightening events. An annoying thing like getting lost can turn into a thrilling safari, if you look at it right. Change your perspective and uncover your adventure.

Make a list. Think of all of the things you have always wanted to do, no matter how big or small. When life gets too mundane, pull out the list and pick out one to do. Eat at a new restaurant, take a class, book a trip. When we look back years from now, we won't remember the routine. We will remember the adventures.

Just for today

When my mom heard I was writing this blog, she gave me some motivational quotes and clippings she had saved over the years. Cleaning out my office today (step one in my road map for 2010) I found this one. Called 'A New Year', this was the New Year's column of Ann Landers and was based on the original credo of Alcoholics Anonymous:

'New Year's Resolutions

Just for today I will live through this day only, and not set far-reaching goals to try to overcome all my problems at once. I know I can do something for 24 hours that would appall me if I felt I had to keep it up for a lifetime.

Just for today I will be happy. Abraham Lincoln said, "Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." He was right. I will not dwell on thoughts that depress me. I will chase them out of my mind and replace them with happy thoughts.

Just for today, I will adjust myself to what is. I will face reality. I will correct those things that I can correct and accept those things I cannot correct.

Just for today, I will improve my mind. I will not be a mental loafer. I will force myself to read something that requires effort, thought, and concentration.

Just for today, I will do something positive to improve my health. If I'm a smoker, I'll make an honest effort to quit. If I'm overweight, I'll eat nothing I know to be fattening. And I will force myself to exercise-even if it's only walking around the block or using the stairs instead of the elevator.

Just for today, I'll do something I've been putting off for a long time. I'll finally write that letter, make that phone call, clean that closet, or straighten out those dresser drawers.

Just for today, before I speak I will make a conscious effort to be agreeable. I will look as good as I can, dress becomingly, talk softly, act courteously and not interrupt when someone else is talking. Just for today I'll not improve anybody except myself.

Just for today I will have a program. I may not follow it exactly, but I will have it, thereby saving myself from two pests: hurry and indecision.

Just for today I will have a quiet half-hour to relax alone. During this time I will reflect on my behavior and get a better perspective on my life.

Just for today I will be unafraid. I will gather the courage to do what is right and take the responsibility for my own actions. I will expect nothing from the world, but I will realize that as I give to the world, the world will give to me.'

It doesn't feel so overwhelming when we just focus on the present. We can have big dreams and goals, but we just need to focus on what small part needs to be done today-not what needs to be done over the course of 2010. I hope this helps you prepare for an amazing 2010!

Lombardi didn't settle...

I know my first blog of the week dealt with football too but this fit too well with the week's theme:)

“If you'll not settle for anything less than your best, you will be amazed at what you can accomplish in your lives.”
-Vince Lombardi

I have come across many Vince Lombardi quotes in my research for this blog. Not being a huge sports fanatic (I leave that to my boyfriend) I am embarassed to say I didn't know much more about Lombardi than the fact that he coached the Packers at one point (and I only know that because I'm from Wisconsin). After a little internet searching, I found that he led the Packers to three consecutive NFL championships and the first two Super Bowl wins. He also never had a single losing season. This is certainly a man that did not settle for mediocrity, and he succeeded in a big way.

We may not have something as huge as an NFL team to coach, but we still have many opportunities daily to do something with our best efforts. Exercise as hard as you can, strive to do your best at your job, work hard to follow your dream. You may not get a trip to Disney World or a Super Bowl ring, but your efforts will be rewarded in some way that matters to you.