Push Your Boundaries

First of all, let me confess that this blog is being typed on my iPad because I’m naive and curious as to how the WordPress app will look on the “real” computer screen…and the clicking of the iPad keys make me feel kinda cool too…

But another reason I decided to do this post from my iPad is that I just got done with an assignment from an amazing book I’m reading, Push, written by the creator of TurboJam, TurboFire, and for those of you are group class nuts, you’re aware of her amazing program, TurboKick. I was certified in TurboKick last May and when I saw she came out with this book, I knew I was going to read it! Why did I do an assignment on my iPad? Well, the uber successful author, Chalene Johnson told me to and I believe that I should do whatever I can to stay on this great pace for 2012. Actually, I was supposed to do the assignment on my smartphone but since my Droid goes into spasms every so often, and I don’t want to lose all my hard work, I figured a reliable Apple product was the way to go.

Push is occupying my before-bed reading and my plane rides because it’s riveting. If you aim to succeed in your career, your health, or the random goals and dreams you pin about on Pinterest, then this book is for you. She takes you through, step by step, of how to think of goals, prioritize them, construct them, deconstruct them, live them, breathe them, and best of all, succeed at ALL of them.

I’m not going to give away everything now, partially because now the clicking of the iPad keys is getting annoying. But it is more so because this Push journey might make a cool “beat” blog topic. But what I will share for now, is that by utilizing her steps, I have realized that the goal I aspire to achieve is one that I have had for years on my list of goals. It continues to be a goal because I continue to fail at it – not for lack of effort or passion – but more because it is a huge goal and it is complex. And by recognizing this as a “push” goal and using the techniques I’m reading about so far, I’m actually closer to achieving this goal in the last 10 days than I was in the last 4 or 5 years of trying.

Intrigued? You should be!

Made with Love & Obsession

For those who know me well, you know that I LOVE STARBUCKS. Even if I don’t get there everyday, you know that I would like to be there.

My stint of unemployment allowed me to do freelance work and bootcamp planning at Starbucks. And even though pay wasn’t great (or good), I downgraded my usual $4.12 drink to $2-something. Hey, moderation in EVERYTHING is important.

Even though the free time of unemployment didn’t last long (thankfully!), the rekindled idea of making a coffee table top of Starbucks gift cards has been going strong. On weekends, I went to a few estate sales looking for coffee tables I could cover in a collage of symbols and nostalgia of my favorite company. And finally, after months of searching and yielding nothing, I enlisted my family to help me build a table from scratch. Because refinishing a whole dining room set isn’t enough….Thanks Perkos/Eckenrodes

So now, the work begins. And the first daunting task was laying out the design. With the help of my local Starbucks’ Baristas, I have hundreds of cards to work with. While some card designs are plentiful, some aren’t and it was a battle that my sister helped me conquer. We fought OCD and math, straight lines and dimensions. Common patterns, colors and logo directions. While all of these gave valiant efforts, quite a few hours later, we have the design of my coffee table top.

Now all I need is a slab of wood, some sides, 4 legs, stain, and glass. Assembly required. Some coffee would be great too…

Dreams that Wiggle

I always look forward to a new year. Even when the last year is a great one, there’s just so much more to do, to see, to experience. As nerdy as it seems, it’s true, as I transfer calendar information and doctors’ information, I get a rush of excitement – what does 2012 hold for me?

Whatever I want. This is the biggest lesson I’ve learned. Ever. I know that I can’t everything I want, all at once. But because some things haven’t gone my way, I’m embarking on 2012 with a clean slate and different, better dreams.

So, I think, (and I don’t know this for sure, obviously) the key to New Year’s Resolutions, or goal setting in general, is this:

• Set your goals to be whatever you want – long shot or easy
• Then leave some room for wiggle (or failure)
• Then pace yourself

So here’s my example. I want a lot of things for 2012 and I do this for each one but here’s an example:

• By springtime, put a roof over my own head (and Luna’s), preferably in North Park area, convenient to family, work and RAW
• Buy a house or rent an apartment that allows Luna, when the time is right and money is comfortable, somewhere between Wexford and Shadyside.
• To meet the bare minimum, stay focused and minimize frivolous spending, and research, call and negotiate prices.

To all you home owners or apartment renters, you’re welcome for this boost of confidence. But try the method for something else. Maybe you need to kick a bad habit, or succeed with a fitness goal? Maybe you’re looking to take a relationship to the next level, or get out of a dead-end job.

Whatever it might be, plan to reach your goals by creating wiggle room and pacing yourself. Lord knows how much can change in a year. Make 2012 the year that your dreams come to fruition – whether completely or just a little bit.

Recent, Funny, Favorite Ads

I’m an advertising nerd. Lately there have been some awesome commercials. Here’s a collection of some of my recent favorites!

These are a few to promote adopting a pet: The voice was perfect! And it makes me want to go and pick up all shelter animals…I’d call that a success!

This one, for Honda, I loved because it made fun of luxury cars. Then it was sarcastic. Therefore, it is perfect.

Oh, Justin Bieber….You irritate me to no end. Calling you “Beaver” actually makes me kind of happy. But, this commercial, starring you and big burly men makes me happier. So happy, I actually appreciate your existence.

Lastly, but still hilarious, is my favorite Facebook ad campaign that I’ve ever seen. It’s creepy, it’s clever and probably reached the goal of increasing sales for this condom brand.

 

Empowerment creates a good dilemma

There’s a balance between working your ass off to keep pushing the boundaries of potential and being overworked. I’m someone who isn’t always cognizant of when I’m being enthusiastic and passionate or overachieving to the point of exhaustion…it’s a part of me and it’s a part of growing up.

I’m 25 and I’m still learning the ropes of it all (frankly, I anticipate that it’ll be a learning this process for a while).

But what about the girls who never get to experience this dilemma? The Girl Effect is an organization that I love because it’s about the BIG picture – the global picture of how empowering girls, as young as the age of 12, can change the world as we know it.

One core difference between the majority of girls in the world and me (and YOU) is that I’m educated. I was always given a chance, through knowledge, to make the right choices, the healthy choices, to be empowered. Through all of these opportunities, I am privileged enough to have the dilemma of reaching my potential, shooting for the moon, overachieving and overworking.

Over 600 million girls, instead, face the lack of choices, because they are married off, they are abused, they contract HIV, they have children without homes, they don’t have access to an education, and for many of them, once they hit the age of 12, it’s too late.

But just as though it was better for me to write this blog on the first day of November, (deadline was 10/31), than never, nothing is ever too late. So those of us who are educated, making choices and empowered can do things every single day to empower a girl.

Together, with the ripple effect, The Girl Effect, we actually have the power to change the lives of 600 million girls, and the world. So then, all those precious minds will have the dilemma of choosing between work and pleasure, or work and work. What a blessing over not having the choice between an education or an STD.

What can you do to help?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heels and Hues: The Perfect Pick-Up

I’m a creature of comfort. When it comes to trying new things, it mostly revolves around fitness challenges or ventures with social media. Move that over to fashion and I’m a doe in the headlights…lost…from a far away land…high off some sketchy mushrooms….

For real though. Just because I read magazines doesn’t mean I comprehend any of the fashion pages. I flip through quickly because “jeggings” sounds uncomfortable. And blue nail polish? My nails will turn purple when I’m cold, that’s close enough right?

Thankfully, there’s a few things propelling me forward in these petty ventures: my mom, some friends, working in retail, being single (and ready to mingle?), and the adult rationale that if I feel fat or look a little too weird there’s a) a receipt or b) nail polish remover.

In a matter of a few weeks, I’m proud to say that I’ve made some strides. I bought some killer heels that deserve a theme song from a collaboration with Jay-Z and Beyonce. I may have practiced walking in them but let me tell you, they even make my little boxer shorts look good. So now that I’m pretty sure I could run in them (if needed), let’s get these jaw-droppers out and about!!

I also tried that blue nail polish. I’m a fan! I needed quite a few touch-ups with remover for all the mess-ups I made when painting my nails, but I definitely love the color. And now I don’t need to be few degrees shy of frostbite to actually be a Glamour ‘Do’.The jeggings will never happen. The normal leggings…that’s like a tight yoga pant so I can get down with that!

While there’s a part of me that’s trying these “new things” just  because, (I know all you normal girls have been wearing these fashions for months), I have to admit that the end result of rockin’ a pair of awesome heels or stepping out of my comfort zone and not failing is actually very rewarding. For me, it brings a similar rush as increasing the amount of pull-ups I can do or miles I can run.

So, who’s gonna help me when Spring 2012 fashion trends hit the racks? We can barter: I’ll help you lose 10 pounds, you get me in 10 new styles.

Learning from my mom’s blog

My mom is the wisest woman I know. That’s a high claim to make, but I’m confident in it. She’s real, honest and comfortable in her skin, so she tells it like it is. She’s kind, always helpful, the best listener (and interpreter), and while she might fall asleep by 9pm whenever she can, she’s tireless.

This summer, she started her own blog, Before We Forget. She started it only after putting a lot of thought into it. Each post she makes is purposeful and has the quality of an English teacher, because even though she’s in a different position at the high school, she will always be that brilliant English teacher. Her blog aimed to get the input from my aunties but so far, I’m getting to read all the points of views and the perspectives of my mom; the internet truly became a little capsule for me to continue to learn from her – anytime I want.

I’m learning that I have some of the same tendencies: overachiever, thoughtful, distracted when doing big projects (weeding or sanding tables). And I’m learning about how present she is when she’s with people. Sure, she loves that I can text her when I’m on my way home or when I get to the airport to go out of town, but her cell phone is just a thing – not a lifeline. She absolutely LOVES talking with me. She’s empathetic to everyone. She’s sees the best in situations. She knows potential is everywhere.

When I helped her set up her blog, I was so hopeful that she would keep it up, not get intimidated or lax with it. No worries – she’s writing a few posts every weekend and staggering their timing! She’s creative, and best of all, I get to learn from her – both in person and through her blog.

 

3 things I’ve learned to keep rockin’ it

When I think about my life, I’m in love with how many different things I have going on in one day. From my fitness goals and challenges, to my heightened career path, to my amazing dog Luna, to the relationships with my friends and family, to my volunteering and mentoring work, to freelancing, to….well, you get the idea. I could go on forever! And I LOVE THAT! So, when thinking of what to write about, I always have a lot to say – and a lot to learn. Here are a few things I learned this week that I wanted to share. I want to hear from you too: What did you learn? What can I learn from you?

Move over Jillian Michaels

I might be Luna’s best hope at losing her extra weight and helping her live a longer, happier life, but she contributes SO much to my own happiness. And what’s more, is that while I’m helping her lose weight, she helps keep me disciplined as well. The other night I got home from work around 9:00pm and I just collapsed on top of her, cuddling and talking with her (yes, I talk to my dog, and yes, she’s a husky so she talks back). I was hoping my words would make her forget that I owed her 30-minute walk around the neighborhood. Unsuccessful, I told her I was going to “change” and I’d be back down.

All she needed to hear was that I was going somewhere and she was at my heels. My dog, who’s bigger than me was circling as I took off my work clothes and put on my staple yoga pants, and within a few minutes, we were out in the brisk fall weather, taking our much-needed walk. She was in Heaven, prancing along, tongue hanging out, and I’ll admit that I felt so happy to be out walking with her. And it gets better: that walk gave me my second wind and I was ready to hop on the elliptical and put in an extra 30 minutes of cardio. I sometimes forget just how much Luna does for me, and this week, she reminded me that she’s always there, ready to be there for a cuddle session and ready to be my workout buddy…. <3

Time management is a life skill

I thrive on being busy and I’ll tell anyone who doesn’t know that I’d rather be busy than idly watching TV – even my favorite shows. Since being hired at SnapRetail, this preference of mine has been met each day. I’m lucky to work at a company that is fast-paced, ready for success and knocking on every door of opportunity that exists. And that means that I get to be a part of those new initiatives and I get to be work horse. So I’m as happy as can be.

But just because I like being busy, moving from one thing to the next, doesn’t mean that it’s always a natural transition. It takes planning – pens, paper, lists, highlighters, smartphone apps, Excel, a flash drive and a ridiculous amount of coffee and water.

This lovely career of mine, plus the other juggling I like to add on, takes a lot of coordination. I need to plan to stay on track and I need to be consistent to be successful in every endeavor I add to my plate.

Sweat in the buff

…And exercise your judgment here (pun intended). I’ve always been a girl who works out in a guy’s t-shirt, running shorts and good shoes, nothing fancy. No matter how many times the magazines will tell me to work out in form-fitting clothes, I rarely do, it’s just not my style. As I’ve been working toward my six-pack goal, I’ve found it motivating to actually adhere to their advice and when I’m not running in public or doing trainings, I’m working out in minimal attire at my house. And WOW – that’s fun! Not only is it motivating to see my successes in action (muscles working) but it’s kind of liberating in a very weird, silly way. Anyone who actually knows me would wonder what I had as a pre-workout pick-me-up to see me in a sports bra and booty spandex. I find it humorous too, and will soon be offering a “Pull-Ups in Panties” class….on-demand only…Just kiddin…. And for those of you wondering, wearing minimal clothing doesn’t make doing a pull-up easier.

Bottom Dwellers: Know Your Place

Up until February, I had been in a relationship (total of 2) for roughly 7 years. The new, single life is amazing. There are pros and cons to everything and starting a single life chapter at 24, being a complete “newbie” at it isn’t always comfortable. But wow, is it exhilarating.

Not like I was a total pushover in a relationship, (aren’t we all a little bit?), but being able to think for myself, focus on my goals, follow my dreams and impulses is liberating. I still weigh consequences and make smart decisions because just because I’m single doesn’t mean I’m stupid. If anything, it takes a lot of smarts to stay true to who you are when you’ve got some jerks coming out of left field.

I don’t expect love-at-first-sight and I don’t ever look for Prince Charming. Frankly, I’m too in love with my life as it is to really care. But I do demand respect – and everyone should. So this weekend, when two guys, in one night, were complete assholes and I didn’t give my zingers right back, I was extremely disappointed in myself (I can come up with some good ones sometimes).

Two guys in one night called me “gay” for not wanting to go out or make out. And what did I say? “OK,” and I hung up the phone, stopped texting or walked away. And that was my crucial mistake.

Not only could I have berated them for using a sexual slur – because to me, it matters – but I should have cut them down to the level they belong, which is at the bottom.

What I should have said is nothing I feel entirely comfortable putting in writing, and honestly, the moments for the zingers have passed. All I know is that next time I’ll have them ready because it’s absolutely ridiculous to accept that type of treatment – serious or casual.

Cheers to being single, turning down guys like that and owning my standards. Rise up or give it a rest, boys.

My most important client

My dog Luna is one of my favorite “things” in the entire world. I remember when I picked her up from the breeder with my sister and the idea that I was going to be solely responsible for her quality of life was sinking in. Since that day, I’ve loved every minute of fun, training, frustration and playing with her.

 

Poor Luna has had health issues since day 1. She doesn’t have enzymes to digest protein so she has prescription food, enabling her to eat protein. She has an inactive thyroid gland, so she’s on medicine every day and must remain on that for the rest of her life. Naturally, she’s a big girl but her health issues also contribute to Luna being dubbed, “Legursky” by my ex (and rightfully so).

This weekend, Luna’s vet check-up brought back results that she needs to lose weight – at least 20 lbs! So with new prescription food that will help both her digestive system and lower her calories, I’m now armed with the realization that just as I do boot camps for my friends, family and coworkers, and implement fitness challenges for myself, I also need to do this for Luna.

The sunny side is not only will I help get my dog healthy, but the quality time I spend with her on multiple, longer walks each day will just solidify everything I LOVE about my dog. We’ve been through a lot together! During college, we played with her toys attached to my ankles, her pulling, me reading. Two relationships affected time I spent with her – decreasing when I went out, increasing when cuddling with Luna was the best part of my day.

This new “client” of mine will be my most important. The success of our journey isn’t going to spread my training abilities but will extend Luna’s life with me. If that’s not motivation, I don’t know what is! <3