I'd like to buy a... 40ish percentage?!

I love summer.  New Year's seems so far away.  But 2011 only has 5 months left.  Crazy!

NYR fun fact...

Julius Caesar, in 46 BC, established what has come to be known as the Julian Calendar. It again established January 1 as the new year. But in order to synchronize the calendar with the sun, Caesar had to let the previous year drag on for 445 days.

Here's where I stand... My Resolutions:

1. Run a half-marathon.  Insanity continues.  I must admit, I'm scared.  Starting tomorrow, with August, we begin into the second phase of Insanity.  Workouts are longer and more intense... at least the names make it seem that way!  Four more weeks, then it's back to getting miles and muscle for the half-marathon.

2. Try new things.  I went parasailing!!!!  I was nervous and scared before going, then experienced pure excitement and joy while on the boat and the first 5 minutes in the air, then back to nervous and scared when I heard this noise the parachute was making, then back to pure excitement and joy when we dipped in the water!  So cool! 

I also tried crab dip.  Eww.

3. Be better at everything. Well... I think I became a better person sort of in the past few weeks/month.  I was turned down for a job with the most encouraging and positive support ever from the employer.  This lead me to rethink some things, share some things, discuss some things, and sort of get things off my chest. 

I don't even focus on patience any more, because I really think I've sort of made it a part of me!

4. Find luck. Umm... I think I struck out on this again.  No doubt I got lucky a few times this month.  But I haven't truly found luck yet... if I even know what that means!


Past NYR updates:
January 1 - 12 percent
End of Jan- 64 percent
End of Feb. - 58ish percent... I bet
End of March - First Quarter. Has to be less than 50%
End of April -  46.8 + or - 2.2... maybe?
End of May -  _____ %.
End of June - 46% Half way!

46% Half way!

I'm over half-way!!!!  This site I've repeatedly referred to says that after six months, 46% of people are still going strong.  I don't know if strong is the right word, but I'm still going!

I'm actually a bit indecisive on how I'm doing with my NYR.  This post is late, I've blogged less in the past 3 months, I've run around crazy-like claiming my life is madness. (Which it is!) But I like my life, and while my NYR are not being perfectly executed (if execution is even the correct action here), they have actually become a part of my daily life.  I am no longer making a conscious effort to achieve these goals.  I think that's an accomplishment!  However indecision sets in when I see that I've let things shift in my life, and what was once daily activities have become weekly... maybe.  BUT it's summer, I'm happy, I'm smiling... I think that's success enough.


Summer-NYR fact.  People who 'failed' at NYR, or refused to set them, actually tend to set mini summer resolutions often subconsiously.  People get out more, attempt to work on that beach body, even eat a bit healthier!  Watermelon, tomatoes, all sorts of fresh produce scream summer time!


My Resolutions:

1. Run a half-marathon.  During the month of June I can think of one run I went on.  I failed right? Nope! I disagree!  There is more than running that helps prepare for a big run!  My new training method is amazingly awful.  Insanity and Shaun T are killer.  I do have some concern about the fact I will be finishing Insanity only 6 weeks before the half-marathon.  I originally thought I'd try and balance running and Insanity but decided I'd rather do Insanity and follow their schedule.  And trying to run, play soccer occasionally, after Insanity led me to the quick realization that my legs were dead.  So I'm working on this resolution, just in an altered way... a not running way!  AND disclaimer here, I still plan to run a half-marathon but have no true desire to run one whatsoever.  I do keep it as a goal, but am more satisfied with the fact it's got me back to regular intense exercise which hasn't been a part of my regular schedule since high school!

2. Try new things.  I started Insanity in June.  Because of Insanity I also stared counting calories... While my counting has flopped, I did manage to do the 5 meals a day for a solid 2 weeks.... And I got CLOSE to the calorie intake I needed to maintain weight.

3. Be better at everything. I'm going to use this one to reflect on a friend, mentor, coach, extraordinary human being, that passed away a few weeks ago.  While I consistently try to be a better person, and be better at everything I do, Al Siegel was a true depiction of the kind of person I want to be.  While I am saddened by his passing, I am even more inspired to, at the end of my life, have led a life like Al's.  Al cared for people.  He helped people.  He motivated people.  He listened to people.  As his son said, Al gave a piece of his heart to everyone he met.  Al never expected anything in return.  So I've got some big life goals, that I hope will make even a small impact on someone somewhere!  I'm going to be better at everything because of Al and I'm going to achieve those goals!


4. Find luck.  If I failed at any of my NYR this past month, it was this one.  I forgot to look....


Past NYR updates:
January 1 - 12 percent
End of Jan- 64 percent
End of Feb. - 58ish percent... I bet
End of March - First Quarter. Has to be less than 50%
End of April -  46.8 + or - 2.2... maybe?
End of May -  _____ %.

_____ %.

I feel like I've epically failed at my NYR as of lately.... part of that is just because my life has been crazy madness. (Madness of May post surely to come... in the not so distant future!)  So you can be the judge of my success/failure... But end of 5 months, I'm still trying.  So I think I deserve some points. 

 Fun facts:

According to statistics from the National Insurance Crime Bureau, more vehicles are stolen on New Year's Day than on any other holiday throughout the year.(1)


1. Run a half-marathon. In the month of May, I worked out/prepared for my half-marathon less than 8 times, and that's probably being gracious.  I can think of 3 instances where I ran.  As mentioned above, May was madness.  No excuses, but I was crazy busy every night.  Now that May is over I'm already back to running (So far I'm 100% for running in June :) )

2. Try new things.  Food is normally where this goes each month, but not this time!  This might be my best kept resolution for May.  I tried lots of new things... sort of!  Some of them were things I've done multiple times, but did them with a new perspective.  I also decided to just go for some life goals.  We'll see how these play out, but I'm doing things I want to do!

3. Be better at everything. Honestly, I am better at everything after May.  I was so busy, I had to be my best to assure success!  Soccer seasons ended, another great learning season as a coach.  And while I didn't want to keep all of my soccer players (just one!) for good, I would like to still have them for a set amount of time each night, then return them to their parents.  Believe me an hour is enough most nights!  I definitely am a better coach because of them.  And OH did I work on a patience this season with a few of them!  One thing in particular I would like to point out.  I went from long, drawn out emails (because I have so many good things to say), to very short emails that are directly to the point.  This will help me in the future... maybe! ;)

4. Find luck.  I've stopped looking for luck, and I think that has made luck find me!  I make my own success and happiness. Right now, I'm the happiest girl in the world!  Probably the most confused as well, but I'm keeping my eye out for the luck and making the most of everything!


So call me a success, or don't.  But I'm still going.  I'm still getting better.  I'm just living a dream, and dreaming a life! 


Past NYR updates:
January 1 - 12 percent
End of Jan- 64 percent
End of Feb. - 58ish percent... I bet
End of March - First Quarter. Has to be less than 50%
End of April -  46.8 + or - 2.2... maybe?

64 percent.

New Year's resolution's fail. We've already acknowledged and accepted that back in my Jan 1, 2011, 12 percent post.  HOWEVER, I already determined that I will be in the minority 12 percent of folks that achieve their goals.  So this post is definitely more for me than any readers.  It makes me accountable.  So here's where I stand after month one.

Fun Fact: I found that after one month 64 % of resolutions are still being kept.

My Resolutions:

1. Run a half-marathon.  By far this is the one I've put the most into.  I am actually working out regularly!  I have a friend turned into my trainer (shameless plug http://coachlevi.com/)  who has actually taken over my workouts. You would be surprised how much more I do than if I were still in charge of myself!  Only set-back has been "ouchy" knees (as I call it on my calendar), however they don't hurt when I run so I think they'll be overcome!  Oh, and all you looking for something to awesomely kick-your-butt I recommend Metabolic Condition and regular elbow touches!
2. Try new things. For my personal world aspect, as mentioned before, I want to try new foods.  While it was only two days ago, I bought some Smucker's Natural Crunchy Peanut Butter.  I was pleasantly surprised by how much I like it.... and it doesn't have any sugar added!  Crazy.  Professionally, I've tried things at work, which we will label pseudo-pro, as well as things to help me enter the professional world, they'll be real-pro.  As for pseudo-pro, I tried and helped with molding at work.  Some day I'll go into detail about my current job, but I'm on the administrative side of a small powdered metal factory... sometimes I cross sides to the production when help is needed.  Needless to say.  I molded.  Woof.  For real-pro, the other day I signed up and participated in a webinar on ways to better beat the competition in landing a job.  I was skeptical because realistically everything's on the internet, so what could this webinar offer I haven't already read!  But I got some good tips from real professionals.  All-in-all an hour well spent.
3. Be better at everything.  Patience.  That's the one I'm working on the most.  I think I'm doing a heck of a job.   I've also put a great focus on listening to people more.  I LOVE to talk and share stories.  Sometimes I get a little too excited and cut people off to tell them how I can relate to what they just said...  While my intentions aren't bad, it's not a good trait.  So I've actually worked on this a lot since prior to setting my NYR* and I think I've improved leaps and bounds.  I guess for this resolution I might need to have a guest blogger sometime really evaluate how much I've improved.
4. Find luck. ... umm.... this one is way harder than I hoped.  I look for pennies.  I find dimes.  The snow covering the ground won't let me look for clovers.  I don't much like rabbits, thus I don't like rabbit's feet.  And well, the couple of lottery tickets I've scratched to evaluate how far I've come... let's just say it would have been better not to scratch and get that stuff off the tickets on my clothes.

*NYR=New Year's Resolution but know I laugh because I read that sentence as "...prior to setting my New York Rangers..."

12 percent

I'm oddly superstitious in certain instances.  I don't carry a rabbits foot, or own a lucky penny, but come to hockey playoffs I wear the same jersey or t-shirt until the PENS lose, and on New Year's day I always have my bite of sauerkraut.  Along with superstitions or common reoccurring things we do on New Year's, comes New Year's resolutions.  According to infoplease.com "It is believed that the Babylonians were the first to make New Year's resolutions, and people all over the world have been breaking them ever since. (1) "  Not that I'm claiming this is where they originated, but my brief research found that New Year's resolutions have been around for a long time.  
 
A study discussed on Quirkology.com tracked people who set New Year's resolutions in 2007.  They found that "52% of participants were confident of success. One year later, only 12% actually achieved their goal. (2)"  Not the greatest statistic.  The study found that men actually achieved their goals more often then women.  It also reveals reasons why some are more successful then others.  I encourage you to check out the article if you're a New Year's Resolution setter, but here's the basic points they make:
 
1.Make Only One Resolution 
2. Plan ahead 
3. Avoid previous resolutions 
4. Be specific

For Men: Set S.M.A.R.T goals and Carrot not stick
For Women: Go public and Be persistent
 
In the past I've set some New Year's resolutions and I can't even recall what they were.  I was of the greater majority that didn't achieve my goal of working out more last year!  I lasted about a month or so at going to the gym!  This year though, I plan to be in that 12%.  I'm confident I will be for a few reasons.  First and foremost I don't consider my resolutions to be that, instead I'm calling them goals.  Goals to me sound more definite and concrete.  So without further delay, I'll take the recommended point of going public with your resolutions and reveal what I WILL accomplish in 2011.
 
1.  Run a half-marathon.  This is a big one since I've only ever run 5k's.  I'm thinking this topic will be something that comes up in the coming year in this blog!
2.  Try new things. While this is very broad, I've already identified specifics, but am keeping it broad to encompass both professional and personal me.  One example is I intend to try new foods.  I'm a VERY picky eater... the problem with that statement is I haven't tried a lot of foods, I just don't like the thought of trying them!  This will change in 2011.
3. Be better at everything.  Again, very broad, but I have the specifics!  Personally I intend to work on my patiences.  I've already got a jump start on this since my niece received Lego's from Santa!  I never had Lego's as a kid... there was a reason why!  Professionally one thing I plan to work on is being concise.  
4. Find luck. ... no comments really necessary right?!
 
I wish everyone a happy and successful 2011, and may the year be always improving and better than 2010!
 
*Random hockey side note: I tried to abbreviate New Year's resolution as NYR so I wouldn't have to write it out so many times and all I could think when I read each sentence was New York Rangers.


1. http://www.infoplease.com/spot/newyearcelebrations.html#ixzz19p07Y4bt
2. http://www.quirkology.com/UK/Experiment_resolution.shtml