Day 140

Something learned:

When I run races, my brain starts freaking out because it has nothing to focus on and it can't help with the physical struggle that my body is going through at that moment.

At today's keynote speech, the speaker advises using "ridiculously short term goals" to build up to bigger goals. This works! During my runs, I stopped myself from going crazy by watching the watch and focusing on where I need to be in the next four minutes. The counting down distracts me enough to keep my feet moving.

It works to done extent with GTD too. By focusing on next actions, I am able to keep moving forward on projects.

Small goals work!

Something I would like to get better at:

Keeping an open mind. I've had people approach me with ideas, and it's all too easy for me to see problems or pitfalls. I let that obscure the potential value of the idea. I should get better at listening and seeing it from the positive side as well.

Today I was thankful for:

1. Inspiring keynote speeches
2. Taking a quick look at some awesome trees at a national park
3. Yummy soft shell crabs for dinner
4. Getting to walk through the Columbia Museum of Art for free
5. Realizing that I miss home because things that people get really excited about here, I already have at home.

Looking forward to:

Going home. Travel is good, home is even better. :)

Day 93

Something learned:

The way to get what you want out of life is to know what you want. And then always be working towards it.

I think I was about ten when I answered the question, "What do you want to be in life?" with "Happy."

It's still true today. Granted, it's more complicated than having an infinite amount of chocolate and getting foot rubs. Happiness for me, is a number of things -- family, friends, experiences, accomplishments, a stress-free life, lifelong learning, fulfilling all my roles (daughter, sister, mother, wife) well. I don't want to be rich or famous. I want to live in a way that's consistent with my values.

I don't presume that everybody has the same goal in life, but I do believe that each person's life will be more satisfying if they knew what their goal was, and allow it to guide them in their choices.

Today I was grateful for:

1. The key fob still working despite being left in the pocket of the jeans I washed yesterday
2. Realizing that I was NOT 30 minutes late for the meeting, but rather 30 minutes early.
3. Free chocolates from Google
4. Purging the freezer, lots of space in there now
5. Husband getting the info for how to reproduce our wedding cake

Looking forward to:

Taking a day off on Friday. All for myself :D

Day 88

Something learned:

Have your own goals. Success is achieving your own goals -- not measured by society's standards.

When you have your own goals, whether financial, career, personal, etc, you get to determine your own success. Know yourself, and you will be free yourself from resentment of others' expectations of you. Whatever you achieve, is because you have chosen to.

I've made my career choices this way since I was 16 and it has served me well. I saw no personal fulfillment in becoming a lawyer, or doctor, or financier, and I've been so happy being a programmer.

Today I was thankful for:

1. Successfully helping a friend with a spreadsheet problem and she called me a genius... But it was just programming
2. Getting a free copy of an interesting sounding novel at an author's talk by Jerry Stahl
3. A friend's husband taking the time to answer my questions about trusts
4. Free time this evening to do puzzles
5. Kid volunteering to perform with her violin in school next week. So freaking adorable

Looking forward to:

Mailing off that massive packet of tax papers to our accountant.