Virtual Vision Boards

I stumbled across a virtual vision board creation tool the other night when an email came through from my yoga studio. The director had made up a virtual vision board of all the cool stuff we'll be enjoying next year, from salt therapy to workshops and early morning classes. She'd then stuck the picture in the newsletter.

Aha! What a fab idea - much as I love the physical creation, I wanted something "quick and dirty" to pop up at home - aka I want it now, so I'm making a virtual board right this second! Instant gratification is a dangerous thing, but here's what I plan to work on in 2014:

Basically, 2014 will be the year that I slow down and take more time for myself, after the crazy whirlwind of 2013 has left the building. 

2013 has been a year of immense personal growth, professional growth and figuring out what I need from life, with a side of knowing very well now what I don't want from life. 

Needs and wants are different - I need peace and quiet, I want a happy life. I need to avoid drama and evil pond scum. I want to have nice, happy, positive people around me. I need to let go of all the baggage of 2013 and I want to grab 2014 and give it a giant hug.

Wants and needs aside, I have managed to keep Harold the happy houseplant alive and kicking for several weeks, along with the aloe vera and the green plant with spines and a red throat. I also bought another five succulents which are still alive too. The cat is still kicking after eight years and I've still not put back on a single kilo of the weight I've spent five years leaving behind.

Despite it's immense highs and lows, up and downs, inside outs and back to fronts, 2013 hasn't been too bad a year. I'll reflect a little further on New Year's Eve, but for now I'm happy just being me, right here, right now. 

100 things list

Most of you know about the concept of a 100 Things List, thanks in part to my good fortune to be at FILEX (the annual fitness industry convention in Australia) this year when Sebastian Terry was doing the closing inspirational presentation. Seb talked about why he started the 100 things project and the crazy things on his list, as well as his goal of raising $100,000 for Camp Quality in the process. 

As a result of this, I made a 100 things list of my own. You can view it here. I've managed to check off a few items, with many still to go. I decided I needed a hard copy list as well, so yesterday I bought a "100" notebook from Kikki-K. I managed to write down 89 things last night before my shoulder packed up and refused to allow any more writing. 11 more to go!

I love digital stuff, particularly being able to buy songs and albums and books without the physical clutter of the case or the book itself.  It keeps down the clutter and "stuff" which I feel holds me back and chokes me. More physical stuff means more stress when it gets overwhelming or untidy. No thanks! 

Much as I love my digital books and music and movies and etc, I love to physically write stuff down. I have a myriad of journals for my ongoing coaching and personal development studies. I like being able to pick up a journal and flick through it, thereby giving me the ability to instantly remember stuff I thought I'd forgotten. I also have the Goals, Gratitude, Happiness and Wellbeing journals from Kikki-K in which to record the past, present and future me!

With my 100 things list, there's been a couple of edits. A couple of things are no longer relevant or physically possible (I'll never do 50 decline push ups at 75 degrees, for example, nor do I want to try) so they've been replaced with new goals. I want to see more, do more, experience more, learn more and enjoy more. Turns out I do want to go to Bali after all, just nowhere near Kuta. Phuket can stay where it is for now. I just want to go to places that won't disturb my mind!

I'm a firm believer in constantly re-evaluating your life, your goals, your plans, your motivations, your thoughts, your actions and your intentions. If something no longer serves you in your quest to be the best you that you can be, drop it and move on. If something is holding you back, cut the ties and walk on. Walk away from what you don't need in your life and walk towards what you do need. 

Life is too short to waste being stressed, miserable, bored, tired, angry, depressed or mean. Don't like your situation? Change it! No one else can do it for you.