I’m sure most people will not get the 50 Cent reference from his song 21 Questions that was released in 2003, but sometimes, I’m just here for my own personal entertainment.
I saw an article from Forbes pop up on my Facebook feed titled, “Reflect on 2017 By Asking These 20 Questions”. It encouraged you to answer the questions below prior to goal setting for 2018. I’m not typically big on New Year’s Resolutions, but a number of the questions jumped out at me, so I figured it would at least get my mind right!
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- What am I most proud of? Myself, along with the team of individuals that I am blessed to work with, accomplished a lot in 2017. Looking back on the year, it was a bit of a rollercoaster. One that is known for it’s extremely high speed, has a lot of potential to come off the tracks, but somehow manages to have a pretty smooth ride…despite the riders that find something wrong with the ride.
- What do I wish I did differently? Hmm… I don’t think there’s anything that I would have done differently, nothing jumps out as a regret or looming cloud. Maybe there were a few nights that I had a few too many drinks and really regretted it the next day though 😉
- What or who did I learn the most from? My mother. New year, same hero and mentor.
- What did I resist the most and why? Does a double tube in Pure Barre count? This is a tough one for me. Even if there is something that I am pretty against at first, I tend to be pretty open to seeing the other person’s side and coming to a happy medium. I am sure there’s someone reading this that could easily call me out on something that I resisted that I am just not thinking of though.
- What new skills did I acquire? Learning how to function without caffeine.
- What limiting belief about myself do I no longer have? That I need caffeine to function. Just kidding. But honestly, the sky is the limit (just smack me now)… I try to be pretty positive and like to think that I can accomplish just about anything if I put my mind to it.
- How have I been proved wrong and how was that liberating? There was a lot of negativity in 2017. Everywhere you looked — on your phone, in your inbox, when you turned on the TV, when you met up with friends / coworkers / family members. Some days it felt worse than others… and then there would be really big amazing moments, breaking news stories to restore my faith in humanity or a simple text or email just saying thanks and showing appreciation. Looking back on 2017 there was a lot to keep me going even on the darkest of days. To everyone who touched my life this past year, no matter how big or small, your kind gestures, love and appreciation did not go unnoticed.
- Who or what am I most inspired and energized by? Hard to pick just one! I would have to say (in no particular order) 1. Teaching Pure Barre 2. Randall 2B. Baby Thompson 3. My entire family and close friends 4. The Pure Barre Training Team 5. Working (I have an extreme need for making progress, organizing and accomplishing talks, etc… some days I wonder if I should seek professional help)
- Who or what am I repelled by the most, and why? I don’t think this is one that was intended to share with. *few moments of silence*
- What went better/harder than I expected? Better – 1st trimester of pregnancy Harder – ehh, I often make sure not to set my expectations too high so then I’m not disappointed if thing don’t go as anticipated
- What global issue did I take personally? The Top 10 Problems According to Millennials this past year were: 10. Lack of economic opportunity and employment (12.1%) 9. Safety / security / wellbeing (14.1%) 8. Lack of education (15.9%) 7. Food and water security (18.2%) 6. Government accountability and transparency / corruption (22.7%) 5. Religious conflicts (23.9%) 4. Poverty (29.2%) 3. Inequality (income, discrimination) (30.8%) 2. Large scale conflict / wars (38.9%) 1. Climate change / destruction of nature (48.8%). When you put it like that… it’s pretty intense. I think it’s pretty fair to say that there were things that fall under each of these that I took personally.
- How did I surprise myself? My biggest surprises in 2017 were my engagement and my pregnancy!
- What did I do for others? I try to do as much as a I can, as often as I can, for as many people as I can on both a personal and professional level. One thing I would like to make more time for is dedicating some time each month to volunteering / giving back more to those who are less fortunate.
- What am I most grateful for? My health, the people in my life and that I will be bringing a little bundle of joy into this world in 3.5 months…and will be forever changed.
- What negative patterns seem to be repeating? Ugh, let’s not focus on this right here right now.
- What did I start and not complete? There is nothing that I start and do not complete. Just kidding. I set some work goals for December that are getting carried over into the first week or so of January… mainly because I set the bar(re) a little too high. Knowing that I am going to be a Mom in just a few short months really kept things on track the last part of the year….since I know “free time” will not be something that will exist in the very near future!
- What was something I failed at and what did I learn? Often times, things don’t go quite as planned. The most important thing to do when that happens is to make sure that you DO learn from it. There’s definitely a difference between dwelling / obsessing on the failure(s) and spending a healthy amount of time reflecting on what you could’ve done differently and what you can take away from the not so great situation. Another one that I will take a few moments of silence and gaze off into the distance…
- What was the kindest thing I did for my friends and family? I guess you’d have to ask them! Hopefully something… if not, I need to get my life together!
- What no longer worries me, that used to? Eh, maybe this is something that I need to work on but the same things that worry me still do. I will say that I have really really tried to get better at not letting certain things consume me… at least, not as much.
- Where, or doing what, do I feel the most peace? Depends on the day and what I “need”. Could be sitting on the couch with Randall watching Netflix, in the kitchen whipping up something great to eat, taking (or teaching) class at Pure Barre, catching up with a friend (probably over food), vacuuming (not dusting — that paralyzes me), writing, reading a book, going through old photos, taking a hot shower, getting in the zone finding new music…
I hope you and yours had a wonderful holiday season and I hope that 2018 is your best year yet!
Northern Produced, Southern Seduced. 