The Big Transition v2.0

About four years after a year of shifts in 2010 (the end of my relationship, finally getting out of TO and moving to NY, then shortly afterwards moving to SG...) I'm in a similar transition period, trying to adjust a number of semi-conditional factors to create a new setting for myself for the next little while.

relevant factors:
- location
- proximity to loved ones
- quality of work and learning

I've been lucky to have friends push me along and try to get me past my procrastination to find something new, and one has been so attentive as to setup weekly meetings with me so we can both keep track of our goals.

Last week, my goals were:
1. find 5 SIB-related companies (done)
2. Define goals for the month of March (well.. not really.)

For next week, my goals are:
1. spend 45-60 minutes every morning reading up on SIBs
2. ID goals for March

Let's see if blogging helps keep me accountable again.

April goals/updates/something

I'm f-i-n-a-l-l-y getting my act together as regards setting up a fitness routine.. now what about everything else? Reading? Mandarin classes? Working on bolstering my nascent understanding of investments and finance? Whew.  I have leads for those goals, too, but I'll post on those next time.

Jan update (fail), goals for Feb (do it again. better)

It's all in the title: my discipline regarding fitness has been TERRIBLE this month-- partly because work has been busy (several events organized, two days in Hong Kong, 4 new interns, etc) but generally because I can't convince myself fitness is a priority-- though my lovehandles are pretty convincing.

Some small successes:
- I've been going to yoga more regularly
- I've found a group of friends with a Tuesday evening rock-climbing routine, which I plan to join. First session this week!

Needs work:
- Cardio. I want to keep running but I dread it enough that it keeps me from the gym.. I should find a spin class, something I am comfortable with and won't make excuses around.

One single goal:
- MOVE. EVERY. DAY. At minimum, walk for an hour a day. Don't tell myself I'll go to yoga tomorrow because I'm going to the gym today. Just go.

I'm back! Update & Goals for Jan

It's been a crazy 6 months: finalizing a difficult breakup, a lot of questioning and doubt, moving from Toronto to New York with the same miserable job, a LOT of traveling (SE Asia, Switzerland, East Coast cities) and finally, quitting that mess and taking a new AWESOME job in Singapore, where I have been since November. I accomplished a lot in the second half of 2010-- including moving on emotionally, putting myself in a work situation where I feel challenged and useful-- but have let other elements I had a handle on fall to the side.. namely, fitness. It always seems to be the first to go out the window for me.

So here's to trying again! I'm in a new place, working long hours at a job I really enjoy, and have no fitness routine to speak of. I do have a gym membership. It's a new year and while I never usually make resolutions, I have some clear goals for January 2011. The overarching one is to make a habit of going to the gym. I had a great routine in Toronto and it kept me sane through difficult months at work and at home.

1. Yoga or gym (cardio or weights) 5 times a week. 
2. Schedule time for yoga & work-outs: put them in my calendar and stick to them!
3. Find a work-out buddy, or get a personal trainer. Once I'm in the gym I'm fine, but getting myself there regularly is a challenge. If I know someone will be waiting for me, I don't hem and haw about going.
4. Find other options for being active: find a good rock-climbing wall, pool and/or rec league to keep me moving.

To start this off right, I'm headed to the gym now.

June goals- update, and July goals

How did I do in June?
1. Go camping at least once.
Fail. This is on the list for July.

2. No stress about the ex. 
Success! Proud of myself for not wallowing (much.)

3. Be patient and stick it out a few months. 
My transfer was finally approved... I'm moving to New York. Hard to explain just how psyched I am about this life change. I've been waiting for this for a while.

4. Walk to work both ways.
Partial success... I need to keep at it.


July goals: 

1. Go camping.

2. Figure out my August move to New York.
Luckily, most of it is easy as I have a place to crash and am working the same job.

*additional goals to come once I've had a minute to think about it.

Um, YES: Mehnaz's Guide to a Tough Cookie

Thank you to Mehnaz for explaining it so well. I've been told I'm intimidating (which should be hilarious to anyone who actually knows me). Regardless, I really recognize myself here. But I also feel that many of my girl friends are like this. Is this so unusual?

June goals- back in business

After an insane amount of traveling over April and May (I was home less than two weeks of those two months), I'm back in Toronto. For now. Time to re-set some objectives for the coming month.
1. Go camping at least once. 
Some friends of mine are the camping type, and seem willing to take me along in spite of my status of "camping neophyte." Toronto is at its best in the summer, and since I don't expect to stick around, I want take advantage of the surrounding parks and wilderness while I can.

2. No stress about the ex. 
I'm finally emerging from a long, drawn-out breakup. It's finally clear that it's finally over, and I want to think and behave that way-- in spite of the facts that 1/ I live super close to his house, 2/ I work super close to his office, and 3/ I'm good friends with his mom.
Looking forward to getting back in to the dating game.

3. Be patient and stick it out a few months.
I've finally been moved to a new business unit. We've also been acquired, again, by a new company. I'm impatient to figure out whether this new role is really a better place for me, but the new-unit transition is going to be hampered by the new-company transition, and I can't exactly hold my new manager accountable for the huge uncertainty related to the acquisition. I need to hold in my impatience a few more months to give this new role a real shot.
Deadline: mid/end of July.

4. Walk to work-- both ways.
I live about an hour's walk from work. Walking home is a breeze when the weather's nice, but getting myself up and ready early enough to walk to work in the morning can be a challenge. I'm going to do this at least 3x week, on top of my regular fitness routine, which I've been sorely missing due to all this traveling. Can't wait to get back to yoga!

- - - - - - 
To participate in the meet-up:
1. Post a list of your career/life related goals for June, along with your checked off May goals if you’d like, on your own blog.
2. Go back to Brazen Careerist and leave a link to your post (*If you don’t have your own blog, feel free to share your list in the comments to join in!)
3. Then, check out everyone else’s lists as they leave comments - click their links, visit their blogs, say hello, meet, greet and support each other because that’s what it’s all about!