GOAL!

Goal (noun): 

1. a successful attempt at scoring

Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks; goal.

2. the state of affairs that a plan is intended to achieve and that (when achieved) terminates behavior intended to achieve it; "the ends justify the means"

With it being a new year, and (almost) a new chapter in my life, I've started a list of 2011 goals. 

A few goals that aren't pictured...

• Run a 5K. This is going to take some practice as I am not a runner. Last night, I went to the Young Arena with my friend Steph. I'm pretty sure I ran the most I have in the last 4 years. A whopping 14 minutes. Big deal, eh? Well...I figured that by the time spring/summer rolls around and I start really focusing on a 5K, I want to do it in less than 30 minutes. After we did 17 minutes of a walk/jog/run, we did 15 minutes of stairs. Yes, my legs do hate me today, but it was a great start and I can't wait to get back to the rink.
• Be happy.
• Graduate college. I'm a "Super Senior." In other words, I'm a fifth-year college student. I've changed my major more times than I have fingers and toes, but I will be done in May, and I am definitely ready for it.
• Be active.
• Take a vacation.
• Appreciate.
• Watch what I say, when I say it, and who I say it to. Believe it or not, my mouth gets me into trouble...a lot. I keep everything bottled up inside me and when I finally say how I feel or why I'm upset,it gets taken out of context and I'm suddenly the bad guy. Some things are better left unsaid. I like these lyrics from the song Deuces Remix by Drake, TI, Kanye, etc. - Finally got it through my head not to run my mouth/so when you talk bout "you know who" I don't know who you talkin' bout

Having goals help keep me grounded and focused on what's important in my life. At John Deere, we have what's called GPMS, or Global Performance Management System. Each employee is required to go in, list responsibilities and set goals, and then review them with their manager at the beginning, middle, and end of the year to track progress. By jotting down my goals last November, I can look and figure out what I need to focus on during my last 5 months.

In the real world, I don't have a manager to keep me on track with my goals and responsibilities. I have myself. I have God. And I have a handful of family members and friends to remind me what's important in life. To tell me "don't sweat the small stuff." I trust that God has a plan for me. After all, everything happens for a reason.

His Message

A year ago, my Sunday mornings were spent in bed, most likely punishing myself for the night before. Once I decided to get up, I'd make the 2-minute drive to McDonald's to get a large Coke and either a Quarter Pounder with cheese or chicken nuggets, depending on how hungover I was.

Now, I spend my Sunday mornings at church. It's the one thing I look forward to every week where nothing is expected from me. I don't have any homework to turn in or projects to be completed. I don't have to spend an absurd amount of money to get out of the house and enjoy Him. I just show up. Going to church has taught me a lot. It's helped me grow. It's brought me closer to God. And I'd like to think it has made me a better person. After church, we go to Newton's Paradise Cafe, a cute little diner in downtown Waterloo owned by one of my good friends, Blake Landau.

The last few weeks at church, Pastor Dan has given some pretty meaningful lessons. A couple weeks ago, he led a sermon that focused on how we're too busy with our lives to truly do what God wants us to. Relax. Have one day out of your week to enjoy life. To do what you love. To take a break from the e-mails, text messages, and everything else to take in what God wants us to enjoy. Don't think about work or school. Forget about how busy your week is going to be. Live life.

Today, Dan expressed that we need to ask Him for help, but also be patient and focus when we do ask for help. He used an example: do you go to the doctor, tell him you have a pain in your chest and you want to know what's wrong, then say "see ya later!" and walk out? No. You go, you wait, you get some tests done, you wait, and you talk about it. You wait. Wait for the doctor's response. So many times we send our prayers to God and expect an answer right away and we get frustrated because it doesn't usually happen that quick. So again, "turn off" life and when you take time to talk to God, take time to listen, too.

Preparation for the "Real World"

No, I'm not referring to MTV's Real World. I'm talking about the real world where, when you graduate from college, you're expected to have a full-time job and be able to manage whatever life throws at you from all angles. THAT real world. Am I ready for it? No. Not even close. 

My real world starts sometime around June 13th, 2011. Until then, I have just a few things to do (in no specific order).....

1. Write what seems an endless amount of papers

2. Complete my capstone

3. Pass my Insurance tests/get my insurance license

4. Take a much needed weekend-vacation to Minneapolis

5. GRADUATE!!!!!!!

6. Find a replacement for my current student position at John Deere

7. Go to a Chicago Blackhawks game

8. Plan and survive the 2-day CoreTech Conference

9. And my favorite...meet my nephew Taysen, due April 19, 2011

20 weeks!

My cousin (and roommate/best friend) Jami is 27 weeks pregnant with this little guy!! I love being able to see and feel him move, and I absolutely can't wait to turn him into a Hawkeye and Cubs fan! ;)