Happy Monday! New week = new start!
And, it means less than a week until….
THE CHICAGO MARATHON! I can’t believe it’s here. Seriously, it doesn’t seem so long ago that I was sitting in class trying to register for it on February 1st at noon so I got in before it sold out!
Insanity.
But we’ll have plenty of marathon talk later this week! Today marks the first day of the BEST MONTH OF THE YEAR! Why you ask? 1) I love fall and 2) my birthday is in October! Before I get on to my goals that I want to work on over the next four weeks, let’s recap how things went in September:
September Goals
1) Do all my reading a day before class! Did pretty well at this one. I always get my reading done for 3 of the classes ahead of time, one class I’m not doing to awesome with reading for, and the last class I realized our whole grade is based on a paper… Which means there is no purpose to read the book and take notes in class other than for fun… So yea. I think I did well on this one but it can definitely improve!
2) Do a devotion every morning when I get up! I did pretty well with this for most of the month, but I definitely fell off track over the past week or so. I find that if I don’t do a habit every single morning, then I just fall off the bandwagon completely. Need to get back on.
3) Be prepared for each GOTR lesson and HAVE FUN!Haha, well, because of the teacher strike in the Chicago Public School System, we started pretty late and have only had 3 lessons (4 including today!). I have been prepared and enjoyed them so far, but I’m ready to get into a routine with it. All the other coaches have missed at least 1 lesson so far, so we have been a bit out of whack, but things should improve soon since everyone SHOULD be there for the rest of the season…
4) GET PUMPED FOR THE MARATHON! Um yes. Haha definitely kept this one going. I’ve been very lucky that I haven’t gotten burnt out and I think part of that was the week I had to take off because of my IT band problems. But I’ve been doing well for the past 3 weeks and have less than one to go! (KNOCK ON WOOD). I hate all this waiting though, it’s giving me anxiety, I just want to go do it and not think about it so much!!!
Alright, now we’re on to October!
October Goals
1) Start weightlifting again. Because of all the running I’ve been doing, I’ve lost both time and motivation for weight training. It’s so important to do strength training for you your overall health, and I miss it! It made me feel strong and confident! I want to re-vamp my workout schedule with plenty of strength training and still some running to keep up my overall mileage, because I don’t want to completely lose what I’ve done over the past 4 months, especially since I’m running a half in January!
2) Stop watching so much TV. It’s become an issue. Ever since I joined Hulu Plus last week to watch all of Downton Abbey, I can’t stop watching full seasons on Netflix or Hulu. I’ve gone through Downton Abbey, New Girl and Once Upon A Time in 8 days. That’s time I should be using to focus on school, blogging, exercise and my own mental health (aka not trapped in TV land…). I’m ditching Hulu Plus. Can’t. Handle. The power.
3) Continue career-soul searching. I’ve been trying to figure out what the in the world I want to do after I take the Bar exam next summer. Do I want to be an attorney? Do I want to try and use my law degree in another way? Do I want to ditch it entirely and go for another career path? It’s driving me crazy and I need to really start looking at jobs and think about whether or not that’s something I’d be happy doing.
4) Keep on top of/get a head start on school work. As you might be able to tell from my goal above, my head is not in law school right now. I am seriously lacking the interest and motivation that I used to have, but I have 5 busy classes this semester and can’t let that slide. I need to work harder on keeping on top of school work, tests and 2 papers/presentations that I have this semester. Ick. But it’s got to be done!
If you love your career, how did you find it?
Does anyone else have a TV addiction right now?
you’ve really inspired me to think about my own career/what i want to do with my life. i always thought i just knew what i wanted to do and i’ve been heading down that path for so long i can’t even remember when i decided it was what i wanted. i’m trying to take some time out to really take a look at my future and figure it all out. and i can’t wait for this weekend!! maybe i’ll spend the 26.2 miles soul searching 🙂
Haha maybe we’ll have life epiphanies during our runs! I can only hope…
i hope so! it’s a lot of time to think so i figure i might as well make some mental progress while i make physical progress 🙂
Super good luck with the marathon! I’m from Chicago, and I absolutely love running races there. I recently discovered Hulu and keep going back and forth as to whether or not I should get Hulu Plus…it’s just so convenient!
Have a great day!
It is SO convenient, haha but that was the problem: i was just watching tons of TV this week and not getting anything done! I just don’t have the will power to keep away!
Some of the members of my training group are heading down to Chicago to run “with you” this weekend. Everytime I get recaps from them, I’ll definitely also have you in mind — I’ll be cheering for you all, so if the wind is coming from the north-east you just might be able to hear me!! 🙂
I think that a lot of people in our generation are having “career crises”, so to speak. It seemed like it was very much more clear-cut in previous generations — you were white collar or blue collar and pretty much fit into a niche and stuck with it. With all the new opportunities out there for us now, in the ever expanding world of new discoveries and technologies, it’s no wonder we’re overwhelmed!! If you follow your heart, you can’t go wrong. 🙂 I went back to school to become a lab tech, and now I’m studying at IIN to get a health coaching certificate. I’m not sure how it’s all going to work out in the end, but I’ll know that I’ve tried my best and that I’ll be equiped with all the tools that I need to make myself a comfy, happy, fulfilled life.
I’ll be listening! Thanks, Chelsie!
Career soul searching? Heavy stuff. I am in the same boat and sometimes it really stresses me out. I loved my old career, but now am looking for a change. Every experience will teach you something and when you focus on what you want, opportunities will begin to jump out at you. This growing up stuff is hard.
I never had a TV problem, but I definitely had a Downton Abbey addiction. That show is amazing and I love the grandmother so, so much.
Hahahaha I love her too, she’s my favorite character!
You will figure out the right path for yourself!! I have a Nutrition/Dietetics degree and am doing my masters right now in Food and Nutrition. After it’s done, I will apply for a Dietetic Internship to become a Registered Dietitian. I found my love for Nutrition through my love for cooking. I love the field so much because there are sooo many different things to do!
I’m addicted to tv too, but I’m ok with it 🙂 Good job on reading for class — my 3L year, that completely disappeared 🙂
It was really nice to meet you at the book club yesterday! I am still trying to figure out my career that I want when I graduate in May. It is so hard to know what choice is best!
I have Hulu Plus but I only watch a couple of shows. If I get in the habit of watching too many shows it isn’t good!!
I’m totally addicted to TV, but since I don’t feel like I neglect other areas for it, I’m cool with it for now! I wouldn’t say I love my career. Every job is a JOB, but it’s fulfilling and, most days, kind of fun. But since I dream about doing other things pretty often, I probably shouldn’t give career advice 🙂
haha I feel like most people don’t have their “dream” job/life, but I’d love to find something fulfilling and fun like you have!
I think your goal should be to do nothing but watch TV, not cut it out. Trust me, it’s a good idea.
Okay, I’ll do that as long as you promise to let me come live on your couch once I’ve dropped out of law school and can’t get a job. I promise to buy you a baguette every day as my “rent.”
So excited for your marathon! I love your new goals and can relate at least to the career one. I just started downtown abbey because i just needed to know what all the fuss was about. may have watched five episodes in two nights.
It is sooooo good! I don’t know why I didn’t watch it earlier!
I got back on the strength training train after taking two full weeks completely off strength training and whoa. Walking and moving were major challenges for me last week haha. Hurts so good, though! I want to get myself in some sort of functional shape before Best Body Boot Camp, because I’m planning on registering for Round 3 and would like to, you know, not die. Haha.
I’m planning to do it too! Haha and I’m probably going to die… that’s okay though, I agree that it hurts so good!
When I got Netflix, I became addicted! It was so hard to not. I still have it but now I do not watch it nearly as much. I love this post. I can totally relate to you about finding a career that will make you happy. I am graduating in December and I am overwhelmed by all the choices out there. Best of luck on your journey 🙂
Good luck to you too! It’s so hard to choose the right career!
I’m loving Arrested Development right now, if I wasn’t so caught up in Gone Girl, I’d be watching all the time!
I’d be so much worse about tv but I have to share with Ian. It’s such a life saver because whenever he wants to play video games I have to find some thing else more productive to occupy my time. If that wasn’t the case I wouldn’t get things done!
The career searching thing is so frustrating. I’m there with you and I feel so lost!
Now I’m obsessed with our new book club book! I got it on my iPhone and can’t stop reading it, I was reading it while walking from the train to the grocery store today!
I’m a stay-at-home mom and it is the hardest and best job I have ever had!
Luckily I’m not too addicted to TV right now but after I had my first baby it was ALL I did. Breastfeeding is a full time job and I would sit and watch TV while I fed my baby (probably close to 7 or 8 hours a day!) Yikes! Pretty sure I became a lot dumber during those months.:)
I have to say I’m SO JEALOUS! Honestly being a stay at home mom has been my dream job since I was 10 and gave up being a famous singer. Lol I just can’t apply for that one when I graduate…
I would 100% try and use your law degree. You do not want to waste the money you’ve spent getting yourself there. Even if you’re working for a non-profit, or for something like Michelle Obama’s childhood obesity group, it would still be utilizing the skills you’ve worked on the past few years.
I’m definitely going to try! I just don’t want to end up in a job I hate because I feel like I “had” to use it. We’ll see how it goes! And I better be seeing you over Thanksgiving or Christmas!!! It’s been too long!
Currently too busy with school to watch TV! But I have a birthday coming up too. October truly is the greatest month!
Lol I SHOULD be too busy with school… And yay for October birthdays!
I love that motivation quote! DAILY is required 🙂
I kinda want to watch Once Upon a Time–was it good??
Things happen & fall into place with time & when you try your best. So don’t stress too much about it. Prepare & think about it a bit, but don’t WORRY. God’s got this, I promise 🙂
I LOVE Once Upon A Time! I hate that I’m all caught up now, I have to wait a week for each episode! And it’s soooo hard not to worry… I just have no idea what I want to do!
Ugh, the career question. I just started grad school and I still have no idea what direction I want to go. It’s stressful, because I feel like everyone expects you to have it all sorted out by this point!
I know! Lol sometimes I just pretend. haha
career soul-searching is tough. i feel like I go through it every few years…and now in particular. im struggling to come up with a long-term (5-10 yr) plan that will fill all my goals and let me relax with the whole “what do i really want to do” or “what shoudl i do next” thing every few years. but as always, when in doubt, just listen to your gut
I absolutely love this post! It’s inspiring me to sit down and right out my monthly goals! Would it be ok if I copied you and did a similar post? It’s great!
The tv addiction is a constant problem – right when I’m over a show, another premieres that I fall in love with! I try to stick to the 30 min. shows because they take up a bit less of my time.
Good luck running the Chicago Marathon! Last year I ran it and it was my first marathon. It’ll be a special experience for you. I’m volunteering at aid station 2 (mile 3), so if I see you I’ll be sure to cheer. Enjoy the experience 🙂
Im really really busy in school so I havent had time to watch any of my favorite fall shows. 🙁 On friday I finally caught up with my shows. I am addicted to tv and books! It was so nice seeing you yesterday. I loved the pumpkin humus you brought. So good.
Ah, I cannot tell you how reassuring it is to read that you/others are struggling with career choices. This has literally been consuming my life for past six months or so. I left grad school because I realized I was doing it for all the wrong reasons (avoiding the job market, delaying the real world, etc.) and not because it was something I was genuinely interested in. Now I’ve just been job searching and looking to take anything at this point. It is SO frustrating not having much of a direction right now. It’s nice to know you’re not alone!
yep, I am so in the same boat! Haha I just decided to stay in school!
I have a TV watching problem too! Ever since I bought Netflix I have been addicted and I can’t stop. I’ve already knocked out Mad Men, Gossip Girl, and now I’m onto Lost. IT’S SO ADDICTING!!!
oh no… I didn’t know they have Lost on Netflix… this could be dangerous!
talk about an epic goal right off the bat in the month of oct!! soo exciting that u’re running chicago….good luck! 🙂
Thanks, Cait!
I heard someone talking about the Chicago Marathon on the news this week and I thought of you! So exciting!
Thanks, Emily!
Oh, and also, we’re in the same place when it comes to the career — so confusing!