goal setting

How to Map Out Your 2018 Goals

Wednesday, January 03, 2018

Happy New Year!


I am so excited for the 365 363 brand new days that lay before us. I have a feeling that 2018 is going to be the start of an amazing journey. This could be due to the fact that this is the first time I have mapped out my goals and created an action plan for success.

In the past I've made a lot of vague goals/resolutions/intentions but never supported them with a specific plan of action. This year, I set aside time and energy to put pen to paper and really get clear on what I wanted to accomplish. My word for 2018 is CREATE and I know it's going to take planning and preparation to execute on all of the fun things I have brewing in my brain.



Here are the steps I took to map out my 2018 goals. It's my hope that this will be helpful if you are still in the planning stages and/or aren't sure where to begin.

Create Your Ultimate Goals List

Before organizing anything, I simply started with a blank notebook page to write down all my goals. The idea is to get everything out of your head and on to a sheet of paper (or a digital document if you aren't a fan of analog). Try to be as specific as possible here. I like to use the S.M.A.R.T acronym- goals should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and, Timely.

Organize Your List 

Once I had all of my goals written out, I sorted them into categories. I ended up with 4 - personal, professional, physical, and financial. (I really wish this had been 4 P's. Does anyone use the word pecuniary anymore?)

Here are my actual 2018 goals, organized into each category.


Create a Mind Map of Each Category 

In this step you will reverse engineer your goals. The bonus? You get to imagine yourself as already having achieved them! 

First, you'll create a large circle with the category in the middle.

Then you will create branches with each of your main goals. 

For each level after the main goal, ask yourself the question "What will I need to do to be successful with this?" The answers will become the next branches.

Continue creating branches (or action steps) until you feel like you can't go any further.

Here is one of my Physical goals mapped out, as an example-

 

Plan Your Action Steps Into Your Daily Schedule 

One you have a mind map for each category, you should end up with a detailed plan on how to accomplish each of your goals. At this point, it is important to make room for them in your daily routine.


The branches of your goal will become the action steps- in other words, these will be the things you need to do daily/weekly/monthly to be successful. In the Fencing example I gave above, I would need to plan when exactly my lessons will be and choose the open fencing sessions I will attend so that I can build them into my schedule.

This whole process will take some time, so allow yourself a quiet afternoon with a nice cup of coffee or tea to get started.

What are you looking forward to in 2018?

P.S.- Check out last year's blog on Setting Intentions for the New Year

travel

Living Well and Wild In Los Angeles

Friday, December 01, 2017












Spontaneity is normally outside of my comfort zone. Chris is usually up for any adventurous opportunity and I'm the one who deliberates until the opportunity is long gone. In an effort to act on my love of travel I agreed to a weekend trip to Los Angeles to see FM-84 and The Midnight (two of our favorite New Retro Wave bands) in concert. 

When we made the decision to go I was all over the internet to try and find the best sights to see, food to eat, and unique stores to browse. When it became clear that I would not be able to sleep in order to do half of the things on my list, I quickly adjusted my expectations. We had a mere 48 hours and LA is WAY bigger than I realized with a traffic situation similar to NoVA and DC. I decided to pick a few places that I wanted to eat and one or two sights I wanted to see and whatever didn't get done would be saved for another trip. 

These are just some of the few photos I was able to take during our time out west. The concert was AMAZING and I was surprised to find out that it was only the second show ever for FM-84. There is a sort of nostalgic comfort I find in New Retro Wave and I encourage you to check out the genre if you're into 80's synth with a modern flair. You can listen to New Retro Wave on YouTube and on Spotify.

The other awesome thing about Los Angeles is all of the delicious vegan food that is everywhere. We ate at Veggie Grill, The Vegan Joint, and Sage. There were also lots of vegan options at most of the non-vegan restaurants. We had great food delivered from LA Cafe at 2 AM, when we got back to the hotel after the concert. The highlight for me was the O.G. Ramen Bowl from Ramen Hood at the Grand Central Market in Downtown LA. Three words- Sunflower Seed Broth. I was so sad when it was all gone. Definitely check it out if you are in the area. 

I can't wait to go back and experience more of the outdoor activities. Here's to being more spontaneous. 

What was the most spontaneous thing you've ever done?

P.S.- Check out the vlog for this trip over on the Living Well + Wild YouTube channel.


fall

Three Fall Drinks (Vegan)

Monday, November 06, 2017


Fall is finally here in Virginia and as long as it doesn't get too cold too soon, I am going to love the opportunity to break out my hoodies and light jackets. It's also the time where I make the switch from iced to hot drinks, especially in the morning and late evening when temperatures are lower.

Today  wanted to share three vegan, cold weather beverages to keep you warm and cozy as we transition into Fall. Grab your biggest mugs and check them out!

London Fog

Earl Grey Tea
Lavender
Coconut Sugar
Steamed/Frothed Almond or Soy Milk

1. Brew a cup of Earl Grey tea with 1/2 -1 tsp of lavender (I actually used a Green Earl Grey from Fortnum and Mason that I picked up in London)
2. Strain lavender and loose tea or remove tea bag
3. Add steamed frothed milk topped off with a little foam. (I don't have a milk steamer but I was able to get the same effect with an immersion blender, after heating almond milk on the stove)
4. Sprinkle coconut sugar on top of foam.




Golden Milk 

1 cup of Almond or Soy Milk
1/2 teaspoon Tumeric Powder
1/2 teaspoon Ginger Powder
Dash of Cardamom Powder
1 cinnamon stick
Cracked Black Pepper
Coconut Sugar to taste

1. Warm vegan milk on low heat with the tumeric powder and cinnamon stick.
2. Once warmed, add ginger, cardamom, fresh cracked black pepper, and coconut sugar.
3. Remove cinnamon stick and enjoy



Hot Cocoa with Vegan Carmel Drizzle and Sea Salt

1 cup of Almond or Soy Milk
1 tablespoon vegan Hot Cocoa mix (I use the Lake Champlain organic hot cocoa mix. You can also make your own with cocoa powder and sugar.)
Vegan Marshmallows (I have been using Dandies but I heard recently that Trader Joe's has a house brand bag of marshmallows that has no gelatin and is super affordable. I need to make a trip out there soon!)
Vegan Caramel Drizzle (I made a batch using this recipe from Jessica in the Kitchen. Check out her website for more vegan recipes!)
Sea Salt Flakes (I use Maldon which you can get at most grocery stores and Amazon)

1. Warm vegan milk on low heat.
2. Add hot cocoa mix and whisk together
3. Pour hot cocoa into mug and top with 2-3 large marshmallows
4. Drizzle caramel sauce on top
5. Sprinkle sea salt flakes to finish


Leave a comment below telling me your favorite thing about fall!