So, Greece - anyone?



Greece.  That's going on my list too!  My hubby and I like to scuba dive and the sites I've been exploring lead me to beautiful Santorini Greece (pictured below).  It's exactly what I picture when I think of Greece - beautiful white buildings on a hill and (not pictured) millions of stairs ;)

Now I don't want to give the impression that I will be going to any of these places I post about anytime soon.  They are but dreams of places I want to go sometime in my life.  But,  if you have read any of my previous posts, you know that I'm all about setting goals and finding ways to achieve them, as well as learning different ways to motivate myself.  Travel motivates me.  Find what works for you and write it down - via blog, journal, post-it notes, scraps of paper you can fold up in your pocket or put on your mirror - and look at it often.  Remind yourself why you are working so hard.  And maybe someday we can meet up in Greece! (If travel is your thing :) )

"Be miserable. Or motivate yourself.

Whatever has to be done, it's always your choice"

M is for Motivate, right?

"Don't be pushed by your problems, instead, be led by your dreams!"

Isn't it beautiful?!  The "Disney" Castle in Germany.  This is definitely on my list of place to go.  MCAT trip, maybe?!?!  In fact, I'm going to update my Dream Board with it tonight! =) However, first, I'm going to put in two hours of MCAT study time.  I mentioned how I was planning on studying on Tuesday and Wednesday (which is still the original plan) but this week I know I have a commitment on Wednesday so I'm going to "get it out of the way" tonight.  Well, one night of it anyway. Then, I will play with my Dream Board and do some scrapbooking and enjoy my evening!! I'll probably read a little more of The Help, too.  I'm 50% done and it is awesome!! I highly recommend it!  Oh, and I'm going to make more ice tea for my mornings.  Enjoy your Monday!!

Goal Update

I'm trying very hard to make sure I keep documenting my goals and stay on track with it.  It's how you get results :)  Last night, the hubby and I talked more about my MCAT test goals and decided on a reward for when I take the test. If I get the score I'm aiming for - a 35, we will go on a trip with money from a side job the hubby is going to take up this winter.  So - I have something to work towards - crazy!  I really want to travel, badly!!  Hopefully this will give me the kick in the butt I need.  Since I'm not taking the test until January now, I am making a less rigid study schedule.  I will study every Tuesday and Wednesday for 2 hours.  I will take one practice test a month until Dec. 1st and then I take one each week. Also when it gets closer I will start studying more frequently.  I feel this schedule will give me the flexibility I crave to do things that are fun that I currently feel guilty for - scrapbooking, sewing, crocheting and reading.

The hubby takes his SHELF exam in Pediatric Surgery today - which signifies the end of period two (rotation 1 for him)!!! Whoohoo!!  We are celebrating with a trip to the cabin to see his grandma and get in some good ole fashion Minnesota summer air, clear lake water and smokey campfire :) oh, and hopefully a pontoon ride or two and possibly some water skiing, maybe a visit with friends - Oh the possibilities =) Enjoy your weekend - I will!!

My Summer Reading List

Yes, I know...Summer is almost over.  Well, not for me...it's not over until I say it's over ;)  I don't participate in any activities (right now) that really signify to me the ending of summer.  I don't have a garden, I don't have kids that go back to school, I don't lay outside and tan..etc.  so I get to choose when my summer is over and I need to finish my summer reading list first ;)  So to make sure I get it done before snow hits the ground (which really will signify the end of summer) I am only choosing two. 

"The Help" by Kathryn Stockett - I hear it's amazing and I'm only on page 5, but I'm hooked too.

"Toxin" by Robert Cook - it's about a deadly E. Coli outbreak and so it has drama, medicine...all the things I love in a good book.  Well, except a love story, I like that a lot too.....

I downloaded them both onto my Kindle last night and like I said, have already started The Help.  I can't wait to finish it because the movie will be released soon and I'm all about reading the book before seeing the movie.  Do you have any last minute books you want to finish before your 'end of summer'?

Home Sweet Home

This past weekend I was fortunate enough to travel to God's Country (yes, a nickname I stole from another blogger, but I really like the sound of the name for the area I'm from) to visit family, friends and do some job shadowing.  I spent Friday in the clinic - very interesting, as always - and the rest of the weekend was spent on call - and somehow, I never once got called in - crazy to me!  The weekend also happened to be the infamous "International Woodcarver's Festival and Lake Bronson Days" so I spent most of my day on Saturday driving back and forth to make sure I got to take in all the festivities.  That evening was a street dance, which is always fun in small towns and then I headed back to the big city to start my new job on Monday.  Yesterday brought a full, long day of hospital orientation, which I honestly don't mind.  I have, however, been to 3 hospital orientations now and they are all the same, but what do you do....today, I had MORE orientation and Thursday - still more.  Other than that we have had a new roommate move in, the hubby will be taking his surgery SHELF exam on Friday (which signifies the end of one rotation) and he will start a new one on Monday!!  We may venture to the family cabin this weekend but plans aren't in stone yet. Tonight I am focusing on my goal to clean out a cupboard - I think it's due soon?! 

Concentrating on 1-3 Goals

Having a clear focus on 1-3 goals is much easier than having a ton (which I always do)....so I will focus on 1-3 main goals and 2 mini goals at a time.  I will write them down (for the whole world to see - yikes!) in hopes that it helps me achieve my goals faster and more productively.  It is suggested that your goals should be in order of prioritization and allow for change if your goals shift.

Goal One - Study and take the MCAT.  I am struggling with a timeline on this one and that is something you are suppose to have.  The thing is, I need to get a great score.  The last test date in 2011 is September 10th.....exactly a month and a week away.  It's doable, but I need to make sure I get a great score, so if my practice tests aren't showing a good score I need to wait until spring. 

Goal Two - Lose 25lbs by my cousin Lea's wedding.  Totally doable.  Her wedding is October 1, 2011.  It's a little over 2lbs a week. 

Okay, that's it - those are my main goals for now.  I have so many more to add to the list, but I really want to accomplish them so I'm going to devote my time to these for now (and my mini goals).

Mini Goals (Doll definition - goals that can be completed in a a day or a couple of hours)

Mini Goal 1 - clean cupboards and make room for roommate's stuff.  This shouldn't be that bad, I've just been procrastinating and not doing it yet.  Due Date - Wednesdy August 10th.

Mini Goal 2 - Organize my scrapbooking stuff. Needs to be done!!  Real bad.  It's all over our room and I love it, but i can't find anything anyway.  Due Date - Tuesday August 16.

Mini Goal 3 - Clean and organize our closets.  Enough said ;) Due Date - Monday August 22nd.

Okay, scary enough to write them down.  Tomorrow - a schedule, but I've already started....have you??

Focus

Ever feel like you have a case of the Mondays - all week long?  I know it's only Monday so you probably can't answer that question yet, but I had the most fabulous weekend with my family (valleyfair, visiting, MOA) and I really didn't want to start the work week.  I often wonder why I don't want to start the work week and I realize it's because I'm not accomplishing any of the goals I've set for myself in the past few months.  I've only been slowly starting to work on them, but it's not enough and I won't be satisfied with the end results (or lack thereof) if I don't put all I have into it.  Today I stumbled across a blog post about 9 Immediate Tips to Stay Focused On Your Goals (perfect!).  I'll highlight it for you, but I strongly encourage you to read the entire article - I'm feeling more motivated already :)

1. Concentrate on 1-3 Goals
2. Create a Vision Board (I posted about this earlier here) but a great place to learn how to make one is here
3. Create Milestones - end goals can seem like a lifetime away, so reward yourself and make milestones special each time you meet one
4. Create a Plan
5. Track Your Goal
6. Have Goal Buddies
7. Start a Journal Documenting Your Journey
8. Be Clear On Why You are Pursuing Your Goal
9. Learn to say "No"

I encourage you to read the whole article and start working toward your goals today!  Care to share what they are??