The Countdown is On!

Goodbye Christmas :(

It's a tragic time of year. Christmas decorations come down and are packed up. Christmas lights are ever so gently stripped from a tree and thrown in a box, only to be cursed the following year for getting tangled. Girls are making resolutions to starve themselves and become exercise anorexics lose weight. Guys are counting down the days until they can stop listening to the aforementioned girls crying about how they just wanna lose 3lbs. Resolutions only last for so long, right?

I'm going to be the first one to admit it. I have been seriously slacking on my list. Seriously. Slacking. In 2014, I vow to accomplish more on my list. This means more doing and more blogging (hey there Number 35).

Here's my plan -

• I'm tackling the 'No Booze for a Month which started just after my darling friends birthdays January 4th and 5th. January 6th was Day 1 of my Detox. Luckily for me, my detox ends 3 days before visiting my besties L&L in NYC for the weekend. Talk about perfect timing. That will put a "Done" next to item Numero 89.
• On January 26th, I'm doing my first 5k of 2014. Since my honey got me some SWEET hot pink Nike Lunar's for Christmas, there's really no excuse for my fat ass not to run. So hoping my "training" goes well, I'm running the entire thing and crossing off Number 4.
• Numbers 72 and 90 will be knocked off my To-Do List in March. My darling Uncle has insisted my mother and I take a trip to Vegas to visit him. I know what you're thinking, how much fun could you possibly have with your 60 year old mother and uncle? To respond....do you know my family? Mom is allowing me to pick the Cirque show, and the Uncle is taking me gambling. I went to Vegas once before (for work) which was still awesome. This time I'm looking forward to doing touristy things - like shopping, shows, and tons of gambling. Especially craps, blackjack and placing bets on basketball....helllllo March Madness. 
• Number 52 will be accomplished right now. This new year has brought about some incredible changes and I'm pleased to announce one of these changes includes my profession. I accepted a position with my sorority's foundation. I am beyond excited to give back to an organization that has done so much for me. Without further ado, here are my 5 professional goals as of January 1, 2014 - 

1. Break into the non-profit world and be a rockstar. Give it your all. It's not about the money - it's about helping people. This is your new mantra. I repeat, not about money. You were born to help people...it's in your DNA. 
2. Spend less time surfing the internet, social media-ing, and online shopping at work. If you have free time, it's going to be sent learning something relevant. Something that can be helpful in your profession. Webinars, podcasts, white paper perusing, etc...Seek out formal and informal professional development opportunities.
3. Keep the big picture in mind. I'm sure there will be tasks I don't like to do. Just remember someone has to do these tasks in order for the foundation to succeed. Having a positive outlook will make it easier. This is an amazing opportunity and it will require an "All Hands on Deck" mentality. Your job description doesn't quite cover it. Be open, flexible, and available to assist in any way possible.
4. Work on management skills. Learn to train others with more patience and understanding. Listen more, boss less. You might not manage a group of people now, but you will in the future. Do it right.
5. Working with all women will be a huge change. Do not get into office politics, gossip, or drama. Be friendly, approachable, and a listening ear but do not sink to the level of others. 

I'd actually love any and all advice, professional goals, feedback, anything from friends who work in the nonprofit sector. So please reach out! 

So now I shared my plan. Let me celebrate the small success of checking something off my list. I completed my "Pinteresting" baking challenge and have continued to power through. To round out the list of 10 - these delicious breakfast muffins. I also made cheeseballs. And pepper/bacon egg patty things. Can you say "overachiever"?

Number 95 deserves a post all to itself. Sit tight my little chickadees.

Until next time,
L