We haven’t done much to spread the word yet, but we are yet again picking up and moving.  This time, back home - get ready PEI, we’re on our way!

In the summer of 2009, we decided to leave PEI and have some new experiences.  And boy, did we have new experiences!  In under three years, we will have lived in 4 different apartments in 4 different cities, and are getting ready for our 5th!

Pretty recently, Mitch was offered a position at a company in PEI.  A few other things lined up, and we took it all as a sign that we should pick up and head home.

Things I am excited about include:  the beach; seeing family whenever we want; being able to go on vacation to places other than PEI; spending less on rent for a lot more space; Churchill Arms (best curry ever); UFIT; and falling asleep listening to Bruce Frisko read the news.

But most importantly, I’m looking forward to being temporarily without employment.  Not because I’m lazy, but because I’m going to have the time to really reflect on my life; where I’ve been and where I want to go.  All too often, I feel like I get home from work and then suddenly, it’s 10pm.  I spend my days at work talking about being intentional - intentional in programming, interacting with students, and in building relationships and connections.  Then I come home and mindlessly cook and eat dinner, watch TV, surf the web.  

Starting over in PEI, without a job to fill my days, means that I can be intentional about getting back in shape (yes, I’ve let my personal health and wellness suffer over the last couple of years, and I have way too many excuses as to why), finding meaningful and satisfying work, getting engaged in the community, and refocusing on my goals.

So, gone is the Megan who sleeps in, lounges in front of the TV, and orders way too much pizza and chinese food.  Back is the Megan who is present in the moment, and intentional in thoughts, words, and actions.

And PEI?  See you soon ;)

I’ve been looking forward to this weekend for a couple of months, and it’s finally here!

But first, let me tell you about the amazing group of students I work with.

I supervise a Peer Helper team at the University of Guelph called YoU in Guelph.  The idea behind it is that student leaders (Peer Helpers) work to build relationships with Neighbourhood Groups across the city of Guelph in order to facilitate student involvement in the community.  Such a great program!  And the students involved are simply amazing.

Which brings me back to this weekend.  We have not one, but TWO major events happening.  First, Saturday.  We are doing a workshop at Hillside Inside on the perceptions people have about community.  Now, I consider myself a pretty creative person, but working with the brains behind this workshop has rocked my world.  Such creativity, passion, and depth.  Seriously, you don’t want to miss this workshop.

And Sunday - Winterfest 2012!  This is a city-wide celebration with events hosted by Neighbourhood Groups for children and families in the community.  YoU in Guelph is bringing students to seven Neighbourhood Groups to volunteer - playing games, painting faces, serving treats, and engaging in good old fashioned winter fun!  

I am very excited to be taking 10 students to Hanlon Creek NG… and, of course, get my ball hockey game face on.

Many people feel as though they work hard, but they never seem to get anywhere worthwhile.  Why is that?

Would you go on a trip without mapping out your destination?  Probably not.  So why would you live your life without setting yourself some formal goals?

Visioning and goal setting are powerful tools that can help you start thinking about your future and motivate you to turn that ideal future into reality.  By knowing where you want to go, you can start to focus your efforts.  And, as a value-added bonus, makes it really really easy for you to reflect on where you’ve been… very important, as reflection is the secret ingredient to your learning, growth, and development!

Megan’s recipe for creating delicious goals:

• Start with a blank slate.  Find the place you think the best, equipped with all of the tools you need to do some mind-mapping:  paper, pens, highlighters, post-it notes, tape recorder, computer… whatever works for you!

• Find with your vision.  Your vision is the picture that you have of what your life will look like.  Your vision will ground your goals.  (I personally find it helpful to write my vision point-form initially and refine it as I develop my goals… but whatever works for you!)

• Develop your goals.  Once you have your vision drafted, you are ready to start breaking it down to develop your goals.  I set goals for three areas of my life:  Career, Personal, and Wellness, which for me, encompasses most of my life.  You could also set goals on different areas like finances, spiritual, artistic, family.  You know you better than anyone - so define your life in a way that is most useful for you.  Write your goals in a way that is affirmative, quantifiable, concise, and in the present tense.  Start with your long-term goals, and work backwards to your shorter-term goals. 

• Create yourself some to-do lists.  Goals aren’t going to be met without work!  What do you need to do to turn your goals and vision into your reality?  Remember to make your to-do lists something you can actually do.  Big goals are good, but they should always be realistic.

• Follow through.  Find what you need to do to keep you accountable.  I chose to share my goals with everyone who visits this website.  Maybe for you it’s posting them on your fridge, or sharing your goals with your best friend, or starting your own blog!  Every day you need to make the decision to do the things that will help you reach your goal.  Sometimes that choice isn’t easy, so choose your support system with intention.

• Reflect.  Take time often to revisit your goals, reflect on your progress, and reconsider your journey. 

Need some help getting started?  Check out the amazing resources on the Lululemon site (http://www.lululemon.com/education/sixcoreconcepts)!   

Get started now!  There is no time like a new year to crush your goals!

Happy visioning!

Megan

… and with a new year, a new blogger enters the picture. 

I’ve always resisted starting a blog, it just seemed so self-important.  But recently I’ve had the opportunity to build a relationship with someone who has similar interests, philosophies, and goals as I do… and it made me hungry for more meaningful, collaborative relationships with like-minded folks.

If you are reading this now, there is a good chance you are either a member of my family, or a Facebook friend - my two strategies for shameless self-promotion.  But that’s okay, I’m very happy you are here; maybe you will find something new through my musings!

So what can you expect to find on this website?  Some of my current interests include:

• Higher Education
• Leadership
• Training and facilitation
• Social media
• Visioning and goal setting
• Gluten free cooking
• Home design
• Restorative justice
• Community engaged learning

And oh, so much more!

I’m always looking for new opportunities to collaborate, learn, and grow.  So browse through my site, and let me know if we have anything in common!  I’ve love to hear your story.

And now to get started on crossing something off my 100 Before 100 list - 100 blog posts in one year!

Thanks for stopping by!

MM