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30 before 30

posted 2nd December 2011    Written by: Kristen    CATEGORY: Creativity, Kristen, Life Lesson, Quarterlife Crisis, Season 5, Travel, Travel/Adventure

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about all the things I want to do in my life and the list is long and includes big dreams like a write a bestseller and manageable ones like mow my own lawn. I have endless journals filled with life lists, wishes, and desires, going back as far as my teenage years.

In my recent attempts to get organized and minimize the junk in my house, I happened upon an older life list from my sophomore year of college and it was pretty amazing to see that many of the things on that list I already accomplished. In the spirit of that, I am making a list of 30 things to do before I turn 30 in March 2013.

I’m excited for the years to come as I have this new awareness of myself—my life post Quarter Life Crisis is filled with so much excitement and possibility that I find myself smiling for no reason sometimes other than I feel great in my skin. These 30 things are small (and some big) ways to further fuel that amazing feeling. I have a larger list of items of places to visit and things to see (Pinterest has made this list grow exponentially). I think having a life list is an awesome way to always be pushing for more. It’s also great to look back at lists and see what was important at one time. So, in random order….

1. Go to the opera

2. Visit Holland, see the tulips, cheese market, & Anne Frank House: This is my 30th birthday present! My mother (who is Dutch) and I are going in April or May 2013 to do this- she has not been back to the Netherlands since she was a teenager & I have wanted to go since I was a child.

3. Dog sledding

4. Hot air balloon ride (almost came to fruition this year but I procrastinated & then the Groupon deal was gone!)

5. Spa weekend with my girlfriends

6. Buy a piece of original artwork

7. Own my own home- DONE!

8. Live alone- DONE (though not how I had originally planned or thought it would happen)

9. Professional cooking class

10. Get rid of credit card debt

11. Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity

12. Mow my own lawn

13. Have a garden & grow my own vegetables

14. Speak at a national conference (1st time accomplished in 2008, will be doing again in April 2012)

15. Go salsa dancing

16. Learn ballroom dancing

17. Compete in Scrabble competition

18. Cook major holiday meal for my family

19. Change a tire and/or oil

20. Do a Polar Bear Plunge

21. Run a 5K (I did one in August 2010 but I want to attack again!)

22. Do my family history/genealogy

23. Road trip across the United States

24. Adopt a rescue dog

25. Make something creative that people might be interested in purchasing

26. Take a painting class

27. Go to the Brimfield Antiques Fair

28.  Have my own blog

29. Volunteer at soup kitchen on Thanksgiving or Christmas

30. Digitize all of the family 8mms, videos, and photographs

[Photo Credit: Keunkof Spring Gardens}

 

 

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The Life List That Changed My Life

posted 15th September 2011    Written by: Dusti    CATEGORY: Dusti, Molly, Quarterlife Crisis, Season 5, What I've Learned

I love lists. Like religiously. Lists for shopping, lists for goals, lists to keep track of everything. I’m not OCD, but I do like to track progress. Checking off each little box makes me warm and fuzzy inside.

Last year, on January 3rd, 2010, I started a list that would change my life. It was called 101 in 1001. The idea is you choose 101 things of varying difficulty and complete them in 1001 days. That’s not so long it’s impossible to see the end of, but it also gives you more leeway than New Year’s Resolutions. Count me in.

One of my more outlandish tasks on the list was “Use a productivity system for 30 days.” (So much for not appearing OCD.) A productivity system would help me get my crap in order, and hopefully, my life would follow suit.

Enter GTD (Getting Things Done). I bought files and a box and got to work. But soon, I realized it wasn’t a good fit for me. (Too many files and far too many rules.) I began to look again for a new system to try. That’s when I found ZTD (Zen to Done).

 

That’s when Leo Babauta and Zen Habits entered my life. I started diving through the archives. He wasn’t just talking productivity. He was bringing simplicity into every aspect of life. That’s when I entered the blogosphere, first as a reader, then soon as a fellow contributor.

One of the movements Leo was advocating was minimalism. I started reading about other people trying similar life experiments, and I was shocked. I couldn’t believe there were other people like me so dissatisfied with the the consumer culture that appeared the only option. But they were doing something about it. Many of them were living with 100 things or less!

That was insane to me. It reminded me of a few years back when I had moved to Texas with what would fit in a suitcase. And I had loved it! So I made the decision to do it. I started going through my things, making Goodwill trips, and downsizing.

Then, it was my daughter’s turn. Everyone thought (read: still thinks) I was crazy for doing it, but what do babies really need? Clothes and toys. Who needs more than 100? (She seems to be just fine, thank you.)

While I was doing this downsizing, I had also started blogging about it. The fact was nobody was writing about what radical minimalism looked like with kids, and I felt like I had something really worthwhile to talk about. It turned out other people felt that way, too. Within two weeks of starting my blog, I’d guest posted on my favorite blogger’s site (when she wasn’t taking guest posts) and taken my niche by storm.

I was in love. After feeling so isolated since I had my daughter, here were all of these people who understood what I was going through. Here was this wonderful community willing to share and discuss and be vulnerable. Out of the blue, I found friends, mentors, and more than a few adventures. And how could I forget the passion I felt for writing? The words flowed like water. It was beautiful. My calling stumbled into my life when I was just looking for new things to keep me from remembering my QLC.

Since then, it’s been a wild ride. I’ve released several ebooks, turned my blog into a business platform, and now I’m here pouring my heart out at Stratejoy. I found Stratejoy in an unconventional way these days – I met Molly in person! We found each other at a karaoke bar during the World Domination Summit this summer, and after hearing Molly’s story, it wasn’t long before I was diving in and out of her archives.

When I saw apps were being taken for new Stratejoy writers, it was fate. With my blog being so business-like, there’s a lot a I want to share that no longer fits that audience. I am so ready to share the stories that make us who we are. It’s an honor to have the opportunity to connect with such an amazing group of women. Here’s to another year of beautiful words, broken stories, and creating incredibly rich lives.

 

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Finding Joy: A Bold New World

posted 2nd June 2011    Written by: Bri    CATEGORY: All Posts, Bri, Love/Relationships, What I've Learned

One of the significant benefits I get from blogging is the ability to look back and clearly be able to see where I’ve been.  My blog marks my life completely.  It also keeps me accountable for better or for worse.  There is a record of every New Year Resolution, Birthday Dream, or Life List I’ve made since I started blogging almost 4 years ago.

Yesterday, Laura wrote a kickass post about New Beginnings and Self Care Habits.  (Go ahead and check it out, I’ll wait….) I am so inspired by people claiming their lives and making plans.  It makes me want to join them.  I have always been a planner and I make goals and create mantras twice a year, once in the beginning of the year and once on my birthday (June 7th in case you wanted to send me flowers).  It’s time to check in with myself.

I started the year in a hot tub with a handful of amazing bloggers and as the countdown began we all yelled what we wanted in 2011.  When my turn came I exclaimed that I wanted to be bold.

I wanted to live a vibrant life without fear.
I wanted to meet challenges head on.
I wanted to feel in love with my life, not because I’ve been lucky but because I’d gone out and claimed what I wanted.

My life has been bold since then.  That’s for sure.  I fell in love.  I am growing a little human in my belly.  Last Friday I got married.  Saying that I had no way of knowing all of this was coming my way is true in that you can never really know what hand you’ll be dealt, but I believed it could happen.  I believed that my life could change at anytime.  Anyone I meet has the ability to alter my life if I let them in.

There is no way to control when you’ll meet the person you’re meant to be with but what would have happened if, when I met Mr. A, I was closed off and afraid?  Nothing.  Nothing would have happened.  I would have fled at the first sign of intensity.  I would have been unable to trust that sometimes love rushes in like a lightening bolt.  You have to believe that magic is possible or you might miss it. You have to risk it, whatever it is: your heart, your comfort, your bold dreams.

As the second half of the year begins I am making some new goals.  My mantra is joy.  I want to exude joy.

The rest of 2011 is going to be amazing.  What do you want out of it?  What forms of goal setting work for you?  How do you keep yourself accountable?

 

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10 Things You Need to Know to Launch “Your Thing”

posted 10th January 2011    Written by: Molly Mahar    CATEGORY: Guest Post Rockstar, Inspiration, Job/Career/Work, Molly
What follows is a whip smart and revealing guest post from Laura, one of the amazing women who took part in the inaugural Get It Off the Ground Group Coaching Program.  (Which reminds me, cupcake!  The 2011 Groups are starting NEXT WEEK!  There are a few spots left-  but you need to register NOW!)

I’m honored to host Laura (aka Big L) on Stratejoy today and excited to let her “share her thing”!  And if you’re lucky, she’ll explain what’s up with Richard Simmons! Without further ado….
“Let’s transform your thing into our thing!
Have you ever had an idea so big that it occupies your thoughts every day? Have you ever been so focused on a vision – on the “I wish” and “What if” – that you made little or no progress toward actually achieving it?
Have you ever tackled something – a project, business, invention, book – with such fierce independence and ownership, you were unwilling to ask for help?
Have you ever felt so passionate about something that you went so far as to close yourself off to others’ advice? Not because you lacked respect or love for the people giving it, but because you wanted to do it your way. You wanted to make your own mistakes and decisions; take your own risks and leaps of faith.

If you answered yes to any of these questions, we have something in common.
If you answered yes to all of these questions, we have a lot in common!
Good news, right? Because you’re not alone. And you’re not crazy (and neither am I), phew! But the better news, as I recently learned from our fearless tribe leader Molly Hoyne, is that you can change.

Why would you want to? Because when you replace a need for independence, protection and productivity with a desire for sharing, exploring and honesty, you become a hell of a lot more efficient. Not to mention, your feelings of accomplishment, confidence, clarity, and fulfillment skyrocket.  But if you’re like me – or like I was before signing up for Stratejoy’s inaugural Get It Off The Ground (GIOTG) group coaching session – you feel as though you have those things already.

That’s why mindful productivity is the benefit of GIOTG participation I want to touch on. The concept is output-oriented, so it appeals to our need to strive, but it’s still rooted in emotion and intention. Thanks to Molly, and the five other women who formed our intimate entrepreneur group, I learned a lot about it. Things like:
  1. Rather than numbingly checking things off the To Do list, you’re better off asking yourself whether they deserve to be there in the first place.
  2. You don’t have to figure everything out yourself or create absurd expectations in order to be successful. Being thoughtful, taking the time to plan, and loving and listening to yourself are actually way more important.
  3. When you find yourself avoiding doing something for days, weeks or months, try pausing to ask yourself what you’re afraid of. That is worthy of your time.
  4. Instead of moving puzzle pieces around in your mind, where you’ll inevitably lose some, put your thoughts on paper. You can still move ideas and tactics around, and pause and resume as you need to.
  5. Small steps add up to big accomplishments.
  6. If you’re waiting for huge chunks of uninterrupted time to make progress, you probably never will!
  7. When you’re your toughest critic (and you probably are!) it gets in the way of your progress. It does not make you better.
  8. Articulating what you wish for yourself and your life makes working toward it a lot more exciting.
  9. Connecting with your desires and intentions will allow your outputs and outcomes to really shine!
  10. Other people might not see the specifics of your mindful productivity – a lot of it is behind the scenes stuff – but they’ll feel it!
The result of all of these learnings? I journaled, thought about and realized things I never had before. I made short term and long term plans that felt realistic. I established new systems for how to keep my work, ideas and To Dos organized. I learned to lead with my intentions, desires and goals, and follow with my actions and outputs. I gained confidence and a new perspective that I don’t want to lose.

Best of all? I learned how to workshop through A Thing.

My thing this time was, ironically, a self discovery project called 30 Things.

In a nutshell, it’s a commitment to saying yes instead of no 30 times in a one-year period. My BFF and I both did this, blogged about it along the way, and over the course of the year, our outlook on life totally changed. From slowing down enough to shop at the Farmer’s Market, to singing karaoke and going zip lining. From starting my own business, to discovering yoga and getting engaged.  And yes, there was that thing with Richard Simmons…
The journey was loaded with self discovery, realization and fulfillment.

My vision is for other people go on the journey, too, in their own way, to create their own invaluable experiences. Aside from all of the tools and insights GIOTG gave me, it led me to create a Ning community called My 30 Things, where my BFF and I hope to build and support a community of people who want to embrace Yes in their lives. 30 Things will show you how.
And if you’re interested in checking it out (and I hope you are!), you have Molly to thank.

GIOTG helped transform 30 Things from a vision to an achievement; from my thing to our thing.

Laura, 27, Nova Scotia, Canada: Runner, continuous improver, ideas junkie, yogi, and the strategist and storyteller behind Red Balloon Relations. Check out her life-changing 30 Things Project or find her on Twitter.
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a Future Soundbyte

posted 24th November 2010    Written by: Nikki    CATEGORY: All Posts, Inspiration, Job/Career/Work, Nikki, Season 3

The date:  November 24, 2015

The Scene: In studio for KCRW (CA local NPR station)’s live radio show “The Treatment” – interviews in Arts and Entertainment.

Welcome to The Treatment; I’m Elvis Mitchell.  Since her debut in the cult classic trilogy “Atlas Shrugged,” based on the controversial Ayn Rand book, my guest Nikki Klecha has caught the attention of audiences with memorable supporting roles in some of the last five years most notable indie films.  She’s here with us today to discuss her most recent project, the award-winning film “The Hum,” her inspirational website, and her first novel, due out early next year.  Welcome, Nikki; we’re glad to have you here.

I’m so incredibly happy to be here; thanks for having me.

Now, Nikki, your LA story is an interesting one; tell us a little bit about your journey.

Well, about six years ago, I was done with Los Angeles.  I was a burned out actor; I’d been working hard & feeling like I was getting nowhere.  I took some time out, traveled for a while –

Australia, right?

Yes, four months in Australia, which changed my perspective.  I realized, I don’t have to be miserable (laughing) I don’t need this career that frustrates me and I’m not tied to LA, there are many other things I can do to be happy; it was a revelation.  So I planned to move, sold all my furniture, and the day I sold my bed was the day I got the call that I was cast in “Atlas.”

If you love something let it go and if it comes back to you… right?

I guess so!

So, you stayed  in LA, obviously, and “Atlas Shrugged Part I” was the first time we, the movie going masses, heard of you.

Right.  The film came out in 2011 to great reviews, and the next thing I knew, doors were opening!  Things still moved relatively slowly, of course, I’m not a household name, by any means, but I just managed to ride the wave of that movie.  I was in the right place at the right time.  And with the subsequent success of Parts 2 and 3, I was able to pay off my credit cards (something every LA-actor dreams of!) and really focus on my writing, acting and building my website.

After the Atlas trilogy, you filmed “The Writers,” which gained a strong underground horror-fan following.

Yes.  That and my most recent film, “The Hum” were labors of love; all the cast and crew were friends, and I’ve known most of them since college.  They were so much fun to make.  And I must be the easiest actress to work for in the horror genre; I was honestly terrified half the time!  (laughing)

Tell us a little about the film you just mentioned, “The Hum;” it just premiered at Sundance and took home some awards, correct?

It did, yes!  That was a dream come true, going to Sundance with a film, especially one that was such a collaborative effort between friends.  I think we all feel like, finally, finally we’re hitting our stride and doing what we came here to do, after 10 years of struggle.

You also run a successful blog called The Grateful Sparrow, which I must admit, I’m a little addicted to.

Are you?  Thanks!  Yes, it’s my baby; I think of it as a daily jolt of inspiration.  I believe that we each have the power to change our lives for the better, whether it be through a large change, like quitting a job or moving, or a small change in mindset.  I hope the site helps people see that and gives them the courage and inspiration to take their next step toward a happier life.

And you’ve written a novel; have you always wanted to write, or is this a new endeavor?

Oh no, I’ve always loved writing; ever since I could read, I’ve been writing.  I just love stories.  For years now, I’ve been freelance writing – in fact, 2011 was the landmark year where I was able to not have a “day job” for the first time ever! – for various online & print publications.  I’ve always had “write a novel” on my bucket list, and now, thanks in part, I’m sure, to the attention I’ve received from the films and the blog, I have a publisher lined up and I’m finally doing it!  It will be available early next year.

And I understand we can look forward to seeing you in the next Michel Gondry film?  Can you tell us a little bit about it?

Yes!  And I am kid-on-Christmas-Eve excited!  He’s my favorite director; I love the imagination that goes into his work.  We had our first table read the other day and the storyboards are just incredible.  I don’t want to give anything away, but it’s going to be a dreamy, lovely story of friendship and the absurdities of love.  I can’t wait to start shooting.

And, as if all that isn’t enough, what’s on the horizon for you personally?

Well, I just got married and got back from a two month honeymoon; we bought around the world tickets and continent-hopped.  It was amazing.  We just bought our first house, and I’m ready to settle in, be in one place for a while, and nest.  I think I’ve earned a little down time.

Well, don’t take too long off, we’ll miss you.

(laughing) Ok I won’t.

You can catch Nikki Klecha in the award-winning film, “The Hum” in limited release nationwide, on her blog TheGratefulSparrow.com, and keep an eye out for her book next year.  Thank you so much for coming in, Nikki.

It’s been my pleasure.

[Photo: me doing a Sirius radio interview for a film I was in, "Family"]

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