That Time I Ran a 5k

The mundane life of a cubicle employee…

I had been working full-time for about a year as an Administrative Assistant. I had only known part-time jobs and school semesters; change was always happening around me. So being in the same position doing the same routine each day was getting old. Boring! I was grateful to be working full time but I couldn't help feeling like I wanted more. My solution was finding instant gratification. What could I accomplish quickly to feel purposeful and re-energized? 

My solution: Running a 5k!

High school was my athletic years. I had played soccer, danced on the Dance Team, and was a part of the track team! I ran the 800 (twice around), the 4x8 (twice around with a relay team), and occasionally the 2 mile (8 times around!) I figured that I had trained with the distance team so I knew I could gain that muscle back and could accomplish a 5k, which is a little farther than 3 miles. This was never a dream of mine, but I needed to bring some excitement into my life. And I am SO happy I made it a dream!

I trained for about 3 months. I went online to find tips and a workout plan. I felt strong and healthy and was starting to realize more benefits than just instant gratification. This was turning into so much more than changing my mundane life. It was hard, and I struggled on a lot of days. However I kept going, I didn't want to add failing to my dream check list! I found a support system who could keep pushing me on the days I couldn't push myself. 

And that gloomy August morning I ran and I ran and I ran! The adrenaline pumped through my veins and my pace was quicker than I planned. All I wanted to do was finish without walking. And that's what I did! 

Mid-run, posing for the picture! 

The feeling of accomplishment was invigorating. I was so proud of myself for setting a goal, working hard and never giving up, and finishing it with a smile! I received a medal at the end and that medal will always signify strength to me. I did something for myself; not to prove anything to someone or to win a spectacular prize. I did it to empower who I am. And that kind of goal or dream is irreplaceable!

How do you empower yourself? Comment below and maybe I'll add that to my list of dreams! 

Career Change Decisions

Remember when I told you that change is okay? Well I had to remind myself of this recently. A few months back I had created a specific plan with check-points and goals to reach my dream of owning my own clothing store. At the end of February, I was at a turning point. I had planned to make a career change to allow myself more time for school and to further educate myself, through work, on the retail business.

After reviewing my budget with a job offer in consideration, I realized that I needed to change my plan. Switching roles was not going to support me financially like I had previously thought. So I had to come up with a new plan. I am no longer planning to make this career change so that I can save enough money to start up my business sooner than anticipated!

However, this change did not come easy. I spent two days as an emotional wreck. I wrote about 5 different Pros and Cons lists as I flip-flopped with which decision to go with. I had conversations with family members and friends in hopes that their opinions could help me navigate the thoughts in my head. I was realizing that neither decision felt right but I couldn’t find option 3! So what I did was modify my options. I stripped them of any and all emotions and focused on the big picture.

It doesn't matter how you get there, as long as you get there!

I may not be 100% happy with my decision, but I am 100% about changing my plan. I know that this will be more beneficial for me and my business.

My advice for you:

Strip the decisions of any emotions. When you make your Pros and Cons list look at the items and figure out if your feelings are driving it. And I mean all emotions, good or bad. Look at the reality. This was the hardest part for me!

Modify the options. Try to adjust them so that they fit your big picture plan as best they can. My job offer did not provide enough compensation so all I did was ask if it was negotiable. Come to find out it was, they offered me more and they even offered me a different position that provided even more compensation than the second offer!

Talk it out. Present your decision to family and friends who can look at it from a different angle. They can provide their opinion and help you understand more Pros and Cons for your options. You’ll find incredible support by doing this. But remember, the decision is yours and yours alone. Do not let anyone else make it for you!

I know I’m going to have many more of these “forks-in the-roads” so I’m going to need to hear from you! How do you make extremely hard decisions? Comment below.

How Do YOU Succeed at School?

We know I found my weak spots which led me to returning to school. This January I started my first class towards completing a Small Business Management certificate offered through the University of California, Riverside. The class is called Human Resources Management; I’m about halfway through and I can feel the pressure! 

It’s been a few years since I have had to read a book, answer essay questions, and ace a quiz each week. I had forgotten how much time this takes. I had also forgotten how much focus it takes too. I have always lacked interest and dedication to my course work so taking this class online, where I have to hold myself accountable, is SO DIFFICULT!! 

Understanding the big picture is easy, but taking it day-by-day has proven to be hard for me. So what I have done is marked up my weekly calendar. I have been scheduling in my reading, essay writing, and quiz time. This way, my calendar holds me accountable (sort of). I also remind myself how much money I dropped on this class – that usually gets me motivated!

What do you do to motivate yourself?

This quarter for me is simple, one class that is online. But next quarter and the following I have more than one class and they will be online and in a classroom 56 miles from my house, over an hour drive! I fear that I will not succeed as well as I would like to. I need YOUR help and advice. How do you stay on track with your school work? What are your best study tips? 

Comment, Comment, Comment! 

How I Got To Study Abroad

Traveling the world is on the list of dreams for A LOT of people. I’ve been fortunate enough to do some. But there was a certain type of traveling that was very important to me and that was studying abroad. My sister spent a semester in Denmark and described her experience as life changing. So I knew that I had to study in another country, whatever one it may be.

When the time came in my college career I went to the study abroad office and fairs for as much information as possible. I ended up deciding I had to go to South Africa. I had been involved with the ONE campaign and had a large curiosity surrounding the HIV/AIDs epidemic therefore South Africa seemed like a great choice. And on top of that, I figured at some point in my life I would make it over to Europe so I didn’t NEED to go there. I also wanted something very different from my county and culture. Again, South Africa was the best choice.

I ended up choosing the AIFS program to study at Stellenbosch University – this is the best decision I have ever made in my life!

It wasn’t easy getting there though…

There were two major obstacles I had to overcome. First, I had to apply and get accepted into the program. And second, I had to pay for the trip.

I applied to the program for Spring semester, apparently this was the more difficult semester to get into. I was rejected. With my devastation I fought back. I spoke with mentors and teachers and perfected my second application for the following semester. There was no way they could keep me from going to South Africa! And they didn’t – with a bit more focus and help I was accepted. (Everything happens for a reason, right?!) Now with the application process out of the way I needed to figure out a plan to pay for this extravagant semester. I worked with my school about getting scholarships and grants. There were only a few I qualified for but of course I applied to one. Unfortunately, I was rejected. I had spent so much time on this application for nothing. I was starting to think that this trip was doomed! Clearly the universe was trying to tell me not to go. But, because my mentor saw how passionately I felt about going she worked some magic and created a scholarship for me. She reached out to Chapman Trustees and found someone to support me. I then became a Henley International Scholar.

We made it!

Passion got me to South Africa! And that’s all you need for your dreams as well. Let your passion drive you and let it plow through any obstacle you find! A bit more realistically, work with your school's study abroad office, scholarship department, or a professor from your major (if your semester abroad is related).

Where is your dream travel destination? Comment below and tell me why you HAVE to go! 

Find an Outlet for Your Passions

A big part of reaching your dreams is finding a way to incorporate your passions into your day-to-day life. We all feel like there are not enough hours in the day but honestly…

You have the same amount of hours in a day as Beyoncé!

I took this into consideration and went searching for a way to embrace my passions and to find the time. I discovered I AM THAT GIRL: a community, a support system, and a movement inspiring girls to LOVE, EXPRESS, and BE who they are. This nonprofit’s mission was exactly my own. It seemed like the perfect organization for me to get involved with while I am filling in my weak spots for my business venture.  So I took the next step and created a local chapter, I AM THAT GIRL: North Orange County. I have created a safe place for myself and others to be exactly who they want to be without judgment. The best part is that I can use my passion to fuel our meetings and I get to schedule the meetings around my time. I have found an outlet that is flexible and can absolutely fit into my every-day life . Now that I have I AM THAT GIRL, my day-to-day feels like I’m living a DREAM!  

So how do you find your outlet?

1. Fly Solo

Pick up your local newspaper or visit their website and search for events related to your passion. You can also find events in the local magazines, coffee shops and smoothie spots always have those. Once you have found an event, mark your calendar and tell all your friends and family that you’re busy. You need to attend this event ALONE. Going by yourself means distraction free and you can be yourself without worrying what your friends might think. Also, you don’t have to worry about not making any new friends because you already know you have something in common!

2. #Hashtag

Use Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to search hashtags related to your passions. You’ll find events and people all over who love what you love. Instagram is a huge marketing tool these days so you can find events, books, movies, stores, anything you can imagine. (I discovered IATG on Instagram from a hashtag that Sophia Bush always used). Twitter is also a great place for people to voice their opinion and share news; this can help you find current events happening NOW that you can get involved in! Social media is great for voicing your opinion and sharing your passions with people all over the world, so look for them!

Once you have found this new network of people, so many doors will open. You’ll find new information to devour and new ways to directly get involved. Your day-to-day lifestyle will change once you surround yourself with people who share the same passion.

It’s all about who you know, right?!

Leave a comment below and let me know what hashtags you searched? Maybe I can guess what your passions are!