Why should you set goals?

Think you don’t have time for goal setting? Or that it’s too much work and not worth your time?

A University study (I’m so sorry, unable to site source at this time) found that 3% of University students write down their goals an average of 4 times per year…  And when a group of those were tracked down 25 years later, the 3% who had a habit of setting goals, had a combined wealth greater than the remaining 97% combined.

Still not convinced?  If there’s anyone that knows anything about procrastination, it’s me.   Just have a look at when my last bunch of posts are dated at (bad example, but you’re gonna have to trust me on this one).   Lately though, I’ve started taking this “goal thing” seriously and in a little over a year, I have:

- acquired a car to supplement the Vespa for winter road trips

- certified as a Personal Training Specialist

- certified nationally as a Snowboard Instructor

- graduated from a Life Coaching Diploma Program (while working full time)

- got myself in the best shape of my life

- increased my annual income by 20%

- did not miss out on any adventures

- learned how to trade effectively in the stock market

- read more inspirational books in a year than ever before

- decided what I want my life to be like and am moving towards that, full steam ahead

Goal-setting may feel overwhelming to think about, but it’s really not.  Start small.  Start with things you can accomplish in one day.  With those small successes, you build the confidence to take on bigger goals.   You may start with things you “feel you need to do” but be creative and start doing things you “want” to do.  Feel the joy of accomplishing your goals and get addicted to that great feeling!

Once you are ready to take on bigger goals, make a list of things you want to accomplish in 1 year, 5 years and 10 years.  NOTHING is ridiculous or too far-fetched.  If you are moving towards it, you are doing more than if you didn’t even start it in the first place.  You WILL find a groove and you will impress yourself at what you are capable of achieving…

Need some tools to help you on your way?

Try 43things .  You create a profile (private) that you list your goals in, in whatever order of priority you wish and you can easily rearrange them as things evolve over time.  Then you can set it up so that you are sent a reminder email either every couple of weeks, couple of months, 6 months or a year.  The emails are what makes this such an effective tool.

Lululemon also has a great platform called Goaltender where you can brainstorm ideas, and create and track your goals. 

Have any recent successes or inspirational stories, leave a comment below!

What’s better than Facebook, Twitter and Skype?

“Better” is a relative term, depending on your feature preferences and priorities.   But the latest and greatest in features that will seriously save you some cash with some serious advantages, surprisingly comes from a small Canadian company.  That company is itiBiti Systems Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Intertainment Media Inc.  In Canada (TSX-V: INT), US (OTC:ITMTF). 

ItiBiti’s first major brand client is NBC, where they have released the first version of the product as the NBC Communicator. 

Not only can you stream tv shows, twit itiBiti style, and connect with people and log in using your Windows Live account and use all of its services from within the integrated itiBiti platform,  you can also make computer to cell phone long distance calls for free.  Yes, free long distance phone calls.   Beat that Skype, Facebook and Twitter. 

Some of the company’s previous news releases have hinted that they’re working on a smart phone application which would really make this system untouchable by the competition.

Are YOU ready for Halloween?

Are you ready for Halloween? Halloween is one of those holidays (if you can call it that) where you can easily make the most of it and fill it with several fun events or simply do nothing and watch it quickly pass.  Why not make the most of it and hit at least two halloween parties and plan some kind of an adventure!  If you’re going to be handing out candy… you can take the traditional route OR you can make a difference by providing more ethical and ecologically sound treats.  You’ll feel better about yourself for passively educating the kids and their parents by supplying these treats, and when gorging on the leftovers.  Even more, you can even take part in reverse trick-or-treating!

Want some last minute costume ideas? Try this alphabetized list here, and this list here but be SURE to check out these details here.  And you too can be David Suzuki !

Having a Halloween Party? For a killer environment (no pun intended) string up some spider webbing from your walls to your ceiling (as seen in picture below) and plug in a couple of blacklights.  Spider webbing can be attached to walls and ceiling easily, using poster tack.

If you’re in the Toronto area, you might want to check out this year’s “Halloween Haunt” at Canada’s Wonderland.  It’s sure to be a blast!

Enjoy!

Have a memorable date watching the Perseids Meteor Shower

Forget the fact that it’s romantic, watching a meteor shower is great for recalibrating your perspective on things… all things.   

There isn’t much that allows you to feel your place spatially on this planet more, than to look up at a clear night sky at the wonders of the universe.  Take the time to search out this experience and it may forever change your perception of life.   Again, a good meteor shower can also be quite a romantic experience to share with a partner or potential partner.   The next notable meteor shower will be presented to us from the star constellation of Perseus, peaking in intensity on August 12, 2009 and is known as “the Perseids meteor shower” which occurs annually.  Here’s a good introduction to what you can expect.   If you’re really keen and already own (or can borrow) a telescope, you can actually watch the meteors colliding with the moon.   This would probably be a less romantic and more frustrating venture as there would only be one eyepiece per telescope and you may or may not see anything happen, but it is still worth a mention.   It is also important to note that in the evening of Tuesday August 11th between 9-11pm EST will be the best display of “earthgrazers” which are the bright colourful fireballs that skim slowly across the atmosphere.   NASA has THIS excellent article explaining the phenomenon.

So, this is what you need to do….

Here’s looking at you, kid… (Part 2 of 2)

If you haven’t read Part 1, here it is and please read it first…

If you are interested in kicking it up a notch, here’s what you need to do…

1)  Google search ”yacht clubs”, “sailing clubs” and “sailing lessons” for your area/vicinity and bookmark each of the websites in a new folder, or write down all the website names/contact phone numbers…

2)  Find out when their next “Open House” is going to be for their sailing school then RSVP for you and a friend. 

3)  Learn a little bit about sailing on your spare time, it never hurts to acquire knowledge about anything.

What usually happens is there’s either a bbq or some snacks and pop for sale (very affordable, to cover costs), you mingle with the instructors and club members, and they take you on a FREE 20-30 minute boat ride on a 27-33 ft sailboat with a few other prospective students.   Great place to get trigger-happy with each others cameras again.  They’ll even get you to steer the boat if you want.  Now that’s a sweet photo-op.   And who knows, you might fall in love with it and when you’re not a starving student anymore…. You might just take up sailing.   There’s a lot to be said about the freedom of going wherever you want to go, not using fossil fuels to get around and having a 2 bedroom  mini-cottage (kitchen, bathroom, bar, etc.) below deck. 

NOTE:  Your “word-of-mouth advertising” afterwards of your experience (and your date’s experience) will only help the club in the future anyway, so you don’t need to feel guilty for the free ride.

Enjoy!!

Here’s looking at you, kid… (Part 1 of 2)

Want another idea for an affordable date? Then read on….

What you will need:

- 2 fully charged digital cameras… One for you, and your date can bring theirs.   Make sure you have lots of memory (empty cards preferrably, you will see why later)

- bottle of water

- pack some healthy snacks (granola bars, fruits, etc.)

- a nearby park, forest, mountain or beach!

Now, here’s what you do…