2016

Wow. January 1st of 2016 is in four days!  I'm so excited and sad to say goodbye to 2015.  It was a good year. 

I traveled to Los Angeles, Seattle, Vancouver, B.C., and Trinidad & Tobago.

I made some very BIG and important  decisions about my personal life.

And I kind of started a company.

So going in to 2016 I've set myself up for a successful year by determining to keep things simple.  I have six, simple, goals that mean a lot to me.

Here they are:

PERSONAL
❤ I spend 2016 discovering my ancestry and visiting my country of origin by NOV 2016 (And I visit Los Angeles for my birthday in April.)
❤ I move to New Orleans, LA by DEC 2016

CAREER:
❤ I own & operate a small business by MAR 2016
❤ I have a Pilates certification by AUG 2016

HEALTH:
❤ I complete a century ride or half-marathon by SEPT 2016
❤ I read 12 books by JAN 2017

These goals mean that I'm up to something in life.  They show that I am trusting God and the talent he's given me.  It means that I have something big to look to when things get dark.

For me, keeping things simple means living in "the zone".  I do it with my wardrobe, so I decided, why not with my life?  These simple goals help decision making a cinch.  It's like, touch your savings for a scoop of expensive artisan ice cream?  Or move to New Orleans? #DUH.  And that really happens.  I have an allowance every week.. If I want even a scoop of ice cream, and I've spent all my " fun money" on concert tickets, I will grab $10 for a damn beer.  It's so wack!  lol

So with these six tasks in mind, the next step is making a map and getting in to action.  I'll talk about that over the next few weeks here on the blog.

I am looking forward to learning everyone's goals!  Share them in the comments.

Happy new year, folks!

Melissa T.

Follow me at MelissaBillions on every outlet that you think that I can think of. I there anything that you want to see on the blog that you didn't in 2015?  What do you want me to continue in to 2016?  Let me know!

XOXO

I am learning...

...that things are just things.  And that the opportunity to appreciate moments is short so it's important to be aware.

I am learning to be inspired immediately.  When I read a quote or idea, or hear a laugh.  To let my imagination activate and THEN circle back around to grasp the moment or experience with my intellect.

I am learning to be proud of myself when I do awesome things.  To be proud of the life I've built.  And the network that I have.  Of the opportunities I've seized. 

To be grateful for my "no's".  That I'm being protected from one thing and built for another. 

That I am loveable.  In all of my imperfection.. God loves me, my family loves me,  my friends, and my man.  And it's because of who I am exactly.  (Also because of who I am not.)

The lesson learned is that NOW is it, and it's perfect.

xo,

Melissa

Twenty-Seven

This is how my life works at 27..

Feel icky.

Start to journal.

Complain in my entry.

Stop midway and do something about it immediately.

Feel like 100 more bucks!

Mood

What's your workout mood?

Me? I'm grateful to be able to get in the gym 5 days a week this past month, but I'm also feeling like not working out when I don't want to.

Not in a take it easy just chill way, but saying that I am sometimes just tired and that's okay. The other day I went to Shred415 just DREADING the idea if breaking a sweat. I even told myself (and my boyfriend) that I would just leave after 30 mins.  By the time there was just 15 mins left on the clock of the 60 min class, I had a talk and decided I'd already passed my plan of "just 30" and I was feeling so good that I just had to finish it off!

Yesterday, however, I really just passed on the sweat. It had become work by the time it popped up on my calendar.  I was going to squeeze in a workout and shower before a dinner and after having been up since 5AM.  It just wasn't gonna a work.

So that's my mood. When I'm moaning and complaining about the opportunity to sweat, I get after it; but when it's making me angry and anxious, maybe it's time to just chill and come back the next day!

Today I was moaning and complaining so you know what that means!  It's a sweat date!

Melissa

Sideline Insight

So I have pretty much been completely sidelined by a foot injury for almost one month.  I've done a few workouts with some trusted trainers in the city, but other than that I am just turning into a sexy ball of fluff!  haha

In this time, however, I've learned a few things.

I've learned that exercise is necessary.  The science behind movement is nothing compared to the emotional benefit of working that bum!  A good mood, inspiration behind your diet, confidence.. all are heightened when you are active and working toward goals that push you physically or even just mentally to DO the physical part!

I've also learned quite a bit about feedback.  HAHA  From work, to love, feedback is important.  Not being passive aggressive.  Not being a nag.  Not putting someone down.  But real feedback, when you're talking to someone about something they did (no right or wrong) in hopes that it helps them be more effective the next time around.

I got some feedback at work.  First it was tough, but then I looked closer and realized that it was really just a group of people saying:  "Hey, we know you well enough to know that this is unlike you AND that if this is fixed, then the sky is the limit for you."  And I'll tell ya, folks, it took it haaaaaaaaaAAAAAaard!  I was upset.  And confused.  I gave my feedback on the feedback, lol.  (Which I still think is good stuff to take home. lol)  But yeah.. I was just so lost.  Not me.  There's nothing that I need to change and at this point in my life.. there's nothing that I CAN change, right?  I'm just me!

But then it clicked.  AHA! #eureka  Nobody was ganging up on me.  Nobody thought that I was less of a person.  Nobody was asking me to change.  They were just asking me to get better.  Be me .. but BETTER.  Keep it steady.  Keep it real.  And not that I'm not enough.  They want me to know that I'm "all that" and with these tools, I can be the bag of chips, too!

It all came full circle today.  I am spending my birthday with my mom and we stopped by her job for a meeting she has with her boss.  While talking with his secretary, she shared how much vision he had (another learning about leadership) and also how much leadership he tried to cultivate at all times.  In that she talked about how she's had to give feedback.  She said that she HATES the idea of having someone be mad at her, but is she doesn't share then "it doesn't make them grow."  And that's what I now know!

Constructive feedback sucks arse but without it, there is no later.  Why?  Because you'll be living the same story over & over & over again if they let you tell it while using that same simple vocabulary that you know.  You will be building the same doll houses if you stick only with your tacky clue and cardboard and never pick-up a nail gun and some pinewood!  (Is pinewood what people use to build houses?  lol)

So you probably get the point right now.  GROW.  Whether you grow "up", or "out", or "wiser".. that's relative.  JUST GROW and do it NOW!  Let go of your ideals.  They are excellent and have served you, but it's time to apply the loving guidance given by your peers and family (etc.) over the time you've been on this earth.

I'm happy that this all came to me on my birthday 'cause this is a great day to start the rest of my life.  And better. *smile*

I hope this helps you as much as it's helped me!

LOVE YA!

melissa 2.7