Day 4 | “I was able to actual run”

Long road ahead…because Cheryl can’t speak english when she’s out of breath!  I decided I would start off by poking fun at myself cause I’m sure someone else would have caught the bad grammar.  Anywho, I did it – awful attempt but I made it outside for a 15 min actual jog followed by another 15 min walk back! 

Back in the summer I was able to go for at least 45 mins on the treadmill and elliptical combined at the Y but now I can’t even go 15 mins without running out of breath!  ha ha oh well. I’m thinking I should just stick with volleyball and call it a day. 

 

Here are two videos I took before I started and mid-way through. Enjoy!
Before…

Mid-way through…

P.S. It’s ironic because I thought my Day 4 run would make me feel better, but it hasn’t… instead everything that is wrong is dancing circles around me!  lol Until tomorrow…

Day 3 | It’s about time I read again

The weekend (including Friday) are write off days for me simply because I occupy myself with errands to run and places to go, but more importantly fun things to do (like Winterlicious)!  However, a promise is a promise and I’ll try to blog [somewhat] daily for Project Me.

Today I was going to jog/run for at least 30 minutes outside after being inspired by some joggers I saw in my neighbourhood over the weekend!  But unfortunately, my boyfriend has been sick all weekend and instead, I’ve spent my day looking for a Walk-in Clinic to take him to.  In case you’re wondering, he’s sound asleep now and should be better for work tomorrow.  I don’t think he can or wants to miss another fun day of work away from his colleagues at Daily Challenge.  He’s an inspirational one, but it must be awesome doing something you thoroughly enjoy. (:

Anyways, I saw this mid-aged chinese lady running in shorts while I drove by in my car on my way to volleyball on Sunday afternoon and thought, if she could do it, why can’t I?  Of course I wouldn’t dare to bare my legs in Toronto’s winter cold, but nonetheless I’d like to take up the challenge of jogging this week!  Tomorrow seems like a great day for it too as the weather will be warming up to 10 degrees! Stay tuned because I will be filming my jog for at least parts of the way.

A little side-tracked, but because I couldn’t jog today I resulted to ordering some books from Chapters instead. What sparked this sudden urge to read? Well recently, I started reading “The Tipping Point” by Malcolm Gladwell and it’s been a good read so far. It’s an oldie, but I’ve been told that it’s one of the best books ever and definitely a must read on any marketer’s list.  Also, I’ve always been told that reading helps build vocab, makes you more knowledgeable, etc, etc, so it’s about time I worked on that!

Anywho, I ordered ”Outliers”, again by Malcolm Gladwell for an intellectual read, and another two more books by Emily Griffin called “Something Borrowed” and “Love the One You’re With” for fun-reads.  All of the above were recommendations by friends so I’m hopping on the bandwagon.  Better late than never right? ha ha.

Later days!

Day 2 | I’m Miss Productivity

Everything is a little behind today simply because I woke up later than expected. It feels like when I sleep in, I’m always trying to play catch-up for the rest of the day. For instance, I woke up late today (11AM) from staying up very late last night (3:30AM) studying for CMA. Because of this, I’m eating lunch at 3PM and probably having dinner even later.

I\'m Miss Productivity

Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a new habit but since Project Me started just one day ago, I might as well make this commitment worthwhile. As a result, I’ve decided that from Day 2 onwards I will be all about productivity. To set my schedule right, I will sleep early tonight and wake up early tomorrow – simple enough. I’ll let you guys know how that goes… but knowing me, it’s going to be a lot of tossing and turning before I get some shut-eye tonight.

Later days!

Project Me

Today I’m going to be better; a more confident, more knowledgeable, healthier, happier me.

I’m tired of letting the economy take a toll on my life – it’s time for a change.  Over the past two weeks I have been boggled down by a temporary road block in my career.  And to say “it sucks” would be the least of how I feel, but nevertheless I’m going to focus on turning things around. As a result, I’ve decided that for the next 30 days, I’m going to work on Project Me.  It’s maybe a bit unoriginal and perhaps a dibber dabber of bOooooorrrrrring… but I guess you’ll have to see!

What is Project Me?

A 30-day project that focuses on improving myself professionally and personally.

 

Day 1 | 10 Things I (Hate About You but) Like About Me

To start off my project, I’ll share with you some things that I like about myself or that I’m proud of.  Here’s my list (in no particular order):

Professionally…

1.  I’m passionate about marketing and consumers.  I enjoy it for simple reason that I can make a connection with and have impact on the lives of consumers (or the way I see it, every day people).  If I can positively affect a consumer’s life and add value through marketing then I’ve done my job well.

2.  I’m balanced.  I understand creative but cannot create/design for beans!  I understand numbers but would hate to do just that for the rest of my life.  I understand strategy but I think execution is just as important.

3.  I’m a leader and a strong team player.  I like working independently to test my brain from time to time, but nothing beats having a passionate, enthusiastic and intelligent team working by my side.

4.  I’m proud of having a BBA from U of T Scarborough [and am not ashamed nor will back down from applying against candidates with MBAs].  I’m not insulting/hating on MBAs because I’m sure it provides great education, similar to the one I have, but I’m simply stating that I can do the same job.  Fine, I might not have the extra 3 letters behind my name but why should I be punished because I knew what I wanted to do straight from high school?

5.  I believe in what I do.  I might not have a resume of 3-5 years ‘professional’ experience in marketing but I believe that everything I’ve worked towards has contributed to acquiring similar if not better real life skills.  Whether it’s from my co-op, p/t, or MESA, it’s experience.  Let me see your ‘marketing plan’ to reach university students without a massive budget and tell me it doesn’t take knowledge, skills and experience to make it awesome.

Personally…

1. I’m a pretty honest person and I think most people like that about me.  I don’t enjoy talking in circles (or listening to bs) and more often than not I’ll tell you how it is, honestly not rudely, not bluntly. 

2. I’m a good friend and I’ll go out of the way for them.  No I’m not the bestest friend in the whole wide world, nor am I the perfect friend but I’m a pretty darn good one. Enough said!

3. I try my best even when it doesn’t look like it.  I’m not naturally gifted in anything so I usually work extra hard to achieve my goals.  Whether I’m talking about school, or volleyball, or whatever… trying my best is all that I can do.  For those who didn’t have to try in high school, guess what? I did, I had to.

4. I’m a happy person, generally.  Mostly regarded to have a bubbly personality, you can usually catch me smiling and yelling (which is my talking when I’m happy) across the table. No, I wasn’t always this way but I’ve realized in the past couple of years that life is about living and being in the moment.

5.  I have a competitive spirit and thrive on challenge.  Of course there are times when I’ve failed and felt like an idiot, but at the end of the day what doesn’t break me only makes me stronger. 

Half full or Half Empty?

 

The toughest part of any situation is the unknown;  not knowing and not having enough information to make a decision.  When we know things we feel more at ease (good or bad), at least I do anyways. 

At the moment, it’s really hard not to think about the economic downturn and how it might affect myself, family or friends.  Recently, I’ve heard more than a handful of people that I know, who are seriously worried about their (finances and) job security to say the least.  For example, at the company my Mom works for, they are trying to automate a lot of processes that a few employees currently do by hand.  Is this an honest move for the company to become more efficient? Or is this a tactic for them to downsize?  Or maybe both?

Prepare for the Worse and Hope for the Best

Despite all these uncertainties, one thing’s for sure – we can only prepare for the worst and hope for the best”(my boyfriend told me this last night so thought I should share!).  We can either see the glass as half full or half empty – losing a job can be an opportunity to pursue another career, spend more time with kids, go on vacation; but losing a job also means having to find another one, be broke as joke, and live at home!

Either way, with companies cutting jobs like trees around the world – it’s not a pretty sight.