Holiday Season Bucket List Printable

Recently, I had some coaching on making this holiday season more special as sometimes the holidays can be stressful and un-fun.  Part of my coaching homework was to create a Holiday Bucket List.

Aside: Did you know coaching often includes some type of homework or accountability?  I mean, what's the point of working with a coach if you aren't committed to grow?

In efforts to fan the fun fire, I created a Holiday Bucket List printable.  Get yours here.  Right now, my Holiday Bucket List includes:

• Visiting Old Ellicott City (photos are above); it's so charming there
• Going to Homestead Gardens (Davidsonville location) at night; they wrap the trees in these gorgeous lights and my eyes and soul are so happy!
• Eating at Hot Pot Hero; Miss O hasn't been yet; it's like an Asian Melting Pot
• Checking out Georgetown Glow; we went last year and loved it.  Be ready to walk a few miles if you go!  Last year, we ate at this restaurant and the vibe of the restaurant was incredible (the food was OK).  Plus, scroll through the photos because the bathroom is CRAZY.
• Take a family hike

Mr. UpCyclist clearly doesn't understand the Bucket List mentality as he added "clean cars" and "clean house" to the list.  Crazy husband!  Of course, I crossed those off immediately.

What's on your bucket list for this holiday season?  

Curious and excited,

Jen

Year in Review Activity

A lovely, coachy way to wrap up 2019 and move into 2020 is with the Year in Review Activity.  See what you think here and why not share it with your family, friends, and colleagues?  And, while you are at it, add your frenemies to the list, too.  We need them to be cheerier and do some reflecting!

Ha!

With December love,

Jen

Need You + These People

Y'all, I'm doing some market research as I am possibly teaming up with a neat app company to run a "dream into action" experience (for folks who want to move a dream forward from their dream queue). Help me by answering this quick survey and sharing this blog post with your friends, family, other curious souls, and colleagues. I aiming for lots of ideas, feedback and market research - don't I sound like a fancy, business person?

Here is the link in spelled-out version if you want to kick it old-school: https://obii.typeform.com/to/VFZztJ

And, you see these people above? These are coaches at AACC (my college) and beyond. They make my heart melt and my soul dance.

Thanks for the help with the quick survey!

Information is bliss,

Jen

Oh, the Hurdles of Fall

Hello blog readers - Happy fall! Even though I totally planned for fall this year.  I recorded a pep talk velfie (video selfie).  And, I know fall is historically my hardest season of the entire year, the hurdles of fall still found me!  After a coaching season with one of my college's new coaches*, I created this graphic to show fall's hurdles in a new, fresh, more delightful way.

Yes, fall brings professional and personal hurdles for me AND it also brings joy, optimism, and growth.

So, on my self-designed hurdle now includes....

Grass = growth
Music = joy
You got this = optimism
Pretty decorations on my hurdle = because why not?

If life is going to force me to jump hurdles this fall (or try to go around them - which by the way, hardly works for me), then why not make those hurdles lovely and cheerful?

What hurdles are you facing right now?  What's supporting you as you face them?

Curious,
Jen

* Y'all, coaching at my college is growing!  See what we are up to here.  We now have over 120 coaches on campus and are training K-12 educators and community members, too. 

100 Day Project Update

Hello!  I'm 1/5 of the way into my 100 Day Project and I wanted to update you.  You might remember from this post I have two 100 Day Projects going on this year:  an abs workout each day + writing each day.

As you can see from my photo below, my abs workout is going strong.  My writing each day has some holes (as denoted by the orange circles).  I completely missed those days.

With most things in life, I like to ask myself, what am I learning and what am I noticing?  It's one of my favorite questions on the planet.  Here's what I'm learning and noticing related to my two 100 Day Projects....

• My abs are getting more defined. Evidently when you do just one song a day for 20 days, your abdominal muscles respond in a good way.
• 50% of the time after doing one song for my ab workout, I do more songs for the rest of my body.  Not every time, but about half of the time, which is cool.  Momentum is a good thing.
• Writing-wise, I am 70-30 on my enjoyment level for writing each day.  70% I am not enjoying making myself write; 30% of the time, I do enjoy writing (like I am enjoying writing this blog post right now).
• The same momentum that keeps me moving forward with my abs is also what keeps me from moving forward with my writing.  Hence, those five days I missed.  I didn't miss writing at all those five days.
• Ultimately, my biggest takeaway is progress not perfection.  I could easily ditch my 100 Day Projects (either just the writing one or both) because they are not perfect AND that would suck.  I don't have to abandon them just because I missed five days of writing.  I can acknowledge those days were missed, reflect on what I'm learning and noticing, and keep moving forward.  I don't have to run from imperfection. I can embrace it and learn from it.

And so I am.  

What about you?  How are your 100 Day Projects?

Curious,

Jen

Courageous or Crazy

I just saw this on Facebook this morning and it hit me automatically.  When something hits me like that and has such resonance, I know there's a nugget of truth and/or wisdom there for me.

And, if you haven't checked out Sherene's website and offerings, go!  She has such calming energy, talents, and wisdom.

What's in this quote for you? I'm curious.

Jen

Graduation Subway Art 2019

Thanks to a Facebook message from a reader, without further ado...drum roll, please...our Graduation Subway Art 2019 edition!

FOR THE 2021 VERSION OF THIS SUBWAY ART, CLICK HERE!

Just right click on the image above to save it.  Then, use it for posters, cards, banners and however your creative mind desires!

Happy Graduation, graduates - I am proud of you!

Jen

FOR THE 2021 VERSION OF THIS SUBWAY ART, CLICK HERE!

100 Day Project 2019

It's that time of the year again.  The 100 Day Project has launched.  I started today along with a group of my students and fellow coaches.  Want to join us? You can start today or at anytime that works for you. There is no 100-day Police. 

What is the 100 Day Project you ask?  Let me share my take on it.

I believe the 100 Day Project started as an art-specific challenge, but it can really be a 100 days of anything you desire.  For example, in the past, I have done 100 Days of Movement (to spearhead keeping me in shape) and 100 Days of Creativity (to exercise my creative muscles).  This year, I have two main 100 Day Projects....

- A group of students and I are doing 100 Days of Abdominal Workouts (at least "one song long").  We are curious what 100 days of ab workouts will do to our bellies.
- I'm committed to 100 Days of Writing.  I've been missing writing and blogging lately.  Writing has always has been a good outlet for me both creatively and emotionally.  Get ready to read more blog posts, K?  I also have some publication ideas I want to move forward, so this challenge will really help me with those.

Some of my fellow coaches are joining me, too.  Here's some of the things they have chosen for their 100 Day Projects:  Drinking 64 ounces of water each day, reading for pleasure each day, writing sports plays each day (isn't that one unique?!) and getting off social media.  Y'all, if I got off social media I would have about 2-3 hours a day back.  You, too?

To help keep you accountable for your 100 Days, consider printing off one of Elise Joy Cripe's 100 Day Trackers.  She is always a fantastic inspiration for 100 Days and really all of the time.  You can also follow her on Instagram as she tends to post 100 Day updates daily. Though I won't be posting daily updates, I will use my IG account for updates here and there. 

Want to join me for 100 Days?  If yes, what will you choose for your 100 Day Project? 

I'm curious.

Jen
#100dayswithJen2019