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useless inspiration

Don’t Call Them Resolutions.

by Amber on January 2, 2011

Internet, I am not big on making New Year’s Resolutions. As far as I’m concerned, making a goal a “resolution” is just a sneaky way of giving yourself an excuse to fail.

However, after having some long talks with myself, I’ve decided that I do indeed need to get to work on a few things. Not because it’s the New Year, but because, quite frankly, I feel like shit (excuse my french).

As you’ve no doubt heard me whine, I’ve been sick since what feels like the beginning of time. Plus, I’m still a good 20 pounds heavier than I’d like to be (despite losing 20 in 2010) and it’s been so long since I moved my body I’m in danger of turning into a slug (although even slugs have more energy than I do right now).

I need to do some work professionally, too, but we’ll save that discussion for another post. I need to deal with this health crap first. So, here’s what I’m going to do:

  1. Get back to basics. There is too much processed food in my life. That has to end. I feel best when I’m eating lots of salads, yogurt and nuts, so that’s what I’m going to do (more on that later).
  2. Count those points. Although I’ve fallen off the Weight Watchers wagon and into the 50-foot deep ravine beside the road it’s traveling on, I’m a point-counting veteran. And you know what? It works—if you work it. So I’m going to try. Again.
  3. Move that butt. I feel better when I exercise. Happier. Less stressed. More powerful. So I need to get back into the habit. That means plugging in to good ol’ Leslie Sansone again—and getting my mitts on a treadmill. Soon.
  4. Take those vitamins. I don’t know if vitamins actually work, or if it’s all in my head, but I do tend to get sick less when I pop them regularly. So I will.
  5. Stay positive, damn it. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but attitude really is everything. So I’m going to do my best to stay out of the woe-is-me sea of crap and on dry land. Wish me luck.

That’s it. Five simple steps that I’m hoping will propel me toward better health, better times, and maybe, just maybe, a better body. What are you doing to make 2011 a better year for you?

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I Am Inspired. But To Do What?

by Amber on September 11, 2010

Yesterday, I sat in a darkened theater full of techies, soaking up inspiration for eight hours. I was at a conference called The Combine, right here in my little corner of small town Indiana. But the speakers they attracted? Were anything but small town.

I listened to a 25-year-old guy talk about how he hoped  the company he’s currently building will be his $100 million dollar company. He’s twenty five. You know what I was doing at 25? Living in a rundown shack, starting my third career, and just hoping I’d have enough money on payday to make my mortgage.

I laughed hysterically as the author of  Stuff White People Like told us how the blog he started writing for three people landed him on the New York Times Bestseller List in seven (or so) short months. This blog? Has been active for almost two years. And I have yet to make a goddamned dime.

I nodded in agreement as another mover and shaker told us that the first step in starting a successful company is to, well, start. Hell, that statement can even apply to losing those last five pounds, can’t it?

I felt a little lightbulb flicker into life as a woman who changes the world on a daily basis challenged us to change “someday” to “today.” Of course, she was talking about giving back, but that philosophy can apply to a whole lot of situations.

Micah of graphic.ly gave me a whole new way of looking at failure. According to him, it’s just part of the process, yo. The process of becoming something bigger and better. Which is good, because I have fallen on my face often and spectacularly (sometimes literally).

And Lindsay Manfredi reminded us we can do it all right here in Indiana.

So. I am inspired to do something. Something big. But what, exactly?

I love writing. And social media.

I’d like to help people.

And make some money.

And since I probably can’t sell my dang house, I’d like to do it right here. Maybe even from my couch?

I don’t know. It’s a good thing the Internet is closed on Saturday (as Aunt Becky always says). There probably aren’t that many of you listening to me right now. But if someone can tell me what I should do with my life (and be right about it)?  You’d have my everlasting gratitude.

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