It’s kind of odd that I would choose to write a New Year focused blog, particularly if you consider the fact that Eric and I made it to 10:30 last night and weren’t even conscious for the ‘ringing in of the New Year.’ Absolutely shocking – yah right.  But whether you choose to do your goal setting on Jan. 1st or on July 10th….makes no difference, the importance, however, is that you do it. 

This said, goals are of course just words (written or spoken) unless you take action towards them.  Taking action requires motivation, and the more this motivation is internally based – the better.  So, I wanted to write down a few ‘words of wisdom’ that I have picked up spontaneously throughtout 2009 that I know I intend to carry on with me for 2010, and perhaps, may also kick start some internal motivation towards 2010 for anyone reading!

First though, I think it’s important to first explain what motivated me to blog about this subject to begin with. …

I was on my trainer this morning for the first workout of the day and things were going on all as normal when I realized that my towel (which was laid out on the pads of my aero bars) was perfectly aligned to show 6 simple words with only 8 tiny syllables.  On my little sweat soaked towel it said, “What you believe, you will achieve.”  Now, some might think…”So what? It was on your towel, you read the words…ya da ya da ya da…”  But those 6 words written in light blue ink on that raggedly little hand towel were very meaningful for me in that moment.  It then inspired me to spend the rest of my  trainer ride thinking about other things I have heard in 2009 that are important little pebbles to put into my sack towards my own journey going forth into this new year, and decade.  Perhaps you might even choose to take some of these with you on your own journey in 2010 for whatever goals and dreams you have set out for yourself.  Here they are…

“It was a high counsel that I once heard given to a young person, “Always do what you are afraid to do.”  - Ralph Waldo Emerson

“You are what your deep, driving desire is.  As your desire is, so is your will.  As your will is, so is your deed.  As your deed is, so is your destiny.” - Brihardaranyaka Upanishad 4 (whoever that is!!!???)

“Don’t talk yourself out of it, talk yourself INTO it!” – Mel Spooner during a masters swimming workout this fall

“I don’t ask myself what I have to lose, instead I ask what I have to gain.  To follow a dream you cannot waste an ounce of energy on anything that detracts from your goal.”  Phillipe Petit in an interview about his epic and magical high wire walk between the twin towers.

“The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.”  - Chinese Proverb

Happy are those who dream DREAMS and are ready to pay the price to make them come true.” - Leon J. Suenes

“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”  -Confucious

“Patience, Grasshopper” - Dr. Chris Spooner

“Secrets of success in life is for a man to be ready for his opportunity when it comes.”  - Earl of Beaconsfield

AND OF COURSE DON’T FORGET….

“WHAT YOU BELIEVE YOU WILL ACHIEVE.”

Happy 2010, everyone!!!!!!!