It's Dream Team time!

Yes, September 1st begins the latest cycle of my Dream Team. It's a six-month adventure which begins with each member of the team making 5 personal improvement goals they hope to accomplish or at least work substantially toward completing, by February 28. We've gone through a year of this excitement, and I am seeing a change in myself and my friends. Basically, the goals of each person can be personal or public if they want to share, but the point is to think about ourselves as important individuals. Not just cogs in the wheel of family, work, school, society. I am not my job. I am not my income. I am not my car. Well, I may be a lot LIKE my car, since it wears green all the time, has a roomy rear end and makes funny noises when it rains. But I digress.

The Dream Team got started when my Mom and I were talking about wishing we could do stuff and just not knowing how or where to start. I felt fairly good about my life but had things I always wanted to try. So she and I made up a list of things we wanted to work on. Then we could email each other or send each other notes of encouragement and try to push, pull, or drag it on in until we got the job done. The only criteria were that it had to be something we could really do. Not, "I want people to like me," but maybe, "I will make 3 new friends at work." That sort of thing. And also, it had to be our goal.

So now, I am at the start of another great opportunity for growth. I like to say it that way because it sounds nicer than hard challenge. :) But I have been working on my goals and I am serious about them. Here goes:

1. I want to reach my goal weight of 150 pounds. Last cycle I just wanted to lose 10 pounds in six months. I accomplished that in two--I realized I was a crummy self-motivator in this area so I joined weight watchers and it's working really well for me. If anyone has vegetable recipes that don't involve a can of cream soup, I am all ears.

2. I want to take a healthy cooking class. I grew up with big family suppers--the cup of bacon grease on the stove and everything. Yes I saw my mother cook, but I can't do it that way anymore unless I want to worry about my heart all the time. So I want to learn new recipes and how to chop vegetables like a pro--the fun stuff.

3. I want to replace my baggy wardrobe with clothes that fit--preferably from this century. I have been wearing the same pair of brown dress shoes since before I got married. I have 6 pair of dress pants all in the same brand and style--I just changed the color. It's time to redraw myself as a professional.

4. On that note, I want to update my resume and outline three new job opportunities. This means deciding on what my talents are, and where my interests would be best used. It ain't in insurance. I may also seek out a mentor in the field I consider to know what training or experiences may help most in my job search.

5. And this one may be the hardest of all. I want to use my vacation time for vacations. Not a three day weekend doing all the backlogged laundry. Or a half day off for doctor's appointments. I have almost 120 hours of vacation time saved. It's time to party before I need knee replacement surgery!

So there--I have thrown down the gauntlet. I don't know if I have many folks reading this yet, or anyone lurking who may like to join in. Feel free! Just leave a comment or send me an email and let me know you would like to try out for the Dream Team. I promise you'll make the cut--no one is ever turned away. You don't have to say what your goals are, but just say if you need encouragement or even if you want to brag about marking something off your list! That's the best of all, and it gets me motivated too--nothing like a little friendly competition, you know. :) Come on!