For my new readers, in September 2006 I started what I termed a Life Transformation Program. I committed to exercise, meditate, and write every day in order to get my life to reflect my beliefs. So far I’ve had tremendous success with the program. Every month I submit an update with some of the shifts I’ve experienced as a result of developing those 3 habits.

To be honest, December was a blur. I went through the motions of exercising, meditating, and writing amid a flurry of carols, decorating, and gift buying. I spent 5 days with family for the holidays and did not exercise or write. Not writing was intentional, but not exercising crept up on me.

In December I kicked up my exercise routine. I added a minute of arm swinging to my walk every day. I now walk for 40 minutes a day while swinging my arms for 30 minutes. My fitness level is really improving. I am choosing to walk over finding a convenient parking spot. For all that, I lost 10 additional pounds. I am now down a total of 25 lbs.

I instituted rest days, and sick days in December. Rest days are every Sunday, day job holiday, and day job vacation day. On those days I won’t write. Sick days are defined as this: if I worked in an organization that had unlimited sick days and I was really into what I was doing and I would take that day off to be sick, it’s a sick day. I’m not talking mental health days here. Any day that I am sick, I will not exercise or write.

I feel like I have a jump start on the New Year. I was able to get through December because exercising, writing, and meditating are now habits. When I don’t do them I feel out of sorts, off kilter. By and large, I don’t question whether or not they are done.

Since it’s the beginning of the year, I’ll take this opportunity to post my goals. They are assigned to my birthday rather than the year end. I started working on them when I started the Life Transformation Program. If I had to pick a word for this year, it would be foundation.

By October 3rd, 2007, I intend to:

  • Establish and practice the following habits:
    - Meditate daily
    - Exercise daily
    - Write daily
    - Only eat when hungry and until full
    - Tithe
    - Save 10% of all income
    - Read a book a month
    - Do a speech a month
    - Practice Bikram Yoga once a week
  • Be financially secure: pay all bills on time, stick to a budget, be insured, have a will, save $1000 for emergencies,
  • Publish 500 posts/podcasts/articles on Balanced Life Center,
  • Generate 500,000 page views per month on Balanced Life Center,
  • Complete Toastmaster’s CTM Program,
  • Generate $3000/month or more from my purpose,
  • Apply for US citizenship.

From now on, I will include an update on my goals with the Life Transformation Program updates.

In Spirit,
Nneka