completing 2007

I know I'm supposed to share about the whole fashionista experience trust me, it was fun. I'm really looking forward to sharing the whole experience - I have photos to take. Links to post!

But before I get to that, I have an assignment:

Complete 2007.

There was this end-of-2007 post I did at the start of the new year, and that was half the work. It's important for me to move forward, but before I do that, I have to make sure I'm done with the past.

I've been reading Ed Viestur's book. He says some pretty obvious things, like this little gem:

“I like things that are difficult, physically and mentally, ... Things that are really challenging, things that really maybe take a long time but really push me to my limits.” (No Shortcuts to the Top).

I quote that because it's relevant - it resonates with who I am and why I push myself. OK, rrrr, rewind. It's obvious to me - I totally understand what he's talking about - so yeah. I "get" Ed.

I also "get" that not everybody "gets" Ed.

I'm SO READY to move away from 2007 and onto 2008 - but I understand that looking at the past long enough to learn from it is vital, crucial, and important work.

So here goes.

Are you willing to be complete with this?
Yes. I am willing to be complete with this and move on.

What are you present to?
I'm present to pretty much everything in my life right now that I can think of. I'm a very in-the-moment person.

What have you accomplished?
I wrote about that pretty extensively in this post. Suffice it to say, I have had a good year, I've accomplished a lot. I feel good about 2007.

What stops have you identified?
I've been thinking about this - the biggest "stop" is my belief in my abilities. With regard to athletics, is it that I am truly not able to be faster, or is it that my mind keeps me from going faster? Or is it (door number 3) my body that is still not quite up to the job yet (all the injuries)?

I lack some confidence. It's not just in my athletic world, it's in my day job too.

What is finished in this area?
I finished a lot of races, I had a lot of fun.

2007 is over. The past is gone, I don't need to stay there.

What seems unfinished in this area?
The Colorado Relay is waiting for me.

I'm not sure I want to go back to SoMa, but it's there. It doesn't matter. There are a lot of races I want to do next.

I don't know quite yet what I'll do with 2008.

What declarations are you willing to make about the unfinished things?
I'm going back to the Colorado Relay. Whether I finish on my own steam (my primary goal) or not, I intend to attack it with fun as my primary mission.

Whatever happens with regard to SoMa, if I go back, I will be more prepared.

Every other race that I do this season will have an outcome that I may or may not be able to predict. Regardless, my main mission will still be to have fun.

I'm not afraid to move forward.

What are you taking with you from this?
I can see from writing the above that I'm really clear about what I love about racing - friends, people, fun. I'm not in it for glory - my glory is personal. My achievements are personal. I can still love myself at the end of the day with or without a finish.

I've learned that my leg doesn't like rest. I've learned that I need to stretch all sorts of parts of my leg to keep it happy. I've learned that even when the leg doesn't play ball, it's still fun.

It's OK to not know all the answers. It's OK to move ahead without knowing the outcome.

What are you leaving behind and/or giving up?
I'm leaving behind the part of me that takes me too seriously. Serious is good, serious keeps me safe. Serious is not good when I can't see the forest for the trees.

I'm leaving behind a good year. I'll build on it.

I'm leaving behind my self-limiting beliefs. I'm gonna see what I can do.

What gifts has this experience given you?
People love me and I love people. I don't have to be perfect to find friendship. I am lovable just the way I am. I give back love.

I'm not in a confident space today, but I can see room for it. I'm trying it on.

I'm not cocky, but I can feel confidence that I haven't had before. I think I got that here.

What is next for you?
Well, there's a big race I want to do in 2008. There's also a whole new business year ahead of me. There's the People and their shiny new year. I'm going to be there to guide them into it - it will be fun.


What else would you like to say to be complete?
I'm ready to move forward.