TBT - Goal Crushing

Welcome to Throw Back Thursday "Bossier Than Ever" style!  Thank you for reading my blog. It means so much to me every time I hear from you all!

This post is dedicated to my momma - the most loving, supportive person EVER! Her love knows no boundaries and she will always amaze me with her warm spirit and ability to forgive the unforgivable. She's my rock and my hero. Happy Birthday Mommy - I'm so thankful she was born!

I planned this move for about a year. I was ready...or so I thought.  Here's a peak at my personal steps to success...

Photo Credit: Choose Chicago.

1. What's the goal?
   move to Chicago
2. What's my timeline?
   prior to 30th birthday (Oct 2014)...well, that had to change b/c I didn't want to move in the fall/winter. Bumped up that deadline to June so I could enjoy the BEST time of year in Chicago - the summer (thanks for the tip Ted Perry).
3. What do I need to get there?
   - secret support system (I mean, if you're planning to leave your job in a year you can't start broadcasting it immediately but you need someone to talk to about it...but if you're blessed with a wonderfully supportive boss as I was you can at least begin the conversation about the transition process at the point where you are 150% sure it's happening. That was the 6 month point for me.)
   - money
   - a place to live...shit I need more money
   - a plan to network/make friends
4. How do I get what I need?
   - share my BHAG with 2-3 select family members or friends so they can help keep you focused and on task....when you want to spend your #chicagomoney on that new bag or you get the nervous jitters they remind you that it's all going to work out.
   - get a part time job...now you know why I abandoned the majority of my extracurricular activities, stepped down from boards, and started working 1-2 days a week at lululemon. #chicagosavingsplan #movingjobORnojob #movingmoney
   - call Chicago apartment brokers to find out how far in advance I need to start looking...oh 2 months, add booking a flight to check out apartments to that to-do list :-)
   - started searching the internet for networking groups/organizations...Junior League transfer process, MeetUp Groups, OU alum group
5. Last but MOST importantly...I needed God!
   I needed to be faithful in prayer and know that if I worked my hardest and relied on my God that he'd open doors I  never even imagined existed. #GodisMyHERO
   My pastor, Dr. Bob Long, had no idea how much his sermons were speaking to me. Doing sermon series like "Seize The Day" kept giving me more and more encouragement to keep my eye on the prize of making Chicago my home.  I'm certain he had no idea...I mean, he was also my boss's boss :-)

So that was then and this is now...

1. What's the goal?
   well, this one is still in the secret phase....sorry folks, I'll fill you in when it makes sense ;-)
2. What's my timeline?
3. What do I need to get there?
4. How do I get what I need?
5. PRAY. PRAY. PRAY some more!

Some smaller, non-secret goals....

• Grow an indoor herb garden. Nothing extravagant. Maybe 3 little pots to start with...oregano, basil and thyme
• Get involved at 4th Presbyterian Church - YAY, this means I found a church home to grow with!
• Master the CTA bus routes
• Take a cooking class
• Get out of my neighborhood more often and explore more of Chicago