It was a cold day in New York last November as I was walking through SOHO to Whole Foods to do my grocery shopping for work and I began to think about my milestone birthday that was approaching me within a month and a half. I was going to be 40 years old! While I was excited for the week long celebration that I was planning on both coast. The only goal I had at this point was to be able to get into my white dress for my party in Vegas! I began to seriously think about what 40 should look like in my world. My personal life, family, work, finances, health and wellness things like that. I had received an email from my gilfriend Erica and the email was titled "40 by 40". She is on a serious mission to lose 40 pounds by her birthday this coming fall. I will add that she is doing great and by my birthday last month she was already down 15 pounds! But the the title 40 by 40 stuck with me and I began to think about all the things I wanted to do before 40 was over. So I made a list as we all do and I will shoot to accomplish each one of them before January 19, 2012.
My List:
1.) Start my own business
2.) See my family at least once a season
3.) Go to church as much as I can
4.) Finish working on Credit Report
5.) Go to doctor to get the 40 year old check up (there is such a thing !)
6.) Try to eat at least twice a day
7.) Enroll in Masters' Program for Nutrition
8.) Run in the NYC marathon
9.) Maintain weight and go to gym regularly
10.) Position myself to purchase a piece of property for 2012
11.) Begin process to start "A New Season Foundation"
12.) Strengthen my relationship with Christ
13.) Spend more time with my nieces and nephews
14.) Take a baking and pastry class.
15.) Locate an industrial kitchen where I can work and teach.
16.) Travel to Italy and Spain
17.) Be featured in Black Enterprise
18.) Lock down 7 Corporate Contracts
19.) Begin writing first book.
20.) Work with youth to develop nutritinal program
21.) Begin groundwork to implement youth program in Newark, NJ
22.) Plan reunion for next year with my line sisters for our 20 year celebration of being Deltas
23.) Travel to London
24.) Take headshots for upcoming opportunities
25.) Treat myself to the spa at least once a month.
26.) Try to save at least $2000 a month to put into ING account
27.) Attend the women of power conference in Florida
28.) Help Plan my sisters 50 birthday for next year
29.) Be in a healthy and loving relationship with a great guy
30.) Build partnerships with High Profile Trainers to service their clients
31.) Build Website
32.) Try to take a nap as much as possible
33.) Cut red meat out of my diet
34.) Go visit my fathers family in Chicago,California, Florida, and Michigan
35.) Build a relationship with my cousin Rogers' kids that live 45 min. from me!
36.) Continue to build my relationship wth Christ
37.) Smile every day
38.) Laugh as much as possible
39.) Be greatful for every day even if I am having a bad one
40.) Make a difference through food.
This is just my list. Have you set goals for yourself this year? Even if your not forty what are your top priorities for 2011. If you don't have a list, I encourage you to make one and shoot for as many as you can!
2011 is all about being focused and reaching heights that you never thought you could!
Having a sound mind and a healthy body because we are putting the right things in it and taking care of ourselves like the Benz or the Range Rover thats in the drive way is a great foundation to begin with!
Making a difference through food!
Chef Jamie Poole
