When my summer started, I knew I wanted it to be different. No more stifling hot days indoors without air conditioning. Goodbye moping around the house while my kids visit their dad out of state. I hit the power button on the television, watched a tutorial on taking great pictures from my iPhone, and walked outside.
I quickly determined that I could easily find something new and exciting to do each day. After all, living in Western Montana means an adventure is not far away. Using www.missoulaevents.net and www.bitterrootevents.net, I started planning my days. I used the handy “forgot password” link for my Instagram account so that I could document each day. There was no way for me to know what was in store by making this simple choice to choose my own adventure.
In the last 64 days (at time of publication), I have squeezed in more activities than in the past two years. I have volunteered my time for local churches and businesses, gone on 13 hikes, a backpacking trip, a 64 mile bicycle overnighter, walked the Hip Strip in Missoula a dozen times, enjoyed many great new eateries, taken in incredible scenery, spent time with family at home and away, enjoyed live music several different times, bought myself flowers (thank you very much!), said goodbye to people I love and things I no longer need. I started several fires (all controlled and with permits) and roasted more ‘mallows than I care to admit. I’ve made new friends, found passion and excitement in great company, and learned more about who I am and who I want to be.
My wish list became my present reality.
I made a conscious decision to not only look for adventure, but to make a change to my routine and my attitude. I literally created each day from scratch. Some creations were spontaneous and some happened at 10 o’clock at night when I realized I had been so busy living that I had forgotten to document my journey that day. It only took a couple weeks to realize that not only was I having an incredible time, I was becoming the person I wanted to be and living the life I had only dreamed of in the past. My wish list became my present reality.
Goals are a great way to put your plans on paper, but maybe goal setting is too rigid and can act as a stumbling block at times. Have you considered how many goals you’ve set for yourself, your department, your family, or your business? Do they feel like too much of a reach, unattainable, or simply too far down the road to be real?
Take a lesson from my book. How would you, your department, your family, or your business act today if you were living in the future? If you were one year down the road, what would your day look like? Take a snapshot of that. Now break it down and live it today. Create the adventure, the atmosphere, the culture, the life you want to live today simply by making a choice to start. Your future will literally become your present reality with each decision and action.
Open your door and take the first step!
Until Next Time,
Ashley
About the Author:
Ashley is a born and raised Bitterrooter who regained her roots after moving back to Montana in 2014. When she isn’t planning her next great adventure with her three children, she can be found outdoors soaking up sun, water, and fresh air. Ashley has learned that life is unpredictable and the best laid plans are ones built with flexibility and passion. Her favorite planning tools are her epic lists that float in and out of drawers and counters, and her detailed agenda in Google Calendar. She has recently discovered the excitement of capturing her life in pictures and documents her foodie, outdoor, kiddie, scenic, and more spontaneous moments on Instagram. You can follow her daily adventures at httpss://www.instagram.com/reachday1/.
