It has been a great ride:)

Greeting folks,

I have so enjoyed this experience of blogging.  So much so that I plan on continuing to blog on a regular basis.  The title of my blog has really helped me push through some barriers through this course, so I'm keeping it.  I have set up another blog on my personal site that I can share with you later if you care to stay in touch.

I may keep this one, but plan on deleting the course assignments and keeping this more on a motivational theme moving forward;)

Speaking of the course, here is my response to the Unit 10 assignment:

When I started this course, I would have ranked my psychological score at an 8, my physical at a 4 and my spiritual a 3.  Today, my psych is about the same, but my physical has moved up a few points and my spiritual is rapidly moving up to around a 7.

One aspect of my physical life that has changed is the way I view training.  I use to think that training only took place in the gym or while racking up miles on the sidewalk.  I now realize that training is not only what I do, it also consists of what I "Don't Do".  For example, I don't eat that Toaster Strudel pastry for breakfast, instead, I have a protein shake.  Salad and chicken over pasta and chicken.  I'll drink water instead of something with a couple hundred calories.  This revelation has really helped me.  I realized that I can train will sitting in my office chair typing on the computer...just as long as I'm not grazing while I do it:)

My goals for each aspect are pretty clear.  Granted, I'm not looking forward to them, but I know they will be beneficial for me.

Psychologically, I plan on attending a support group later this week, on Thursday to be exact.  Although many years have passed since I lost my brother, I have never attempted to talk to anyone about it professionally.  Looking back, I realize that this has taken a terrible toll on me.  Now, in spite of feeling really stupid for showing up so late, I plan on facing this demon head on and really moving forward.

Physically, I plan on running a marathon on December 4th.  I'll be running in a 5K at the end of May, then I'll sign up for a 10K in July.  I want to run a half marathon in Sept, then train for the full 26.2 in December.

Spiritually, my wife and I have committed to having a morning meeting every day.  We meet for 30 to 40 minutes before our day gets started.  We talk, then pray together.  So far, we have made it 7 for 7 and we are already noticing the differences in our relationship.

Part three of this assignment asks if I have implemented these activities yet.  Rather than finding a flowery way of expressing this response, I'll simply reply with YES.

My personal life has really been positively effected by many of the exercises in this course.  The single greatest aspect of this course has been the blogging.  I'll admit that when I first saw this requirement, I thought it was ridiculous.  Now, just 10 weeks later, I plan on being a professional blogger someday:)  I've always wanted to be a motivational speaker and author.  Now I realize that I don't have to wait to start putting my thoughts out there.  Who knows, the words in my heart and head will reach a person who needs to hear them:)  My goal has never been to change the world but rather to make a difference in the life of those people who will.


I am still in the process of setting things up, but just for future reference, my new blog site will be:

committoaction.drgeorgesparks.com

I can also be found on Twitter (Dr. George Sparks)

I look forward to staying in touch with you folks.

Thanks for adding value to my life:)

Unit 9 Project

Dear Friends and Blog Followers,

I must admit, it was a late start for me this week and as I was completing my final project, I wasn't factoring it into my blog.  However, I did want to share aspects of my paper with all of you.  One thing this assignment did not ask was for us to share our favorite aspect of this class.  I must admit, I LOVE blogging.  After Unit 10, I plan on deleting most of these postings, but keeping the blog site for my personal blogging.  It really is a great forum.

With that being said, I realize my life seems to be an open book, but there are still parts of my life that I would like to work on in private.  I have kept no secret about my feelings regarding Dasher throughout this course, so I won't start now:)  I really enjoyed the final project, however, I don't feel comfortable sharing so much personal information in such a public forum.  I will share my physical goals with all of you, largely due to the accountability aspect this could create.  However, since there are still some personal issues that I am dealing with from tragedies in my past, I am asking for your understanding when I chose not to share them with you folks in such a public space.  If it was only you guys, that would be fine, however, once something hits the web, it is out there forever and for everyone.

If you continue to follow my blogs, I will be creating a new one after this course ends.  I plan on blogging my transition from overweight, lethargic stagnant guy to marathon runner:)  With that being said, here are some exerts from my final project as it pertains to my physical goals.

Physically, I plan on taking my first steps towards my marathon finish line.  To aid in this, I’m going to focus on each step, not each mile.  I have an all or nothing mentality, which limits me and my accomplishments.  If I can’t workout for an hour, I won’t workout for 30 minutes.  If I don’t have 30 minutes, I won’t workout 20.  I’m going to take advantage of every opportunity to throw some miles on my running shoes.

I plan on starting my marathon training today.  I plan on taking steps everyday towards this goal, both literally and metaphorically.  It has been a while since I ran a 5K so I will look for one that takes place in about 4 weeks.  I then plan on running in an organized run every 6 weeks.  I plan on running a 10K next, then a 13.1 half marathon.  Hopefully by the end of the year I’ll be up to marathon shape.

Physically I plan on measuring both my intake and my output.  I am going to track my food intake using a daily food log.  This will take discipline, but it has really helped me in the past.  In addition, I’m going to keep a mental and emotional log as well.  This will tie into my psychological goals to be mentioned later, but I am looking for correlations between diet, exercise and mental clarity and emotional well-being.  Secondly, I plan on signing up for a 5K, 10K, Half and Full Marathon within the year.  I will find a 5K today.  I’m not sure why I feel compelled to start all new activities on a Monday, but that is just one of the ways I am wired.  Fortunately, today is Monday :) .

Again, I truly appreciate your understanding this final blog.  I look forward to following your future work and staying in touch with you.

George