Final Tally

What a year it's been!  Thanks to my 'Fifty' projects, my fiftieth year has been pretty terrific.  I've done a lot more of the things I love -- and less of those I don't.

My main goal was to enjoy (at least) Fifty Frolics during my fiftieth year.  I not only met this challenge...I doubled it, racking up 100 Frolics during the year.  I so enjoyed these romps, I plan to make this an annual thing:  to aim for (at least) fifty frolics for every subsequent year of my life.
A second goal was to do (at least) Fifty Creative Projects this year. This was not only enjoyable but fulfilling.  I'm especially tickled to have written four books this year.  My novel and a workbook are being edited.  Here are the others:

GOAL SETTING & PLANNING FOR MULTI-TALENTED PEOPLE:  How to figure out what you really want -- and how to actually get it
Available here for Kindle or PC for only $2.99:  http://amzn.to/goalsettingkindle

  

And here's the newest one.  I'm thrilled that this blog and my 'Turning Fifty' projects have led to this self-help guide. It's packed with activities, examples and ideas to make the most of turning fifty -- to make your fiftieth year whatever you’d like it to be.

50 WAYS TO ENJOY TURNING FIFTY: Make the Most of Your Milestone Birthday to Have the Best Year Ever
 
Available here for Kindle or PC for only $2.99:   http://bit.ly/MakingTheMostofTurningFifty
 







Another goal was to take better care of my body -- hauling my middle-aged carcass into (at least) Fifty Fitness Classes, including bikram yoga and zumba.  Mission accomplished -- but the results are not what I hoped. My metabolism seems to be slowing so next year, I'll have to give more attention to my fitness and health.

My other projects were purely for pleasure:  I love cooking and trying new things so it was lovely to make (at least) 50 New Recipes this year.  I adore reading, so I aimed to read (at least) 50 Books this year. Along the same line, I wanted to watch (at least) 50 Films and listen -- really listen -- to (at least) 50 CDs.  I committed to treat myself better...to the tune of indulging in (at least) 50 Treats during the year. Part of that was recognizing how soothing it is for me to be near water -- so I set a goal of (at least) 50 Water Visits.  I also aimed for 50 Visits with Friends.

I'm delighted to report that I met or exceeded every one of these goals.

However, as I reported earlier,  There was one 50 Project that I abandoned early on.  I had thought I would take (at least) 50 'Fun Classes' during my fiftieth year -- and I ended up going to none.  The irony here is that, in any given year over the past decade, I've taken fun classes pretty much every week -- art or acting or even canine related courses.  It's surprising that this, of all projects, is that one that never get off the ground. And yet I'm fine with that.

The point of all my 'fifty projects' was to make the most of my fiftieth year -- to do more of what I love and less of what I don't -- and that's exactly what happened. Even better -- I've inspired others to do the same.


Blog readers have written to tell me about special events they organized or simple pleasures they re-discovered or once-in-a-lifetime trips they had taken.  Ellen treated herself to a month's vacation at a beach house -- honoring her happiest memories from her youth.  Oliver went on safari.  Marloes made a point of attending particular concerts that she otherwise would have let pass her by.  Kate used her milestone as an excuse to sleep more -- and nap whenever she wished -- guilt-free.

I'm concluding this, my fiftieth year, with a sense of accomplishment and great gratitude.

I've also learned that it is possible to make the most of life, even when life becomes challenging.  To my surprise, I managed to make this a wonderful year, despite dealing with a profound personal loss (my mother's passing) and many practical challenges (e.g. managing her estate, 3000 miles away). I learned that even horrible events don't have to define your life -- or an entire year.

I enter my fifty-first year with new optimism and high hopes.  I'm going to give careful thought to how I'd like to live the next twelve months -- and I invite you to do the same.

*****

I'd love to hear from you -- message me or leave a comment below.

Mission Accomplished: 50 Frolics -- and more

I spent the morning of  July 1 exploring a cute  town in upstate New York called Phoenicia.

Yes, I enjoyed poking around the artsy shops of Main Street.  Of course it was lovely to spend time with good friends.  Sure, I savoured the mammoth entity that is Sweet Sue's walnut-dusted French Toast. 

Even better:  as I waddled away from brunch, I realized that I was in the midst of  Frolic Number Fifty!  I was accomplishing my mission of enjoying at least Fifty Frolics during my Fiftieth year on the planet.

Sure it feels great to meet my goal -- and it's sweeter still to know that my initial idea -- to make the most of turning fifty -- is coming true.  Thanks to my Fifty Frolics project -- and my other Fiftieth projects -- I'm enjoying a terrific year, doing more of what I love.

More gratifying still it so know that I'm influencing others to make the most of their Fiftieth year.  One buddy treated herself and her family to a month's vacation at a beach house -- honouring her happiest memories from her youth.

Another friend is making a point of attending particular concerts and participating in fun getaways that she otherwise would let pass by.  This year, she's making a point of making the most of her Fiftieth year.

You can do the same: regardless  of your age or birthday, you can decide to make the most of the next twelve months... to do what you love.  To indulge in simple pleasures.  To treat yourself to the things you enjoy.

And as you do, I'd love to hear about it -- message me or leave a comment below.

Half-Time

This is the twenty-sixth week of my fiftieth year.  It doesn't seem like it -- it feels like I just turned fifty a about a month ago but no, poof! shazam!  I'm half-way through my milestone.

What's working well?

I'm trying enjoying my fifty projects -- especially my Fifty Frolics.  I'm making a point of going out more -- fun day trips (like the visit to the Museum of Latin American Art or lunch with a girlfriend at a kickass Vietnamese Vegan Cafe) plus wonderful evenings (like a number of girls' nights, game nights plus my recent night seeing the musical Billy Elliot). Best of all, I've enjoyed many wonderful visits with friends -- dinners, parties and even some sleepovers.

Connecting -- or reconnecting -- with friends has been particularly gratifying. I'm making a point of visiting more with people who are nearby -- as well as phoning or Skyping those farther away.   Certainly, I'm truly appreciating the significant people in my life.

I've read some great books, as part of my desire to read (at least) Fifty Books this year.  My other creative inputs are equally enjoyable -- I'm more than half way to my goal of watching (at least) Fifty Films as well as listening (really listening) to (at least) Fifty CDs.

So far, it's been a delicious year, to boot.  I'm cooking up a storm, in my desire to try (at least) Fifty New Recipes.  I'm delving into favourite cookbooks, scouring the internet for cool new recipes and experimenting with new ingredients like Tofurky.

I'm also taking better care of my body -- hauling my middle-aged carcass into (at least) Fifty Fitness Classes, including bikram yoga and zumba.

And I'm making a point of treating myself well...to the tune of (at least) Fifty Treats this year.

I might be a bit behind in my quota, but I've certainly been enjoying the Creative Projects on which I've been working.  I've made some beautiful jewelry, for example. I've been blogging here and at www.DaVinciDilemma.com.   I've drafted several books and published one so far (GOAL SETTING & PLANNING FOR MULTI-TALENTED PEOPLE:  How to figure out what you really want -- and how to actually get it).


I'm getting to the water much more, thanks to my desire for (at least) 50 Water Visits.  I might be behind in my quota for this year...but I've indulged in this favourite, soothing pasttime much more than I have in previous years.

I'm learning more about myself -- and others. 

I'm looking at life differently...in a good way.

What hasn't been working well?

* This year seems to have brought more than the usual number of challenges...but I'm doing my best to handle them.

* There's no denying it:  I look like hell.

* Also, there is one 50 Project that I haven't tackled at all.  I have yet to get to any 'Fun Class', let alone the (at least) fifty I hoped to attend.  The irony here is that, in any given year over the past decade, I've taken fun classes pretty much every week -- art or acting or even canine related courses.  It's surprising that this, of all projects, is that one yet to get off the ground.  There *was* a fire-eating class that caught my eye...but it ran when I was out of the country.  I'm planning to register for a metal fabrication class...but it doesn't start until September.  I will make a point of getting to SOME fun classes this year...and will make it a priority to get to (at least) 51 next year.

What adjustments do I need to make, going forward?

Overall, I'm very satisfied with my efforts to 'make the most of turning fifty'.

My plan is to keep on, keeping on...to keep track of my various fifty projects and do my best to meet my quotas, to the best of my ability...while remembering that the whole point is to really enjoy this year.



*****

What about you?  How's your 50th year going?  Message me or leave a comment.

Check-in: Week Fifteen

Time flies. Already, I'm fifteen weeks into my Fiftieth year...one third of this milestone is already gone.

I'm delighted to report that I'm on track with my pretty much all of my projects for Making the Most of Turning Fifty, specifically:

* to enjoy (at least) 50 Frolics 

* to do (at least) 50 Creative Projects 

* to read (at least)  50 Books

* to make (at least) 50 New Recipes

* to watch (at least) 50 Films

* to listen -- really listen -- to (at least) 50 CDs

* to enjoy (at least) 50 Visits with friends

* to indulge in (at least) 50 Treats

What this means is that I'm spending my Fiftieth year doing a lot more of the things I truly love, with the people I truly care about.  I'm Making the Most of Turning Fifty, which is, after all the point of all this.

There are only three goals in which I am behind:

1.  To enjoy (at least) 50 Water Visits.

2.  To take (at least) 50 Fitness Classes, and

3.  To take (at least) 50 Fun Classes this year.  

I discussed this in an earlier post last month.  Since then, I have taken action to improve the situation.  I've made a point of getting myself (and my dogs) to the water more often.  I've planned some summertime visits to the shore. I've signed up for some fitness classes and have scouted for some fun ones.  

I've made progress, in other words.  And I'm committed to continue to do so.

One third of the way into my fiftieth year, I am pleased and energized by how my milestone year is unfolding.  Who could ask for more?

Tracking Progress

Unbelievably, I'm two months into my fiftieth year...meaning that 16.67% of the time I have to complete my 50th projects has elapsed already.  (Not that I'm feeling any pressure to honour my commitments or anything.  Okay, I am.  That's the beauty of blogging about this experience).

Actually, for the most part, I'm doing well, according to the excel spreadsheet I'm using to track my progress. Since 50 Frolics or 50 Books or 50 of anything else averages out to be about one a week, it's easy to tell, at a glance, what's on track and what's not.

I'm farthest ahead in my effort to try (at least) 50 New Recipes this year.  Perhaps this is not surprising, given that I have three opportunities a day to try novel dishes.  (Who am I kidding?  Given my food intake, I have twelve chances a day to experiment with new recipes).

I'm also ahead of the game in my desire to enjoy (at least) 50 Frolics, (at least) 50 Creative Projects and many of the categories for which I'm not recording my experiences online (50 Films, 50 Visits, 50 Treats, 50 CDs).

I'm one short in the number of books I had expected to read by this point...and I'm alright with that.  At this point, I'm well on my way to reading (at least) 50 Books this year.

In contrast, I am much farther behind in my plan to enjoy (at least) 50 Water Visits this year.  I live 40 blocks away from the ocean.  It takes twenty whole minutes to drive to the shore.  As ridiculous as that sounds, it's proving challenging to find the time in my week to get to the shore. I know I'll be visiting waterfront places this summer, so hopefully I'll be able to catch up a bit.  In the meantime, I'm seeking creative ways to meet this goal.

I'm even farther behind in my desire to take (at least) 50 Fitness Classes and (at least) 50 Fun Classes this year.  In a normal year, this wouldn't be an issue -- I adore taking all kinds of classes and am usually enrolled in same.  However, this year, my schedule and my personal responsibilities in tending my mother's estate have interfered.  I've missed registration deadlines and start dates and so forth. I'm not sure how to make up for the weeks I've missed.  Interestingly, I find this turn of events ironic more than troubling.  I certainly don't want these projects to be a source of stress or dismay.

The point of all these '50' projects is to make the most of turning fifty.  The real measure of my progress is to what extent I'm enjoying this year.  By that metric, I'm doing very well indeed.

Anticipating Obstacles

My 50 Frolics are off to a great start.  As of this week, I’ve already enjoyed eight frolics.  As I talk to more friends, more ideas and plans for more frolics are emerging.  I’m truly pleased -- my fiftieth year is going to be more fun and frolic-filled than I’ve experienced in the last decade.

However, I’m aware that many project start like this...off to a great start and then sidelined by unforeseen obstacles. 

I don’t want that to happen to my Fifty Frolics project. 

To that end, I need to identify what might get in the way, and prepare myself accordingly.  KInda like an obstacle inoculation.

Possible Obstacles:

1.  Slipping back into old habits.

It’s funny how you can be full of mad resolve, embarking on a new initiative...and then, a few weeks later, notice that you’re back to doing the same ol’ same ol’.  Let’s take my 50 Treats initiative for example.  I started out great on my birthday, purchasing fresh cut flowers and special ingredients for my birthday dinner...and since then I’ve faltered. 

I’m keeping track of my commitments using Ye Olde Excel Spreadsheet.  I couldn’t help but notice yesterday that I’ve only enjoyed two treats in the past four weeks.  So I made a point of picking out some glorious special cheeses for our next trip to the farm.

My gameplan is that my spreadsheet will help keep me on track.

2.  Negative people

As excited as I am about my Fifty Frolics project, it’s horrifying to see how others’ reactions can squash my enthusiasm.  Even something as innocuous as a lukewarm reception can cause me to doubt the merits of my efforts.  I need to remind myself to stay on track, regardless of what anyone else thinks.   

The point is, it’s going to be a better year for me if I focus on my 50 Frolics (and my other 50th year initiatives) than if I don’t, so why wouldn’t I do them.

3. Getting overly busy

It’s fine to commit to 50 Frolics -- basically an average of one a week.  But what happens when work and domestic responsibilities and random other things swell to fill my schedule? 

Again, I’m counting on my spreadsheet as a way to stay on track.

4.  Life intervenes

Case in point:  when my mother passed away unexpectedly a few months ago, my professional life got derailed.  Everything else got put on hold while I dealt with all that needed attention. 

It’s been unsettling to see how off kilter I got thrown.  Only now am I getting back to work...and I’m still not quite back up to full speed.

It’s an extreme example, but smaller things -- an illness, a move, an unprecedented event -- can also affect commitment and progress on any project. 

So what can I do to stay on track with my project, no matter what?  Somehow, no matter what unfolds this year, I need to remind myself that this is the year of my 50 Frolics.  I’m counting that the public nature of this commitment through this blog will see me through.

5.  Fatigue 

Well, I *am* older now.  Fifty years old, unbelievably.  I find myself moving slower, thinking slower and needing more sleep than I did during earlier decades. 

My hope is that the 50 Frolics will give me energy, rather than deplete it.  So far that’s been the case. 

* * *

What about you?  What obstacles derail your projects and how do you overcome them?  I’d love to hear from you -- message me or leave a comment.