One of the things that I do with clients is create goals. When they first come into the program, we sit with them and make short and long term goals. Then, every time we meet we set small tasks that eventually lead to completion of the larger goal. Right now, my life is a little chaotic and I often don't feel like I am working towards the larger goals that I would like to achieve. So, I am making a 5 year plan. The hope is to work on all my goals and slowly accomplish each long term goal. I know some will take longer than others, but hopefully writing them out will give me guidance and a purpose. My goals are going to focus on five realms, one for each year. They are: career, health, family, financial and home.
Career: One thing I have been doing is working on my education which will lead to my goal of finding a job I love. I want to continue my education and graduate in April. My ultimate goal is to become a licensed social worker and find a rewarding career making a difference. Right now, I don't know where that will be but I will go through the doors that open for me and find a job where I fit. Goal: become a licensed social worker.
Health: I need to become healthier both mentally and physically. Right now, due to my work and school schedule, my health is at an all time low. I know that I need to start eating better and working out consistently. Also, I sometimes feel that if I was a better runner, I would be able to connect to my parents better. It's what they enjoy and maybe if I was healthier they would be more proud of me. I also know that I need to start managing my mental health better as well. Especially getting into the social work field, I know that self care is critical and have not been coping well. Overall, I know that being healthier will effect my life positively in more than one area of living. Goal: Run a marathon.
Family: I want to have a family of my own. And, I don't want to not have a family just because I am single. So, once I get more financially settled and finish my education, I want to start looking at options to become a mother. As of now, I have taken all of the required courses to be a foster parent, so it is just a matter of if I want to foster, adopt, or try and have one of my own. I know this is a HUGE decision and will need careful consideration, but at the same time I know that I want to be a parent. Goal: Be a mom.
Financial: I haven't always been the best with my finances and this is something that I need to work on. I know that I want to start being more financially stable as I will need to repay my student loans and would like to eventually be able to get a new car and be financially comfortable. I also want to look at the long-long-term and start planning for my retirement again. Goal: Stop living paycheck to paycheck.
Home: I know it may be sometime before I can purchase home again, but it is something that I ultimately want to do. In the meantime, I want to get out of my apartment living and live in a house again. I know that Zeus, Clubber and Rocky all miss having a yard, and I would like to live somewhere where I am happy to come home to at the end of the day. It would also be nice to live in a place where I feel safe. Goal: Move into a home.
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Friday, December 28, 2012
Life in Transition
I can't believe this year is coming to an end. It seemed that 2012 went by so fast, yet so slowly at the same time. So much has changed in the last year and I feel that I am in a major transitional period in my life. I am discontent where I am now, but know things will keep changing. For me, this year is all about change.
A lot has changed in the last year. I started my MSW program at USC. So far, it is going really well and I am still enjoying it. I completed 3 semesters last year and have one more semester to go before I graduate. I should be done with the program in April 2013 and will graduate in May. I hope to be able to go down and walk for graduation and meet some of my fellow classmates.
Work has been chaotic throughout the year. I went through countless jobs trying to find something that allowed me to make some extra money during the school year, but allowed me enough flexibility for my classes and internship. It was hard to find something that fit into my schedule and provided sufficiently for me financially. I finally found something that seems to be working.
At the end of October, Bary, housing manager at Drexel House, contacted me stating they had a part time, temporary job opening. He remembered when I left there after my initial internship that I mentioned if he ever had work, to let me know. I got hired as a Resident Coordinator for 16 hours a week, plus on call. The on call would be if people were sick, or on vacation, then my hours would increase. I took the job and soon after started my internship there again as well since USC had failed to place me. On top of that, another of the RC's quite fairly soon after I got hired. So, my 16+ hour a week job is now more like 40+ hours a week.
So, this is my life, I work about 40 hours a week, mostly graveyard. Then, I intern between 20-24 hours a week at Drexel House as well. The graveyard shift is nice since it is midnight - 8:00 am during the week, and midnight to noon on weekends. I am getting at least 40 hours a week and the best part is, I am able to do my schoolwork while at work since people are sleeping when I get here. Unless something happens, the nights are mostly quiet, and I don't have a lot of required work to do, so it does give me time to study. Without being able to study, there would be no way I would be able to keep this work load. And, some things will change in January. Then, a new worker will be hired. I will be moved to 28 hours + on call as a part time, permanent employee.
So, I guess that is it. Things are still chaotic and I don't know where my future will take me. What I do know is that I will finish school in a few months, and then look for a full time job utilizing my degree. I want to change my life as overall, I am not as happy as I should be. My first goal will be finishing school and finding a job. I know that won't happen for a few months, so in the interim, I will focus on making other changes in my life that will ultimately help lead to some long term goals I have established.
A lot has changed in the last year. I started my MSW program at USC. So far, it is going really well and I am still enjoying it. I completed 3 semesters last year and have one more semester to go before I graduate. I should be done with the program in April 2013 and will graduate in May. I hope to be able to go down and walk for graduation and meet some of my fellow classmates.
Work has been chaotic throughout the year. I went through countless jobs trying to find something that allowed me to make some extra money during the school year, but allowed me enough flexibility for my classes and internship. It was hard to find something that fit into my schedule and provided sufficiently for me financially. I finally found something that seems to be working.
At the end of October, Bary, housing manager at Drexel House, contacted me stating they had a part time, temporary job opening. He remembered when I left there after my initial internship that I mentioned if he ever had work, to let me know. I got hired as a Resident Coordinator for 16 hours a week, plus on call. The on call would be if people were sick, or on vacation, then my hours would increase. I took the job and soon after started my internship there again as well since USC had failed to place me. On top of that, another of the RC's quite fairly soon after I got hired. So, my 16+ hour a week job is now more like 40+ hours a week.
So, this is my life, I work about 40 hours a week, mostly graveyard. Then, I intern between 20-24 hours a week at Drexel House as well. The graveyard shift is nice since it is midnight - 8:00 am during the week, and midnight to noon on weekends. I am getting at least 40 hours a week and the best part is, I am able to do my schoolwork while at work since people are sleeping when I get here. Unless something happens, the nights are mostly quiet, and I don't have a lot of required work to do, so it does give me time to study. Without being able to study, there would be no way I would be able to keep this work load. And, some things will change in January. Then, a new worker will be hired. I will be moved to 28 hours + on call as a part time, permanent employee.
So, I guess that is it. Things are still chaotic and I don't know where my future will take me. What I do know is that I will finish school in a few months, and then look for a full time job utilizing my degree. I want to change my life as overall, I am not as happy as I should be. My first goal will be finishing school and finding a job. I know that won't happen for a few months, so in the interim, I will focus on making other changes in my life that will ultimately help lead to some long term goals I have established.
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