Summer Reflection, #Goals, and Getting Back Into It

It’s been a while (2 months, to be exact) since I took the time to sit down and put something on paper. With fall (almost) here, football back in action, and the busy summer months coming to a close, I wanted to sit down and reflect on the last couple of months and start looking forward into what the next few months have in store.Summer was really busy for me. I took on a new philanthropic role as Director of Hospital Relations @ The Stand, found out I love rock climbing, started (poorly) training for my second half marathon this year, and started to take on more responsibility in my role at CrowdTwist. I also had some time to get away for a few long weekends, spent some much-needed time with family and friends, and explored more of my Jersey City neighborhood that I hadn’t learned to appreciate until the last few months.Rock climbing has definitely been one of the best things that I’ve discovered over the last few months. As someone who has never found lifting weights in a gym to be enjoyable, but has always wanted to find a physical activity that builds strength – this is exactly what I was looking for. Climbing requires a calculated focus on the route you need to take in combination with targeted strength (aka forearms.... lots of forearms). I’ve started using muscles that I didn’t know were important and have gained a great respect for the sport and those who excel at it (check out Alex Honnold and the stuff that he has done… insane stuff). When I say “calculated focus”, I’m talking about the strategic nature of the sport. When you find yourself in a climbing gym, you’ll see a bunch of different colored hand and foot holds that seem to be randomly placed on a wall. The randomness, however, is far from random. Each of these holds are placed in a very specific pattern that’s mapped to a specific level of skill (for bouldering, the levels go from V0 – V15. For top-roping & lead climbing, the levels go from 5.6 – 5.14). Bouldering = climbing without a rope at heights no taller than 12-15 feet (shorter & more technical climbs). Top-roping = climbing a tall wall while in a harness & attached to a rope that is being controlled by someone on the ground (longer and endurance-driven climbs). As you increase the level, the holds get smaller and the distance between holds gets bigger, which requires a much more calculated approach combined with excellent grip strength.What I love about the climbing community is how encouraging everyone is – regardless of skill level. Strangers will cheer you on as you crawl your way up a wall and friends will coach you as you’re…learning the ropes…Ok…I’ll see myself out. But in all honesty, it’s an awesome sport. It’s challenging, a great workout, and a ton of fun – and I’d highly recommend that everyone gives it a try at least once.To switch gears a bit, I wanted to talk about some of the goals that I have through the rest of the year and what I’m going to do to help accomplish them. I figure that getting them on paper and out in the open will be the best way for me to hold myself accountable. So…here it goes:

1. Crush my half marathon in Boston on October 8^th. I PR’d in NYC this year – with a time of 1:57ish – and would love to break 1:50 this time around. I’m only a month away, and haven’t been the best at training (being mid-sinus infection right now isn’t helping), but I’m going to try to get out 5 days a week up to race day.
2. To actually start studying for the GMAT. I don’t know if or when I’ll go to business school, but it has always been something on the back of my mind and I’ve never been able to get myself into a study routine. I plan to buy the study books this weekend and start working out a study schedule by end of week. I’ll also need to choose a test date and pay for the exam. No better motivation to do well than putting money down on something.
3. Execute on all of the goals that we have for The Stand before the winter holidays. We have a few awesome event & engagement ideas to do with the hospital and I want them to be successful. We have a pretty lofty fundraising goal for our event in May of 2019 ($100,000…..eek), but I think we can do it as long as we execute well!
4. Routinely start running in the mornings. This is something that I’ve been working on all year and haven’t done a good job at maintaining. However, on the days that I have gotten out of bed and gotten my sweat-on, I feel great for the rest of the day and don’t feel rushed to get things done in the evenings. I’ll start setting my alarm for 6am and get out the door by 6:30.
5. A few other things, but those are still in the works 😀

I think these should all be pretty attainable, but keep me honest! I’m excited to close this year out with a bang and look forward to sharing my progress with you all.NickP.S. - while we're talking about climbing, check out this article. That guy Alex that I talked about earlier literally scaled the side of the building that I live in at 1:30 am this past Thursday...crazy man