Friday, April 6, 2012

My Big Year


I'm motivated. I'm feeling the urge to accomplish more, to become something more.

A very good friend and I went to an interesting program at a local college last month. We watched the movie, THE BIG YEAR, starring Jack Black, Steve Martin and Owen Wilson--and then we attended a presentation by the man, champion birder Greg Miller (no relation), the book was based on. We also attended a program on Raptor Rescue and met a brown-tailed hawk that had broken its wing and was being nursed back to health by the organization.

The basic premise of the movie and book and real story it was based on is the quest of 3 different men who love birding (laymen like me call it bird-watching, but the pros call it birding ;)) to have what is known as the "Big Year", where a birder sort of puts his/her life on hold and travels the country/continent to spot as many different species of birds as possible. It's a contest that involves a lot of miles, a lot of money and a lot of dedication. But to a birder, it's the ultimate indulgence and achievement--to be the person who (on record) sees the most birds in a single year. And the best part of the story, of course, being a romance writer--were the relationships that changed and develop over the course of each man's Big Year--finding love, find fame and respect, finally finding an understanding with a father, finding out that family is a priority in life, etc. iow, it's not just the challenge of being #1, it's a journey of self-discovery. It was fascinating, it was funny--and it motivated Linda and me to try a "Big Year of our own.

So, while we're not birders trying to spot as many birds as possible (although I do find myself more aware of birds than ever before), we have been motivated to challenge each other to our own big year--to cheer each other on, to celebrate small victories along the way, and to commiserate disappointments and pick the other up to keep moving forward. Both of us have decided to improve our health this year--and for us the main thing we need to do more of is exercise. So she has pledged to ride her bike 1000 miles this year, and I am going to walk 300 miles. Of course, surpassing those goals is a bonus. But we've set weekly goals, monthly goals. We've rewarded ourselves with practical things like a new sports bra and bike helmet, and with less practical things--a girls night out with strawberry lemonades and a splurge of dessert.

Just as important as the change in activity levels and health, I think, is the mental adjustments Linda and I are going through. We're feeling more positive about our lives, our work and our health. I'm sure it's partly due to the exercise, but I'm thinking a lot of it has to do with the camaraderie. We've been friends since our children were in preschool (her daughter and my son are graduating college in a year!). But we've been busy raising families, writing books, taking care of ill parents, dealing with life. Now, we're making a concerted effort to have contact much more often. That social interaction is invaluable to a solitary writer's life, believe me.

So that's my Big Year. Just this week I was offered a contract to write 4 new Precinct books for Intrigue. I'm presenting a workshop at a national conference with my good buddies BJ Daniels and Delores Fossen. My son is planning his last semester of classes and internship. I'm starting to lose weight. I'm balancing the demands in my life much better than I once did. I'm in a very positive place right now. It's my "Big Year" and I intend to make the most of it!

So what movies/books/people/stories in the news have inspired you to do something?

Share what motivates you. I'll give away a signed copy of my May 1st release, THE MARINE NEXT DOOR, to one lucky commenter.

Now get out there and be inspired!
Julie Miller

17 comments:

  1. I recently became motivated to lose more weight by listening to Mariah Carey, of all people. She is not someone I usually watch on talk shows, but for some reason I watched her recently. She was talking about gaining over 70 pounds for the birth of her twins, how she lost the first 40 pounds re water weight, but struggled with the remainder. SHE was motivated because she had not felt comfortable carrying the extra weight, and she listed some of the things she disliked, like the difficulty getting out of chairs, her knees hurt, she didn't walk the same way, she held her back a different way, etc. It was then I had my "aha moment" and realized my extra pounds had been affecting me the same way for years. Part of me claimed it was age, but no, it was the extra weight. So I just think about what she said and I am motivated even more so now to continue losing weight.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That sounds like wonderful motivation, Laney4! And she's so right...a lot of other health issues arise from being overweight.

      I know that's one reason I'm doing this. My doctor says I'm very healthy. But, if I don't start moving and lose some weight that I will start to see problems with my joints and cholesterol levels, etc. There are so many health issues we face today that are beyond our control, but that's one thing I can do to help myself. So I intend to!

      Good luck in your quest, too!

      Delete
  2. Hi Julie,

    4 more Precinct books - how exciting. I love that series. I hate to admit this, but the only thing that motivates me to lose weight is money and public humiliation. My work does a biggest loser contest each year. You pay to join and pay again if you gain weight at the weekly weigh in. The winner gets money. I have done it twice and finished second both times. The top 3 get money! I am doing it again - it starts next week. My 30 year High School Reunion is this summer and I want to lose 25 pounds al least. So, Easter is my last hurrah before my big first weigh in next Tuesday.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks, Tammy!

    I could get into that kind of motivation, too. Seems I'm always watching the pocketbook, and I'd hate to be responsible for paying out because I gained weight. ;)

    Good luck! I'm sure you'll look fabulous for your reunion.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Congrats on the book deal and your son's last semester!!

    You know what I find motivating - yesterday listening to Phil Mickelson and his interview after his horrendous first round at The Masters. He was so positive and didn't focus on what went wrong. A lot of golfers are like this I noticed.

    Plus, my personal motivator - I have learned that something good comes out of something bad. So if something goes not as planned I find myself - after a moment of panic - finding the good in it. One example of bad - flat tire. Good - it happened in my driveway.

    From MarcieR

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like your positive thinking, Marcie. That has to be so good for one's mental health and overall mood.

      And I'm really liking seeing these positive celebrity inspirations. To be honest, I'm getting really tired of seeing all the negative press splashed across the news--some people even thrive on all the negative press. That annoys and depresses me. I wish entertainment tv and news would focus on more positive stories.

      Thanks for sharing!

      Delete
  5. Congratulations on your contract and all your good news! I'm motivated by reading other people's success stories.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Congrats on you contract! I am lacking in motivation right now. I have been having back problem for about two months not, went for a MRI today. I have been trying to get out a walk every day and I know that the extra weight I am carring is not helping any. It is awful trying to get that walk in because it cause a lot of hip and leg pain, I do it anyway.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I admire you, Quilt Lady, for getting out and walking, anyway, despite the pain. There are so many people I know anymore who are living with pain of some kind--and a lot with back pain. I hope the doctors find the cause of yours soon, and get it taken care of!

      Feel better soon.

      Delete
  7. Thanks, bn100! I do think there's something to surrounding yourself with positive people and good news. It is motivating!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Congrats on book deal, Julie. The documentary Bully has just been released and it made me think how people(kids and adults) are just rude and mean to each other and it's made me realize it's not hard to be nice. If you can't be nice at least you don't have to go out of your way to hurt the other person.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jane!

      That's a documentary I think I want to see, although I imagine I'll either find it disturbing or it will really tick me off. Bullying is such a problem in so many schools, and it's one of the toughest problems to combat. I agree--it's unrealistic to think everyone can be friends and get along. But why go out of your way to hurt someone? I don't understand that need for power over someone else.

      Delete
  9. Congrats on the book deal, Julie! You know I'm always waiting for any Precinct book from you! Anxiously, I might add! Thanks for the motivation story too! I haven't been really motivated for quite awhile because of my fight with debilitating migraines for 22 years. The last 3 years have been progressively worse - the last 3 months I spent 3-4 days in bed. So discouraging! How can you motivate yourself to do anything with that? My neurologist fought to get me into the "final avenue" of Migraine Botox Treatment" and my insurance agreed to let me try it for 6 months. For the last 17 days I have not had ONE migraine! It's a total miracle! I'm ready to start THINKING about motivation!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks, Valri!

    Oh, wow--that is a long time to be suffering with that kind of pain. That's so encouraging to hear that the new treatment is working. I hope you continue to be migraine-free! THAT would be truly motivating!

    Take care.

    ReplyDelete
  11. And the winner is... MarcieR!

    Congratulations, Marcie--Maggie nosed your name out of the pile and selected you as the winner of today's blog.

    If you email me your snail mail addy, I'll get a copy of THE MARINE NEXT DOOR in the mail to you ASAP. Congrats!

    And thanks to everyone for sharing your motivational stories!

    Happy Reading,
    Julie Miller

    ReplyDelete
  12. Julie, another great post. I am psyched to hear about the 4 book contract. Congrats!!! When is the Marine Next Door available. I looked at eHarlequin but didn't see it listed yet. I'll be ordering it on Kindle, for sure.

    More congratulations on your son's nearing graduation. That's a very exciting and challenging time. I wish him the best.

    As for motivation, I recently did the Clean detox program with a friend. Never thought I'd do something like that, but aside from losing some pounds, it made me reevaluate my eating habits. I have to say part of my motivation is that it's impossible to buy pants here! I have to wait until I get back to the U.S., which means I can't afford to put on too much weight. Last time I was home, I was up a size and I didn't like that. I have to say I did feel "clean" after the detox.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thanks, Gabriella! I'm psyched, too. ;)

    THE MARINE NEXT DOOR is available at the Harlequin bookstore. Here's a direct link: http://www.harlequin.com/storeitem.html?iid=25828&cid=225

    Otherwise, it'll be available everywhere May 1st. Thanks for checking!

    I like the idea of "detoxing"--I'm sure I'm eating stuff I shouldn't, and cleaning up the insides and starting fresh does sound motivational!

    ReplyDelete