I recently had a group interview with the lululemon athletica store in Jacksonville, Florida. Yes, I would love to work there, but no, I haven’t heard anything back yet. I’m not writing this post to tell you, "oh my gosh, I had this great interview, I really want this job, please, please, please send prayers and good vibes my way". Not in the slightest. (Although good vibes of any sort are always appreciated!) 
In fact, I hesitated with writing this post because it’s scary to share the uncertainty in your life with hundreds of people on the Internet, most of whom you don’t actually know.
But, as one of the leaders in the interview said, sometimes it’s the really scary things, the things that make you kind of squirm in your gut and ask, "am I really putting this out there?!" that you should put out there, because you can have the most opportunity to grow from these goals.
So yes, one of my goals is to work part-time at lululemon as a way to enrich my personal life, contribute my passions to a workplace, and a way to pay for college (again).
So, besides doing one thing a day that scares me, why else am I writing this post? Well, because I walked away inspired about something that has been resonating with me for over a week now. How selfish would I be to keep that all to myself and not share with all of you, simply out of my own pride and not wanting to be embarrassed if I don’t get the job?!
During the interview, one of the leaders mentioned "by whens" and how important they are. At first, hearing "by when" alone, out of context of a goal or a sentence, I wasn’t sure if I was missing out on some sort of secret lululemon lingo. But no. "By whens" are simply the "by when" deadlines we give ourselves with our goals.
I’m certainly not unfamiliar to setting goals. While I’m always striving to live in the present, I am also always thinking ahead, thinking of ways to better myself and turn my dreams into goals that I will accomplish. However, I was struck with a moment of clarity during the group interview that I’ve been neglecting my own "by whens" a bit.
Sure, I have lots of "one day I will do this" goals or goals I’m "always working on", but there are some things, incidentally the things that also mean the most to me, then I’ve been a bit ambivalent about setting a deadline for. So, in the spirit of accountability and "doing one thing a day that scares you", here are some of my goals and by whens:
- Finish losing weight by August 2011.
- Run five miles comfortably and without foot pain by December 2010.
- Run a 15K (the Gate River Run) in March 2011.
- Run a half marathon in 2011.
- Apply and get into the Nutrition graduate program I want in Spring 2013.
- Get three advertisers on www.HealthyLivingBlogs.com by September 2010.
- Pursue my yoga teacher training in 2013.
Now, the other great thing about by whens is that as long as you’re proactively working towards your goal, the by when may change. For example – even though I’m working on getting advertisers on HLB (which Julie and Heather can keep me accountable for), it still may be too early to have three advertisers by September. But, I can readjust my by when for October if needed at that point. Same with losing weight – I may finish earlier!
So, what are some goals that you’ve been musing on? And if you haven’t yet, take a moment right now to come up with intentional by whens for your goals. Then if you want, share your goals and by whens in the comments! Please feel free to support and encourage others that leave responses in the comments, too. 
love love LOVE this! I’m a firm believer that physically writing (or typing) goals is what turns them from dreams into realities. Having a “by when” is even better!
Although I have many goals, there is one that has pretty much taken over as of late. I’m hoping to start a new job/career by Nov. 2010…possibly one that means relocating. I can’t really think about much else because November is so soon..ahh! It does feel good having a “by when,” though, because that makes me so much more motivated to press on and not give up!
Agreed! “By whens” provide GREAT motivation!! Best wishes with the new job/ career – I know you’ll rock whatever you do, and I look forward to hopefully hearing more about it!
P.S. As someone who’s kind of “been there” I totally get it, and get how overwhelming it can be sometimes…feel free to send me an email if you ever just need to get some thoughts out! xo!
Your goals sound great and doable. And I think it is so motivating to have a “by when” to help you stay focused on accomplishing the goal. It only has to be realistic. Great post!
Great post! It is so important to continue to reassess our goals as time goes by. Right now, my biggest goal is to go back to school for a Master’s in Public Health. I need to get accepted into a program first, so I guess that would be goal number 1!
Awesome! Researching programs, requirements and deadlines is definitely the first step in a right direction to achieving your goal. If you’re determined, you can do it.
huh, definitely thought provoking. i’m still in the process of thinking some things through so thanks for the “by when” inspiration.
I really enjoyed this post! I need to make a few “by whens” myself. I would love to hear more about your interest in yoga teacher training. It’s something I’ve thought about in the past.
I basically have no idea what I want to do with my life, so that’s a biggie. I’d like to have an idea by my next birthday in May.
Yoga teacher training is a big scary goal that I threw out there, because it’s something that has always interested me and I just kinda feel in my gut that I’d enjoy teaching yoga and make a great teacher. That said, it had been a little while since I was practicing yoga consistently, and I actually just started practicing at a studio a few weeks ago! Right now the first step to making this goal work is to find a way to keep doing yoga in a studio so I can keep growing and learning about different teachers and teacher training courses offered in the area.
Explore whatever options interest you – I honestly wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted to do since October 2005. There were lots of sub-steps in there, but going back to school this week and LOVING every moment, even the hard stuff, has solidified that I now know I’m doing what I want to do.
On that note, also don’t pressure yourself to figure something you’ll do for the rest of your life, because that’s an easy trap. People are always changing, which is why I no longer want to be the professional flutist I wanted to be all growing up. That’s why my dad changed careers in his mid-forties. Be gentle to yourself and the changes inside and around you.
And just live your life how YOU want it!
Sorry for the long-winded response, I’m kind of passionate about life and goals.
Feel free to email if you want, xo!
Setting goals and putting them out there definitely make me squirm. Way to go for broadcasting it. And you have great goals and a fitting timeline for them! I like how they say it’s ok to adjust, because sometimes things happen and you don’t want to let yourself down for trying.
Thanks Marci! Goals that make you squirm are the best ones.
I’ve always been a list maker and writing down goals on paper is no different. Right now my goals are all centered around starting my own health coach practice. I think another good idea would be to write steps for each “by when”/goal.
Love this post and glad to have found your blog!
Thanks for reading, Joyce, I’m glad you found Sound Eats, too!
I’m the same way with making lists, and definitely agree that making steps to achieve your goals is great. A new friend recently told me to “Make your goals S.M.A.R.T. Specific. Measurable. Attainable. Realistic. Timely. ” — great advice!
I would love to start practicing yoga at least 2 times weekly after my half marathon is over (by October).
And also get going on my graduate school personal statements (at least rough drafts) by November.
great goals! I hope you like yoga – I’m falling in love all over again! It sounds cliche, but I feel like a new person after yoga. Even my husband has said I’m a better, happier person when I practice.
I think I need to attach some ‘by whens’ to my goals, because at the moment they just seem to be slipping further away as I focus on getting on with today!
Definitely! A new friend just to me, “Make your goals S.M.A.R.T. Specific. Measurable. Attainable. Realistic. Timely.” — such great advice, and perfect for those dreams/ goals that you just aren’t sure about at the moment, ya know? Own your goals and make them work for you!
what a super inspiring post! It really helps me get motivated when I’m losing steam. I will be sharing this on my weight loss blog and I hope you don’t mind.
btw I think your goals are SO realistic and you sound really grounded and determined. I need that to rub off on me.
Thanks so much, Dee! I definitely try to balance being goal-driven and grounded.
And I certainly don’t mind you sharing on your blog – please let me know when the post is up, I’d love to check it out!
good luck with the job!
i also want to run a half marathon in 2011…ahh i said it!! hopefully we can both do it!
Thanks, Sarah! We should pick similar dates for half marathons and train “with” each other! I’m testing the waters out with running again, so to speak, and starting back with the Galloway method as I’ve had an arch problem that keeps bothering me. As long as it’s safe, I’ll still make it work, though!
I think those are wonderful goals beautiful! and i know you will accomplish every single one of them! maybe i’ll come out and run that 1/2 with you! or you can come out and do one with me in CA!
haha, do one here! You know you miss flat Florida ground.
Can’t wait to catch up with you, dear!
When I read your goals and “by whens” I could not help but run the list in my own head of what I’m constantly working towards. This summer, I came home from college saying that I’d get in the best shape of my life and never diet again! Obviously this was a large goal, and perhaps I’ll blame its monstrosity for the fact that I didn’t exactly achieve it, or even come close. As I’ve just begun my food blog, I’m going to try to take my goals a month at a time, perhaps even 2 weeks at a time, because thinking about them everyday is not enough…but giving myself such a large time frame never works either
Sounds like you’re figuring out what works well for you! I’ve often said similar things like “I’m going to get in the best shape of my life by (insert deadline)”. I personally think the thing that makes these goals so hard to attain is that they’re not measurable. So now, instead of saying a goal like “I want to be a yogi!” I’ll say “my goal is to consistenly practice yoga five days a week”. Or instead of “I want to get stronger!” I’ll say “my goal is to do 25 ‘real’ pushups without stopping”. Things like that, so you KNOW when you achieve your goal! Best of luck with yours!!
This is fabulous. I’m jealous of your list. It must feel so good to have dates set on big life goals like these. I’m still trying to decide what the life goals are!
Good luck to you lovely!! Wishing you the best always.
It’s taken me a while to get here and determine some life goals that I want. Honestly, the past two years I was kind of just floating frustrated through life, no real concrete goals or anything. So I’m so much happier now! Anyway – love you, hon, and best of luck with the move!! The craziness will calm down soon.
Wow – we have some really similar goals & timelines. Additionally, we just had Lulu showroom to open here and I’ve thought about applying for part time work – mainly for the discount, haha.
Best of luck – can’t wait to hear how it goes!
Linds
haha discount, eh? I wonder how much the discount is?? Crud, there could go my whole “I need to work so I don’t have to take out loans for school” haha!
Have a great weekend, Linds!
I’ll be praying for you about the job!
GREAT goals girl! and i think luluemon would be so silly to not hire a great role model like yourself
aw thanks Julie! I have a follow up interview tomorrow, so we’ll see how it goes! Here’s hoping I’m a good fit with the company!
Nice! I worked at lulu on and off for a couple years and it was a great time. I remember my group interview well… I think I got hired because I talked about goals, not knowing that the company was ALL about goal-setting. I really hope you get the job! From what I know of you, I think you’d be a great fit.
I should redo my goals just for the hell of it, even though I don’t work there anymore.
Aw, thanks Anna I really hope I get the job, too!
Great to hear that you liked working for them while you worked there! And definitely redo your goals – I think working towards goals makes your life a little more vivacious. 