Here's to 2008
Happy New Year!
A few days ago I flew over New Mexico - in the window seat. (I ordinarily fly aisle for logistical reasons.) I spent the flight glued to the window watching the mountains roll by below me. Beautiful! More on that later. For now: resolutions for 2008!
I resolve to be healthier.
I resolve to stop lying.
I resolve to save more money.
I resolve to step up.
I resolve to get out more!
I resolve to stay in touch with all my friends.
I resolve to keep my standards high.
I resolve to have fun.
The only way I know to actually get things done is to, well, get things done - and that means a plan:
Being healthier: It's time to step up the workouts and add cardio. An average of three-quarters of a hike a week is my goal; a hike should be at least an hour long, which means I'll cover at least 3 miles. I can cheat by doing two hikes in a weekend; I'm going to rule that a "super-long" hike does not count as two, to encourage myself to get out more (see later resolution).
Stop lying: I'm already doing OK with this but I can be better. This year: no more lies for business. Tell my VP the truth when his ideas suck. (Carefully!) Push back HARD on bad design decisions. Honest and effective feedback for the guys who work for me.
Save more money: I spend a lot on crap. I don't need to be doing this. I should be saving at least 20% of my take-home pay each month. My goal is 25% by the end of the year. This is going to be hard but it will make me significantly more confident in my financial situation.
Step up: Be more of a man. Don't complain as much; take action more often. Whatever needs to be done - just do it.
Get out more: Return to the dating scene. Spend less time in my apartment and more time out in the world interacting with people. Go hiking more (see earlier goal). Learn to swing dance. Throw 4 parties a year. Have at least one night a week out at some group activity (again, on average).
Stay in touch with all my friends: Write or call everyone at least twice a year. Do it on my birthday. Invite everyone to my birthday party. Visit as many people as possible. In 2008, visit people in Washington DC, New York, Portland, Austin, Dallas, Chicago, and Madison.
Keep my standards high: Don't accept compromises if they'll turn out to be poisonous. Don't cave in when people push back. Look for "10s" in life - not "4s" or "6s" or even "9s".
Have fun: Never give in, never give up. Life is fun. Part of me wants to say "2007 was a terrible year". But so many great things happened as well. That's what I'm focusing on. Make 2008 even better.
I hope that all of you had a great 2007. But even more than that I hope you all have an even better 2008!
A few days ago I flew over New Mexico - in the window seat. (I ordinarily fly aisle for logistical reasons.) I spent the flight glued to the window watching the mountains roll by below me. Beautiful! More on that later. For now: resolutions for 2008!
I resolve to be healthier.
I resolve to stop lying.
I resolve to save more money.
I resolve to step up.
I resolve to get out more!
I resolve to stay in touch with all my friends.
I resolve to keep my standards high.
I resolve to have fun.
The only way I know to actually get things done is to, well, get things done - and that means a plan:
Being healthier: It's time to step up the workouts and add cardio. An average of three-quarters of a hike a week is my goal; a hike should be at least an hour long, which means I'll cover at least 3 miles. I can cheat by doing two hikes in a weekend; I'm going to rule that a "super-long" hike does not count as two, to encourage myself to get out more (see later resolution).
Stop lying: I'm already doing OK with this but I can be better. This year: no more lies for business. Tell my VP the truth when his ideas suck. (Carefully!) Push back HARD on bad design decisions. Honest and effective feedback for the guys who work for me.
Save more money: I spend a lot on crap. I don't need to be doing this. I should be saving at least 20% of my take-home pay each month. My goal is 25% by the end of the year. This is going to be hard but it will make me significantly more confident in my financial situation.
Step up: Be more of a man. Don't complain as much; take action more often. Whatever needs to be done - just do it.
Get out more: Return to the dating scene. Spend less time in my apartment and more time out in the world interacting with people. Go hiking more (see earlier goal). Learn to swing dance. Throw 4 parties a year. Have at least one night a week out at some group activity (again, on average).
Stay in touch with all my friends: Write or call everyone at least twice a year. Do it on my birthday. Invite everyone to my birthday party. Visit as many people as possible. In 2008, visit people in Washington DC, New York, Portland, Austin, Dallas, Chicago, and Madison.
Keep my standards high: Don't accept compromises if they'll turn out to be poisonous. Don't cave in when people push back. Look for "10s" in life - not "4s" or "6s" or even "9s".
Have fun: Never give in, never give up. Life is fun. Part of me wants to say "2007 was a terrible year". But so many great things happened as well. That's what I'm focusing on. Make 2008 even better.
I hope that all of you had a great 2007. But even more than that I hope you all have an even better 2008!