As 2011 comes to a rapid conclusion, I reflect back on what I have achieved within each aspect of my life. While I find that I had some great success this year, it is time for me to renew my focus on the upcoming year. As always, I have very ambitious goals, and I look to achieving them. So, without further ado, here are my primary New Year’s Resolutions (by category):
Personal Life
Here are seven of my top personal resolutions/goals for 2012:
#1 Become a better man! I always strive to be the best person possible. No matter the title I have with a person – lover, boyfriend, son, cousin, grandson, godfather, best friend, workout buddy, colleague, client, consultant, peer, or anything in-between – it is important for me to continue do my part and my very best to be the very best I can be! At times, I am sure I will fall short of expectation, but it is my every intention to be a better man each and every day!
#2 Read More Often! I love to read a good book, especially non-fiction [business and/or technology] books! I always love the learning process, and reading is a great way for me to continue to gain more and more knowledge! However, there are times wherein I either do not have time to read or merely do not allot enough time to read. Plus, while I consider myself to be a good reader, I tend to read books slower than one might imagine (1 hour per 20ish page chapter), and I often have many different books that I am currently reading! In 2011, I wanted to completely read between 15 and 20 books, but, while I did a good amount of reading, I did not complete as many books as I had originally hoped, so I am challenging myself to read 15 to 20 books in 2012!
#3 Attain all of my 2012 Fitness goals! 2011 was a big year for me as I transitioned from healthy hobby to improved and healthy lifestyle. I went to the gym 6 to 7 times each week, and I found myself achieving a lot of my lifting goals. While I have come a long way, I still have a lot yet to accomplish, and 2012 is as best of a year to make a big dent in that. I plan to keep pumping the iron 6-7 times each week, but I need to add more cardio back into the mix! Since I did not run a race like I did last year, I spent less time on the treadmill, and I also did not hit spin class as often as I would normally like! Well, that has to change in 2012! Ultimately, I have high expectations and goals when it comes to fitness in 2012!
#4 Finish Writing The Book! I mentioned this last year, but I really need to work to wrap up this poetry book. I basically have this follow-up book completely written, but I just need to add some additional details and polish it up before sending it to the publisher! It has taken me too long, and I just need to step it up and wrap it up. I have high hopes for a spring or summer release. Once I get this book published, I will be looking to get into writing more about business and technology. Ideally, I will be starting with some more frequent free e-book or e-paper releases about social media and then just go from there!
#5 Make Progress on Ph. D.! I really was not able to make much progress towards my doctorate degree in 2011, but that needs to change as I move through 2012. While I do not anticipate being able to finish it up this year, I certainly expect to conduct a little more research and get closer to completing the degree! I have thought about changing institutions, but Kennesaw State University does not have a Ph. D. program (just a DBA). So, I might stick with Walden University but might also continue to keep my options open!
#6 Earn my A License from the USPA (for skydiving)! I had this listed in 2010, but it was not a top priority. While it is highly possible that I will not get a chance to completely earn my A (solo skydiving) license, it is important to me that I at least make strides towards achieving that! At worst case, I want to get back up in the plane and jump out a few times before we get to fall because I really miss skydiving.
#7 Vacation – Vegas, Orlando, & Cedar Point?! Well, in 2011, I was lucky to get away to Orlando with Elaine, Jamie, family, and friends, but we did not get a chance to make it up to Michigan to see my godchildren and close friends nor had the ability to either get back to Cedar Point or Las Vegas. Certainly, expecting all of these to happen within 2012 might be asking a bit much, especially with my busy schedule and other priorities, but I remain confident that we can check off a few of these. I figure that we should get the chance to go to Orlando again this summer after the new castle at Disney has opened, and I look to find a way to get up to Michigan and Cedar Point in one swoop, so that could be a spring weekend getaway! That leaves Las Vegas; maybe, I can get out there in early fall to see the Mr. Olympia bodybuilding contest and expo! Plus, I have always wanted to hit up Vegas for New Year’s Eve, so that might be another option, but time will tell!
Technology & Social Media
Sure, I could go on and on about some things I want to accomplish within the world(s) of business, technology, and social media (specifically), but I will tell you my top three biz/tech/SoMe resolutions for 2012.
#8 Blog Post & Comment More Often! Let’s get specific. In 2011, I took extra time to really focus on writing and posting more. Overall, I did a solid job, but 2012 needs to be the year that I really step it up. I should easily be able to post 2-4 times per week across the various blogs that I write on (i.e. here, my fitness blog, my random thoughts blog, my writing blog, the 4sqDay blog, etc. While posting is great, and I continue to look for ways to do so, I also need to be more consistent on my commenting. I read so many great blog posts from inspiring and intelligent people, but there are times when I either do not take the time or simply do not have the time to construct the type of blog post responses that I would like to. If I do say so myself, I do a solid job of commenting back to those comments left on my blog by others, but, in 2012, I look to become more consistent with my commenting across all blogging platforms!
#9 Take & Post More Pictures! A picture is worth one thousand words! Those who know me best know that I love taking pictures. Whenever I go to an event, hang out on the weekend with loved ones, or even when trying to track my fitness progress, I love to capture those moments with a picture or two (or twenty). As 2011 came to a close, I seemed to be slacking a little bit, so I hope that 2012 is the year that I get back to capturing those moments. Ideally, I look to take pictures each and every week – some during or after workouts; some on weekends; some at tweetups, birthday parties, and other events; and some just because I can! As always, I look forward to visually sharing those memories with each of you through my various social media interactions!
#10 Reorganize & Re-Optimize Twitter Lists! In 2011, I continued my frustration over the current 20 list limit per Twitter profile. Unfortunately, either my concerns went on deaf ears or merely did not reach the right ears. I even blogged about it on at least four occasions, but nobody from Twitter replied in action. I have done all that I can in order to creatively reorganize those I follow on Twitter, but I still have difficulty getting it just right, so, if Twitter will not enable me to create more lists, I will have to do a much better job of being creative with my lists in 2011!
So, there you have it – ten resolutions to get me started! What are some of your resolutions for 2012? I’d love to hear your goals!
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