Welcome to 2009!
Resolutions provide a focus for the year. There are no musts in my resolutions – only suggestions to help the year go a bit more smoothly and get more out of it.
These are things I want to do and focus on during 2009:
1. Notice when I’m happy. My niece tweeted on Facebook. “Hannah is happy,” just now and I realized that’s the coolest thing for a 14 year old to notice. She actually noticed when she’s happy. That doesn’t happen for most people. We notice when we’re upset, angry, tired, sick, or unmotivated.
Like Hannah, I’ll strive to catch myself being happy, positive, focused, in love, stress free, and healthy in 2009 as often as possible.
2. Focus on helping others, and begin my life’s work. If you don’t know me you might be surprised that I’ve flipped around between careers all my life. Over the last 10 years I’ve kept a rather singular focus – Search Engine Optimization (SEO), but I’ve held many jobs, and created multiple businesses related to that.
In 2009 I’d like to find one main focus to my work. It might be this blog, which recently saw a page rank increase and a large increase in RSS subscribers, or it may be creating a non-profit organization to help kids or others that have needs here in Thailand. Knowing me – it might be both.
3. Explore video more. Video has the potential to really affect viewers. I have shot video in the past, but I don’t picture myself as the blog anchorman type. I have trouble believing that I can affect people through video as much as I seem to be able to when I write. I want to shoot a lot of video this year and integrate it into websites and blogs I have in order to make a greater impact.
4. Continue living on $300 per month. I’d like to continue spending about $300 USD on my monthly expenses during most months. I’ve done so for the last 18 months and noticed a few things – the most important being – I’m so much less money focused.
I notice that I test myself over and over before I buy something – do I REALLY need it? How can I use it? Where will I used it? Will I stop using it soon? Is it something I can’t live without? If it passes these test questions then I may consider it. Usually I buy things that help me in my career – a camera, video camera, computer, etc. High-dollar items that are necessary, but sometimes a dummed-down version is all I need, not the latest technology.
5. Learn more. I want to learn more about the following topics:
- Social Media: Twitter, Friendfeed, Stumbleupon, Delicious, etc.
- Non-Profit Organizations: Setting up, and growing.
- Biology: I disagree fundamentally with a lot of evolution, though I couldn’t say it’s any more far-fetched than creationism. I need to start reading biology forums again and see where the state of the world’s biologists are for explaining DNA, RNA, mutations, etc.
- Relationships: Getting over the inevitable negatives that surface.
- Writing books: I’ve written a biography and a full-length (120,000 words) fiction book. I have a number of book ideas that I’m tempted to start, but I need to study more about what makes up a successful book.
6. Get back into awesome shape. Reading about Leo’s (from Zen Habits) marathon run in Honolulu made me realize… I’m not in that same shape anymore. In the past I’ve raced bikes, ran 10k races and did many biathlons and some triathlons. Over the last 4 years I’ve not had a bike and my exercise has consisted of 30 minutes a day of intense exercise 6-7 times per week. I need to add some hours-long exercise to the mix. I need to get my heart rate back down to the 48 beats per minute that I enjoyed for years.
7. Decide about moving back to Hawaii or not. Thailand is quite the amazing place, but after 5 years and a baby – it’s time to decide… stay or go. I’d like our daughter to have a stable place to grow up. Hawaii might be that… or maybe some other state. Maybe remain in Thailand. Quite a decision – but it has to be made this year.
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I like the resolutions. I am a bit late, but I do hope they are going well.
I was really interested on you living with 300 dollars. I must say I am impressed. I just read your post on living with less. It got me to think of how I could live on less. I am just curious, Do you get internet where you live, or do you have to go somewhere else to connect to the internet? Since you maintain so many websites and do so many things online I was curious how you balance that with a low cost lifestyle.
Great blog! I will be subscribing to hear more.
I love your resolution to notice when you’re happy. A couple years ago I started keeping a “Things That Make Me Happy List” and I continue to be surprised/amused at some of things that have led to a big smile on my face. The strangest is probably “The sound of Clive Owen swallowing” – there’s a particular scene in the movie Closer (when he’s IMing with Jude Law’s character) and something about the sound just makes me giggle. (I also keep a second list, “Things That Calm Me Down” for when I get riled up.)
If you’re looking to get more into video, I encourage you to check out (and signup with) Elastic Lab. I’m the Community Evangelist, and we have a bunch of fun and influential projects coming up. Shoot me an email if you’d like more info.
A suggestion for number 2.
There are many small NGOs, which, frankly, lack computer skills or that who are so filled up with other tasks, they forget their websites. It is a pity, because donors can end up thinking that “a dead website = a dead NGO”.
Stupid as it might seem, it happens. So maybe you could train their people or share advice or even do the work for them.
However, from my experience with street kids, I must tell you also that there is no substitute for an adult who really cares. That said, it is a tough job and nobody has to be equally skilled in everything.
Just some food for thought. :)