2010 was a pretty successful year, and I am anxiously looking forward to an even better 2011. Many great things are happening in my life right now, and I am excited to see many of these through to the end! I find myself looking forward to more greatness and also more balance in my life. Here are just the major goals I will be focusing on throughout the New Year; let’s see how well I do with these resolutions! (Note: These resolutions are not listed in any specific order.)
Resolution #1: Jump Back Into Corporate America
I like to stay busy, and the economy appears to be getting back to where it needs to be (although this progress appears slower than what many would prefer). I will say that I really do miss many parts of the Corporate America lifestyle and grind. I will say that entrepreneurship runs deep within my blood, but I also feel the need to climb the corporate ladder once again. My writing, business, and technology projects will still be a major part of my day, but I also am seeking a new challenge, one that Corporate America can bring to me.
Resolution #2: Greatly Improved Dancing
Well, here we are again. This has made my list for quite some time, and I will say that some minor progress has been made; however, this progress is below my level of satisfaction. As a perfectionist, I find myself always seeking to improve in all facets of life. I want to become a better dancer, and 2011 will be the year this goal becomes a reality.
Resolution #3: Achieve My Fitness Goals
What can I say? Fitness, exercise, and weightlifting are all an integral part of my lifestyle. It pains me to go one or two days without hitting the gym. I wrote some great and challenging fitness goals on my Fitness Frenzy Blog, so more details are there! On top of the lofty goals I have set for myself in 2011, I must also look to continue to improve my nutritional diet! I can lift all the weights I want, but, without a good diet, it will be all for not!
Resolution #4: Update my wardrobe
I have always added a few key components to my wardrobe from time to time and as it was necessary, but I now find myself in greater need to bulk the closet back up a bit, especially now that I have switched climates in 2009 from the great Michigan weather to that in the Atlanta area! As with almost everything, things wear out over time. 2010 ended with my girlfriend, Elaine, contributing to the closet during the Christmas holiday, so I am sure I will need to hit the mall and department stores a few more times in 2011, especially now that I have even more reason to dress to impress with such a beautiful lady on my arm!
Resolution #5: Update my wheels
Well, this is not a complete necessity, but I am really looking to get some new wheels this year, and I am not just talking about buying a really cool, professional-level Trek bicycle or something! I need a slight upgrade that allows me to more efficiently get around town and do some traveling as needed!
Resolution #6: Read 15 to 20 (Complete) Books
I really love to read, but I tend to take my time while reading. Between that and my fluctuating schedule, I do not get all of the reading time in that I would prefer. I constantly find myself starting to read various books (mostly business and technology – non-fiction), and I do not like putting a book down until I reached the next chapter or section. My mind loves the diversity of reading many books at one time, something that many others may not like doing. So, while I would love to claim to be able to finish reading one solid book every week or two, I will set the goal at 15 for the year with a stretch goal of 20. I guess I can always resort to reading children’s books at the end of the year if my quota is not close to completion. Then again, maybe I will find a way to surprise myself!
Resolution #7: Blog More
I love to write, and I love to blog. Sometimes, however, I run short on time or simply do not budget enough time to write for my blogs. Currently, I have four personal blogs, each with its own purpose and theme; I have one for my thoughts on business and technology, one for my writing and poetry, one for my random thoughts and ideas, and one for my fitness progress, insights, and aspirations! Ideally, I will write at least one post for each blog per week; that would be the optimal average, but I will try to stretch that to two posts per blog per week whenever possible.
Resolution #8: Finish Writing & Publishing My Second Book
As some of you may know, my second book writing project seems to continue to grow more and more, and this was really obvious in 2010. Also, I found myself less inspired to write more poetry in the topics and subject matters that would best fit this second book from time to time during the past year, but I highly motivated to bring the best stuff in my follow-up book. I continue to have a great deal of support from friends, family, and my readers, and I am excited to get this second book out for all to read this year!
Resolution #9: Start Writing Third Book
Well, since I love to write, there is nothing like starting a new project once the previous one is done. I will probably look to take a little time off before writing the third book to give proper time to continue marketing the first two books while searching for what direction I will take the third. I have thought about dipping into the fiction and semi-fiction genre, and I want to write more about business and technology too, so who knows at this point?
Resolution #10: Start Working On My Doctorate Again
I loved the time I spent working on my Doctorate degree, and I am anxious to get back at it. I might start doing some of the research and writing on the side before I get officially back in the swing of things within the program! It would be great to write one or two KAMs ahead of time!
Resolution #11: Be A Better Person (Multifaceted)
First, I am blessed to have godchildren in Michigan, whom I dearly love, but I find that my schedule and living in Georgia made it really difficult to be the best godparent I felt I could and should have been in 2010! Well, that needs to change, and I will work diligently to make that happen! Second, I have an awesome girlfriend who deserves to have a great boyfriend, and I look forward to making 2011 a great year for this relationship. While (to my great surprise) 2010 brought such an amazing woman into my life, 2011 will be one great year wherein I look forward to growing closer together, helping each other achieve our various dreams, and so much more! Third, I hope to be more active in the community; I really enjoy helping others whenever possible, and the opportunities to do so are great and vast. While I was glad to give here and there last year (ie Toys For Tots, etc.), I want to do more this year, and I want to do more for all of the right reasons! Lastly, family and friends are all very important to me, and I continue to strive to be the best family member and friend possible; sometimes I fall short, but I expect more out of myself, and there is no better way to move forward that to make 2011 the year to make such great and important progress! Growing individually and with others matters a great deal to me, and I expect 2011 to be a great year for such growth!
Resolution #12: Branch Out & Use More Social Technologies
Yes, I use my fair share of social media technologies and channels and probably even more, but there is no reason why I cannot brush up my social media skills and even try out a few new channels. Sure, I use Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, GetGlue, Daily Mile, and more, but I need to use other channels as well. I do have a YouTube channel, but I feel that it has been ignored at times, so that needs to change. Then, there are cool technologies like UStream which I really have forgotten about at times! I know that I am not listing all of the great options available at my fingertips, but you should expect to see me deliver more on this goal for 2011. I am always willing to try new technologies and channels, and 2011 will be the year that you see me use even more social media while branching out to try new and innovative tools that really work for me, my readers, and others!
Resolution #13: Reach 150 Foursquare Mayorships & Superuser Level 2
For those who do not know already, I really love Foursquare, and I love it for so many reasons. I enjoy the great geolocation connections and features that come with this newer service. I also have meet great people through the social media channel; of which, I must say the thought of initially meeting my girlfriend, Elaine, because she went to the same gym and checked in using this service really was icing on the cake. I have amassed just over 100 mayorships at the end of 2010, and I did so the right way. Looking forward, I am hopeful to achieve an additional 50 mayorships this year (stretch goal of 75), and I am hoping to be upgraded from Superuser Level 1 to Superuser Level 2 at some point too as I continue to do my part to give back to a social network that has given so much to me!
Conclusion
Well, there you have it, folks… my 13 main resolutions for 2011! Is 13 a bad number? Let’s see how well I do. But, I feel like I am forgetting a few, so feel free to tell me what else I should be seeking to achieve or what resolutions you made for 2011!
