New Years Reso-What Now?

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As I have been interacting with people, and blogs, these past days, I have heard so many people casually ask, “What is your New Years Resolution?” I have to say, I honestly don’t have just one answer.  In fact, I have only one or two resolutions that actually fit what most people see as a standard New Years Resolution.

I’ve noticed as I’ve talked to people about what their resolutions are, that most people make vague goals that are based around ending a habit, or changing a specific area of life.  But instead of focusing on the resolution as a goal, they make the resolution and “try.”  This is so evidenced in the number of gym memberships purchased at the beginning of each January and cancelled by February.  It seems everybody ready, fires, but never aims.  Don’t get me wrong, I subscribe wholeheartedly to the “Ready, Fire, Aim” school of thought, but it seems people forget to aim, or keep the goal in mind and once they feel they have failed, like when a smoker grabs a quick cigarette, they pass it off as a failure, sweep the whole thing under the rug and say, “maybe next year.”

Why Next year?  What is that going to change?  If something is important for you to do someday, why aren’t you doing it now?  If you say lack of resources, I honestly can’t hear you.  Nothing is impossible.  If you think, or know, you don’ have the resources for a goal, get started, and if you move forward knowing you can figure it out, you will.  Every time.  Just keep that goal in mind and ask yourself better questions (more on this in a future article.)  Keep focused on the end result, and expect that you will figure it out as you go.  That is where magic happens because as you keep a mindset of expectation, you attract the resources you needed, and often from places you never even would have thought of.

So back to the subject of my New Years “Resolutions.”  What are they?  I’ll list them here.  I will probably continue to add to the list, but I have created as more of a goal list for the year than a resolution, though there are a few of those on there as well.

Here they are:

1) Become Financially Independent by December 31st, 2009.  This means that I spend less than 10-15 hours per week working to generate approximately $7500-$10,000 per month.  This is a tall order, and some would say pie in the sky, but I have read so many stories of people who have done it that I see no reason why I can’t join the crowd if I keep my eye on the goal.
2) Achieve a 10-12% Body Fat.  As many of you know, I created a diet and exercise plan that will soon launch for sale here.  I do not currently have a 10% body fat, mostly because I like to go to Wendy’s and McDonald’s more than I diet.  That being said, I look and better than I ever have, and I am stronger and healthier as well.  I intend to complete this goal by June.  I will revisit the resolutions then.
3) Learn 1 Foreign Language.  I will choose from Mandarin Chinese, German, Italian, and possibly Spanish.  The first 3 have been on my to learn list for a few years now, and the last would just be useful I think.  I will decide by January 31st and then immerse myself in the language of my choice.  If anybody speaks any of these languages and has any tips or suggestions, they would be much appreciated.
4) Meditate Every Day for at least 5 minutes.  Life gets so hectic and busy, and sometimes I just want to lay down at the end of the day and crash.  As some of you know, I started a challenge where I meditated every day for at least 15 minutes, and while I have to say that I prefer 15 minutes, my minimum is 5 that way I am certain to do it no matter what.  Usually once I’ve started, 5 turns into 15 pretty easily.  Right now all I do is listen to my breathing, and sometimes I count backwards.  If anybody has suggestions, or methods you have tried, let me know what’s worked for you.  It would be much appreciated.
5) Take 1 Vacation.  This doesn’t include a trip to Denver, CO I’ll be taking in a week and a half.  This is simple, take some time for myself and my family.  Sounds easy enough.  We’ll see.
6) Complete 1 Bucket List Item,  Probable candidates are: Audi Driving Experience, Porsche Sport Driving School, or Get my Scuba Certification.  I have yet to decide on this.  I will make the decision by June, as I feel that is when I will be best equipped to take on this challenge.  It will be a nice birthday present for me.
7) Eliminate Complaining, both mental and verbal.  This one is a challenge, but I have done the verbal part for the most part.  I noticed myself complaining earlier today, but consciously stopped myself and asked if there was another way to look at things.  This is mostly about training my thoughts to focus on the positive, or what I want from the situation, rather than the problem.  This I think will enable me to be a much happier person.
Finally…..Eliminate Yelling.  This means raising my voice in anger.  I can yell for fun any time I want.  I have found that when I am really focused on finishing a project for one of my websites, I tend to get stressed out by being home with 3 kids all day.  I am sad to admit that I have fallen back into the habit of getting loud in order to get my point across, and I don’t think this is healthy at all.  I have bucked this habit once before, last year in June I decided that whenever I wanted to yell, I would stop myself and ask, “Is there a way to respond to this situation with love?”  The answer is always yes, especially when it’s your children you’re talking about.  So I am back to that, anytime I want to yell, I will ask that question and break the pattern.  It worked before and it will work again.

That’s it so far.  I know it’s a heck of a list, but if you’re going to set a goal for the whole year, why just set one.  I’m sure I will just keep adding to the list as I think of things I’d like to accomplish this year, but I will treat this as more of a goal list than a “resolution.”

Now that I’ve put my resolutions out there, tell me yours, even if it is a small one, even if it’s big, even if it’s as simple as lose 5 lbs.  You can do it, so write it down.  Start Now.

What are your resolutions?  I want to hear them, so write them out and let me know what you’re planning to do this year.  It will be a FANTASTIC Year for all of us if we let it.

I hope this finds you well,

Ryan M. Hall

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