With 2012 winding down, it’s that time of year again when I get anxious about my future and feel the need to write about it in hopes of subconsciously wiring my brain for another productive chapter in my life.
As usual, I’ll take a look back at my previous goals first and see if I actually hit any of them. I actually don’t remember any of my previous resolutions off the top of my head, which may be good (in that I hit them and moved on) or bad (in that I lost focus and have loose ends to tie up).
Let’s see where I’m at…
Lingering Resolutions
1. Get my business in order
I was originally intending to incorporate all my internet endeavors in an LLC and also get an accountant, but decided against both those ideas, mainly because I had zero cash at the time for either service and then SixPrizes got hacked, yada yada…
I’m not sure if I really need either at this point, but it may still be wise to look into them again.
2. Pay taxes
I got a wrap on that and actually figured out how to pay quarterly taxes this time around. Boom shaka laka.
3. Spend money
I’ve saved way more than I’ve spent, but my motto is basically don’t make impulse purchases and abide by these two guidelines:
- I’ll know when I need stuff. It will become obvious.
- Get stuff that enables me to live better. Stuff that creates openings… freedom.
I know it sounds cheesy, but it’s worked really well for me the past year. I live my life mostly to keep options open because I’m terrified of commitment.
So by limiting my expenditures, I have more money to throw around on high quality items that actually do bring value and help enhance my life.
The past year I did buy stuff when it became obvious it would be a good purchase, and I’ve felt really good about my spending habits.
4. Keep a consistent journal
I’ve again bombed on this for the most part. I have kept a very consistent workout journal, but not so much as far as general everyday thoughts.
I think I’m going to accept that sometimes I have the inspiration/urge to write, and other times not. I won’t be forcing this one.
… and with that, I’ll move forward into 2013.
New Year’s Resolutions 2013
1. Figure out my living situation.
I was originally intending to migrate south for the winter to escape the cold, but decided to stick around in Pennsylvania, partly because my granny was getting old and I wasn’t sure if she’d make it through the winter (which she didn’t, unfortunately), so I wanted to stay around to visit her, partly because I was so focused on 6P stuff that I hadn’t put much 2nd thought into moving, and partly to save money.
For me, it’s quite the quandary because with my job, I could live practically anywhere. But when I have infinite options, I become terrible at picking one. It’s hard for me to pick somewhere out of anywhere.
If for example I had a “real” job, then I’d have to live somewhere near that job for the commute. That makes picking a place to live easier.
But when all you need is an internet connection, it’s a little more daunting. At least for me, because I haven’t travelled all that much and don’t know where would be an ideal place for me to live.
I do enjoy PA during the spring/summer/fall, but get cabin fever during the winter.
2. Get excited about something.
For the first time in a long while, I feel like I’ve actually caught up with all my projects and have my schedule massively freed up to pursue other ventures.
SixPrizes is easily the most organized it’s been. Ever. Last year was pretty rough with the site being hacked in May and then having to deal with that whole mess for a couple months, but I somehow got through it.
(The hack legitimately could have been the end of me. I won’t go into specifics, but it had the potential to be a lot worse.)
Following the hack, I was able to make headway into unfinished projects, and I’m content with the current state of the site.
I do want to explore options to increase revenue though, namely selling physical products like dice and possibly t-shirts. I do realize it’s best to put the most time into what’s making you money, so I will continue to put focus into 6P, but it’s going to be less than before. I’m a little burnt out from working on it for 3+ years straight and need change.
PkmnCards is more than likely going to remain at a standstill. To make it more like MagicCards.info would be above and beyond my current technical wherewithal, and I don’t think I would see enough return on my time investment.
I’m still at a point where I do need to convert my time into money instead of fooling around with ideas that may or may not work like I could while I was in college. If money was no object, then I might be more willing to put time into it though. We’ll see.
I do have a freelance opportunity out there, but I’m not sure how excited I am about it. And that’s the point I’m trying to make… I want to get excited about something!
I want to feel the exuberance I’ve experienced working on my projects of the past.
3. Get to 170 lbs.
Last I weighed myself I was about 157 lbs and I’m in fairly good shape, but I’d really like to try and put on maybe 10 lbs of muscle because I think it would help with tennis. And because I want to look good without a shirt on.
This is going to be a tough goal though because with my metabolism, I really have to make a concerted effort to eat enough calories. And the more I’m working on projects, I usually end up eating less because I delay eating meals to finish up with things (like I’m doing right now – I meant to eat dinner an hour ago but want to finish this entry).
So I have to balance working and eating better. I have little trouble motivating myself to exercise, but eating becomes tedious.
4. Keep learning.
In the past I would label this goal as “read books,” but really all I want to do is challenge myself and keep learning new things. If that means reading books, so be it, but the main objective is to learn.
5. Be more social.
I’ll admit I’m a bit of a hermit sometimes. Usually it’s because I’ve got my head sunk into a project I’m working on, I’m trying to stick to some weird diet, and other times I’m being anti-social.
But I’ll try to do better with this and be more spontaneous.
6. ROAD TRIP
Ever since I read On the Road I’ve really wanted to go on a road trip. And it hasn’t happened yet.
But this summer the early plans are that two of my friends with comedic aspirations will do open mic nights around the country and I’ll document their plight.
… and that wraps up my 2013 resolutions. I know I have relatively trite goals, but for me, the meaning of life is to maximize feeling good. That’s all I’m concerned about right now. Feeling good.
