People think the Mayans predict the world will end in 2012 but no record can be found in their history to suggest that’s true. But the calendar they used does end a 5000+ year run on December 12, 2012. Whether doomsday does arrive or not, I’m still moving forward with my plans for 2012, just in case.
Last year was much better for us than previous years. We’ve been through quite a lot and the break from major life catastrophes was a welcome change. Erin is still healthy and that’s really all that matters to me. Everything else is gravy. But now that she is well we’re a tad low on gravy.
I tend to make overly optimistic plans ever year and never see them through. So this year I’m keeping it simple. This is basically it:
Do something every day to move towards your goals.
That’s it. I have no other resolutions, as this covers them all. I do have goals for the year and doing something every day to achieve those goals is how they’ll come to pass.
- Finish losing weight. Over the last few years I’ve been losing weight and this year I will finish this project. I’ve stalled a few times here and there but this is one of the things I’ve stuck with the most. I’m down to around 178 from 240! My goal is somewhere around 150. The actual weight isn’t the goal. It’s a certain size/shape: flat, not fat!
- Put a big dent in our debt. Between medical bills, housing fiasco and only one source of income our debt has become a looming cloud of doom for me. It’s one of the few things that can ruin my usual easy going, optimistic demeanor. To that end Erin is finally able to get back to work (she’s already interning and looking for other work) and I’ll be freelancing some of this year (more on that later). We’ve already cut our bills to the bone and now it’s time to hit these bills with a hammer.
- Make money for myself. I’ve always done web development for fun and for other people. I’ve had a few projects of my own but none of them really ever focused on money. This year I’m taking making money for myself very seriously. A good chunk of the money I make from consulting will go to debt but the rest will be invested into my own ideas.
- Have more fun. I don’t goof off nearly enough. It’s not that I’m serious all the time. Far from it. But I do tend to take everything very seriously even if it doesn’t show. And when I have something to do and I’m too tired or burned out to do it I still sit at the computer just staring at the screen because I feel guilty for not at least trying. I plan to goof off more and not feel one bit guilty about it. I plan to feel less guilty this year in all things.
- Create more art. I’m not planning on becoming a full time photographer, artist or writer but I do plan on being more creative this year. Art is the reason I got into programming in the first place! I created Lit.Org because nothing like it existed at the time and I’ve been programming since. Oops. I’ve already sent off a few samples for a couple of writing gigs and I’m working on more. I have some guest blogging planned as well as more creative stuff that I’ll be publishing on Lit.Org.
So that’s the simple plan. Put one foot in front of the other and get going.
