Rather than the usual resolution setting on new years eve with a drink in one hand, a cigarette in the other, I have done something a little different this year.
I approached my goals for the new year as I would a project or corporate gig. There needed to be clear objectives and clear measures. I asked myself what did I want to achieve for the year? What was important to me? I arrived at four objectives that covered having a loving and rewarding family life, being healthy and vibrant, having a successful career, and having fun.
When I take a look at 2011 it was a pretty good year apart from the natural disasters, riots, financial turpitude, and end of times malaise. Personally I achieved a bunch of goals with the stand out goal being stopping smoking. I have struggled with this for 20 years and this time have broken the back of it. This time I didn’t make any excuses for just having one cigarette, I accepted that I would never be able to smoke again and if that meant that I couldn’t drink as much or associate with some people then that’s what it meant. I have more energy now even with the 8 kilos I have put on.
In the career sector 2011 had some ups and downs. The economy was a tough one for the business I work for and the international economy teetering on massive amounts of debt made the second half of the year challenging. I was given more responsibilities at work taking on responsibilities for operations and product, and have started to build a strong team. In 2012 I will continue to build a strong team and encourage them to be successful and grow revenue, margin, and most importantly make our customers happy.
My approach changed during 2011. It become more measured as considered rather than explosive and forceful, although there were some hiccups when I stopped smoking and my co-workers told me I should put on a nicotine patch to calm the angry dragon. In 2012 I will be calmer and meditate daily. There will be no sweating the small stuff.
Through sheer accident I became involved with a small business importing European car parts. Due to the circumstances the business had been through bad management as was struggling to find its way. We’ve put on a general manager, sold off dead stock, rebranded, launched a new website, and are launching a new consumer website. In 2012 this business will do over $1 million in sales and generate good profit margins.
I had a mixed year social media wise and with sporadic blogging and engagement with social media. I didn’t make enough time to create good content. In 2012 I will write a blog post every day and contribute to zeitgeist rather than passively consume information.
After a tumultuous 2010 for my family where my wife and I realised we had two children under two years of age, 2011 was a definite improvement. I felt that I grew as a father, learning how to be a better parent through being patient and kind rather than a dictator. I 2012 I will be a loving father and spend at least 30 minutes a day with each child. I will also not argue with my wife about trivial matters.
Lastly, 2012 is the year of the dragon in Chinese astrology which promises to be a powerful and unexpected year.
Bring it on!