Normally I’m not a big fan of New Year’s Resolutions. I believe if you want to make a change, it’s better to simply start than to pick some arbitrary date and wait for it to arrive. However, I can appreciate the concept of having some sort of delineation between old behaviors and new. This year, though, I got myself into a pretty lazy rut over the holidays. I haven’t been to the gym in about a week and a half, I ate poorly, I haven’t written anything in awhile. This all has me feeling rather unproductive. So I decided I needed a kick start, and I figured a few New Year’s Resolutions were the best way to get myself going again. I’ve broken up my resolutions into personal and professional categories. Of course, with a blog there is bound to be some overlap.
Professional (Blog)
1. Write more. My goal is to put up at least three posts per week. I think one of the biggest keys to successful writing and blogging is to just shut up and write. Sometimes, I wait until I have the perfect idea or feel “in the mood” to write. I want to focus this year on creating more without pre-judging it first.
2. Learning how to utilize analytics and SEO. I don’t want to fall victim to the trap of writing what I think other people want. However, I do want people to be able to find my blog and grow an audience. It’s a tricky balance, but it’s something I need to do.
3. Share more. With so many quick-hit tools like Instagram stories, Snapchat, and Twitter, I want to work on opening up more on my thoughts and everyday life.
4. Develop skills building graphics and using Photoshop. Creating my own graphics for blog posts is potentially much easier than finding the ones I want to use from the limited pool of license-free options.
5. Pitch posts and guest blogging articles to other online publications and bloggers. Something at which I have done a terrible job is promoting myself. I have read that blogs are always looking for guest bloggers, and that I should be pitching my writing for freelance opportunities. But I have not taken the proper steps to seek out those opportunities. This is definitely something I plan on doing more this year.
Personal
1. Meditate more. For two years meditation was a major part of my morning routine. Going back to Crossfit this past summer threw off that routine. I now hit the gym as opposed to the floor most mornings. But I miss my meditation. I think I was probably more productive than I am now, and I need to find a way to fit both Crossfit and meditation into my daily regimen.
2. Cook four meals per week. I really enjoy cooking, and I think preparing your own food is one of the best ways to eat healthier.
3. Dress better. Too often I fall back on jeans as my go to pants. I have no problem with wearing jeans; I have a few well broken-in pairs that I love. But this year I want to push myself to wear trousers and sport coats/blazers more often, as well as suits when I have the chance.
4. Build out my wardrobe. This is related to number three. If I’m going to work on dressing better, I need to have a closet to back it up. I’d like to add a few more suits and shoes and a good number of shirts to my rotation.
5. Read more. When I was a kid I read all the time. Choose Your Own Adventures, The Hardy Boys, science fiction, fantasy, you name it. Then I took about a decade off. Maybe it was too much assigned reading in high school and college. Or maybe I forgot the value of a great book. Thankfully my wife, who is an avid reader, was able to get me back into the habit. This year my goal is to read one book every two weeks.
This might seem like a lot, but i think breaking it up into two categories will help me divide my energy and know when to focus on each goal. What are some of your resolutions for this year? Leave a comment below!