I want to share something really interesting with you today, being the first day of the New Year and all. Two weeks ago, I was going through some old boxes for another iteration of giving away or throwing out stuff I didn’t need. I found my old academic awards, accomplishments, academic books and reference materials, and work-related certifications – and then donated or recycled it all. At this point in my life, I just feel they’re just empty bragging rights and things I don’t want to carry along with me as I vagabond.
However, amidst the piles of music certificates and Distributed Systems notes, I discovered a few sheets of stapled worksheets entitled “The Power of Momentum”. Way back at the beginning of 2008, one of my friends asked me to go with him to a Tony-Robbins spin-off seminar. It was free, highly-energetic, a bit cheesy as you would expect, but all done with good intentions (no up-selling).
Everyone was handed out some worksheets, and a highly-charged speaker quickly led us through his group’s process of achieving New Year’s Resolutions, and more importantly – goals. As you would expect with these types of seminars, every so often the speaker would lead everyone into loud, affirmative chants while getting us to stand up, cheer, and high-five around to keep the energy up. Again, it’s cheesy but why not?
Fast forwarding to two weeks back, I had completely forgotten about the seminar and how concrete and specific those goals I wrote were. As I stared at what I wrote down on those sheets, I had a deep internal Buddha laugh as realized page-by-page it had all came true. Particularly on page 6:
In case you can’t read my writing or see the image, the question was:
What decisions might you make next year as a result?
And my answers:
- Quit my job.
- Start my own business.
- Do anything (but what I was doing before).
- Keep Traveling.
- Keep going out, socializing.
- Meet new people.
- Incorporate myself.
In short, if you’ve been following me, it’s all happened. In fact, it was all completed a year ago, though the socializing part is always ongoing (believe it or not, I’m naturally a slightly introverted person). At the beginning of 2010, I wrote a post about real resolutions and goals – ones that are not made on January 1st of each year but continually worked on year-round . In all fairness, I’ve had written goals before, though since it was digital, I’ve overwritten it several times over. This however, was a snapshot at the beginning of 2008.
My short term one-year goals are reviewed daily. I haven’t been checking in on my long-term goals as much mostly because I’ve internalized them by now. It’s all about balance in every area of my life. When one area feels out of balance, my Spidey senses go off, and I become immediately aware of it. Consquently, I take some action. For example, I’ve spent a lot of time traveling this year, spending time reflecting in nature, absorbing other cultures, and capturing fantastic images to share with you.
Travel had put a hold on everything else, so once I returned to Toronto, I knew I had to go full throttle into other areas of my life. I’ve spent the past few months going full out on my businesses as well as building new ones. In between, I’ve been pushing my body towards climbing 5.13, making new friends, and collecting some phone numbers for good measure 😉
By the way, I’ve been posting a lot of photos from the past year on my Facebook photo page if you’d like to have a look. It might give you an idea on where to go next! Also, if you want to see the process of new goals materializing, sign up on the email list!
(Above) What do you not want to have happen again?
(My answer) Being victim to boss’ whims/rules.
(Above) What did you learn by going through these experiences? Why were they incredibly valuable?
(Some of my answers)
- I learned that I want to be an entrepreneur / contractor.
- I learned I’m not doing what I love.
- I learned I have choice.
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