1. I was definitely happier this year than last I highly recommend that anybody concerned with Happiness read these two books: The Happiest Life, Happiness is a Serious Problem. Careful reading may help change the way you think as well as just deal with life. Both books are available in hard copy and as an e-book, electronic copies can be purchased for Kindle, Kobo, and the Nook. 1 Point.
2. I definitely spent more time with family, thought there is still some frivolous time that I could purge. Overall though, I am pleased with my efforts and can call this a win as well. 1 Point.
3. I have been going to church on a fairly regular basis, it has been a rejuvenating experience for the soul and has helped energize and focus my overall efforts. 1 Point.
4. Quite simply didn’t happen, ran more but never got there in fact got worse. No one to blame but me, I didn’t run enough, and I didn’t do enough sprint workouts. 0 Points.
5. Not at all, just didn’t happen. I did run 2 legs of the longest relay race in the United States, but that is it, and I didn’t even do it officially, I just started running to help someone else to the finish. 0 Points.
6. I took the GMAT, I got a score, and I got accepted into every school I applied, including UNR (one of the top programs in the country at this time), ultimately since I am moving in just a few months and would lose my in state tuition benefit as well as grant in aid money, I chose to go back to Liberty even though it is not AACSB accredited. I’m happy with this decision after 1 semester I am already rocking the GPA compared to my undergraduate and high school studies. 1 Point.
7. Didn’t happen, I think I read 10 books: Happiest Life, A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, The Screwtape Letters, King Lear, The Five Love Languages ( a must read for anybody who wants a healthy relationship), Boo 0 Points.
8. Didn’t happen, embarrassed to even say the shortfall but at least I improved on this category. I started using a different system from John E. Peterson and it was easier to stick to than just a phone app, I however waited way to long to get started on this and I believe sticking to this program will get me to my goal. 0 Points.
9. I would not say that I am reading it regularly as in daily. However, I have dug into the bible on average at least once a week outside of Church, so this is an improvement and I guess could be considered regular. 1 Point
10. I have not completed a course from Hillsdale College, to be fair however I have actually started graduate school so I’m not letting my brain atrophy. I have also listened to every published Hillsdale Dialogue. If you don’t have iTunes or you use an Android and wish to listen the actual podcast address is http://feeds.feedburner.com/
Resolution score 5.5 out of 10, not bad for a year of lofty goals though 55% is failing in most books. We will have to see how I’m doing at the end of this year.
This year I aim to improve even more.
1. I will continue to be a Happier Person and continue to follow in the advice from The Happiest Life, Happiness is a Serious Problem.
2. I will continue to spend more time with family, and continue to build on my relationship with them.
3. I will continue my Church attendance, and look into joining a small group.
4. I will cut 3 minutes off of my 2 mile run time, I will do this by adhering to a plan and aim to hit 220 miles between January 1 and February 28. These miles will use the old Cross Country rule (Running is 1:1, Swimming 1:1, Elliptical is 1:1, Bike is 4:1). I’m logging all of my miles over at Runkeeper, if you are a personal friend of mine I will let you track this with me.
5. Retake the GMAT, there is a job position I’m looking for and my current GMAT score is not high enough to qualify I plan on taking the GMAT on the 28th of January and Applying for the position just 3 days later.
6. I will continue to read more, I’ve missed it and it has become a labor of love again. Also Audible, has made workouts more enjoyable, I have started to augment my reading with an audio book copy from Audible while working out, hitting two goals at the same time. It isn’t exactly the same as reading but you it keeps the mind active as well as the body.
7. I will continue the Push-up program mentioned earlier from John E. Peterson. It works and it feels good.
8. I will continue to read the Bible more regularly, this year I will start off with a devotional and stick to it. I plan on doing this with an electronic copy on my tablet and using two Bibles as a reference ESV and either the NIV or NLT translation.
9. I will complete another 5 graduate courses bringing me closer to my MBA.
Long Term goals extended beyond the year.
1. Earn my MBA obviously
2. Go back and earn a Masters of Public Policy or Masters of Public Administration
3. Go back for a Doctorate degree: Business, Law, Philosophy, or Statesmanship
4. Retire, while I plan to work for the rest of my life, I do not plan on having to work the rest of my life. The post retirement work will be to keep me busy.
5. Get my run time down to sub 13:00 for a two mile. Show what an old timer can do when he gets his mind set on something.
7. Pay off the last of my debt.
8. Over the course of my life from today to the end donate between $500 k and $1 million to charity.
9. Start up or become very heavily involved in a not for profit.
#newyear
