// January 2nd, 2008 // 4 Comments » // Jonathan
I’m quite pleased about the clock ticking over to 2008. Not that I had anything against 2007, per se, it’s just that 2007 was very eventful, and left very little space for thinking and taking a look at the bigger picture.
I’m not really one for new years resolutions, but when the clock ticks over, and when you have some holiday time to think things through, it’s a good period for making some changes in your life. In 2008, I will attempt to make the following changes:
- No more wasting time at the computer. In 2007, I got sucked in more and more to things like social networks, and my RSS feed subscriptions more than trippled. In 2008, I want to spend less time at my computer idling and be more purpose driven. If I’m not at my computer to perform a specific task or set of tasks, I’ll switch it off. I’ve come to think that wasting time at your computer is more harmful than watching TV.
- Make exercise more fun. Since 2005, I’ve had a gym subscription, and I’ve been slowly but surely learning better ways to exercise, and be more healthy. The problem so far, is that it’s been tedious and every time I go to the gym, I have to build up the courage and force myself to get there (even though it’s never that bad once I get there). In 2008, I want to find physical activities that I can enjoy. I’ve always wanted to learn surfing. Maybe I will take that up this year. Either way, when planning activities with friends, I will attempt to choose things more physical, even if it’s just slightly so, like going bowling instead of watching a movie, for example.
- Don’t get to caught up with scheduling. Since I can remember, I’ve been quite obsessed with being on time with things, and making sure that every scheduled event or task fits within its own allocated block of time with enough margin for when things go wrong. In 2007, I’ve found that this actually decreases productivity dramatically. For example, if I got away from work 20 minutes later than planned, and planned to spend 2 hours at the gym, I’d skip the gym session, because then I wouldn’t be able to get home in time to get to my favourite TV show. In 2008, if I have to be slightly late for something, or spend less time somewhere than originally planned, or if I miss a TV show I really wanted to watch, then it will be so.
- Spend more time with people, and catch up with promises. In 2007, I spent a lot of time out of town, and I haven’t had much time to spend with the people I care about. I’ve also not been able to live up to all the things I’ve promised to people in 2007. So, in 2008, I want to spend more time with people and with the volunteer organisations I work with, and catch up with all the things that I want and have to do.
Overall, 2007 has been a good year for me. My goals for 2007 revolved around getting my act together, and solving a lot of my long-standing personal problems, which I think I did quite well. In 2008, it’s more about smoothing out my day to day process, making life more worth living, and not worrying too much about every little detail. I hope that 2008 will provide a good foundation for me to persue my dreams in future years, and that I will already be able to take on some big risks in 2009.
I wish a happy and fulfilling 2008 to everyone. Happy new year!
