Wednesday

Off To a Good Start

In November I started my 365 Day Challenge, partly because I was thinking forward and I didn't want to get caught up with all the usual "do nothing" New Years Resolutions.

Since that time I have been focusing on my list and I have needed to make some adjustments. If you all decide to do a list of some sort, my best advice is make it as realistic as possible and write the steps on how you will reach those goals, otherwise, they will be just words on a paper. Good luck.

1. Stop drinking soda - period - my bladder is out of control and I know drinking all that soda can't be helping -- but I like the taste and the caffeine. I'm having some success, but I'm not totally off soda yet.

2. Commit to a five day workout plan by my birthday in December - no matter what comes up in my schedule, commit to five days. The daily minimum is 1 mile (walked or ran), 36 situps (3 sets of 12), and 36 push-ups (3 sets of 12) -- this way, equipment doesn't come in to play. I can do this workout anywhere. I have had to modify this because I have resisted going to the gym. So, I have a rule that if I leave my desk, which I do often, then I have to do the 20 push-ups and 20 sit-ups in one of the conference rooms before returning to my desk. I'm averaging 60 of each a day. I'm also going to look into getting a personal trainer for about a month. Just to get me started.

3. Finish the complete first draft to "Chance Encounters" by December 16th. This date was unrealistic to begin with, especially with the holidays. I'm changing it to January 31st. I have been working on the story though, thanks to this list.

4. Finish the complete first draft to "Closure" by January 31st. Change to Begin working on first draft of "Closure" by March 1st.


6. Take my wife Christmas shopping in Chicago this year. Didn't make it. Too much going on. Change it to a surprise get away.

8. Call Grandma Ruby (my late Grandfather's second wife) over Thanksgiving and for her birthday on December 17th. COMPLETED!

9. Help my wife complete the rehab of our house by Spring, so we can either rent or sell this property and move on to the house we have been waiting to purchase. Working on this now.

13. Complete "Seminar" by January 1st. Actually started working on a book that will be used as the basis for the "Seminar". My goal is to work on this as much as possible, because it is more of a knowledge based project than creative.

14. Put invitations in the mail for PowerCell by January 1st. Delayed

15. Take my wife out at least once a month without the kids. Ongoing

16. Do something with the kids away from home at least once a month. Ongoing

19. Read at least one book a month (I know I could read more, but I'm serious about this list).
Must read John Edgar Wideman, James Patterson, re-read Black Boy (Richard Wright), James Baldwin, Langston Hughes (complete The Best of Simple). Reading several right now, need to finish one of them.

22. Support GOOD musicians by purchasing their albums. Bootleg is for busters! You'd want people to buy your work, wouldn't you? I bought a few CD's since this post (Jay Z, Jill Scott, and Peabo Bryson -- all very good). I also got an IPOD classic for Christmas, and I plan to load that thing down. So, I can mark this as complete, because it is a foregone conclusion.

13 comments:

Don said...

Good deal. Phone call completed. lol. I actually drew me one of these out after initially seeing your post. I just kept it in my bookcase. I listed only 18 things though.

I bought the Jay Z too. Then Lupe. And of course Mary J Blige. I can't remember the last time I bought 3 real CDs in less than a month.

I hate not being able to finish one book without started on another one. lol.

Blu Jewel said...

Happy New Year!

I wish you success in your endeavors and I'm sure you'll make your goals.

Eb the Celeb said...

happy new year!

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year...I'm posting my list near my computer...no excuse for me not to do...when I use my computer every day.

All-Mi-T [Thought Crime] Rawdawgbuffalo said...

good look folk, finish them books and the wife will love that and BTW, need to add a matter of atention to that list

Sheletha said...

Im sure Grandma Ruby was elated!

CapCity said...

Go 'head, Brother Rich! Keep leading thru example;-)

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year!

Great list. My only committment to myself is staying on Atkins (day 25)

Happy New Year.

Mizrepresent said...

Happy New Years - the Network God's have blessed me again with the gift of blogging...i don't know how long this will last or if they will pull the plug after i hit send, but here i am...and it's so good to be up in the place. First of all, love the list, the the fact that you have a list, and yes i not only write down my goals, my goals have goals...will break that down at my spot one day. Anyways, stay on the path Brother Rich, your light is surely shining!

Chari said...

Coo dude! I need to do one of these..

Ticia said...

I am have some working plans also!!

Unknown said...

Go for it, playboy!

Eb the Celeb said...

Yessir... you've been tagged... check out RBW to find out what you have to do!