I don't know why New Years Resolutions have gotten such a bad rap over recent years. Some people almost scoff at the idea. But I find it funny that even if you're not a fan of "resolutions", there is a good chance that you are thinking about what you want 2020 to be like.
January seems to come with an innate desire for a fresh start. Whether you call them goals or resolutions, setting an intention for the year ahead is helpful for all sorts of reasons, including mindfulness.
For the past five or six years I've committed to one New Years Resolution each year. The one I was most proud of accomplishing was in 2015 where I didn't eat McDonald's once. Not even a french fry! I was even forced to meet family at a McDonald's Play Place once where everyone else had huge meals laid out in front of them.
Then last year I watched my friend Casey lay out his #The2019200. 200 goals in one year. Even though I teased him about it, I was impressed. I knew that 200 was completely unattainable for me, but I couldn't stop thinking about it. Then in May it hit me... we were going to be entering the year 2020. Twenty... Twenty. Why not come up with twenty goals for the year Twenty Twenty. It sounded cool. It felt right. I could achieve this.
So I spent the past seven or eight months getting ready. Yeah I cheated a bit. I got a head start, at least mentally. Because while I am a believer in starting fresh on January 1st, I also am mature enough to realize that it's just another day on the calendar. If you have a goal (or a resolution) that you want to implement in your life, you don't need to wait until New Years Day to do it.
But then 2019 hit me like a freight train. There were times I wasn't sure I was going to see the start of the new year. So this blog stayed open on my computer for weeks and months at a time with nothing being added to it or edited. In fact I got to 19 and completely blanked. It wasn't until I had a conversation with my father-in-law just this past week that I had the "A-Ha!" moment and found my 20th goal.
I feel really good about it. I love it in fact. I keep coming back to it and reading it over and over again, and it makes me smile. Will I accomplish all 20 this year? No! I really don't believe I will.... BUT that doesn't matter to me. I believe that by me listing my goals and writing them down, I'm taking the first step to them becoming a reality. And who knows, maybe 2020 will finally be "MY YEAR" and all the stars in my life will align and I WILL accomplish everything on this list. Technically, it's not impossible.
Regardless, even if I only accomplish one or two of these items, I'll be better off. And to me that's success. Being better than you were yesterday, last week, last month, last year is an accomplishment everyone should strive for. So, lets do it. Here is my #2020Twenty!
1. Meal Plan Every Meal and Match or Improve Expenditures From 2019
This was my 2019 new years resolution. I was on fire and held to it for six months - but then things fell apart. I want to try again!
For full story, details and explanation click HERE
2. Start Working Out or Go to a Gym
Yup, lump me in with the rest of the world. I'm going to try to go to the gym in January.
For full story, details and explanation click HERE
3. Reduce My Debt Load
Another cliche goal. I wouldn't be surprised if this was the most common goal there is. But the irony of this goal, is that virtually all of my other goals for 2020 cost money. This one might be tough!
For full story, details and explanation click HERE
4. Take a Family Trip - Perhaps California to Katie's Clinic and Visit Brooke, Korrie & Family
It will never happen if you don't make it a goal, right? I have to admit I'm not too confident this one will happen in 2020, but I'm certain it WILL happen... I just don't know when.
For full story, details and explanation click HERE
5. Attend Tomorrowland in Belgium With a Friend Who Appreciates EDM
As my wife quickly pointed out, maybe my first goal should be to find a friend who likes EDM. That might be the toughest part of accomplishing this goal. I don't want to admit it, but I think she's right.
For full story, details and explanation click HERE
6. Increase My Public Speaking Engagements
I love teaching, I love speaking and I love telling stories. This is a relatively new found passion of mine that prior to 2013 I didn't know existed. I believe everyone needs to find their passion and then fuel it.
For full story, details and explanation click HERE
7. Increase Engagement in All Online Social Media Aspects
2019 was incredible in that I found my village. What I didn't expect was that they would be literally scattered around the world. I want to continue building that village online in 2020.
For full story, details and explanation click HERE
8. Take a Professional Family Photo
This is the only family photo I have - and it was taken in the summer of 2016. Perhaps that's all that needs to be said as "a picture is worth a thousand words".
For full story, details and explanation click HERE
9. Install Carpet and Lighting in Bedrooms and Drywall and Flooring in Office
The most annoying and frustrating aspect of my house is the lack of lighting. I am so sick and tired of using a flashlight to be able to see things in my house. Its ridiculous!
For full story, details and explanation click HERE
10. Find Time to Run 5km a Day Again
Did you know that I was a track star in high school? I have always loved running and prior to 2016 I was running 5K a day. This one will go hand in hand with my goal of going to a gym.
For full story, details and explanation click HERE
11. Purchase a New Vehicle
With the needs and dynamics of my family drastically changing this past year, I think 2020 may be the year for a new vehicle. Plus I like the thought of telling people "2020" when they ask what year of vehicle I own. Sounds better than "2019" or "2021".
For full story, details and explanation click HERE
12. Buy a Custom Fitted Suit
This is one item of clothing I've never owned. I've never really had the lifestyle that has warranted one, and perhaps I still don't - but I feel this is something every man should own.
For full story, details and explanation click HERE
13. Hike the Berg Lake Trail
OK... seriously. If you discovered there was a stunning, secluded lake in your province that shared your name, wouldn't you want to see it?!?
For full story, details and explanation click HERE
14. Continue Advocating for Madison With Rett Syndrome and Ethan With Autism
I've learnt so much this past year. I was very ignorant prior to 2019 when it came to special needs; primarily because I had never been exposed to anyone with special needs. Now I have three kids with different special needs and a voice that I want to use to spread awareness and hope to anyone willing to listen.
For full story, details and explanation click HERE
15. Explore Rattlesnake Island
For locals, this should need no further explanation. But for anyone else, Rattlesnake Island is an abandoned island in Okanagan Lake that has a lot of history, drama and mystery surrounding it; including our infamous lake monster: Ogopogo!
For full story, details and explanation click HERE
16. Frame Artwork
I'm not an artsy/crafty person so this one will be tough for me - hence why it hasn't been done. But enough's enough! Will someone please come with me to Michael's?!?
For full story, details and explanation click HERE
17. Sleep for 8 (Uninterrupted) Hours in My Bed
Do you know that the last time this occurred was in early 2016? Four years ago. I'm tired. I want to be able to sleep again.
For full story, details and explanation click HERE
18. Inbox Zero
This is literally a screenshot of my phone on December 31st. No editing. No Photoshop. This needs to stop. I think I might just throw my phone into the lake and start over.
For full story, details and explanation click HERE
19. Attend a Summer Fair With Kids
This is the passionate event geek in me coming out. You should know by now that my biggest passion in life is events, so now that I'm no longer producing them I want to ensure my kids are exposed to as many as possible. The summer fair is one they are still unaware of.
For full story, details and explanation click HERE
20. Create Order out of Chaos
The biggest challenge of living in a 900 sq/ft house with four other people is keeping everything organized. Right now it feels like NOTHING is organized. First up this year is my closet!
For full story, details and explanation click HERE
And that's my #2020Twenty! I'll try to give updates throughout the year on this blog and my social media accounts, but I also don't mind having accountability. So, if you're ever looking for a conversation starter with me, pick one of these goals and ask me about it.
Here's to a great new year! Bring it on, 2020!