Focus on the things you love.

Last weekend, while having an in-depth conversation with my friend over breakfast, I referenced John Acuff‘s book, Quitter. In the book he talks about giving priority to the things that you love to do, and focusing your attention on the things that you like to do, afterwards. As soon as I started talking about it, I felt convicted. Despite having really felt a connection with what Jon had said, and parroting it to people many times afterwards, I had failed to implement this piece of advice into my own life.

Therefore, I’ve decided to make February the month of focus. Every day, for the next month, I plan to start my mornings off by doing something that I love before diving into the things that I like to do. I’m hoping that it brings some more purpose and passion into my daily life, instead of waiting for the weekends to get out there and “live”.

So what kind of things will I be embarking on over the next month? Well, I spent yesterday morning sleeping in. Now, that wasn’t really doing anything, but I’ve been working like a maniac for the past 3 weeks, and it was just what the doctor ordered. Today, I’m blogging, and though I’m horrible at it, I plan to stick with it for at least a month. Some additional things that I plan on putting first this month are:

• Read His Word – In everything that I do, I want to put God first.
• Photography – Finally get my portfolio out there (It’s almost done), and start snapping away. I’ll probably spend several mornings taking photowalks downtown and in the neighboring areas.
• Exercise – I want to be in the gym at least 3 days a week from now until forever.
• Practice Playing Guitar – I dabbled here and there in college, but it’s time to get away from tabs and learn how to actually play.
• Keep In Touch – When life gets busy, I become a horrible friend, and lose contact with my closest friends. They’re an understanding bunch, but that doesn’t mean that I should be relying on that. I plan to reconnect and let people know just how much they mean to me.

That looks like a good enough list for now. It will be exciting to see how I feel at the end of the month, but until then, I’ll enjoy each day.

2011

2010: A Year In Retrospect

2010 was a busy year. One that flew by so quickly that left me sometimes wishing that I could somehow put on the brakes, but with a lot of perseverance and support, I crossed the following off of my list:

• truebluetitan returned,
• Built and moved into a new townhouse,
• Ended relationships with old friendships acquaintances,
• Built new stronger relationships,
• Obtained my PMP certification,
• Started taking MBA classes, and
• Received a promotion at work.

2011: From Good To Great

Unquestionably, it was the hardest year of my life, but it gave me confidence in knowing that I am moving in the right direction. As you will read below, 2011 is all about constructing a “house” on the foundation that I crafted last year. It’s going to be another whirlwind year, but I’m confident that the last year of my twenties will be one for the history books. Here are my 2011 Resolutions:

1. Live for Him. Above all else, I want to continue changing the focus of my life from what I want to do and control to what He wants me to do. In 2010 I began regularly attending mass and even joined a bible study group. It was a great first step, but in 2011, I need to focus on going from a human “doing” to a human “being” and truly live for Him.
2. Get Organized. I used to be the epitome of an organized person. I had all of my paperwork organized in color-coded folders. A label maker was my best friend and Mint.com was a site that I visited many times a day. Fast-forward a year and I’m certainly off of my game. Combine that with a mailman that sometimes delivers my mail to me and you’re just beginning to see the tip of my frustration iceberg. It’s time to get back on target – I can’t accomplish the rest of these resolutions without this one.
3. Give Back. I focused a lot on myself last year knowing that I can’t truly help anyone else unless I felt strong in who I was. And so I promised myself that I would help others just as soon as I felt that I had my feet firmly planted. Thankfully, I’m there, and a large focus of mine this year will be to help others achieve their goals and aspirations.
4. Be An Entrepreneur. Ever since I was 17 I have run a business in one form or another. It’s an amazing feeling to work for yourself, but at times it can be quite stressful and quickly eat up every free hour that you have. With my newfound elevated responsibility at my day job, I need to take a long hard look at myself in the mirror and decide what I’m going to do in this realm this year. There will be no more ala carte side jobs. If I’m going to grow my business then I need to stick with what I do best, eliminate the rest, and excel.
5. Financial Freedom. In 2011, I want to be debt free, minus my mortgage. Having just bought a car in 2010 this is going to be quite a challenge, but I’m confident that I can make it happen. Ever since I was an adult I have carried some form of debt. That ends this year.
6. Physical Fitness. Last year a friend introduced me to Tony Horton’s P90X Extreme Home Fitness Workout Program. Since then, I have attempted the program twice, but haven’t been able to successfully push my way through the entire 90-day regiment. It’s the most humbling routine that I have ever tried, and the time commitment requires a lifestyle change. In 2011, I will complete the program at least twice and be in the best shape of my life – just in time for the big 3 – 0.
7. Focus my Hobbies. I’m a tinkerer. I like to try a lot of different things. As a result I have a lot of different hobbies. Too many. I want need to focus on just a few of them and take time to really enjoy myself. In 2011, I’m going to limit my hobbies to digital photography (with my new Nikon D90), learning guitar, and home interior design/renovation of my new townhouse.

8. Eliminate Distractions. Let’s face it. I will never accomplish the other resolutions unless I eliminate the distractions in my life. In 2010 I made great strides in cutting drama from my life by distancing myself from the “Must Be Nice” and “I Need To” people (more on them at a later date) that I know.

   In 2011, I will continue to eliminate distractions and focus on removing the less constructive habits that I’ve formed (i.e. watching television and pointless Internet surfing) and replace them with more exciting habits (i.e. Reading through my book backlog and focusing on my new hobbies).

So there you have it. I’m praying that I can usher in 2012 with a checklist of accomplished items and talk about the ferver I have for my life, but only time will tell. Until then, I wish you all a very happy New Year and hope that this is the year for you.