Don’t get me wrong, I’m in awe of runners and am eternally hopeful that my next run will be it – the time where my breath is plentiful, my legs feel springy and energized, and I achieve that euphoric runner’s high. My mind will sharpen and new business ideas will spring from the catacombs of my mind. I’ll effortlessly sprint past people and they’ll look on with admiration and think “I wish that I could do that”. Well, that hasn’t happened yet, but something else has.

Yesterday, after work, I set out for my first run of the season along my usual course – a 5 mile stretch along the perimeter of North Park’s lake. The path is full of inclines and declines and surrounded by scenic nature. While running, I started to question why I do this, and somewhere along mile 4.5 I found my answer.

Being that my route is around a lake, there’s not a lot of cheating opportunities. You can’t cut corners or stop halfway, but three opportunities do present themselves during my runs:

“Don’t bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors.
Try to be better than yourself.”
- William Faulkner

• The first is shortly after I set out. I’m a mile from the car after 10 minutes of running, and the thought of stopping enters my mind. “You can stop and turn around now. That’s still 2 miles. Pretty respectable”. I keep going.
• The second opportunity presents itself about 2.5 miles later, in the form of a quaint little footbridge. Typically, there are families lingering on it. They’re chatting and laughing as they look over the rails, or through the posts, at a small waterfall beneath its planks. Across the bridge, I can see my car in the parking lot. I’m sweaty, tired, and ready to go home, but I press on. I didn’t come to the park to run 3.5 miles. I came to run 5.
• The last opportunity to cheat appears shortly thereafter. It’s in the form of a road that turns down and traces the edge of the lake. By turning here, I save myself the trouble of an uphill climb to the finish and shave a half mile off of my run. It’s oh so tempting, but I keep going.

The last leg is by far my least favorite, but as I trudge uphill towards the finish line I feel good. Sometimes I even crack a smile. You see, I may not be a good runner, but what I am good at is going the extra mile, and every time I run I do so just to prove that to myself.

I run because I can’t.

He instantly became a role model, and how I approach situations has completely changed. Set aside 20 minutes over the next day or so, watch Simon speak about Apple, TiVo, the Wright brothers, and Dr. King and you might just become different too!

Two weeks ago, at the Quitter conference, Jon Acuff talked about conducting a time audit to see where you’re truly spending the hours of your days. At that time, I felt like I wouldn’t get much out of the exercise. I’m self-aware, fairly successful, and pretty well organized. But as I started to think more about my daily activities, I realized that I there was probably *ahem* a little room for improvement.

“If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail.” – Harvey Mackay

So, I decided to use last week as a control week, and track every hour of my life for 7 days using Google Calendar. The data was pretty eye-opening. Gone was the fun house mirror of my perceptions of time, and instead, I saw just how wasteful I was with the minutes I have.

I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead

I must really hate sleeping. I go to bed between the hours of 9:00 PM and 1:00 AM. Not once did I go to bed at the same time as another day. And, if I hate sleeping, it must be because of my bed, because I am really good at falling asleep on the couch. I did that twice. But I don’t stay asleep on the couch, instead, in the middle of the night, I wake up, turn off the TV and all of the lights in the living room, walk upstairs to my bedroom, go through my getting ready for bed ritual, and then, finally, go back to sleep. You can imagine how rested I feel the next day.

My alarm goes off at the same time every day, 5:00 AM. Some days I hop out of bed immediately, and on other days I roll out of bed around 7:30 AM. I’m a pro-snoozer. Olympic-grade.

Including the snooze time, I averaged 6.5 hours of sleep a day. The lack of sleep, combined with the interruptions, and inconsistency in my nighttime schedule is most definitely hampering my ability to succeed every day.

The Rat Race

My commutes aren’t nearly as bad as I thought they were. I seem to always think that I’m going to be in traffic for over 3 hours a day, but last week showed me that my commute to work takes about 40 minutes, while my commute home takes only 30 minutes. Granted, there are occasional delays that cause my commute time to skyrocket, but it happens far less than I thought.

Work/Life Balance

Being a “recovering workaholic”, I try really hard to maintain a balanced lifestyle, and I’m happy to say that it feels like I’m doing OK in that area of my life. From time-to-time, there are moments where I have to swing by the office on a Saturday morning or stay late on an off Tuesday, but I’m pretty happy with the balance that I’m keeping at the moment, and hope that I can keep this schedule.

Television Is Rotting My Brain

I’ve never been a big fan of TV. The news is depressing. Reality TV must be from some other alternate reality. And I feel like saying “I like this show” aloud is like the kiss of death, for those shows rarely see another season.

All that being said, I spent 8 hours in front of the boob tube last week. I can name 4 things that I should have been doing instead, and wish that I could have that time back.

I Used To Be A Gym Rat

Speaking of things that I should have been doing… I remember the good ‘ol days. Ya know, the ones where I used to go to the gym 5 days a week. It was a part of who I was, and people took notice. I liked that. No, scratch that. I loved that. It was addicting like a drug, and I couldn’t get enough. Sadly, somewhere along the way, it became lost in my list of priorities. I didn’t go to the gym once last week.

< Insert huge sigh of disgust and self-loathing here />

I Was A Crappy Planner

I wasn’t a planner… Until I realized just how many minutes I was letting slip away. Time is a finite currency. Unfortunately, no one can tell me just how “rich” I am, so I’m being more deliberate with each minute that I have.

• Sleep is going to be predictable and plentiful.
• The cable box is going bye-bye in the car-car.
• The front desk persons at the gym are going to know me by name.
• The workaholic in me, well… he’s not coming back any time soon.

What about you? Do you know where your time is being spent? Do you waste as much as me, or am I truly a slacker the likes of which the world has never seen before? I’d love to hear your insight.

In this week’s lesson we talked about the fact that we all have gifts that were bestowed upon us, and it is our duty to discover, develop, and deploy them. When I was preparing for our morning discussion, I kept thinking about the word “deploy” as it relates to my gifts. I feel like I’m constantly in a perpetual state of discovery and development, with little action happening to get my gifts out there in front of everyone.

“Just a little bit more research. You’re not ready yet” is a phrase that echos through my head. It’s the voice of the perfectionist in me that paralyzes my gifts. My inner-self, my harshest critic, is constantly telling me that I need to be better before I can start to affect others with my gifts. He’s a liar.

In fact, he couldn’t be further from the truth. Each of these phases (discover, develop, and deploy) are meant to occur over and over again throughout our lives. You and I will never get to the point where you’re in a constant state of deployment. Why not? Because we’re not perfect. We need to constantly hone our gifts. We need to evolve them to meet the situation that is here and now, and then evolve them again for the future situations that we will encounter in the next chapter of our lives.

We keep thinking that when we’re ready, the world will be ready for us. We’ll speak, and someone in the crowd of listeners will pull out a pen and paper, and furiously jot down every word as if it were Shakespearean prose so that it may live on for ages. At that very moment, the clouds will part and a single ray of sun will fall upon us. In its warmth, the voice of our inner-perfectionist will scream “THIS IS IT!” and our moment will finally be here.

A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they will never sit in. – Greek Proverb

However, that’s not the way that life unfolds. Your gifts are meant to be shared daily, whether it’s in front of the mirror as you hone them, or as you talk to a lone stranger who looks like they need encouragement. For every time you use your gifts, you make an impact.

You may never know how strong of an impression you made, but at least you did it. You may never have a moment like the one I described above, but what if that’s not your purpose in life? Maybe you are meant to provide broad shoulders as a foundation upon which your children can stand, and maybe they will be the ones that have that moment. Wouldn’t that be great? The point is that you may not understand why you were given the gifts that you have, but use them, and use them often.

So, as we head off to enjoy another weekend, I leave you with two questions:

• Do you know what gifts you were blessed with?
• How are you sharing them with the world today?

A little over a week ago, Jon Acuff, the talented curator of the satirical website, Stuff Christians Like, hosted a conference in Nashville, Tennessee to talk about the contents of his best selling book, Quitter. Having pre-ordered Jon’s book and reading it shortly after it came out in May 2011, I jumped at the opportunity to hear him speak in-person. The fact that it was being hosted at Financial Peace Plaza was nothing to shake a stick at either. I’m a huge Dave Ramsey fan, and being able to visit his headquarters was like going to a Financial Disney World for me.

In case you haven’t noticed, I tend to be a bit verbose at times, so let’s just get to the meat of this thing and skip the small talk (too late).

Getting There Is Half The Fun - This pretty much sums up the car ride. Being in a car with Vinny and David for nearly 20 hours was like a conference in itself. Both are professional photographers that specialize in photojournalism with very unique perspectives of the world. Had I not been driving, I probably would have been note taking. It was uncanny how so much of our conversation overlapped with what Jon was presenting on. Later, when I had a chance to talk to Jon one-on-one, I told him that it was just as if he had driven there with us.

Jon Acuff - Jon is an incredibly talented public speaker. I kept thinking “how long did this guy practice this speech?” His pauses and inflections showed that he has to be close to his 10,000 hours of public speaking mastery. I found myself quickly jotting down a lot of quotes. Here are some of my favorites:

• “The goal is to be awesome.”
• “The only difference between a gem and a rock is because we assigned one value.”
• “There’s chunks of life that you map out and then you get surprised by what really happens.”
• “Steward the talents you have been given and enjoy the process along the way.”
• “If you want to get support, give support first.”
• “You don’t get to change the world if you don’t finish.”
• “Impatience kills more dreams than failure.”

A Few Other Notables – There were so many little nuggets being shared at this conference that it was pretty much the opposite of what you normally experience. I wish that I could share all of my notes with you, but it’s truly something that I recommend you experience live, but because I can’t not talk about it, here are a couple of noteworthy parts:

• Quitters Stick Together - I had the opportunity to meet Nicole White and Sandy Griffin. Both of which had really great stories about what led them to the conference, and I truly hope to be able to keep in touch with each of them as they aggressively pursue their dreams.
• Audit Your Time – I constantly question where I spend my time during the day. I feel like the hours just quickly zip by, so, at the recommendation of Jon, I’ve started a GCal to track my time. This week is my “control” week, and I can already see a ton of areas that I can improve in.
• Hello Somebody – The co-founder of Hello Somebody spoke about his organization and the wonderful things they’re doing to help change the world. It was truly touching. As a completely unexpected bonus, they also gave each attendee a Hello Somebody watch:
  
• Nashville = Music - There’s no way that you can visit Nashville without taking in their well-known music scene, so I was excited when Jon invited us out to the Listening Room to hear one of his favorite bands, Seryn, perform. Order their album, watch their performances on YouTube. Words aren’t going to explain these guys, and the many musical talents that they possess. Simply put – I was blown away. Some of my favorite tracks are So Within, Beach Song, We Will All Be Changed, and On My Knees.
  

Have you read Quitter or any of Jon’s other books? While there, I picked up Gazelles, Baby Steps and 37 Other Things Dave Ramsey Taught Me about Debt by Jon, and am excited to get into it… Just as soon as I start making my time work for me.

If you’re looking for your “spark”, you know, the thing that comes to mind first when you wake up in morning (aside from that random 80′s hairband song that’s been stuck in your head for a week), then I strongly recommend that you shell out $99 and attend this conference. It’s worth every penny and more.

I wonder if Richard James immediately knew the magnitude of his invention when he accidentally discovered the Slinky nearly 70 years ago. While trying to invent a spring for the Navy, he invented a toy that every American kid has played with, or at least knows about. I can fondly recall a couple of childhood memories where I spent hours trying to get that metal object to navigate down my parent’s shaggy carpeted stairs without toppling over or stopping midway. Those memories are probably 20+ years old by now, and I haven’t played with a slinky for quite some time.

That is until 3 years ago when my friends decided to do a white elephant gift exchange for Christmas. At the encouragement of my best friend, I picked his small neatly wrapped gift from the pile, and low and behold, I was reunited with an original metal slinky in that unmistakable red box. At first, I didn’t understand the impact of this gift, and I’m betting that my friend didn’t either being that it was more of a gag gift, but having a slinky has made a lasting impact on my life.

For the last couple of years, that little toy has sat on the edge of my work desk. I would reach for it when I was pondering something, or carrying on a conversation with a co-worker. I’d slink it back and forth between my hands, or let it accordion from my hand towards the ground, as we talked. There was something cathartic about that familiar sound of the metal rings clanking together.

Sometimes I would come in to my office and the slinky would be gone. My coworkers would grab it and take it to a meeting or use it to keep their hands busy while they thought through a challenging problem. It traveled a lot over the past three years. Sometimes it would be gone for weeks on end, and it has a couple of bruises to reflect the use that it has seen.

“Leaders become followers, and followers become leaders.”

About six months ago, I was listening to Episode 4 of the Entreleadership podcast and the slinky took on a whole new meaning. In this episode of the podcast, Jon Acuff, interviewed Dan Cathy, President and COO of Chick-fil-A, who compared a slinky to servant leadership.

Instantly my ears perked up. I’ve had this little metal object on the edge of my desk for years, and I never made the connection to one of my favorite concepts, but as soon as Dan mentioned it, I immediately saw the correlation. Being a servant leader in an organization, and in life, is exactly like being in a slinky:

• Each of us is a ring in the slinky. Each ring is tied to one another.
• Sometimes, your ring in the slinky means that you need to take the first step, even though you may not know where that next step may take you. You must trust those behind you, knowing that they’re going to follow. In turn, they trust you, knowing that you’re putting your best foot forward to take everyone to the next level.
• Sometimes, being your ring in the slinky means that you must lift another up so that they can take the next step, even if it means that they get there well before you.
• When in motion, the entire slinky moves forward as a unit, one step at a time, or it fails and falls down together. Regardless of what happens, the slinky moves as one, or as Dan Cathy elegantly put it, “Leaders become followers, and followers become leaders”.

Since hearing Dan Cathy’s reference to the slinky, I have used the analogy twice in a large group setting. The first time being when I left my last position 4 months ago, and more recently, at my new organization’s company meeting. Each time, every person present received their very own metal slinky. The speech and the gift was well received.

At my last company, I had a hard time finishing the explanation because I, and several of my team members, had tears in our eyes as we recollected the many difficult steps that we had taken together over the past years. And today, in my new organization, I frequently hear that cathartic sound of the metal rings clanking together and can’t help but smile.

If you’re on the path to becoming a servant leader then I strongly recommend grabbing a slinky and adding it to the workplace toys you have at your desk, and I wish you nothing but luck in taking that next step…

]]> http://truebluetitan.com/leadership/be-a-slinky/feed 0 http://truebluetitan.com/leadership/interview-101 http://truebluetitan.com/leadership/interview-101#comments Sun, 05 Feb 2012 19:20:56 +0000 Rob http://truebluetitan.com/?p=155 ]]> In one of my previous posts, Choose Your Employer Carefully, I mentioned several less obvious items that I look for when interviewing with a potential future employer. Now that I’m all settled into my new position, and having spent weeks speaking with candidates to possibly join our team, I feel compelled to take a step back and restate some of the more obvious things that any job candidate should do during an interview. It seems as though these items are just lost on most people. So here we go:
• Be Prompt, But Not Über-Early – Having an office in an off the beaten path part of town means that a lot of our interviewees will arrive early because they’re unsure of our exact location. However, there’s a fine line between early and being too early. Showing up 15 minutes before an interview is completely appropriate. Showing up an hour early is not. That means that you’re left sitting in the lobby or a meeting room with too much time on your hands in an environment that you’re unfamiliar with. Go for a drive around the area – find the nearest eateries, or sit in your car and listen to your favorite songs, but don’t go into the office space until 15 minutes before the interview.
• Shake Hands Like You Mean It – A lot of business deals have been created over a simple handshake. It’s a powerful thing, and says a lot about your character. Whether you’re a man or a woman, you need to shake your interviewer’s hand in a way that says that you are powerful, confident, and purposeful. So on your next interview, grab your interviewer’s hand firmly, look them in the eyes, smile, and shake their hand.
• Dress for Success – We’re a small company with a great culture. The dresscode is very relaxed. That doesn’t mean that you should show up to an interview dressed as if you already work here. Employers are looking for commitment. That means getting your best threads out of the closet, giving them a proper ironing and coming to the interview looking crisp and refreshed.
• Watch Those Non-Verbal Cues – Interviewing can be tough. However, it’s not going to be as hard as the real job is. If you’re on hour three of your interview day, make every effort to ensure that you appear as sharp as you did on your first hour. Sit up straight, keep your fidgeting to a minimal, and try not to touch your face – especially rubbing your eyes. Even the strongest candidates start to crack after a couple of hours of interviewing, so in-between interviews, use the restroom to take a quick pause, stretch your legs, and take some deep breaths.
• Resume Paper Was Created For A Reason – Most interviewers will bring a copy of your resume with them to the interview, however, I’m starting to think that I might just ask each candidate to give me a copy. If I can take 5 minutes to print out your resume, then so can you. Those that are serious about a position should go the extra mile and print their resume out on some high quality paper. I know it’s expensive, and most interviewers will already have a copy of your resume with them, but even taking it out and setting it on top of your notepad or binder shows that you came to play ball. That brings us to our next topic…
• Take Notes – Our company’s website does not have everything about us listed on it. There are a ton of things that make us a special place to work. If you’re truly interested in what we do and are looking for a place that fits your wants and needs, and not just provide you with a predictable paycheck, then take notes and ask interesting questions. We’re looking for people that “get the joke” and this is always a way to send that message.
• Follow-Up – As an interviewer, I will always hand out my business card, and I mean it when I say “if you have any questions or comments that pop up on your way home, or even a couple of days later, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me”. If I do not hear from you, I will assume that you are not interested. Whether it is an hour or a week after the interview, it means a lot to me, and most potential employers, to hear from you after the interview. Sending an email takes 15 minutes and may land you in a position that you like for a company that you love.

So there you have it. I’m sure that there are several more items that are no brainers, but these are the ones that seem to be missed time and time again. What do you think? Do you agree/disagree? Is there anything else that you think is absolutely essential to do on an interview? If so, leave your comments down below; I look forward to reading them.

]]> http://truebluetitan.com/leadership/interview-101/feed 1 http://truebluetitan.com/goals/focus-on-the-things-you-love http://truebluetitan.com/goals/focus-on-the-things-you-love#comments Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:04:48 +0000 Rob http://truebluetitan.com/?p=149 ]]> 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.

]]> http://truebluetitan.com/goals/focus-on-the-things-you-love/feed 2 http://truebluetitan.com/leadership/choose-your-employer-carefully http://truebluetitan.com/leadership/choose-your-employer-carefully#comments Thu, 13 Oct 2011 17:08:52 +0000 Rob http://truebluetitan.com/?p=143 ]]> Over the course of my career, I have had the opportunity to work for a variety of bosses. Some good. Some not. After 10 years in the working world, I’ve decided to return to my very first employer, the one who brought me on as an intern and showed me the ropes. They’ve been a continual point of reference for me over the years, and I’m happy to return – older, smarter, and with some great experiences under my belt.

Remember, looking for a job is like dating…Be informed and particular.

What’s the biggest reason for making the switch? The owners of the company. Frankly, they’re easily described as people who just ‘get it’ and I’ve always admired them. Here are some of the factors that helped me to make my decision; maybe they’ll help you, too:

• Body Language – When it’s time for the in-person interview, body language is a dead giveaway for how your future boss will operate. If your potential boss sits across the desk from you with their arms folded tensely across their chest and they look like they’d rather be somewhere else, then take note. They should be looking for the best fit for their organization and be dialed into the interview. Remember, your time is important, too. Make sure that you’re greeted with a firm handshake, and eye contact is a must.
• Physical Fitness - Now before I get into this, let me first say that I know that there are some very smart, very great people in this world that are a bit flabby around the belt line. But we’re looking for a leader, someone that has a well-rounded lifestyle and looks themselves in the mirror daily to make sure they’re in check. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to your future boss’ physical well-being. Someone that finds time to get to the gym and eats healthy is planning on being around for a while, and their work-life balance is where it needs to be.
• Observe Your Surroundings - Sometimes this one can be a little hard, considering that some companies have interview rooms that are void of any decorations, but if you’re lucky enough to meet with your potential employer in their office, then I strongly encourage you to take a look around. People surround themselves with things that make them happy. Is their office cluttered with papers or is it neatly organized? Do they have pictures of their family or are their walls adorned with diplomas, certificates, and awards? Is their desk facing the door or do they have their back turned to it? All of these things will quickly give you an indication of how your potential boss views the workplace, and what is important to him/her in this world.
• Dress The Part - Your clothing says a lot about you. I’ll never forget the day that I hopped onto an elevator with one of my previous employer’s executives. While we were hurdling up 40 stories, he took one look at my bargain dress shoes and scoffed. I was clearly not dressed appropriately to him, and for as long as I was there, I never wore those shoes again. Your boss’ attire will let you know a lot about his/her management style. Are they pushing the boundaries of business casual or are they wearing custom tailored shirts with their initials on the cuffs? Neither way is wrong, but ensure that it works for you.
• Transparency - This may be a difficult one to hone in on, but a true sign is ‘business speak’. If your potential employer thinks that phrases like “synergistic alliances”, “paradigm shifts”, and “value propositions” are a part of the English language then politely stand up, thank them for their time, and exit the building immediately. Anyone that masks their words is masking other things as well.
• Any Questions? – The most important part of the interview comes at the end, where the interviewer becomes quiet, takes a deep breath, and says “Do you have any questions for me?” Now is your time to really find out about them and their part in the organization. What do they do to support the organization’s vision statement? Can they outline what the next 1-5 years looks like and how you would be supporting that movement? What do they think is the best and worst part of the organization? Get in there and find out the details.

Remember, looking for a job is like dating. It’s rare that you marry the first girl person you meet. Be informed and particular. With the wrong person leading you, your professional development may be grossly hampered, but with the right kind of leadership, mixed with your personal drive to succeed, you can make a difference.

]]> http://truebluetitan.com/leadership/choose-your-employer-carefully/feed 2 http://truebluetitan.com/goals/2011 http://truebluetitan.com/goals/2011#comments Tue, 11 Jan 2011 16:25:48 +0000 Rob http://truebluetitan.com/?p=105 ]]> 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.

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