Ergh.
So. New Year.
Every previous year I've taken the completely reasonable and logical view that, as the turning of the year is a completely human (and Western human at that) tradition, that it hasn't meant anything.
This year however is somewhat different. I don't know, maybe I'm getting soft in my old age, but for the first time in my life I'm thinking about New Year resolutions.
Maybe it's just because I've found myself slowly giving up on doing anything except having a nice kip over the holiday period and so feel the need to 'reboot'. A new year is as good a point to start again as anything.
So, resolutions…
Most of the resolutions can be boiled down to one.
- Get off my arse and do the things I want need to do.
Of course, it's not that simple… Perhaps it would be an idea to list the things that I want/need to do. Some are hopelessly optimistic, but why the hell not.
- Write the sequel to Blood. Sweat and Tea – I have a deadline, so that'll be the first thing that I do.
- Write a comic strip series, I need to find an artist or maybe just release it into the public domain.
- Find an agent who can pimp me into writing TV stuff.
- Make some sort of social network or forum based off this site. Although I wonder if there is a market for it.
- Fiction. I must write fiction.
- Meet more people, both bloggers and people in 'real life'. Reconnect with people who I haven't seen in ages, and meet new people.
- Start a Podcast. Or a Vidcast. Something creative at least.
- A photograph a day. I need to get into recording things.
- Start following 'Getting Things Done'.
- Find the right people to create a UK based group-blog of interesting things.
- Sleep less.
- Oh, and get more of my Alts up to Level 70 in WoW – just for fun.
I think that'll do for now – especially as, due to the nature of my NYE work, I'm unable to move in much more than a hobble at the moment.
A podcast would be great! What were you thinking of doing, just the same as the blog, or making it more medically oriented or more personal? I listen to the Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support (shortened to PHTLS, thank god), don't know if you've heard of it, it's basically an american paramedic talking about the different treatments and injuries encountered in pre-hospital medicine. Something like that from you might be good, but equally the less clincal nature of your blog would be ace as a podcast as well. So basically I'm saying i'd love to hear it, whatever you did!
I'm not too sure – I have a domain name, but am unsure about having a focus. As you say there are medical podcasts out there, although I'd not heard of the one you mentioned – I've just subscribed to it as it sounds rather good.I think it might just be Stuff That Interests Me. Of it might be focused on one of my hobbies that I don't tend to write about.
if you're seriously thinking of doing a group based blog, I'd be happy to write for it! I'm a paeds trained nurse about to go into an adult patient dominated environment….I'm fairly sure I'm going to end up with some interesting anecdotes!
How weird, five of your resolutions are the same as mine.I've started on at least one of them here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pixeldiva/2155345181/
How long it (or this current mood to get stuff done this year) will last, nobody knows, but at least making resolutions is a step in the right direction.
Actually, celebrating the change of the year isn't a Western only thing – its just alot of other sultures celebrate it according to their traditional calendars.I've been in Thailand for Thai New Year twice, and it makes our celebrations seem terribly tame! 4 days of drinking, eating and the most insane water fights I have ever seen!
Is there a clever reason why the first of your bullet points is blank?! ;-)Regards,
Nick
http://nickhough.blogspot.com
Yes! do the photo a day blog thing – I did it for 2007 as I'd just got my first cameraphone.Though there were some ups and downs I had so much fun I'm going to do it for a second year. I think beoko365 might need a slight change in name though, given the fact it's a leap year…
I don't know if you're looking for something to help you track the Things you're Getting Done, but as one of my resolutions it to promote my todo list web app, I thought I'd mention it.You might find my A-Z of Personal Productivity series of interest too.
The group blog thing sounds interesting too – I'll keep an eye out for further details 🙂
Good luck with them all!
That's a very big list, of very big projects, you won't have time to sleep so that's one box ticked
A podcast is a great idea! Also I'd be willing to use a forum or a social network based off of this site.– sarah
Would it be cynical to suggest it is the last one that means you haven't done all the other ones already? i pour far to many hours into gaming and pointless browsing… that and hangovers
I can definitely recommend GTD but don't go overboard with it. Read it through, work out which things work for you and then go for it. Just be careful – after a couple of weeks you'll have to stop yourself from grabbing total strangers and raving on about how effective it is and thrusting copies of the book at them…
What is the tittle for your new book?!
Tom, even if you do a WOW Diary, I'm sure we'll still all watch/listen! “Today I fought my way into the Dungeon of [insert name here] to kill the head goblin that held the helm of [insert special power here]. Here are some pics and a video!”Can't wait for the podcast!
I started a photo journal last year and pretty much kept it up every day – it was a great experience. I blogged about it here and the photos are here.I'd recommend it – but get a good pocket camera (ie 6+ MP) that can be used quickly, that's the real key to making it happen. If it's done in 60 seconds you don't mind doing it! 🙂
Reynolds, you are doomed. Your New Year's resolutions are way too busy for an aging male who is spending too much time online. I will counter it with just a single one of mine: I want to fly a Long-Bow Apache Helicopter. The single obstacle right now is age discrimination by US Military. Then again, I could buy a used one and fly it anyway. Ha?
blipfoto.com is great for keeping a daily photoblog – a really clean interface, and a nice community with a mix of serious and non-serious photographers and diarists.Mine is at blipfoto.com/bri
Well, I felt knackered just READING that lot!I'm off for a little snooze…..
You're going to be a busy bee aren't you?!I'm doing quite well with my resolutions so far, or at least one of them, i've been sweet and chocolate free for 4 whole days!
All the best for 2008
> Write a comic strip series, I need to find an artist or maybe just release it into the public domain.You should have a look at Daniel Ldeling's http://www.rippenspreizer.de …