.png){kind=logo}
New Year, Same You. Again.
Let’s change that.
How do we make 2021 better than 2020? Most people would say it’s gonna be an easy task, just wake up every day and it’ll be better. While this is probably true then you gotta ask, how do we make 2021 the best year of your life? How do you make more money, have more time, get more fit, read more books, eat more clean and enjoy more life?
Every new year, millions of Americans make resolutions to increase their happiness. Every new year, millions of American’s fail miserably at becoming happier. Chances are you’ve already dropped off or modified yours (because I’m terrible at getting these newsletters out on the first) but you can always restart and keep them this year.
What are your resolutions and how can we make them stick in 2021?
Here are mine, how I’m going to stick to them and how you can too.
Listen to 12 books
Read 4 books
Start 2 new revenue streams
Get my CSCS certification
Create at least one piece of art
Floss everyday
Meditate
Be less competitive
By this point in our lives we know we should be setting SMART goals, Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound but I think by tacking on a couple letters we might be able to make these even more achievable. Inspiring, Scripted, Harangued (yeah it was a stretch but “tell a friend” didn’t fit)
SMART-ISH. Let’s set some SMART-ISH goals.
Inspiring - I chose this because so often we set goals that have a negative connotation. “Eat less junk food.” “Lose 20 pounds.” In addition to these goals being unspecific and not time-bound they have a negative undertone and set you up with the idea that there’s something wrong with what you’re currently doing. I recommend reframing and setting more positive, inspiring goals like, “Eat a serving of veggies 2x/day.” or “Hit that awesome gym I go to 3x/week.” We need more positivity in our lives, especially this year.
Scripted - I write down everything I need to do, if I don’t write it down it doesn’t get done. That’s just how I work and I think most people need that also. The white board behind the desk is a constant reminder to follow up with people, track sales goals, and a monthly to do list. Why wouldn’t I do this with my resolutions? I recommend investing in a whiteboard and some markers, writing your goals down and checking them off as you become the better 2021 version of you.
Harangued - Tell your friends. Tell your family. Tell your boss. Tell your personal trainer. By telling people, you make it real and you’ll hold yourself much more accountable and hopefully they will too. If you’re too embarrassed to tell people your goals, you might need to put “join a meet up and find new friends” on your list of resolutions.
Let’s revisit my resolutions and see if they hit the mark.
Listen to 1 book per month (SMART-ISH)
Cryptocurrency Investing for Dummies by Kiana Danial
Blockchain by Neil Hoffman
Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
Endure: Mind, Body and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance by Alex Hutchinson
Influence by Robert Cialdini
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
Limitless by Jim Kwik
The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham
10% Happier by Dan Harris
A Promised Land by Barack Obama
Read 4 books (1 per quarter) (SMART-ISH)
China Rich Girlfriend (sequel to Crazy Rich Asians) by Kevin Kwan
Deacon King Kong by James McBride
The Best of Me by David Sedaris
Generally I don’t LOVE reading and because I know this about myself I tend to listen to non-fiction and read fiction. If I try to read non-fiction, I’m asleep in 5 minutes, which is great if that’s what I’m going for but I’ll end up reading the same page for 3 days. Audible is my best friend for hitting this goal but if you don’t want to pay the fees for Audible, look up Libby and download the free app.
By taking some time and listing out the books I want to ingest (Specific af), it’ll be that much easier to roll into the next one when I finish. I know generally what I want to learn this year and I’ve left a couple spots open if something new comes out. I’m already two books in and on Rich Dad, Poor Dad.
Start 2 new revenue streams (SMAR-ISH) (this one isn’t time-bound)
Golf fitness program with Dalton Limberg
Increase investing knowledge (stocks, crypto, EFT’s)
Seek diversified business opportunities (Amazon)
2nd MVMT Warehouse?
2021 I’m going to focus strongly on my financial security. You can kind of tell from the books I’m choosing to read. By increasing my investing knowledge I should be able to increase my wealth. I’m not trying to “save 50K” which was a resolution I had 2 years ago (and failed miserably at) but even if I fail at investing this year at least I learned and hopefully grew for the future.
I have a few other things in the works which I’m very excited about but hopefully if I see these 4 opportunities through, 2 of them can stick but I’m pushing for all 4.
Get my CSCS certification by June 15 (SMART-ISH)
Studying 1 chapter per week should leave me with over a month to review and take practice tests ensuring my success in passing one of the most difficult certifications in the fitness industry. I’m going to set my deadline by registering for the test that I’ve been putting off for 3 years and sign up for an online study package to make sure I pass and don’t have to pay a retesting fee. Worth it. Hopefully this is the year.
Create at least one piece of art (SMA-SH)
I already have the canvases and just bought the paint. I have the general idea and even where I want to display it in my house, I just have to pull the trigger and make it happen. This should be easy but I haven’t done it yet. I just know it’s something I want to get done this year. I also haven’t made this too much of a challenge by pushing myself to make 5 paintings but if I’m feeling creative I can always opt for more.
Floss everyday (SMART-ISH)
Floss everyday I sleep at my house. I’ve spent the last 12 months straightening my teeth with Invisalign so starting to floss regularly seems more relevant than ever. Also, being an adult.
Meditate 2x/week (SMART-ISH)
I can’t do this on my own, I know this for a fact. I’ve been paying for Headspace for 9 months and it was invaluable during the initial quarantine but as the gym opened back up and life got lifey again I’ve fallen off. I know how beneficial it is so I need to get back into it. Getting in the habit of 2x/week should lead me into more but I don’t want to overwhelm myself with daily meditation.
Be less competitive… at game night (SMART-ISH)
This might sound silly to some of you but to others you know what’s up. So far this year I’ve failed miserably. Some might say “it’s only a game night,” but “THERE’S EFFING RULES SARA!” But it’s still only a game night. It doesn’t even matter. I’m working on it. It’s probably SMART-ISH not to be such a dick during game night.
____
I set a lot of goals this year but I really want to elevate my life. 2020 took a toll on all of us and I think we owe it to ourselves to crush 2021. It’s going to cost me a little upfront cash to start this but it’s worth it.
Audible 12 month membership - $149.50 (instead of $15/month. Save $30)
CSCS registration - $475
CSCS Study System - $299
Headspace 12 month membership - $70 (instead of $13/month. Save $86)
TOTAL INVESTMENT: $994
What if I hit all these goals? You all know the Michael I am today, but if you’ve known me for a few years you know I’m an entirely different person than when you met me. My goal is to be an entirely different person in 2022, more confident, more successful, more intelligent, more considerate, more patient, more caring, more freedom and hopefully the same amount of laughter.
I want us all to succeed in the gym and in life. Set your goals, get SMART-ISH and TWENTY TWENTY ONE LFG!!
Comments