As we kickoff 2021, I write this from the comfort of my home where I’ve been spending the last week in total quarantine from the rest of the world. Ending 2020 on a bang, the fates twisted and both my wife and I contracted COVID before we could make any plans for celebrating the new year. So, rather than toasting to 2021 with a glass of champagne in-hand, we binged-watched the Queens Gambit while munching down on a flavorless pizza (thanks COVID).
While this wasn’t quite the intro to 2021 that I was hoping for, I’m convinced things can only get better from here. Of course, I’d be foolish to think things will improve on their own, so I’m making some goals and listing my intentions for the new year. Although my pursuit in doing so is mostly selfish, I hope you’ll be inspired to set goals of your own and see improvements in your life this year as we kick the year off in our post-COVID reality.
So here they are, my official new year’s resolutions:
1) Read More Often
Something that I’ve always struggled with throughout my child-hood is reading. Not that it was difficult by any means, on the contrary, I found it quite boring. However, entering into my late-teen years I began to pick up reading again, mostly as a form of self-help, through which I discovered a new-found love. The knowledge I’ve gleamed through the text (and audio tracks) of books I’ve devoured have helped shape me into the person I am today. So with self-improvement in my sights, I plan to read more often this year. And yes, that includes educational podcasts, and audiobooks. if you have any recent non-fiction faves, I’d love to see your recommendations below!
2) Practice Appreciation & Gratitude
It’s amazing how an entire day, week, month, or even a year can pass by without us even acknowledging the experiences and encounters that got us to this point. I know personally I’ve made the mistake of missing opportunities to acknowledge and appreciate people in my life, as well as missing the chance to be grateful for what I have. This year I look forward to being more forthcoming with my gratitude, by seeking opportunities to praise those around me, and to reflect each day on the people and things I am grateful for.
3) Spend Less Time on “Social” Media
Although Facebook has become a great tool for connecting with distant family and staying in touch with friends during quarantine, I’ll be the first to say I’ve abused it (and other platforms) through wasted time and endless scrolling. My goal this year is to be more intentional overall, meaning not scrolling through Instagram or watching the latest TikTok simply because I’m bored. I won’t be abandoning any platform altogether, but I do plan to heavily reducing my usage so I can stop wasting countless hours of precious time that could be spent doing literally anything else.
4) Get Serious With Business
2020 has been a rough year all-around. My largest business lost $25k this year, even though pre-COVID projected growth indicated it would perform 5 times as good as it did. On top of the losses and lack of growth in that business, being locked up virtually the entire year has taken a toll on my mental health. Instead of pursuing passions, and focusing on achieving my business (and personal) goals, I’ve taken a mental and physical sabbatical. And not the good kind, rather, the kind where I’ve watched too much Netflix, and have stayed in bed rather than tackle an invigorating workout that I know my body needs. So, this year, I plan to get my butt in gear, get back into a daily routine, and get serious with my business. My goal is still to make $1 million before I turn 30, and I now have just 2 short years to accomplish that. I expect 2021 will be a year of growth, discovery, and new achievements. Even if that means the occasional quarantine, more zoom meetings, and alternative backyard-workouts.
What are your goals for 2021? Comment below and let me know what your doing to stay accountable.
