Dedicated Simplicity.

Well it's the first of the year, 2006. As always that leads us to reviewing the past year and planning the next. You might guess that new year's resolutions are not exactly my favorite activity (you can read why in my last entry: action > planning > dreaming).

But I also understand that the process of creating new year's resolutions can be a powerful tool in making positive lifestyle changes. So here is a thought on approaching 2006.

Dedicated Simplicity

How many of us can be successful at everything we do? My observations are that most of us can not be successful at everything, but we all can be successful at something.

One of my hero's growing up was Deion Sanders, the professional football and baseball player. It was always inspiring to see someone be the best defensive back and returner in the NFL, then to bat at a high level in the World Series (which he did with the Atlanta Braves). An interesting fact about "Prime Time" is that during this period of time he wasn't successful in his personal life. (This story is told in his autobiography.)

As I continually narrow in on what I'd like to accomplish in the next 5 to 10 years, I also realize there will be things that I would like to do that will not happen. Why? Because to accomplish my primary goals, I must become dedicated and focused on those primary goals. The secondary goals will have to be put aside.

For my own goals, I need to be dedicated. And the goals need to be simple. I realize this because partial attempts at complexity or thoughts of succeeding at everything will only get me to where I'm at today.

So the first thing I'll do is list some ideas/thoughts/goals of things that I will not dedicate myself to in 2006.... to simplify my mental clutter:

1. no more pursuits of education (specifically, working towards my R.D.)
2. I will still not play a guitar
3. computer programming / web design, needs to become less of a hobby :)
4. no more day-dreaming about pursuing my Ph.D.

And Here's my list for 2006:

1. be involved in regular devotion/prayer (spiritual)
2. tell nikki "I love you" at least once every day (marriage)
3. re-establish a thoughtful approach to consumption / buying habits (financial)
4. build on personal training / coaching business (financial / work)
5. consistency of training, as few days off as possible (Ironman 4-5 yr. plan)

So there it is. I think I'm going to go to www.futureme.org and email the list to me in 2 months. Just a way to hold myself accountable.