It’s been a great holiday vacation. Got to see the kids, my friends, and my family. Had a pile of fun. My son tested positive for the plague and came back to Minnesota with me early for some no-symptom-quarantine. All in all a great couple of weeks. And now it’s time to put a bow on this year and get planning the next. For those who don’t know I’m a bit of a productivity nerd. By that I mean I read books about different systems, my YouTube labyrinth is filled with gurus of all methods. For whatever reason that is probably control based as organizing my thoughts calms my stormy brain.
For the last four or five years my tradition has been to research or modify whatever I’m going to try in the upcoming calendar year to get set. I then usually spend the unhungover part of New Year’s Day starting my process. (and yes there is a process which I will explain) it all starts with a review of the previous year. Unlike previous years this has already begun. These are the things from my big 2021 list:
Pay for the last year of college. (This was part of the agreement that I signed up for and while it has been a struggle I’m happy to do it. I just sent the final tuition payment this morning so that just leaves miscellany and living expenses. Can’t say I’m not excited about graduation) this was only half done so it moves on to this year as well.
Bring credit score back up to former heights. (The divorce caused me some troubles in this area but all is back up where it should be and this brings me a measure of peace. I am not nor ever will be a wealthy man but I pride myself in paying for my shit) crossed off the list and making room for another big goal.
Find someone who makes me happy. (This goal was probably more wishful thinking than an actual attainable. I’m struggling as to how it will move on to 2022. I’m in a weird spot here and can’t even figure out how to explain it.) some version of this thought will move to the new year.
Grow my role in the company. (done and dusted. The dicking I took at the end of the year has taken some of the luster off of this accomplishment but I got a lot done and am proud of my career advancement) This year will be about improvement over advancement and keeping my shit together about perceived wrong doing aimed my way.
Start saving some money. (This one is on hold until school is out. Along with the tuition there are the living expenses and that is no small nut. My child has a part time gig which will take a bit of the load but nothing that will allow much in the savings department) this one moves to 2023
And now begins the work of setting up this year’s system. I will be using a combination Bullet Journal, GTD, and Hipster PDA. I realize that I just spoke Greek to most folks but those who wanted to know now know. I am also going digital again this year and heading back to my old friend NoteShelf. Not the most popular of the note taking apps out there but a workhorse that isn’t trying to flick me in the wallet once a month for yet another subscription.
I fully own the fact that this was some boring geeky stuff I just wrote down but this just happens to be the thing currently consuming my thoughts. Tomorrow night is covered as I have a quasi date of sorts. It’s an old friend and there is no spark between us but she knew I wasn’t doing anything because we both politely declined other plans as they felt like a trap. My other invitation came complete with “there will be a lot of single people our age there…” which feels like “let’s get Tom a girlfriend for his birthday…” No thank you very much.
Happy New Year! And thanks for reading this nonsense, especially this post.