Most people start thinking about the new year in late December. Not me. I often start considering goals and updating my website in October or November. It’s that time of year.
If you’ve followed me since my minimalist days, you might remember that I made an annual post every December. I’d offer a list of resolutions and goals and cross my fingers. About half of my goals were not easily attainable and I’d miss the mark every year. Then about six or seven years ago I said fuck it. No more specific goals.
I still need to hit the reset button.
So, I’m kind of done with setting specific goals about social media, book writing, money, exercise etc. Instead, I tend to occasionally hit the reset button and make general observations about what I’m doing and where I’m going in life.
Of course, life is uncertain, and I like to remain open to spontaneous opportunities, so none of this is written in stone. But here are a few things I’d like to do in the coming year.
10 things I hope to do before the end of next year.
- Give my website a simple remodel.
- Continue writing and recording songs and music.
- Write poetry and consider short story.
- Keep walking regularly and participate in other physical activities.
- Monitor my health and see experts on my blood condition.
- Read on a fairly regular basis.
- Consider a second piece of real estate in Kansas or Missouri.
- Retire from my current job and move back to Maine.
- Create a YouTube Studio in a different location and focus on a few strategies to promote the channel.
- Travel and work on becoming a better photographer.
Sounds like a lot, but it’s actually simple.
I’m sure I might think of more, like get a dog or get rid of extra stuff, but that’s the basic list. And here’s the thing. I wrote this list in about five minutes and everything on the list is very doable.
I will likely accomplish at least 8 or 9 things on this list, maybe all of them. Why? Because they are primarily extensions of what I’m already doing. The plans have been set in motion. Number 7 is likely the least certain, but note I said, “consider.” I did not suggest I would definitively buy a second piece of real estate.
So there you have it, an early list of things I hope to accomplish in 2026. I encourage you to make your own list, but keep it relatively loose.
Let’s stay in touch. – dse
