I spent a few (too many) hours over the holiday reading some of my old journals.

Keeping a journal was something I started twenty some odd years ago, inspired if I recall by something I read in a JFK biography, he was never without a pocket sized notebook to collect his thoughts.

The other benefit, which I’m sure came from a plethora of self-help reading, was the brain dump. You lay it all out there, the good, bad, the ugly and you move on.

It works and I keep one to this day, albeit for milestone entries that are penned these days maybe 2-3 times per year. All are written in cursive, what was once tight and pristine for me is now much looser and barely legible.

Sign of the times.

The one remaining check I write each year to my County Clerk and these journal entries are all that allow me to maintain the lost art of penmanship.

One steadfast part of those entries was my year end review, my chance to score myself on seven key areas of “life” adapted from one of my favorite books.

I couldn’t help but chuckle, sometimes a tad uncomfortably I might add, at some of the reflections and “goals”. Some remain unfulfilled to this day.

Many will remain unfulfilled indefinitely.

For that very reason I abandoned the routine several years ago.

I decided it was better, for me personally, to instead just pick some areas to improve.

No numbers, no deadlines, just improve on a few things and hold yourself accountable to do so.

Fantastic article in this weekend’s WSJ that speaks to a similar concept.

I couldn’t agree more. Most “resolutions” are shed before Feb 1, it’s time for a different approach.

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I would be remiss if I didn’t wrap up the post with some things I am trying to “improve on” this year?

I will spare you the intimate intricate details and just leave with you the gist. You can thank me later:

1. Listen to The Ring. In my case my new Oura Ring 4 purchased last year when it was released. It has opened my eyes to a level of personal wellness tracking that I had no idea existed. I must listen and act.
2. Listen to Fewer Podcasts. I am starting to realize the plethora of podcasts available is a telling sign of a soon to be passing trend. In ’24 I fell into the trap of allowing largely consensus views to skew my own strategies. No more.
3. Get Dirty. Motorcycles are my passion. I tore my ACL on a Honda 2-stroke in 2013 (I knew better, I never did like Honda) and I don’t ride much anymore but I have some fabulous (soon to be vintage) Kawasaki hardware in the downstairs garage that would benefit from some elbow grease. Put some Sirius XM First Wave on and get busy.
4. Get Physical. Not the Olivia Newton John variety (although I did cover that in point 1) I am talking about manual labor. I am already lining out some landscaping and construction projects that are long overdue. Put the earbuds in and get busy.
5. Chill. Everyone’s life journey is different and when I look forward I see a lot of stressful non-optional events. I can only control what I can control. The more I do each day to prepare myself mentally, physically and dare I say spiritually for what lies ahead, the better shot I have at coming out on the other end. Stop to smell the roses pal, take time to sit and stare. Enjoy now.

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Resolutions in 2025? No. Not Really.

Resolve? Sir yes Sir.

Regards and Happy New Year.