Paul’s New Year Resolutions for 2014

I've been seeing a lot of people, when asked if they make New Year's resolutions, talk about the fact that they don't because they seek to improve every day of the year. What a great answer. The Japanese concept of 'kaisen', or, continuous improvement, is part of what has given the cars from that country their reputation for reliability. Consistent, reliable improvement is truly the way to do it. So, to those of you who don't make specific resolutions, go!

I, on the other hand, like to combine continuous improvement with specific goals. It's kind of like programming the GPS. If I don't put an end destination, I'm not going to get there.

Here are my main resolutions for this year, along with integration points that kind of bring them all together. I don't want to completely delineate one activity from another, but rather have them all be a part of a sustained (and hopefully effortless) effort.

Mind

Distraction is the demon of the decade, and I'm going to destroy it. In The Charge, Brendon Burchard talks about how much time we waste every day, and the numbers are staggering. Up to four hours of TV and another two mindlessly surfing? How many empires could be built over the life span of such activities?

About some other distractions, Burchard makes his famous quip...

The inbox is nothing but an organizing system for other people's agendas.

...and he goes on to suggest that we forgo checking our email all day long and do so only once in the morning and maybe, if we have time, in the afternoon.

My desire to stop being mindlessly distracted makes me want to sell my Facebook stock, even though it's gaining at this point, because I don't think I'm the only one who feels that the website isn't serving me as much as it is distracting me.

Integration points - Breathing, meditation, yoga; all of these things are there to try to help me calm my mind, to stop it from going in a million directions at once. Pranayama is difficult to explain, but is summed up pretty well by this excerpt from an article on it in YogaJournal.com

Pranayama is meant to nurture a high level of bodily health and mental clarity, both of which are crucial steps on the path to self-knowledge and a wholesome, authentic life.

If I can bring the tenets of my practice of meditation and yoga to my everyday life, focus, concentration, and productivity should follow.

Body

I am going to keep eliminating dairy, while still enjoying incredible meals made up of whatever I want, just every so often.

I am going to find cleaner, more humane sources of meat.

I am going to practice yoga as much as I possibly can.

Integration Points - Breathing, turning inward, staying in the present moment will be the focus of my workouts, whether it is yoga, running, swimming, or whatever. Bringing my focus within will deepen my practice and should help in the other areas of life.

Money

I'm going to keep the amount to myself, but suffice to say that I set financial goals for myself every year. It can be tricky. Without a goal that stretches me, I won't grow, and at the same time, I can only accomplish things that lie within what I truly believe (see Psycho Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz). So, for me to say I want to make $100 million this year may be fine and good, but if I don't truly believe with my soul that I can do it, it's kind of pointless. I've never had much trouble believing in my own potential, and I'll just say I expect this year to be a good one.

Integration Points - Gratitude is a key of a spiritual foundation. To be thankful for what I have brings me closer to my higher power. I will look at money as just another extension of the incredible abundance I enjoy; like air, water, food, love, safety, opportunity; all of these are abundantly provided. Money will be as well.

Career

I am adding 'wedding officiant' to my list of things I can do this year. So, yes, I can DJ, and now I can also perform the wedding ceremony as well. My goal is to be the best, most dynamic and interesting 'spiritual not religious' wedding officiant in Colorado.

I am publishing my first chapter book for kids. Stranded in a Snowstorm is an action adventure story with themes of survival and sustainability. My goal is to learn as much as I can about launching a successful book and having it compliment the other multimedia aspects of the Green Radventures empire.

TRI 102.5 and TRI1025.com - I have been trying to make our morning show stand out by being the opposite of what you hear on most radio stations. My goal is to encourage and inspire my listeners and readers to live a healthy and happy life. I will continue to do so by pointing out different ways that people can accomplish this such as books, seminars, ideas and ideals.

Integration Points - Service is at the heart of many good things. I will treat all my businesses and professional endeavors as services; to my listeners, clients, partners, and readers.