I usually write this around my birthday, but this year was super busy and I didn’t get the chance in January. This is the first time I’m doing this in the open because in past years I felt like it was too personal to share. I took this idea from Brad Feld who I worked for in college and is part of one of the investors who invested in my first company, I’ve been doing it since I was 22 basically, just privately. It’s just a checkin on goals for the year.
There’s a lot of chaos in the world right now (I think everyone is feeling this), but this year at least for me is about one thing balance. There’s a lot that’s out of my control, but for what is, I want to make the most impact possible.
Goals
Nudge, don’t push
I think that in the past I’ve let my ego get the best of me. I’m important, but not THAT important. I mean I am, to my friends, family and community, but if you look at impact, the more you try to will something into the world, the harder it gets. Maybe though, with the correct thought small nudges can actually go a long ways (blogging, releasing new products etc etc). A similar idea goes for friends and family, the more you push someone to be who you want them to be, the more they’ll push back.
Invest in Community
There have been a few communities that have resonated with me a lot over the last year. I’m planning on engaging more with YC founders as well as some with the community in Colorado that is working on rekindling it’s startup community.
Stay Sober
For a long time, I lied to myself about how big of a problem drinking had become. It was a daily, habitual thing, and stopping it taught me about how much it changed my brain (structurally). I quit and found a community to help me do that in September of last year, and it’s been one of the most positive things I’ve ever done for myself. I’ll write about this more eventually, but I never want to go back to that way of living.
Find a Different Way to be Healthy
A lot of my bad habits (ie alcohol as an example) were just a way to cope with discontent, whether it was work or relationships. It’s really fun thought to go skiing on a Wednesday or go backpacking with your friends for a week. I think all of the existing workout stuff preaches consistency, but maybe there’s a way to be consistently active and healthy without being too perscriptive on sticking with a certain routine. Weightlifting is fun, but maybe not super fun 10 times a week.