My 2023 Resolutions
If you’ve followed along with me for at least a year, you know I’m a New-Years’-Resolution-kind-of-guy. This is something I’ve written about before. In fact, I had a “part one” and “part two” blog post on this last year.
Throughout November and December, I spend some time thinking about and planning what I’d like to accomplish in the coming 12 months. I rarely achieve perfection; I have 12 goals spanning six different categories, which feels ambitious. Sometimes life gets in the way, but I always end the year further along than I began.
Here is a rundown of a few of my goals, with some of the more private ones redacted.
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Financial
Become a Bitcoin expert
I spent all of 2022 studying Bitcoin. I’m more convinced now than ever that Bitcoin is going to revolutionize our monetary system. Our broken, debt-based fiat system that can be manipulated at the whim of a group of unelected bureaucrats is insane, in the purest sense of the word, if you understand it even just a bit.
Once a world power opens its eyes and starts demanding payment for goods in the world’s hardest money (e.g., Russia demands Bitcoin for oil and natural gas instead of increasingly worthless Euros or dollars), all bets are off.
If I’m wrong, I’ll have learned a lot about Austrian economics, technology, and philosophy in my pursuit. If I’m right, well, I’ll be grateful.
Relational
Be the ultimate gentleman to my girls
I wrote a Reflection about this a few weeks ago, so I won’t go into too much detail. Long story short is that I want to be much more intentional about modeling good, masculine behavior to my kids (and for the benefit of my wife).
Part of that is being a consistent gentleman, and obviously so.
No checking my phone with family/friends
This is a big one for a lot of people. My new rule is that unless I’m checking the time or looking something up that is 1) urgent or 2) relevant to my conversation with those in the room, no phone.
We are all missing more of our lives than we’d like to think because our heads get buried in screens. If you can’t avoid looking at your phone, it is an addiction.
Learning
Become an expert in Stoicism
Each year, I have a specific topic that I seek to learn on a deep level. Last year started as “crypto” and turned into “Bitcoin.”
This year, my focus is Stoicism. Stoicism is a philosophy based on establishing virtue in one’s life and, more interesting to me, developing a strong appreciation for what can and cannot be controlled.
We all worry about circumstances outside of our influence and control. Stoicism, in large part, aims to thwart this instinct.
Career
Start a Bitcoin side hustle
As I mentioned above, Bitcoin is not only an interest of mine, but will occupy a good deal of my attention this year.
I’ve decided that, in addition to my typical work, I am going to start a Bitcoin-related “side hustle”. The caveat is that this does not have to be a project that necessarily generates income, but could simply be used to establish an audience in the space.
To that end, I’ve created Black Hat Bitcoin, which will be a very brief newsletter and Youtube channel specifically designed for people that don’t care that much about Bitcoin. If you know you should learn a little bit about Bitcoin but will never dive down the rabbit hole, this newsletter may be for you. I’ll keep it short and sweet (and simple).
Health
Do the splits
Health goals are always a bit tricky because I’m a workout/fitness challenge kind of guy with a very specific diet already in place.
My greatest physical weakness – and it isn’t even close – is my lack of flexibility. I’m doing a stretching program five nights a week, but I’ve added doing the splits to my goals just for the challenge. This is one that could take me right up to December 31st…
Five minutes of daily breath work
I’ve done traditional meditation but it just isn’t something I can really get into. That said, I know I ought to be intentionally slowing my heart rate and taking some deep breaths each day.
I found a five minute breathing (“meditation”) video on Youtube that seems adequate. I’ve done it everyday and will continue to do so unless I get a better recommendation.
Spiritual
Read one relevant book per month
An unwritten goal of mine is to become a better reader. I enjoy reading, but distractions abound and I let them get to me. No more.
As of January 9th, I’ve already finished my first faith-based book, Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis – shoutout to my sister for suggesting such an awesome read.
I already have a list of the 12 Christian books and the 12 books on Stoicism that I’ll be reading each month.
Read one chapter of the Bible each day
This is a habit I’ve mostly kept the last few years, but I’m trying to be better about focusing, reading, and comprehension as I go.
My plan is to work through the Bible linearly, starting in Proverbs.
To keep me on track, I’ve put a ton of daily reminders into my Reminders app on my phone. Each morning, I am reminded to read The Daily Stoic, read a chapter of the Bible, do my breathing, and be a gentleman.
Around lunch time, I’m reminded to practice the splits. In the evening, I am notified that it’s time to read (if I didn’t get to in the morning) and to do my stretches.
I hate having unfinished reminders on my phone, so this simple irritation is motivation enough to get me to do what I need to do.
I also print my goals on business cards with Canva and use them as bookmarks to keep my eyes on my goals each time I open a book or notebook.
New Years’ Resolutions are tough, but given the right organization and system, I’ve found them to be something that can be readily tackled. My method is far from fool-proof, but I’ve made more progress each year since using some of these tricks.
I’m looking forward to a great 2023 and to accomplishing some new and exciting things. Cheers and best wishes to you in this new year.
What are some of your goals? And how are you setting out to accomplish them? Send me your thoughts at michael@theothermichaeljordan.com. I hope to hear from you.
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