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My 2015 New Year’s Resolutions

My 2015 New Year’s Resolutions

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My 2015 New Year’s Resolutions will be different again! Normally, I do not make New Year’s Resolutions because I do not believe in them. Why wait for a particular date to resolve or promise to make changes? Changes such as weight loss, quit smoking or drinking, get out of debt, or something else can start at anytime. What are you doing about your New Year’s Resolutions?

Normally, I put together three to five resolutions and report my progress quarterly. I will continue to do that, but my resolutions have changed significantly. I will continue to make changes in my blog and other changes, but I have changed my priorities. The last few years have been difficult! My career in teaching has changed significantly. I love my career, but I have suffered setbacks because I teach (Business/Computers) what the school district thinks is unnecessary.

Preparing my students for college or career is a district goal, but computer applications do not have relevance. Business courses such as Personal Finance, Career Exploration or Virtual Business has lost importance as well. Elective classes provide more than just a subject my students may have a passing interest. Emphasis has switched to test scores as more students drop out of school. My students learn practical skills for school and career. One of the skills I learned and practiced throughout my life is determination or persistence! In other words, I do not give up on my goals although the time frame may change.

My 2015 New Year’s Resolutions are the following:

  • Taking Time off – I included this goal for two years. My wife and I went to New York last year for a week and expect to do it this year too. If I keep it as a goal, I am more apt to try to achieve it again. I already have a week scheduled in New York and I want to add a two week European river cruise this summer. In addition, I want to take at least two weekends away.  I am not giving up on this one!
  • Read one book a week – A few years ago, I read two books a week for entire year. I decided to do it to improve my writing. I think it helped, but it was fun to read all those books. Most were mysteries and a few with business books. In fact, I read a twenty book series by one author.  It was great to follow the characters through all the stories. Now that I have a permanent assignment, one book a week is a more reasonable goal.
  • Take an online class – I was thinking of learning a programming language. Nearly forty years ago, I programmed in APL. I used it to create a monthly analysis of the company’s performance. It was like a mini annual report. This was before spreadsheets such as Microsoft Excel. I am not sure if it will be a programming class, but I will take an online class.
  •  What’s left? –I could pay off debt, but I do not have any except for a small mortgage and car loan.  I am already paying additional principle on my mortgage and car loan to have them paid off in two and half years..  I max out my retirement savings in my 403B, IRA and Roth IRA.  I suppose I could invest more or payoff my mortgage, but I choose to travel instead.
  • There are some personal habits I think I will work on, but it is unnecessary to include them in my resolutions.  I plan on smiling more, you know match what I feel inside with my outside.  I do not need to lose weight, stop drinking or  quit smoking.  Some may call me boring!  I would like to think of myself as a role model!  Can I workout more, I doubt it!

These are my 2015 New Year’s Resolutions!  I did not give up on old resolutions and I will include any progress on those when appropriate.  Failure only occurs when you actually give up.  My 2015 New Year’s Resolutions are next stage of change and I will continue to make changes.

Photo by:  Flickr

Comments

  1. Wowser! You read 2 books a week for an entire year. I’m not a super fast reader, but that would take up pretty much all of my time!! :S

    I also like your goal of taking an online class. Its always good to expand your knowledge. I’m hoping to learn a little of the programming language for iOS in order to help me make small modifications to my existing apps without having to go to a 3rd party every time…

    All the best for 2015 – I look forward to following you throughout the year!! 🙂

    • Thanks, reading just one book a week will be a stretch this year. I am already halfway through (The Innovators) and it is only the second of January! All the best for the new year to you.

  2. Reading one book each week will be huge! My reading goal is to read 15 personal finance books and possibly 5 self-improvement books. Happy new year!

  3. I like your goal of traveling more–I think that sounds fabulous! We also hope to do more regional travel in New England in 2015. Reading a book a week is a good aim too! Best wishes for a wonderful 2015.

    • Thanks, I enjoy a mix of local and overseas travel. I can enjoy a long weekend at the beach as much as a couple weeks in Europe.

    • Thanks, you have to start with a book you are really interested in. I read “The Innovators” in less than 3 days and it is close to 500 pages. Normally, I prefer mysteries and it takes me a little longer to finish them.

    • It helps that my debt is very small (Mortgage: under $30k & car loan: $10k)! Congratulations on the interview.I tried writing a book once and stopped after a few chapters. It is much harder than it looks.

  6. I’ve found online programming courses to be right in my wheelhouse. The material was suited to me pausing and going back as many times as needed to understand a point.

    I also took an online history course and an online geography course. Both were enjoyable, but I would have preferred to just read the books in those course.

    If you do the river cruise, I’d be curious to know the itinerary and how it went!

  7. The online course idea is a great one. I have yet to take one, but have a few targeted. As for books, 2 per week is incredible. Even reading 1 per week is outstanding. I’m off to a good start with my own reading, with both a health book and a business book.