2025 Theme

I spent a large part of the last year working on building a stronger foundation for my life. This year, I want to take what’s already been laid down to move forward and continue pushing forward. My 2025 theme is “Year of Action”

Action can be activities, but it can also be more active decision making in what I’m doing during the between time. One motto I’m using is “reduce TOP (time on phone), increase TOF (time on feet)”. The more active participation in life, the better. Sometimes that’s relaxing and consuming a movie or TV show, but the focus is on choosing the time to properly focus instead of sliding through the days. I’d like to also reduce my overall screen time from watching slop (YouTube, Instagram reels, etc). Using the first week of January as an example, I’m at about 8hrs with a large portion of that entertainment or games. I’d rather use some of this time to read books or do activities I enjoy with others.

Some of the potential “actions” for the year I’ve considered and will be working on how to make progress. I’m not committing to all but I am wanting a documented list so I can refer back after a few months and stay inspired to make improvements towards. I’ve added a little context below each for what I’m wanting to do and why it’s on the list. Also, I am more than likely going to add different ones during the year or remove some as situations change. This is just an initial list. I’ll review in December how I did and how the list got shifted.

• Sign up and train for a marathon

  • I’m not sure if this is something I want to do (it is something active that has a defined training/accomplishment dynamic). I would rather spend my exercise/training time doing other activities but maybe it’ll do me good to have the lodestar of “finish a marathon”.

• Join a climbing gym

  • I started rock climbing with a friend last year and found it quite enjoyable. I have a pair of climbing shoes so signing up for a monthly membership could be good way to continue trying the sport out.

• Swim/water polo once a week

  • I used to play water polo multiple times a week during college and have the desire to get back into the pool. Some of it is the general exercise and some of it is the social aspect of spending time with folks outside of work. I need to determine how this fits into my current schedule and then sign up for it. The first two or three will be a little rough/learning but once I’m in the groove it should be smoother.

• Train my chess skills

  • Currently I’m around a 1400 on Chess.com. There’s 2 parts to why I want to improve at my skills. One the development on my longer-term critical thinking skills, being able to explore a line and evaluate the pros/cons of the resulting position. Another is just the petty ego boost of knowing that “I’m a XXXX rated player”. This could also result in me signing up for a classical chess competition and seeing how I do. But I’d like to properly train before attempting that.

• Attending church

  • Trying to get into the weekly habit of attending a service at church. Potentially doing more within the community but I’m wanting a low but achievable goal to target.

• Set doctors’ appointment (dentist, eye, general?)

  • It’s been a few years since I’ve gone and done my checkups. I need to bite the bullet and set up appointments for each. This is

• Journal Habit?

  • I want to build my journaling habit. Not only does it seem like a healthy way to decompress for the day, but I’ve also read a lot about people in the past that used it as a great way to document their feelings over time and in situations. I have the means, it’s more of building the muscle to consistently do it.

• Become Scuba certified (with Patrick)

  • This is something that shouldn’t take too much time (a couple weekends) and has a nice validation at the end (the actual certificate). Plus, I have a potential partner to help keep me aligned to achieving this goal.

• Get an Op-Ed published

  • I’d like to continue growing my thinking by sharpening my writing. Writing an Op-Ed and getting it published is a good way to have external measure that I’m making progress towards a stronger mind. I’ve started developing a strong interest in global politics

Some other ideas I’ve had floating around in my head. Taking a sibling trip somewhere (just us kids), hosting "philosophical dinners” with friends where we talk about more high-brow society items. Maybe these will amount to activities or maybe not. Just documenting ideas for the future.