Not the usual New Year's Resolution

Today is the 2nd calendar day of 2008, 1st working day of 2008, yet I do not feel like I have crossed the year. Unlike the previous years where I normally spent the last few days of the “old” year and 1st few days of the “new” year on reflection and planning, this year the crossover was just like any other normal day.

So I thought I should spend the morning on reflection and planning for the new year, but I was swamped by work – phone calls, e-mails, etc.

Nevertheless, I told myself that no matter what, I must still set myself a few key goals within these few days, not the usual new year resolution (which will not be kept anyway), but some goals that will guide me towards living my desired 2nd half.

Here's my initial thoughts on the top 5 goals (subject to changes of course, haha):

1) Manage my personal finance better – apply what I learnt from the Millionaire Mind Intensive seminar by T Harv Eker. One area that I am committed to pick up is stock investment. The other area is finding my niche area in the internet marketing space.

2) Attain the professional qualifications that are relevant and key to my 2nd career – have identified 3-4 relevant qualifications in total. Started one of them last year, but have not completed it as I kept procrastinating! The other one is one that I have put off for years!

3) Active networking, expand both my social and professional circle, get to know a few of my new friends better. Participate actively and enthusiastically in the alumni and professional society that I am currently in – at least 1-2 activities per month.

4) Spend time in nurturing my body, mind and soul. Live a healthy lifestyle, get in touch with the nature, attend to my garden, read at least 2 books per month, attend 4 self-improvement seminar, etc. There is a whole lot that I want to achieve here, but think I need to focus and be more specific :-)

5) Community involvement - contribute something back to the society, going beyond the “bread delivery routine”

Most important of all, I am committed to develop a deeper level of understanding of my life purpose and my 2nd half.

Coca Cola's Mission

This is one of my favorite ZO Cards. All of us should also adopt this as our life mission. Enjoy and have fun!

Living with Passion, Purpose and Peace

The 10 Ancient Rituals of Radiant Living

Ritual of Solitude
Ritual of Physicality
Ritual of Live Nourishment
Ritual of Abundant Knowledge
Ritual of Personal Reflection
Ritual of Early Awakening
Ritual of Music
Ritual of the Spoken Word
Ritual of a Congruent Character
Ritual of Simplicity

I extracted the above from the book, The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari: A Fable About Fulfilling Your Dreams & Reaching Your Destiny, authored by Robin Sharma. I bought this book as early as 5 years ago, but I did not read it until 3 years later. I remember it was one of my friends who strongly recommended that I read this book, as I was feeling uncertain about myself at that time.

The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari tells the story of a lawyer forced to confront his out-of-balance life, when he embarks upon an extraordinary journey where he discovers the wisdom to live with passion, purpose, and peace.

The story was very captivating, I remember I couldn’t stop reading the book once I started it – I carried it with me everywhere I went, I read it in the bathroom, I read it before I sleep, I read it while waiting for people and I read it when I was in the park.

The story was extraordinary, thought provoking and yet inspiring. It challenged me to take a hard look at myself, to question my purpose in life, to slow down, to understand happiness, to seek peace within myself, to strike a balance in life, etc.

The above 10 rituals is a constant reminder to me that I need to live a balanced life with purpose and passion. Therefore I have them printed on a paper and pinned it up on the wall that I can see everyday.

Last year, a colleague gave me this book as a Christmas present, not knowing that I have one. Recently I loaned this book to a friend, a few days later, she asked me if she could keep The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari as she really loved it. Of course I said yes.