| My Resolutions from start to finish
Below is a list of my resolutions in chronological order, or just about. I make them up as I go along. My intention is to document my progress against each one, explaining why I came up with it, what I found out about myself by attempting it, or who I've met or what experience it has led to. I am keen for people who read this blog to contribute ideas for more resolutions for me to consider. No promises I'll do them mind.
Resolution 1:
My first resolution of my 37th year is to stop defining myself by what I've achieved or what I may achieve in the future. Instead I will define myself based on who I am and what I stand for. The rest will be a consequence of that, not the other way around.
[I've done my best to live by this, but it's not easy. One to keep reminding myself of like a motto]
Resolution 2:
I'm going to ask five the people closest to me (my mum, dad, brother, wife and best mate) to write down what they'd like me to achieve in the second half of my life. Kinda contradicts first resolution, but hey ho.
[Got off to a slow start, but have had responses from my dad, my best mate and Becky, my wife. Need to chase my bro. My mum bought me a book called the Little Prince instead with clear instructions.]
Resolution 3:
I'm going to start a blog called Resolution 37, subject to that name not having some dark hidden double meaning i.e a dodgy far right group. I've since checked and the only reference I can find is to a UN Resolution from 1983 - http://www.un.org/documents/ga/res/37/a37r037.htm
[You're reading it, so job done on that front]
Resolution 4:
Bit of an odd one, but I'm going to sing in public while sober. I'm not a particularly great singer, but I figure it doesn't really matter. I will either join a choir, or find a reason to do a public performance.
[Not done this yet, but have swung in public while dressed as a sh*t Elvis.]
Resolution 5:
I would like to learn French. Now, this is the most unlikely of my resolutions so far, so I'll temper it by saying I will learn enough French so as not to be embarassed speaking what little I know at every opportunity while in France. Normally I speak English there, with the exception of a few "mercis" and "s'il vous plaits".
[Not done a thing on this one.]
Resolution 6:
I will go and see Test Match cricket and go to the races. Never been to either before.
[Becky has bought me and my dad tickets to Headingley next June to see England vs West Indies. Nice.]
Resolution 7
Going plural shouldn't just be the preserve of captains of industry, so this year I'm going to find out what it takes to be a non exec director or volunteer my professional services to a charity or good cause (PR/Comms dear, nothing else more racy), or guest lecture at my old uni.
[Quite pleased with this one. Did a guest lecture and more recently have been asked to become a trustee of a charity in Bradford.]
Resolution 8:
This one is kind of under wraps for now, but I'll keep you updated on progress as best I can without giving the game away. It is work life balance related.
[It was to take a career break and go travelling with the kids, but had to keep it quiet at first until my work colleagues knew. Definitely been the biggest and best resolution as it has enabled me to do so many others.]
Resolution 9:
I want to get to know someone in their 80s who served in the war. I never really knew any of my grandfathers, my dad's dad died when he (my dad) was only 8, and my mum's dad died when I was young.
I want to hear their stories first hand before it's too late.
[This is linked to Resolution 7 above. I'm volunteering with Age UK in Bradford now.]
Resolution 10:
Resolution number ten is to meet Roland Rat in person.
[Did it via Twitter instead. But pleased nonetheless.]
Resolution 11:
Make contact with a friend of the family who is going through a tough time at the moment.
[Made a bit of an effort and it paid off in spades. He's been a great help to me recently too.]
Resolution 12:
Being more spur of the moment, and talking to people you meet for the first time as if it is the last time you'll ever speak to them.
[I've tried my best to do this and had some interesting conversations as a result.]
Resolution 13:
Help get Rich Gillen a job in PR.
[Had a spurt of activity around a year ago. Need to give this more thought.]
Resolution 14:
Keep chickens, get a composter and a water butt for the garden etc. In other words try and recreate a bit of the Good Life in Saltaire.
[Still on the list.]
Resolution 15:
Bring my potter's wheel out of retirement.
[I've signed up to a pottery class in January 2012 at a local art workshop.]
Resolution 16:
Stop being lazy. Put more in and get more out.
[Hard to do in practice all of the time, but a good prompt every now and then.]
Resolution 17:
Watch one hour less each day of TV, and read a book instead.
[Hmm, not sure I've cracked this yet.]
Resolution 18:
Appear on a daytime television game show in order to earn a bit of money i.e. Come Dine With Me or Deal Or No Deal.
[Filled in my application but not heard back.]
Resolution 19:
Overcome a fear or phobia (via @broadfordbrewer).
[I jumped off the highest bungee bridge in the world. Didn't cure my fear of edges/heights, but it was A M A Z I N G !]
Resolution 20:
Become a bone marrow donor (just remembered I signed up to do this at work the other week).
[Bit of a cheat this one, as I did it, then set it as a resolution. Good cause tho, so forgive me.]
Resolution 21:
Learn to play a musical instrument (via @UKNetMonitor)
[Becky has bought me a Ukelele for Xmas.]
Resolution 22:
Write a romantic novel including a saucy sex scene.
[Broken Shackles is available to download from http://www.lulu.com - my alias is Adele Morley]
Resolution 23:
Visit a mosque, synagogue, sikh temple, buddhist temple and church in one week to find out more about each of the major religions (via @UKNetMonitor).
[Still on the list.]
Resolution 24:
Write my only song lyrics and record the track with real musicians.
[I have a master plan. Keeping it quiet for now.]
Resolution 25:
Follow my childhood dream to be a local radio DJ, to see whether I would've actually enjoyed it as a career.
[Hosted my first drivetime show on BCB 106.6FM on 23rd December 2011.]
Resolution 26:
[It is under wraps for now.]
Resolution 27:
Go on a really long bike ride
[I'm being encouraged to cycle from coast to coast next year in three days. Yet to be convinced.]
Resolution 28:
Write a book called: 'How to get the most out of your midlife. Crisis? What crisis?'
[Can't believe I hadn't already named this as one of my resolutions until now, but maybe it was a sign. Still haven't got past the introduction!]
Resolution 29:
Pretend I'm famous and appearing on Who Do You Think You Are? In other words, compile my family tree.
[My dad is doing most of the hard work, but we're spurring each other on.]
Resolution 30: Travel to all four corners of the earth before I’m 40 – whatever that means.
Resolution 31: Pitch a business idea to a venture capitalist (I have no idea what or to whom)
Resolution 32: Don’t allow my stinginess or careful approach to money get in the way of having fun
Resolution 33: Skydive (come on be fair, I’ve only had two out of 37 resolutions that resemble traditional mid-life crisis territory, this one and doing the bungee jump).
Resolution 34: Go snorkelling again on the Great Barrier Reef – it blew my mind first time round. Although I hated scuba diving.
Resolution 35: Get Hope and Social the gig of all gigs – on the same bill as Bruce Springsteen – I don’t know how, but I know it would make them happy, and they make me happy, so the least I can do is try
Resolution 36: Buy my mum an iPad and get her into using it
Resolution 37: Inspire other people to take a leap into the unknown by setting themselves a resolution or two | ||||||
