Replanning my life (again)
I recently made the decision to stop posting videos to Youtube, and instead to free up my time and devote it to more reading, more relaxation, and of course more Steemit exploration!
Though I had done all the calculations as to how much time Youtube was taking up theoretically, I don't think I knew just how much real time I would gain once I stopped planning, filming, editing, posting, writing descriptions, and promoting literally every single day!
I find that I now have to re-plan a whole chunk of time - essentially all the time that's not already spent at work. As it's the 1st of February, what better time to start?
Time Gained
All told, I think I've regained about 3 hours a day of free time from quitting Youtube.
Now I have no intention of quitting making videos (I already have a Dtube page up and running), but I want to spend less time worrying about all the extra toppings and get back to the meat (i.e. the content) of what I'm producing. I think Steemit and Dtube will definitely allow me to do this, whilst also keeping some of that newly gained free time.
New Goals
Some of these are year-long, 2018 goals, others are just general, others are shorter term
- Do more research into setting up my business and write up a fully fledged business plan
- Set up a book exchange (with my best friend!)
- Read at least one article in Chinese per day
- Have one conversation in Mandarin/ watch a 1 hour of Chinese TV per day
- Finish the reading and research for my article, to be ready for publication in September
- Post once to Steemit every day
- Find at least 10 interesting posts/people on Steemit to upvote, comment or follow every day
I don't think that's too ambitious, but my friends often tell me I'm wrong about that!!
Do you have any new years/general goals that you're trying to achieve? What are they? How are you doing so far?!
Great goals! I especially like that you are maintaining your current skills (language) while moving into other new areas of skill.
Deciding where to invest your time for maximum output is an important aspect in achieving one's goals. Your reevaluation is prudent. I think I need to do the same thing, myself. I have become a bit lazy in some respects. Time to refocus.
Looking forward to learning more about your business plan...
Thanks! I find the language the hardest thing to maintain and stay motivated in, so it's featured in pretty much every goals list I've ever written!
I do a plan at least every quarter, if just to keep myself focused and motivated. Sometimes nothing changes and it's just going back over the old plan, but it still helps. The business is still in the idea stages atm, if it gets going though I will definitely be sharing!
Reviewing and revising quarterly is a terrific idea! I just might have to incorporate that into my routine. I do stay focused only goals, and look at them often, but generally only revise them, annually.
Thanks for the idea!
It's always good to periodically reassess what you're pouring your time and energy into, to figure out if it's really worth it and getting you where you want to be. A lot of people struggle with this. I know I have, in the past. As a 5+ year freelancer, I've taken on more than my share of stressful time-sucks with less than satisfactory compensation. My current philosophy is not to commit to new projects unless I personally feel awesome about doing them. The only exceptions to that rule are a couple of clients I've had for years, whose monthly payments form the bulk of my income. I'm not passionate about the writing work I do for them, but it's only a few hours a week and I've already formed the habit of doing it. I still have plenty of other time for things like Steemit and my science fiction writing.
I like that your list of goals is very simple and satisfaction-oriented. I used to make epic lists of goals for myself for each new year, but in 2018 I'm trying something a little different. I've identified three imperatives for my life (Create, Elevate, Thrive) and my goal is to do something related to each of those three things each day. Interesting results, so far. I've written a lot more, both fiction and non-fiction, and more importantly, I've been finishing up more projects rather than letting them languish in various states of non-completion as I've long been wont to do. I've been spending more quality time with family and friends, and making more time for things I enjoy like reading and traveling. Also, I'm making healthier choices with my diet and lifestyle, and it hasn't even been hard to do. All in all, I think not having a massive list of goals has been a good move for me.
I agree that sometimes people don't reassess their goals or the reasons behind doing what they're doing frequently enough. I think people are afraid of the label of 'failure' and so dont want to give things up, even of it's bringing them no happiness or benefit. Like you pointed out, work is different, it has benefits even when it's not more spiritually fulfilling. But if you started doing something to bring you joy/wealth/friends and it's not doing that, then you should feel free to let it go.
I also recently changed my life philosophy! I always set myself a grand goal, and then try to bend everything in my life to accommodate that goal no matter how uncertain it was or how painful the process. Now I think more about what I can do in the present that can create opportunities for the future. I think there's an element of you Create, Elevate, Thrive philosophy in there, which is such a direct and beautiful way of putting it, I may have to co-opt it!
I agree that keeping the list small makes achieving things easier, and it looks like it's allowing you to be fulfilled in other areas of your life too. I'm excited to see some of your finished projects!