40 under 40

2 Weeks In

2012-02-06T15:16:00.000-05:00

2 weeks into this thing, I'm still going strong - but habits are tough to form.

I bumped my swimming up to 4 times this week, still falling short of the 5-time goal. I ran with the puppy a few times, still way short of the everyday goal.

However... I AM beginning to notice an obvious void in my gut area. While I'm only down 3 pounds from last week, the visual affirmation is really rewarding. 180 or bust.

I have started my efforts at nurturing old friendships and am excited to see those guys more.

On the career front... I ended January with a sales total of just under $96k, well above the $60k needed to meet my $720k/year goal.

Upward and onward.

Building Habits

2012-01-30T11:28:00.000-05:00

I've found that this first week is more about building habits than pushing for immediate results.

As for my results over the past week, I fell short of my physical goals a bit. I only swam Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Also, we had some horrible weather last week so I decided not to venture onto the ice with Abe until Sunday. What's become glaringly obvious this week is the need to utilize any free time allowed in the schedule. I have a pretty hectic travel schedule on Tuesday's so that will need to be my built-in rest day. I also have a 4-yr old, a 1-yr old, and all the scheduling problems that come with young kids along with a puppy in training classes. Since it seems to be the only time where conflicts can be avoided, I need to be more diligent with an early morning routine. Luckily, I have a later flight than usual tomorrow morning so I'll be able to put my new schedule into immediate action.

As far as my actual exercise in concerned, I'm very proud of my progress. I'm now doing a mile in the pool without stopping and 2 miles running with Abe. I've been working hard at controlling my portion size at meals, the healthy aspect of the food isn't such a problem in my house. I've started drinking at least 1 gallon of water per day. I have a feeling that was reflected in my lack of weight loss this week (1 gallon = 9 lbs.).

Here's to another week of moving forward!

2012 Goals

2012-01-23T10:57:00.001-05:00

Taking a page from the playbook of one of my oldest and best friends, Jason Becker, and creating a yearly goals list. He comprises his list in an easy and concise manner, 3 topics - Relationships/ Physical/ and Career (he words them different) with 3 bullets to each topic. Here are mine:

I    - Relationships
         A. Join networking group
         B. Nurture old friendships
         C. Meet other Dad's

II   - Physical
         A. Swim 5 days per week
         B. Run or Walk Abe every day
         C. Get down to and maintain a weight of 180 lbs. (208 at the start)

III  - Career
         A. Open 2 new large accounts
         B. Work 2 days with each salesman
         C. $720,000 in 2012 sales

40 under 40

2012-01-23T10:34:00.002-05:00

40 under 40 is my version of a life list or bucket list, with the distinction that I aim to accomplish all tasks by my 40th birthday. Why 40? Simple, it's a round number.

So, here goes...

~~1 - Get organized, De-clutter~~
- ~~Office~~ - ~~Home~~
~~2 - Keep a current calendar~~
3 - Read before bed
4 - Use one alarm without the snooze button
5 - Visit all 50 States
- driving through doesn't count
6 - Travel abroad
7 - Learn a foreign language
8 - Take Kelly out on 1 date per month
9 - Run a marathon
10 - Take Christian and Olivia out alone for Daddy time every other week
11 - Pay off my debts
12 - Start a company
13 - Buy a company
14 - Sell a company
15 - Run for a political office
16 - Make a public speech
17 - Get a single-digit handicap
18 - Take a spontaneous vacation
~~19 - Take a golf trip~~
20 - Have a cigar in Cuba
21 - Skydive
22 - Complete a 1/2 Ironman
23 - Go camping. Real camping.
~~24 - Catch a fish~~
25 - Go hunting
26 - See a World Cup
27 - Coach one of the kids sports teams
28 - Drive to Alaska and go salmon fishing
29 - Attend a black-tie ball
30 - Get a pilot's license
31 - Fly in a hot air balloon
32 - Mentor someone
33 - Move this blog to a real website that I design
34 - Buy an heirloom watch
35 - Buy a really nice bed set (sheets, duvet, pillows, etc.)
36 - Slaughter and butcher a pig or cow
37 - Renew my vows
38 - Spend an entire summer living in another city
39 - Spend a New Years Eve with my family in a ski cabin surrounded by snow. Alone.
40 - Make my Dad proud

My Third Decade

2012-01-23T10:27:00.000-05:00

Six months ago I started a private blog as a way to inspire myself at a time when my life lacked momentum and boredom was starting to morph into depression.

When I began the blog I quickly jotted down 40 items I'd like to accomplish before my 40th birthday. I put down the first things that came to mind and simply drew a line after 40. Needless to say, many things have changed over the last 6 months. I've crossed a few items off the list. My personal and professional lives are pretty great right now, but I desperately want both to be better.

I turn 30 next month. In anticipation of this, I'm renewing my blogging and opening it up to others to see as well. While the central topic will remain my list and pursuit of accomplishing all my goals, that's not enough to fill a blog with. I'm also going to show progress on my shorter term goals. I'll undoubtedly have some posts on random topics seen through my eyes.

This will be a blog about figuring out what kind of man I want to be, how I plan on becoming that man, and my progress towards him.

At its very least, this blog will be a personal journal of my 30's. At its greatest, some will read my scribblings and be inspired to become the best possible version of themselves.