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The Next 365

posted on April 11, 2011

This morning finds me in full on reflective mood as I look back at the last 365 days.

A year ago, I spent the weekend with a few close friends challenging each other, setting goals and really getting to know one another better. We each had one month, end of 2010 and one year goals set and we kept nudging each other towards those. The balance of peer pressure with support is extremely powerful when done properly.

Looking back, I realize that I achieved all of my goals set that weekend and it feels good, but because of how I’m wired it now has me looking forward to what is next.

I already had these thoughts bouncing around in my head when I read Chris Brogan’s birthday reflections over my morning coffee. He and I are certainly similar when it comes to never being able to completely settle on where we are and what we have achieved and always striving for more.

In the past year I left a successful company to set out on my own, co-wrote my first book, have been on stage in front of thousands of people and have found myself making some of the deepest friendships of my life. My family is happy and healthy and I have the most loving wife in the world. All in all I’m in a very good place.

Yet, I’m striving for more.

Last week started with a company needing to get whacked for forgetting the basics with me, but ended walking the streets of Boston shooting photos. Balance is amazing when you can actually make it happen.

I just began working on a new project that I’m excited about and continuing to help a select few clients that motivate me every day. I’m also booking new speaking engagements for the rest of the year and excited about where that will take me.

But, what goals should I set for the year ahead of me. What can the next 365 days hold for me to strive for?

That is the question I’m asking myself and reflecting on in these first of the morning hours. I’ve got two book proposals that I’m working on and a completely new idea that has been nibbling at the back of my brain for the past few weeks. I’ve got a couple of solid freelance writing projects I’ve been asked to take part in and I’m hoping to add more to my slate.

I haven’t found the answers this morning, but I do know that I’ve got a close knit group of supporters who will be there to push me in whatever direction I ask them to push. Thank you to all of you who keep pushing and inspiring me. You know who you are because I try to say thank you all the time.

What are your goals for the next 365?

 

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Categories: Rambles
  • http://matthewebel.com Matthew Ebel

    Creativity. Performance. Not giving a shit about the business if it stands in the way of either. That’s my goal for the next 24 hours and the 8,736 hours that come after it.

    • http://www.cc-chapman.com/ C.C. Chapman

      Look at you go all Mr. Math on the future *grin*

      Love it and how about in those hours we actually make the time to get
      together. Making beer and grilling salmon perhaps?

      • http://matthewebel.com Matthew Ebel

        Now that the weather’s good, we can utilize my high-tech Charcoal™ technology here at the house. You’re a hell of a lot busier than I am, though, so you’ll need to shoot me a good weekend. Or hell, a weekday- we’re both self-unemployed.

  • http://becky-johns.com Becky Johns

    You rock my face off. So proud of you that you’re able to look back on the past year and know you’ve accomplished your goals.

    I hope your next 365 includes a photography project. You’re ridiculously talented and I’d love to see you share more of your work with the world :)

    • http://www.cc-chapman.com/ C.C. Chapman

      I have been thinking about doing one for several years now, but it never
      seems to bubble up to be a top priority for me and I don’t know why. I’ve
      talked about two of them in the past including my Faces book as well as the
      Vanity Fare inspired shoots of people who inspire me.

      I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been tempted to set up a Kickstarter
      project for one of these so that I’ve got no excuse but to make it happen.
      Plus I’ve got a short film that I want to shoot completely with photos that
      has been nibbling at my creative time for years that one day I’ll get around
      to making.

      Why do you have to nudge me so? *laugh*

      • http://becky-johns.com Becky Johns

        I have an idea for a short film shot entirely in photos (time-lapse ish) too. Maybe you and I should be working together. Not kidding.

        I nudge you because last summer I did the Friends in a Frame project, committed time and energy to it, and it put me on the map in a big way. I’ve seen how great it feels to create something with photography people love and want to be part of, and you’re just too talented a photographer not to be doing something like that.

        I’m up for a photo project collaboration if you are. We’ll push each other. Offer stands, my friend :)

  • Rhainor

    I want to get back into podcasting; I used to co-host a gaming podcast, and I really miss it. Just gotta decide what subject to focus on.

    Speaking of podcasts, are we going to get some more Accident Hash any time soon? :P

    • http://www.cc-chapman.com/ C.C. Chapman

      If you love doing it then dive back in. As you know you’ve got to have a
      topic that you love in order for you to keep doing it.

      Another Hash…..yes there will be one in the next 365. Not sure when, but
      there will be another one.

  • http://ajleon.me ajleon

    This is crazy, I woke up feeling the same exact way this morning. Reflecting on the past and projecting into the future. I think you and I were writing our posts at the same time. Love this. :)

    • http://www.cc-chapman.com/ C.C. Chapman

      And yet we haven’t worked on a project together…..YET.

      Maybe that should be a mutual goal of ours for the coming days and months?
      hint…..hint……

      Hope you and your wife are well.

      • http://ajleon.me ajleon

        Yes, yes it should. I’ve actually been thinking about a couple things. But I’ll run them by you when I’m back stateside. :) ps – Melissa sends a big hug

  • http://www.kitykity.com Susan

    My first goal is to get married to the man of my dreams. That’s only twenty-five days away! I’m very curious about that idea that’s been digging at the back of your brain… drop me a line and tell me about it.

    • http://www.davemadethat.com Dave Delaney

      Congrats on your marriage. It’s such relief after the reception. Have fun!

  • http://www.davemadethat.com Dave Delaney

    My goals are to slow down. I need to step away from the machines to reevaluate things and prioritize the ones that are most important.

    Health and family should come first, I need to remember this more often.

  • http://danieljohnsonjr.com danieljohnsonjr

    I set out at the beginning of 2011 to live with more Focus, Intention, and to Deliver. The past three and half months have enlightened me, frightened me, and excited me. I now understand why I’m here. For the rest of this year, I’m continuing in my pursuit of those three themes as I start working for myself – even if and when I start working for others.

  • Jane

    This year I set the goal of having more fun & being happy with what I have. Not that I’m not fun or happy – I am. Inspired at bit by The Happiness Project – I decided to have more fun being a parent (3 boys, in the past fun often a lot about discipline – now doing a lot more just watching them grow and respecting them for who they are) and being happy with what I have accomplished in my life (my new freelance career, my 3 boys and supportive husband, my great friends, etc.). At the end of the day, how many times have I laughed, smiled, complimented my kids/husband/friends? … that’s how I’m measuring success this year.

  • http://www.youintegrate.com Kneale Mann

    Congratulations, my friend. You, sir, are an inspiration as well. You push, you pull, you tug, you challenge and you lobbed the box out the window years ago. Bravo!

    I have been sharing goals with a couple of close colleagues and we’re keeping each other honest. It’s easy to enjoy some adult beverages and reach for the sky. It’s an entirely different scenario to hold each other (and most importantly, yourself) accountable to realistic actionable results. I know I ‘should’ use the treadmill more often, enough said.

    My goals for the next 365…

    -> Work with clients who are open minded, fun and willing to examine ways to increase their business inside and out – no matter what tools are necessary.

    -> Improve and increase the frequency of my speaking engagements.

    -> Stop focusing on the money and place it squarely on realizing those things I know I can accomplish when they roll around in my skull and stay there.

    -> Meet – in person – more of the wonderful people I have met through the social web.

    -> Stop comparing myself to others.

    -> Collaborate with a couple of colleagues that have been “talking about” it for far too long.

    -> Trust my gut and stop thinking so much.

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