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Looking at 2020 with Intentionality

If I could sum up my status for 2019, it would be that I am truly blessed.  I am fortunate to have so many of the things that money can't buy - a loving immediate and extended family, health for myself and family, security, joy, and the list could go on.  

And while I'm extremely grateful for where I am in life at this point, I know that there are areas that I need to improve in.  So for 2020, I want to be more intentional in focusing on certain aspects of my life and the lives of those around me.  That's actually a start - last night I asked Britt what goals she wanted for the year or what her plans were for the family and she mentioned that some people focus on a single word instead of a list of goals.  Looks like I can check "listen to my wife better" off my list now right?!?

So here are some of my thoughts, plans, and goals heading into this next decade (in no particular order).

1.  Read 15+ books.  Let me be honest, I didn't start reading for the right reasons.  I began having a desire to read more because of a statistic about how many books millionaires read.  Maybe it'll make me rich, maybe it won't.  I'll keep you posted.  But I can tell that it's already made me a better person and broadened my horizons.

2.  Be more present.  This doesn't mean being home with the family more.  It means being with the family more, not on my phone, not watching TV, not up in the computer.  It means having real conversations with the kiddos (which may lead to more funny Thomasisms and Aubreeisms for the internet world).  But it's truly being present with them and not just being there.

3.  Work more on scripture memory.  I have printed off a list of 52 verses to memorize this year.  My plan is to write each on an index card and use it as my bookmark each week.  See how goals and plans start to come together?

4.  Build deeper relationships.  I have a lot of acquaintances and associates but not enough true deep friendships and that is my fault.  I haven't reached out to people enough, I haven't gotten to know them, I haven't opened my home and my life to them and I have some really good excuses (sarcasm).  I've been busy, we've got 3 kids, time is precious, yada yada yada...at the end of the day, you need about 3-5 friends you can call at 2AM and expect them there within 30 minutes...and you need to be that type of friend to a few as well.

5.  Maintain my health and fitness.  I'm slowly creeping up on 40, I get it.  I've also had a couple health things this year that are probably an indicator I'm getting older.  While I can't stop the aging process, I can help it by staying in the gym several days per week and having a cleaner diet.  I doubt I get back to the body I had in 2010 but my life overall is MUCH better now and I'll take that.

6.  Create at least 1 or 2 additional streams of income.  I certainly have multiple streams (more like rivers) of expenses so why wouldn't it make sense to have multiples sources of income?  To be clear, this is not a knock on my current position or salary, they are both great.  This is for my family for generations to come and to be able to be more generous and do more good in the community.  I haven't decided for sure what avenues I'll pursue - it could be writing a book, speaking, consulting, investing in stocks/businesses, real estate, or something else.

Ultimately, I want to be Intentionally Better (possible book title?) this next year and decade.  Some of these goals require major shifts in my focus and mindset.  Some will improve based on other action steps I'm taking.  But all of them will require intentionality.

I feel that these goals will help me in the four major areas of my life and hope that you will set goals and make plans that will improve these areas of yours as well - Mental, Physical, Spiritual, Social/Emotional.

Look back at who you were in 2010.  As we come in to 2020, begin working now on who you want to be in 2030 and enjoy every single day of the ride.  
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