2015 Will Be the Year of Going BIG

Ever since New Year's Eve, I've had this crazy sense of optimism about 2015. There's nothing I could point to, no indicators for it, I just have this intuition that it's going to be an awesome year. And since I have exactly as much evidence to believe it as to doubt it (i.e., none), I'm going to go forward as if it were true until I have proof to the contrary.

Toward that end, one of my big plans for the coming year is to apply the principles of Essentialism ("The Disciplined Pursuit of Less"), which is a book I read last year and which had a big impact on me. I've always kinda followed the philosophy behind it in regards to my comics without putting it into so many words, but I have gradually started applying it to everything else I do over time, and it's really helping me focus and be effective in what I do.

The core concept of Essentialism is, instead of trying to "do it all," you pick a tight group of activities or interests and go all-in on them. This changes your efforts from a scattershot that really doesn't go anywhere, into more of a laser... like so:



This is also the underlying principle behind such hoary clichés as "Play to your strengths." Doing what you're good at will bring success, which in turn will make you better at what you're doing.

I've been applying the principle to my weight loss and my comics work, and I've started applying it to our home arrangements, my wardrobe, etc. over time. By focusing on the most important thing, I've been building a life that I like better, that is more successful, and that I can look back at proudly and know that I didn't waste my time on.

In 2015, I'm going to keep building on that success, and keep applying that principle. "Is this something I'm willing to go big on? Am I willing to put other things aside to do this? And will this be the most effective use of my time and energy?" If the answer to all three is "yes," I will go all in on it. If the answer to any question is no, the thing will be set aside.

-The Gneech

Three Good Things/Three Goals For Tomorrow

Three Good Things For Today

1. Earned 29 (!) freakin' activity points today, between a 50-minute DailyBurn workout and a bunch of walking around shopping. Also ended the day 5 daily points under. Take that, fitness goals! ;)


2. Found some scented candles to replace older ones that are almost used up, including a lemon-lime one from Yankee Candle that I like quite a bit. Also got a wall calendar and helped lythandra begin a new bangle bracelet which she seems very taken with.


3. Read a good short story today, "Cat Pictures, Please".

Three Goals for Tomorrow

1. Dailyburn again in the a.m.


2. Select and order a button maker.


3. Brainstorm some story ideas for upcoming anthologies.

Now, gonna go flop into bed and read until I go to sleep, 'cos I woke up early this morning. Gnite world, and have an awesome tomorrow. :)

-The Gneech