My review of the 7 Essential Tips

Paring down my goals is taking longer than I thought, which is probably not a good sign if I'm going to simplify.

So for now I'm going to do something that's within my powers: making fun of the 7 Essential Tips to Make 2008 Your Best Year Ever. Yes, I know it's not nice to make fun, and yes, these are basically good tips, etc. But hey, I'm just trying to inject humor into this. And besides, "stop making fun of other blogs" is not on my goal list for this year, so it's ok. Ok?

First, I'm having problems with the title. I mean, if this is to be my "best year EVER" then -- what? Next year it starts going downhill? Let's call it "best year SO FAR" just so I can feel like there may be more, even better years ahead.

Here are the 7:

1. One goal.
I cannot do this. No way can I pare down to just one thing. So much to do, so little time. Must multitask to get through every day as it is.

2. Create a new habit.
This sounds ok, but it depends on the habit. I'm assuming they mean "good habit," although they didn't specify. I'm sure I can start a bad habit or two -- and probably will.

3. Take action now.
This is my daily mantra, so I'm ok there.

4. Simplify.
This is easier said than done. They suggest identifying the 4-5 priorities in your life and simplifying commitments to be in line with them. Unfortunately, I have about 93 priorities. So I have some work to do on this one.

5. Focus on happiness.
This is a no-brainer. Who wants to focus on unhappiness? Anyone? They have tips for focusing on happiness, which includes: "Be present" (as opposed to being somewhere else, I suppose), "do less" (not possible when you're self-employed) and "go for a walk" (the only one I have no problem with).

6. Schedule time for you, and your loved ones.
I'm all about this, but I don't understand why the comma there. It's not necessary (in fact, it's grammatically incorrect), but it's almost as if they're saying "you first ... oh, and your loved ones too."

7. Learn to focus.
This should have been #1. I mean, really. Don't we need to focus first?

Ok, there. I poked fun. Now I have to get down to the task of reviewing my goal list. I need to add: "Stop procrastinating by making fun of the very task you need to do."