I started this post on January 5th. I sat down and stared at my decorated Christmas Tree with a cup of coffee reflecting on my 4th anniversary of freedom. Yes, four years ago, on January 5th, I left my cubicle and walked out of the Wall Street world (thanks to the economic downturn the world still seems to be in) filled with anger and fear, but also optimism and determination. A determination to make a change. I knew I was handed an opportunity and with travel as my passion I completed my career transition.
Rereading Past January Posts and Resolutions
Yes, each anniversary I write an anniversary post, and each year I also reread my prior posts: the January Anniversary (2010); the second January Anniversary (2011); and the third January Anniversary(2012) to remind myself of how far I’ve come. The day gives me the chance to celebrate my progress, review my outstanding goals, and make plans for the new year.
Thankfully I’ve made some strides in 2012. I accomplished a few things; I cruised through the Panama Canal (goal) visited a few new countries (goal) including Aruba and Curacao, added a new state (goal) with Oklahoma, took a salsa lesson (goal) in Puerto Vallarta (and have more classes for 2013), appeared and was published in print magazines (old goal), improved my photography and sold images to a magazine (goal) and also increased my readership (goal) on the site.
Yes, I accomplished a few things, but there is always more.
2013 Goals and Resolutions
Hmmm. This is what took the extra two plus weeks. I had ideas, but I wanted something bigger. I knew I needed to continue to think bigger if I want to be successful in this space. And although I am not sure if these are the right goals, it was time to put something down. So, these are my goals for the new year.
Stay Traveling
Of course, this is always a top goal; it is the reason I do what I do. You may have noticed the 5 places to travel in 2013 post late last year already. And now in 2013 I am already adding a new one – a return to southeast Asia ( thanks to winning round trip tickets on Singapore Air) And I spent quite a bit of time at the New York Times Travel Show researching my options there.
Also, it is time to test a Stay Adventurous tour. I am planning to create a trip, a tour, an adventure and offer it to the public. So if you are interested let me know as it is never too early to inquire. I can already guarantee you’ll see a sunset.
- goal: travel to my five highlighted adventures (South America, Puebla, see the northern lights, an new island sunset, and return to Africa)
- goal: spend my birthday in southeast Asia.
- goal: organize my first stay adventurous tour
Stay Luxurious
Staying adventurous doesn’t exclude staying luxurious. Definitely not. I consider “Adventurous” a mindset; it is a way to travel, a way to live and being luxurious is part of that (for me). And it is a part I seem to appreciate more and more each year.
You might have noticed the category on the site and you can view the eleven stay luxurious stories here. But in the new year you can expect a new site with a new purpose, the “Stay” brand shall grow and add its luxurious component.
goal: start and grow stayluxurious.com
Stay Creative
I used to fill up 4-5 journals a year with words, stories, doodling and ideas each year. I’ve slowed down this part and my meditation practice has become non-existent. I can make a case with reasons why, but the truth is, they are excuses and I miss it.
- goal: complete a full journal every quarter (4 per year)
- goal: return to the practice of meditation
Stay Inspiring
Few things make a bigger smile then when someone finds inspiration from my site or my adventures. And I plan to keep goals of growing my site, the readership and it’s reach (have you signed up for my newsletter yet?-right column ->). But I also know I need to reach more of an audience and reach them in different ways. So I plan to speak; to present; to teach
- goal: to speak at a travel related conference (TBEX, ATTA, NYTravFest, etc… )
- goal: to experiment with a podcast (12 episodes for the year)
- goal: showcase my photography and pitch a gallery for a show
Ok, those are the goals. Too lofty, stretch goals… maybe, but with my optimism and belief I think they match my expectations of a BIG year… or really just staying adventurous.
And also, feel free to share a goal of yours below… We can help each other by keeping ourselves accountable. Good luck in 2013, and if nothing else remember to ….. stay adventurous, Craig