2024 is the Year of the Dragon, and I expect to act accordingly.
Every year, my late grandmother, Ollie Koons, would dress the entire house with the yearly Chinese Zodiac sign as a good omen for the former rambling-gambling woman.
According to Times of India, those born in the year of the Dragon will be born leaders who encourage and inspire others. This is an appropriate precept for everyone to strive for in 2024.
Another new year also means scribbling those long lists of goals and aspirations.
My general process when thinking about goals both personally and professionally is doing it in a SMART way; making the goal Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound.
For example, I have goals...short-term, midterm, and long-term.
In the month of January, I will be eating a carnivore specific diet that includes only animal products (steak, chicken, pork, eggs, etc.) no processed foods, vegetables or fruit.
I believe this decision will significantly improve my physical and mental health, especially when thinking of energy.
Often the things we are eating are getting more expensive and even more poisonous. Instead of supporting these supermarkets, dollar stores, and fast food chains, support a farmer, butcher, and get your diet as localized as possible.
A medium-term goal of mine is to workout at least four times a week with a fasting period to lose 20 pounds by June.
A long-term goal of mine for reducing stress is simply unplugging. My goal is to spend less than two hours of recreational phone screentime per day, and limit the pickup of my cellular device to less than 75 times per day.
Other personal goals of mine are to read or listen to a chapter of a book a day; drink less alcohol; average eight hours of sleep a day.
In leisure terms, I want to plan that trip and take that trip.
It is important that we reevaluate along the way and adjust when needed.
Twenty-twenty four will no doubt be a fearmongering and pessimistic year nationally as another election season arrives.
As it looks more and more likely that a Joe Biden and Donald Trump deathmatch for the future of America is on the horizon (God help us). I personally think it’s about time we consider other options.
The biggest goal we all should have is to continue conversations with many people of many backgrounds that challenge our thoughts and ideas, and most importantly, speak freely with no fear.
