20 Goals that I Must Achieve by 11:59 PM December 31, 2013
As we settle into our new lives here in Chiang Mai, Thailand, I have established a list of things that I would like to achieve before the year is over. Some for fun, others to become a better person, and the rest to develop this blog into a tool of inspiration for others while opening up doors to greater opportunities for me and Angela. I hope my list wakes you up a little and motivates you to take a couple of steps forward in your life. We sometimes forget how complacent we can often become when we fall into life’s little mundane routines. Even changes that seem insignificant or simple can have a profound impact on the course we take in our lives. Here is to changing things up a bit.
Personal Goals to Achieve
- Surprise Angela with something nice that tips the scales of epicness
- Teach Angela how to ride a motorbike
- Participate in a meaningful one week on site volunteer program
- Pay for a stranger’s order at Mrs. Pa’s Fruit Shake Stand once a week
- Have a stranger pay for my order as my new trend catches on
- Learn how to read, write, and speak beginner level Thai
- Develop my photography skills to a competent level
- Strictly adhere to our $1,200 USD a month budget
- Run the perimeter of the Chiang Mai moat
- Do 100 six count push up burpees in a single workout
Blog Goals to Achieve
- Write two thought provoking and inspiring blog posts a week
- Write a guest post on a prominent travel blog
- Convince a prominent travel blogger to write a guest post on our blog
- Reach 1,000 Facebook likes
- Reach 500 Twitter followers
- Take an Instagram photo that receives 150 likes
- Create a YouTube video that receives 5,000 views
- Inspire a good friend to quit their job and travel
- Be recognized in the street by a random stranger that follows our blog
- Expand on my SEO knowledge and implementation
BONUS
- Consume a Carlsberg Royal Stout Beer in Chiang Mai, Thailand, which could be quite the task given this review and my inability to find one by now
Fond memories
Goals appear in no particular order. I will keep you all up to date!
So Chris, how did you make out with your list?
About 60% I’m afraid. Blogging took the front seat most of the time. Better luck this year I guess haha.
I love these goals both personally and professionally. Paying it forward is a great way to make a difference. Even if you are paying for that one person in line it could make a world of difference for them. I have heard a saying that I love….. I give to others not because I have so much but because I know what it feels like to have so little.
Great post! Nice combination of goals.
What a nice list of goals to achieve this year. #5 is nice. Is it some sort of a pay-it-forward thing? Regarding blog goals, reaching 1,000 likes on FB is very doable, especially since we have groups like GBN. :)
I appreciate the kind words. Yea, since we departed on our adventure I have felt the the strong urge to want to make those around us happier if I can. Maybe the super friendly Thai people have rubbed off on me, or maybe I am finally loosening up after exiting the corporate rat race. Whatever it is…I like it :) Yes, GBN has helped us gain 91 facebook likes in just a couple of days. Definitely a pretty awesome community we have going there.
My max was 60 burpees in a row, and by the end of it, my tongue was hanging out and I thought I would have a heart attack LOL
Wow, you must have been feeling it! Nice! Were you doing pushups at the bottom?
100 in a row or just 100 in a workout?
Haha I haven’t been in a serious workout routine since October (since we got married), so I admit that I set the bar a little low. I will probably get the 100 in a workout and then reevaluate from there. How many do you usually do? Maybe you can give me a target number to shoot for :)
I just did this workout where you use a deck of cards and for each suit you do: split squats, burpees, push ups and sit ups. Whatever number comes up (Jack, Queen and King are each 10; Ace is 11), you do that many reps. Jokers are 25 squats. By the end of the workout you do a total of 95 of each of the exercises. That’s why I was curious. I am SO out of shape right now. Mostly just been walking and doing yoga (mostly to keep my stress level under control!).
That sounds like what we did when I was in the Army. I could actually probably do 100 burpees in a workout. Hmm I have to think of something tougher now. When you do you burpees do you you do a pushup at bottom, or do you get into a plank and then hop back up and jump? I know there are two different ways of doing them. I am accustomed to the pushup version.
Let’s be ambitious… 100 burpees in 100 minutes. It will take a lot of practice!
I have a few that are off the map, that I do, but my wife Nina does not, however I have been a traveler for quite some time or my standards are lower than some. Take the bike out and hit the little roadside bars that are open as long as you are paying. Even though I know very little Thai, I like sitting around and drinking with the locals. Believe me it is an experience, they love for you to try to interact with them and you make some good friends. If they can’t communicate with you they will… Read more »
A pleasant surprise that your #4 links Google maps WITH a Street View. Happy to see that. I hope you have more links like that. It really makes following your blog a lot more like being there.
Pretty damn inspiring dude. Reading this is re energizing some of my own goals and ambitions. If you need our help to tick anything off the list we’d be happy to help.
My favorite at the moment is the lychee watermelon. Our go to from her for a while was the orange, watermelon, pineapple. We go there almost every night for dinner and a shake :)
That is great John. It will be here before you know it!. Looking forward to meeting you both.
this is confirmation on our eticket ariving in chiang mai dec28 2014
staying near chiang gate
don’t want give a copy of ticket because the anyone could print it out .Will be inviting you and your wife bfor a drink when we land in kingdom.
Hi John
,
Here is your E ticket.
For the hotel, I checked with head office and they do not represent this property.
Am checking with Jade now.
Keep you posted.
Thank you.
Shirley Lim CTC
International Travel Consultant
CLIA Accredited Cruise Specialist
Flight Centre Chilliwack
Your goals are wonderful and some that I too share. Your #1 tells me that you are indeed a wonderful caring husband. I plan on visiting Mr. Pa’s many times when we are there We love us our smoothies…..do you have a favorite?