More And Less 2011 – Looking Ahead

More Shipping

I spent the last few months of 2010 getting the foundation laid for what I hope is a successful 2011.  Success in 2011 means shipping.  Shipping takes on various forms for me.

  • Communicating consistently.  This past year, when I was doing 300 words a day on this blog, it was one of the most productive times in recent memory.  I had clarity of thought and direction.  This year, I will post 200 entries on this site.  Some will be good, some will suck.  Does not matter.
  • Release five new products.  I have two in the works that should hit in Q1 of 2011.  I am excited about one, and really excited about the other.  This is a big stretch goal, but I am committed to making it happen.

Less Waste Of Time

I still have to get better at stripping away the things that don’t matter every day and working on the things that move me ahead.  I will focus on doing the things that matter most first each day.

More Partnerships

I have found already that I really enjoy doing projects with other people.  The creative energy is much greater when there is someone else to bounce ideas off of.  I started out with Rocket Hangar thinking things would go a certain way, but circumstances took things in other directions.  Instead of fretting about it, I have to be better at moving on and finding new opportunities.  I also plan to really plug in to the local scene here in RDU and meet new people.  For those of you that know me, you know that the thought of this makes me break out in hives.  It’s not a strong suit.  It needs to be.

Less Mental Clutter

I remember reading something from Tim Ferriss where he challenged his readers to go on an information diet.  I was better this past year at this at times than others.  I can get sucked into the vortex of information for information’s sake.  It doesn’t help me think better, and I have to be able to shut stuff out.

More Seeing The World

This one stays on the list from last year.  Our trip to Italy was fantastic.  This year we are considering Costa Rica or other destinations a bit closer to home ( and a bit cheaper I hope! ).  This is a big part of the education of our kids, and we are committed to experiencing more of what the world has to offer.  I am also planning work trips to both Russia and India as I build the global Rocket Hangar team.

More Frugal

Hugh MacLeod has a saying: frugal is freedom.  I have not lived this way, mainly because I have not had to, or did not think I had to.  I am committed to living differently this year.  Focus on people and experience, not the accumulation of things.  I did a little better in 2010, but have a long ways to go.

Less Pessimistic

I have been reading a book entitled The Rational Optimist by Matt Ridley.  The thesis is that human existence has been getting better over time due to man’s ability to innovate and continually refine the division of labor ( I am sure there is more to it, but this is one of the main themes ).  I am generally pessimistic about the cause of humans.  There are ( to my line of thinking ) more reasons to think things will get worse rather than better.  I have come to realize that this is poison.  I have it better than 98% of the people on Earth, and I should think and act accordingly.

What are your “More And Less” items for 2011?  Take some time, write them down, and share them if you are willing to.

Prepare to launch.