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New Year Resolutions 2017

I’m a bit late with my resolutions this year, but it’s tradition.

2017, like much of 2016, will be a year balancing work and play..

So how did I do concerning last year’s resolutions? To remind you they were:

  1. Hit my 100th country by my 30th birthday
  2. Finish the Mexican pirate book
  3. Commence secret Project R

So how did I do?

  1. Check. I  visited 8 new countries in 2016, and spent my 30th with friends and family in Iceland. Hell yeah!
  2. 2/3 Check. The first half of the year I delayed it for personal reasons, but after the reading the Art of War I got motivated and back on track. Currently, I’m around 40,000 words into the first draft of the sequel to Naughty Nomad.
  3. Absolute Fail. My financial situation degraded rapidly in the first half of 2016, setting back my grand-master plans for at least another year.

Here are my goals for 2017.

1. Finish the First Draft of The Mexican Pirate book by Jun 1st.

Image result for book with question markTruth be told, I’m a very unproductive writer. I’m extremely slow, often get distracted, and struggle with the process.

I never had an ambition to write books when I was younger. I just had a story that needed to be told. Hence my first book. It’s the same with the Mexican Pirate book. After this project, I honestly don’t know if I’ll ever write another memoir, but if I do it will be many, many years from now.

Jun 1st. First draft. No excuses. Only 20-25,000 words left. If I don’t finish my first draft by then I promise to give away my first book free for a week.

2.  Have at least €25k in Savings.

Image result for piggy bankThat may not seem like peanuts to some people, but as somebody who spent the majority of his 20’s in debt I feels like a decent stack. I spent all of my cash on travel, women, and booze, and now that I’m 30 I’m taking my future a little more seriously. I’m already most of the way there, and while I currently maintain a very nice lifestyle, I  should make this goal pending no disasters.

3.  Visit at least 4 new countries

A simple goal, but one that’s getting harder and harder to achieve the more I travel. Colombia is already booked and Canada will be shortly. Other possible destinations include Sri Lanka, the GCC, or basically any other island nation that’s good for a week or two.

I originally wrote 6 new countries, but nowadays I prefer to slow down and take more in. I anticipate a lot of travel in 2018, so I don’t mind a slow year.

What’s your New Year Resolutions?

Take a look at some these other resources for inspiration.

3 ways to make Better New Year’s Resolutions by Return of Kings

How to Keep Your New Years Resolutions By Using Your Reptilian Brain by Danger & Play

2 Responses to New Year Resolutions 2017

  1. guy January 17, 2017 at 8:24 am #

    sounds like a great year, keep us updated on how 2017 goes

  2. L February 5, 2017 at 2:16 pm #

    Tip for Canada. go to Montreal and really push the indie Brit angle. go to any indie club night and where a The Smiths t shirt etc. also Canada day this July 1st, will be 150 years old for Canada and its going to be huge.

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