How Slowing Down Sped My Life Up: My 2007 Reflection

Author’s note: This article is about my personal journey in 2007 and is not just a “how to” list. Sappiness may occur.

Before the year was over I spent most of my time planning my business course of action for ‘08 but now that I have moved on from that I have had some time to reflect on how my life has developed in 2007. In reflecting I realized how amazing this year has been and how I have grown as a person and a professional.

We’ll start at the beginning. January 1st, 2007. I was plagued with car problems, slow business, a part time job, picking out classes for the upcoming semester and a million ideas rattling in my head.

At the time I had already had a company, then called C&G Global and we had just lost a partner and began to change the course of our business from our websites and applications to custom web design for clients. It was a major switch. It was me and my business partner against the world.

I had a problem though. It was the same problem that I had in high school and even in College. I could not focus. I do not think I have ADD or ADHD but I have a problem with organizing my thoughts and ideas because I think way too much. My friends will tell you that.

I needed guidance and needed to become the professional and person I wanted to be. So I sought it. I began reading about simplicity, productivity, and lifestyle changes. Through reading blogs like zen habits I found ways to create a new lifestyle that would benefit me and my business.

I SIMPLIFIED EVERYTHING

I sat down and made a list of everything that I was involved in. It roughly looked like this.

1. Part time job
2. College
3. Girlfriend (yes, this counts)
4. Web Design
5. Three or four Web Projects
6. Three Blogs
7. Writing a book
8. Trying to exercise
9. A million bubbling ideas

It was driving me nuts so I decided to star the things that were the most important to me and cross off the rest. I got rid of half the list to start off with and put most of the other half on hold. By finding what on the list was of the utmost importance I was able to focus all my attention on those things. In doing so I could create great value in each of them.

I MADE GOALS AND PLANS

After crossing out my list I took what I had left and made goals for what I wanted to accomplish in 2007. It was lofty but I had a feeling I could do it with less on my plate.

Truthfully, I did not accomplish everything on my list but I got damn far on it. In reflection I feel very satisifed with how far I have come.

Here is a wrap up of my accomplishments for 2007.

I WROTE THINGS DOWN

I had read in many different places that writing things down was the best way to not let good ideas excape. I expiremented for a while with different ways to do it. When at my part time job I would use print and scrap paper. Otherwise I normally had a notebook.

The trouble was I could not consolidate. I had my ideas so scattered that I didn’t know what to do with them. I discovered this great little notebook in a bookstore called the Moleskin Notebook which was apparently the choice notebook for great minds like Da Vinci and Newton so I began using it.

It is handy because it is small enough to fit in a pocket comfortably so I have it whenever I need it. As I write this article, my moleskin is in my pocket just waiting for a new idea.

I REFLECTED MORE OFTEN

I realized living life without reflection is like driving though a storm without using wiper blades. It is careless, dangerous, and very easy to prevent. All I needed to do was flip the wipers on and the road became very clear. Not blue sky clear but clear enough to gain ground in my life safely.

I am still working at this but am doing pretty good. I began doing breathing meditation to clear my mind-clutter. Then I would take time to really think about my day, week, or month. This allowed me to see how far I have come and where I am going. 

I BEGAN EXERCISING REGULARLY

This is one I am still trying to perfect but I began playing basketball or running nearly every day. I already had a Bally’s membership which was paid for but unused so I decided to start using it.

For me though, there is nothing like open pavement. I now only go to Bally’s when necessary like today, when the weather is 16 degrees fahrenheit here in lovely Chicago.

The benefits of exercise are tremendous. I am more healthy, feel the need to eat healthy as well, feel more confident, feel refreshed every day, and the greatest consequence is that my best ideas are generated when exercising. It gives me time to think and clears my mind of clutter that distracts good ideas and thoughts.

I READ MORE OFTEN (AND STOPPED WATCHING TV)

TV is a huge distraction from work. I don’t think I have to explain why. Reading on the other hand can be picked up and put down with ease. Also, ideas are more thorough and thought provoking in writing than on TV, taking less time to absorb as well.

I SLOWED DOWN

I slowed down everything in general. By taking out most of what I was doing and focusing on the most important things in life I actually was able to finish something. And it feels great. I accomplished a lot during my year and am ready to take on 2008 with steady force.

Now, because I slowed down and simplified my life, I have accomplished so much more and have time to be happy. I no longer am constantly buzzing around trying to do everything. I have more time for friends, family, my girlfriend, and exercise. I feel more fulfilled an enlightened and I want to help others more.

What a year it has been. I have changed so much for the better and I hope to continue to improve my life and profession as I go into 2008. I am still not nearly perfect, nor will I ever be (or want to be) but I have improved the fundamentals that make all the difference.

For 2008 I hope to spend more time with my family and doing what I love, grow my business and this blog, finish my book, and keep this train moving as slowly as I can.

Now it’s time to ask, how did you improve in 2007? How can you in 2008? If you feel up to it, share by leaving a comment.