Stuff to do in 2022
Regular readers will already know my position on New Year’s Resolutions. I think unrealistic, kneejerk commitments to hare-brained schemes that you know damn well won’t ever get done, are crass and tiresome. So let’s not waste each other’s time going down that route. I like sensible, realistic, attainable goals and that is exactly what I am setting myself for 2022. I want to increase my writing output this year because my drafts folder is filled with posts and ideas that haven’t quite been completed. Essentially this comes down to making the time to finish these articles and possibly embracing a somewhat briefer writing style. I’m also going to try and see if I can grow the existing audience for Contains Moderate Peril. I have some ideas as to how to do this and none of them really require any additional resources. It simply comes down to doing the required work and staying motivated. I believe that I meet both of those requirements.
Regular readers will already know my position on New Year’s Resolutions. I think unrealistic, kneejerk commitments to hare-brained schemes that you know damn well won’t ever get done, are crass and tiresome. So let’s not waste each other’s time going down that route. I like sensible, realistic, attainable goals and that is exactly what I am setting myself for 2022. I want to increase my writing output this year because my drafts folder is filled with posts and ideas that haven’t quite been completed. Essentially this comes down to making the time to finish these articles and possibly embracing a somewhat briefer writing style. I’m also going to try and see if I can grow the existing audience for Contains Moderate Peril. I have some ideas as to how to do this and none of them really require any additional resources. It simply comes down to doing the required work and staying motivated. I believe that I meet both of those requirements.
I’m 5’11 and weigh 189lbs (13st 7lb/85.7kg). According to the UK NHS BMI calculator I have a BMI of 26.4 which is a little too high. For a person of my height, age and ethnicity I should have a BMI between 18.5 and 25. My weight theoretically should be between 132lbs (9st 6lb/59.8kg) and 179lbs) (12st 11lb/81.1kg). However, BMI index is a disputed and inaccurate measure of body fat content as it does not take into account muscle mass, bone density and overall body composition. Yet the reality remains that at present, my clothes are all a little too snug and the “extra weight” which I carry on my chest gets in the way and has an adverse effect upon my physical activity. Hence I shall be changing my eating habits in the months to come and aiming to lose about 14 to 21lbs. I’ve done this before and I need to do it again. Structured meals, no snacks and a substantial reduction in my alcohol consumption is the way forward. No excuses, just adherence to a sensible regime.
Mrs P bought me a pair of walking shoes as a birthday gift a few weeks ago. Specifically Men’s Trailstorm Mid Waterproof Walking Shoe from Columbia Sportswear. Due to life getting in the way, I only just got around to walking any distance in them. Thankfully my research paid off and they have proven to be a good fit and offer exactly the sort of support that my feet need. Most of the walking that I do is through woodland and grassland, hence I didn’t need heavy footwear for rocky trails and mountain hiking. The Trailstorm is robust, comfortable and able to keep out the elements. Also, having opted for a black pair, they can be worn with a wider variety of clothes without looking too out of place. I intend to do at least one major walk each month this year. I am currently looking at existing trails and paths in my immediate vicinity. London is fortunately filled with plenty of open spaces and parks, so I’m spoilt for choice.
Looking back at last year’s plan I did manage to broadly adhere to it. My writing routine did improve when I got up at a fixed time each morning and started preparing posts for the day ahead. Unfortunately real life messed up my schedule. Keeping a physical “to do” list in a journal certainly paid dividends. Admin tasks and paperwork were kept under control in 2021. Mind you a lot of it was the sort of bureaucracy that you can’t afford to ignore. I even found a podcast to gatecrash and I’m very grateful to both Braxwolf and DJ Pimp Daddy for allowing me to appear on Beyond Bossfights. Sadly my dream to adapt The Golden Voyage of Sinbad into a West End musical still remains unrealised. Obviously this is still due to the pandemic and has nothing to do with my lack of musical ability. This idea remains on the proverbial back burner, along with Twister on a duvet cover and travel kabaddi.
This Year's Plan
This is a public service announcement. Don’t waste your time with traditional, grandiose, pie in the sky New Year resolutions. The key to success is to set yourself realistic and achievable goals. Further incentivise them by including some sort of reward upon their completion. If involving a third party makes it more likely that you’ll achieve these endeavours then do so. Don’t waste your own time and sell yourself short by chasing things you know are patently unrealistic. Pursue things that are beneficial or even pragmatic. Also, ignore others who publicly set prestigious goals. You know the “type”. Those tedious over achievers who feel the need to compete on absolutely every level. Do not concern yourself when they hit their targets. It’s not about them. It’s about you. Life is relative. Focus on what you can do and then go about doing it. I’ve said this all before in previous New Year blog posts but sensible advice merits repeating.
A pop culture reference about plans
This is a public service announcement. Don’t waste your time with traditional, grandiose, pie in the sky New Year resolutions. The key to success is to set yourself realistic and achievable goals. Further incentivise them by including some sort of reward upon their completion. If involving a third party makes it more likely that you’ll achieve these endeavours then do so. Don’t waste your own time and sell yourself short by chasing things you know are patently unrealistic. Pursue things that are beneficial or even pragmatic. Also, ignore others who publicly set prestigious goals. You know the “type”. Those tedious over achievers who feel the need to compete on absolutely every level. Do not concern yourself when they hit their targets. It’s not about them. It’s about you. Life is relative. Focus on what you can do and then go about doing it. I’ve said this all before in previous New Year blog posts but sensible advice merits repeating.
I usually try to set myself some goals at this time of year. Sometimes I like to plan a new project. I tried live streaming last spring and discovered that it wasn’t for me. I would very much like to return to podcasting on a weekly basis. However, I’ve given a lot of thought to this and a few other potential projects and decided not to pursue any of them. This is due to several reasons. The pandemic isn’t going to vanish overnight and I believe that the restriction currently imposed where I live will continue. Hence I shall continue to be confined to my home and therefore must consider Mrs P and our shared environment. Mrs P is currently unwell and awaiting seeing her cardiac consultant. Her health and well being are a priority. And then there’s my current state of mind. I am tired and still processing a bereavement. I don’t feel that it’s wise to go all in on a project when I should be dealing with more immediate issues.
Tom Hanks collects typewriters
So upon mature reflection I’ve decided to do the following for the immediate future. Maintain a more organised daily routine, continue writing as often as I can and pursue a straightforward weight loss and health regime. I’m going to start going to bed earlier and consequently getting up at a fairly regular time. I think 7:00 AM should be manageable. My smart band gives me details on the quality of my sleep and it’s not that good. As soon as I’m awake I shall get cracking as I find I’m at my most productive in the morning. I shall also keep a basic “to do” list and ensure that tasks do not get deferred or overlooked. I may try and find some podcast to gatecrash and if there are any writing events in 2021 I shall participate in them. But I’m keeping my ambitions simple so that they can be maintained. My long term plan to adapt The Golden Voyage of Sinbad into a West End musical has been deferred for practical reasons.
This Year’s Plan
I don’t care for new year resolutions. I just like to make credible plans that are achievable. So, after some consideration, I now have a short and manageable list of tasks that I’ll endeavour to complete this year. If I keep things simple and stick to an orderly routine, I see no reason why I can’t get all of these done. First off and perhaps the most important is to maintain a daily writing schedule. Too often the excuses we make to avoid writing are bogus. Sure, there will be occasions such as illness and family or work-related problems, but nine times out of ten, we don’t write because we cannot be bothered to do so. Why should writing get a free pass in this fashion? So, I intend to persevere during periods of lethargy and write come hell or high water. It doesn’t have to be earth shattering content. Three or four paragraphs will suffice. I can’t afford to let the writing slide as I suspect it may prove to be the thin end of the wedge for me and other activities would subsequently follow.
I don’t care for new year resolutions. I just like to make credible plans that are achievable. So, after some consideration, I now have a short and manageable list of tasks that I’ll endeavour to complete this year. If I keep things simple and stick to an orderly routine, I see no reason why I can’t get all of these done. First off and perhaps the most important is to maintain a daily writing schedule. Too often the excuses we make to avoid writing are bogus. Sure, there will be occasions such as illness and family or work-related problems, but nine times out of ten, we don’t write because we cannot be bothered to do so. Why should writing get a free pass in this fashion? So, I intend to persevere during periods of lethargy and write come hell or high water. It doesn’t have to be earth shattering content. Three or four paragraphs will suffice. I can’t afford to let the writing slide as I suspect it may prove to be the thin end of the wedge for me and other activities would subsequently follow.
Podcasting is back on the table and I’m pleased to say that the first show of 2019 has been published today. The editing wasn’t too problematic and I’m more than satisfied about the quality of the discussion that I and my guest had. I think getting this one out of the proverbial gates early has been a real shot in the arm to my motivation. I’m also going to see if I can gatecrash other people’s podcasts this year. Perhaps some of my colleagues would be interested in a reciprocal arrangement of this nature? As for listening to other people’s podcasts, I’ve whittled down my list of current subscriptions and am focusing on those that regularly produce content and maintain high quality output. I’m also going to try and give more feedback to others in the month’s ahead. I think it’s important to let content creators know that you appreciate their work and value their efforts.
I also have some clear plans with regard to my other interests. As mainstream cinema is not exactly enthralling at present and there’s not a ton of movies that I’m anticipating seeing this year at my local multiplex, I intend to start working my way through my “watch list”. Although I have a broad range of knowledge about film, there are still plenty of gaps that need filling. So, I intend to track down some old classic and niche market obscurities over the next fifty-two weeks. Gaming wise, I intend for the present to just stick to both LOTRO and STO as they are proven favourites and they don’t cost me anything. I will finish Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey and then take stock of the situation. There will be no rash impulse purchases this year and if I’m not sure about a title, I’ll research it thoroughly before committing to buying. Books and comics are also going to get more of my time, where as TV may well take a back seat. There are lots of good shows but it’s not as if they’re going anywhere. Only the most essential will get slavishly followed or binge watched.
If I manage my time effectively, I see no reason why I can’t care for my parents, spend time with Mrs Peril, the grandchildren and still be able to accommodate my hobbies. I can podcast once a month and produce a ninety-minute show. If I plan my writing, I can even pre-write movie reviews and schedule them for those occasions when I know I’ll be away or have a busier than usual day. I’m also looking to establish a regular walking regime for exercise and weight loss. It could also provide material for a regular blog post. There’s a fine line between being sensibly busy and over extending yourself. Hopefully, I am leaning towards the former and not the latter. I do find that when I’m busy, I tend not to eat out of habit and maintain a more positive mindset. But perhaps the most important concept to embrace is if my circumstance change, then it’s okay to change my plan. Hopefully that won’t happen, but it does no harm to consider it. Right, that’s enough talking about what I want to do. Let’s now get on with it.