I’ve never seriously made any New Year’s resolutions because:
So aside from the fact that it was my last night before going back to work, it was almost chance that it was the beginning of the year that I found myself laying in bed, unable to sleep and suddenly realising there are many things I could be doing from now on that would make me less miserable.
Not that I am miserable: 2010 was pretty neat for all sorts of reasons. But the more I thought about it the more I realised that this one could be better a list formed in my mind. I don’t really think of them as resolutions and I don’t intend to be slavish about them in that same way (until inevitably giving up on them) but perhaps that’s what they are, if only by chance. So:
Things that might be slightly difficult:
1) More sleep.
I will always be one of them night people. I have maintained several times that I can get by one quite little sleep and that’s true, but it does wear me down over the week and I don’t think it’s doing me all that good. I think I’ve been going too far with it lately. I may be able to get away with going to bed at 2, even 3AM on work nights but I don’t think it’s a good idea. So let’s say that on work nights bed time is 1AM at the latest from now shall we? I know that might seem ridiculously late for some, but for me it’s progress, and I’m sure it’ll help me wake up better so that the morning isn’t such a rush.
How to make it easier: This doesn’t mean 1AM is the cut-off point of all activities. If I’m watching something and there’s 10 minutes left, I’m allowed to carry on. It just means that by 12:30 I should really be thinking about wrapping the night up.
2) Fewer Soft Drinks
Soft drinks are probably my biggest food/drink weakness and it probably wouldn’t be a bad idea to switch to sugar free. I’m hardly fat, but I’ve put on more than I should the last couple of years and I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s the major reason.
How to make it easier: Not a wholesale ban, there are situations where it’s fine, for example when we have friends round and are getting large bottles to share. But as for picking up cans and bottles at lunch break or on the way to and from work, that should stop.
3) Fewer Big Lunches
There’s usually no need for me to have a big lunch, since more often than not I have something substantial in the evening. So I should avoid this habit from now on, as it will be cheaper and better for me.
How to make it easier: Hey, if I see something I really like, then sure, I won’t make myself not have it, but most of the time I’m just having a larger meal for the sake of it, which seems silly.
4) Job Seeking
I want to spend at least some amount of time each week earnestly looking out for new job possibilities. I’ve been putting it off too long and it’s high time for a change.
How to make it easier: the point of this is that I should be looking, actually looking, not saying I’m looking or looking one evening then forgetting it forever. I don’t need to worry if one week I don’t, I’m not setting a timetable here, it’s just something I want to do.
Things that will be easy:
1) Keep making games
By far the best decision I made this year was to start making games with my friend Kieran. It’s one of those things I’d been meaning to do and that we’d both talked about many times but never happened, and it took an actual event to get us started. It was a lot of fun and we made a second game just before Christmas that is even better and has me buzzing with ideas for improvement.
2) Keep making music
Maybe this is a bit of a cheat since as long as I am making games I will be making music for them, but what I really mean by this is to keep improving my skills in this area, figuring out what I can do with the technology and getting to a point where I’m happier with my creations.
3) No matter how well you manage to accomplish the above things, never ever under ANY circumstances should you grow up.
