28 in 2008
- August 1, 2008 -
I started 2008 by creating a list of 28 things I wanted to attempt to accomplish by the end of the year. Some were simple, some were not- and in the aspect of completing it all it wasn’t a success. But through the process, I consider it a huge success as I learned a whole lot about myself, goal setting, and things of that nature. I’ll recap what I accomplished and learned below.
1. Generate 2000 blog hits [yep...past it AWHILE ago...don't know when...]
This is one of the most humbling things for me. I say it everytime, but I’m in awe with how many people check out my blog on a regular basis. I used to think 2000 was a big number, but all of you quickly showed me otherwise. Thanks for all the support, and I’ll continue working to give you good reasons to come back!
2. Dunk a basketball (on a regulation rim)
I need to quit living in the past. Seriously though, the desire has always been there, but when I don’t work at it consistently, its not going to happen. Because I have no real passionate urge or driving force to accomplish this goal other than simply the fun of it, it easily got pushed off.
3. Provide custom-designed albums
WOO HOO! I can officially say that by the end of the year (and starting for my 2009 weddings), I currently offer custom-designed wedding albums. My vision in photography is to document the day and tell a story at the end- and it’s my joy to offer a book that you can now ‘read’ time and time again retelling this amazing part of your life.
4. Sell street photography (at least as stock images)
More so than selling it, I wanted to just start shooting street and architectural (and fine art) photography to challenge myself. And I quickly realized that if I don’t actively set aside time to shoot personal stuff for myself, I’m never going to get it to happen. Towards the end of the year I was able to go out occasionally and shoot some stuff that I’ll definitely be blowing up once I move into my new place, but it’s another goal for 2009.
5. Gain at least 10 lbs
I missed the mark here by only gaining about 7 pounds. The big problem: it was with an unhealthy diet and lack of consistent exercise, so not the best way to gain weight. Again, with my end goal simply being weight gain, any route could get me there. I need a better end goal, and have the weight be a byproduct of it.
6. Travel to 5 states outside of Illinois [Missouri, North Carolina, Michigan]
Only made it to 3 (4 if you count driving through Indiana to get to Michigan), but that’s way more than I normally do! I’m not much of a traveller, but I do want to be able to get out and see past the walls of Illinois every now and then. I’m satisfied with my 3.
7. Read (and purchase) 1 book a month, and build my library [completed 4, purchased 6]
I started out on fire with this. Then it simply turned into reading for the same of reading. And that’s when discipline falls. Ultimately I had wanted to personal growth (knowledge, wisdom, understanding about the world and people of it), and I got a lot of it through online reading I was doing, and just lost the discipline to pick up a good book. Again, once the goal becomes about an action and not a purpose, I lose focus.
8. Design the creative compilation that is natemathai.com [it became my new blog/site]
Originally I thought I was going to go to town on a new site fusing so many different things- personal photography, vocal arrangements, skit archive, inspirational thoughts, and so forth and so on. Ultimately, though, I didn’t have the time to set aside for such a huge undertaking. It made more sense for me to transfer my blogsite over to this address, and I am pleased with the change.
9. Spend more time with my nieces [I think I did it! You'd have verify with the parents though]
I’ve been able to make more trips and visit and watch them grow over this past year than in years past. It’s definitely a huge plus in life to do things like this
10. Organize my baseball card collection (already organized…I want to price them now)
Still haven’t gotten around to the ultimate organization system yet- I’m too much of a perfectionist. Until I figure out what I actually am going to do with all of these cards, I’m not going to try to figure out pricing (because it will obviously change over time). And since I generally have all the cards organized, there’s not much more to do.
11. Learn to play the guitar
I use to play in college on and off; realized I wasn’t that talented at it and would let another person play whenever the opportunity was there (I only played when needed). Since then, I no longer have a guitar..so that pretty much went out the window. I still would like to play every now and then, but not sure how possible that is until I actually get the instrument.
12. Accept at least one speaking engagement (if available) [spoke at my home church]
I don’t consider myself much of a speaker, but I do believe that each person has the ability to teach others in some way, shape, or form on the things that are important to them. At the beginning of the year, I was asked at my home church to share a bit of my experiences at a recent conference and I gladly took that opportunity. Nothing big, but I’m willing to use what I can, when I can.
13. Create a marketable product [I am a marketable product :)]
Nate Mathai Photography has grown beyond my wildest dreams over the past year. Much love needs to be given to all my wonderful clients for trusting me with their precious moments- they make my job that much easier.
14. Get engaged [proposal: 08/02/08 | ceremony 08/16/08]
Blessing of the year: She said YES!
15. Book at least 10 gigs
Why limit myself? Between weddings, portraits, and events I covered that amount pretty early in the year. I still want to limit the total amount I of jobs I book per year, but thanks again to all who trusted me this past year.
16. Read through Bible
Fail. Yet another time I went from discipline for spiritual growth, to habit of simply reading…which basically leads to a fall of in consistency because I lost the original intent. Don’t worry though- amazing plans ahead for 2009 which will be announced on the blog.
17. Complete at least 2 project100′s
Fail. This was to challenge me to shoot more personal projects and stretch my creativity…and I just didn’t. I’m still trying to decipher the reasoning behind this.
18. Expand the Sports Ministry for girls [in the planning stages for summer 09]
We’ve started discussions for 2009, and just need help from the girls to get it up and running. I’m really excited to see where this will go in the future.
19. Support 5 charities/missions organizations [CFC, Binil Samuel Memorial, ICF, CMTC]
I’ve covered the 4 main organizations that I’ve been connected to in recent years. For 2009, I’m looking to find another quality organization that I can help support with what I have. If you have any suggestions, please let me know.
20. Buy something obscenely unnecessary simply because I can [engagement ri...err...i mean, i Phone :)]
Technically, I don’t NEED an iPhone. I already bought the iPod Touch. I can use any phone really. But seriously, the iPhone is just that sexy. I have to say it is one of the best investments I’ve made, but not one that I would recommend to everyone simply because the ROI (return on investment) would not be the same for most.
21. Create an online newsletter [my blog is my newsletter...this was a sad goal]
I don’t know what I was thinking. My blog was good enough. I feel very disappointed that I even wrote this one down- it’s so pathetic. :)
22. Write a book
This was one of those “dream big and maybe you’ll get closer than you thought you could” type of goals. Definitely wasn’t accomplished.
23. Journal everyday for 1 month straight
AHHHH! I wish. I don’t think I even journaled for a total of 30 days all year, let alone one month straight. There’s something about writing with pen and paper that I’ve just never been able to do consistently. My blog is my online journal of sorts, but definitely need to get more.
24. Go to a Cubs game, Bears game, and Bulls game [Cubs: 8/3, Bears: 12/11]
So close! The Cubs game is a regular event for me now, and my brother-in-law was able to hook me up with great seats for my first Bears game in the dead of winter- just how it should be experienced :) Last on my list is the Bulls. Maybe in the Spring? We’ll see…
25. Second shoot for…someone [Kenny Nakai]
I do love second shooting, and I got the opportunity to do so a handful of times this past year with Kenny. It’s great having another person there with you, and also with a bit of the burden on their shoulders, it helps you break out of some creativity funks.
26. Sleep until 11am at least once [Woo hoo! mid-July...FINALLY!]
I think its a good thing that I didn’t do this often. My body actually doesn’t like sleeping in this long anymore. Regardless of how late I sleep, my body wakes me up at around 9 or 9:30 at the latest. I can force myself to sleep a bit more, but it’s hard to push myself past 11. I think its good though…why waste the morning away?
27. Spend a weekend without my cell phone, internet access, or iPod
I actually made this a lot harder for me since purchasing the iPhone- it is my cell phone, internet access, and iPod all rolled into one. I still think its a beneficial thing to find a time to unplug from everything to refocus and reenergize…hoping to have more opportunities for that in the coming year (even if its not for full weekends).
28. Get one other person hooked on a product/idea that I’m hooked on
Since nobody has officially told me that I got them hooked on something, I can only make assumptions. Things that I’ve pimped that I feel like others have jumped on board with:
- Google Reader
- Twitter
- Adobe Air Platform (specifically TweetDeck)
- Blogging
- Photography
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