Looking previous year retrospective and defining goals for new year is something that I have done for few years, but now first time publicly.
”What a year” feels simultaneously cliche and understatement. This have been exceptional year, both in outer world and in my personal life.
First lets go through my personal 2020 goals and what happened with them:
Goal #1: Launch a blog
I did it finally, tenth of October being my official launch date. I didn’t know anything about building a website, writing a blog post, or marketing your content January 2020. Its been challenging but rewarding learning process.
At first I was overwhelmed with positive feedback, didn’t except anything like that. Then I begin to crave it more (I want to be honest and transparent) – I had minor internal struggle: what are the reasons why I’m doing this? Likes, comments, views or because I want to improve my self and help others. I choose the latter one. If I do it with passion, success will come as by-product.
I want to thank all my readers and the feedback I received from you!
Goal #2:Learn to do muscle up 360
I’m still in starting position with this. Golfers elbow hit me late December 2019. My goals changed from muscle up 360 to “When can I do normal muscle up again”.
January to April was depressing time, I couldn’t do what I wanted and nothing seemed to heal my injury.
Then I accepted the situation which was first step out of the hole. I became obsessed in positive way to heal my arm, simultaneously I started to focus on my weak points. I trained legs more and run 20 kilometres with 10 kg weight vest on. I didn’t learn muscle up 360 but I learned dragon pistol which is one of the hardest pistol squat variations.
Finally injury rehab worked and I became “old self”. Goals aren’t written in stone, situations change and you adapt. In the end injury made me better version of my self.
Goal #3:Perform
Improv on stage
I have completed many improv courses last few years but never performed on stage. I was suppose to complete my goal in march but then COVID-19 pandemic got worse and big social gatherings were canceled.
In November I finally did it! Unfortunately my close circle couldn’t join as COVID-19 situation was still bad, audience only consist other improv courses participants (Audience was something like 30 people)
I will write about Improv more on upcoming blogpost!
Goal #4:Meditate 1 hour for 30 days
Normally I meditate 20 minutes per day but in spring I did 1 hour for 30 days (It was shared challenge with my girlfriend). It was interesting experience, I felt that I got better with meditation as days progressed. I also noticed this from heart rate and HRV:
Goal #5: No alcohol in 2020
What a great idea?! Me and my friend made this bet, no alcohol in 2020 – Our friend groups didn’t celebrate this idea too much. (You know, Finns)
COVID-19 made challenge somewhat easier as there were less parties and hanging in the bar. I also started dating with my love one so there was no urge to go out. Still, there were parties and it was different experience be in the party when everyone else are drinking. I would say that laugh per minute ratio is smaller when you are sober.
This was one time challenge so 2021 I’m allowed to drink again. I don’t have a need to be drunk but few beers… why not.
ps. I have to admit that I have been microdosing alcohol with Kombucha quite frequently 😉
Goals for 2021
Meditation 20 minutes per day minimum for whole year
Benefits of meditation are undisputed – I want to continue my meditation journey to became better meditator and human being. I spent so much time in gym and calisthenics parks, but I shouldn’t forget my mind. Everything starts from your mind.
Join local toastmasters club
After few years of improv its time to try new things. Toastmasters is community where you can practice public speaking, improve communication and build leadership skills. Definitely something that brings you out of comfort zone but there is huge personal development potential.
2 blogpost minimum per month
I made this bet with my friend – I have to deliver 2 blog post per month (otherwise I have to pay most expensive dinner in Helsinki for him).
Earn 1000 euros from blogging in 2021
This is tough goal but not impossible. There are different ways to earn money through blogging – I will probably focus on affiliate marketing. Being real and transparent is more important than cashing out, so I will only market products that I truly believe.
Learn to do back lever properly (calisthenics move)
My current back lever sucks – I have been really lazy with it. I want to do it properly in 2021! It should look like this:
This Post Has 2 Comments
Hey Ilmo, very interesting, I am on a somewhat similar path! what was your solution to golfers elbow, I seem to have an issue there too.
Hi Irina, thanks for the comments!
I’m actually writing a blog post about golfers’ elbow at the moment.
For me what worked was: extra slow pull-ups (little bit pain is ok), red light therapy, lots of wrist curls, hypervolt massage gun, stretching (don’t if there is pain). It can be long road with golfers elbow, its important to be mentally ready for that. I still feel tingle sometimes in my elbow but that’s only If I haven’t done warm up properly. Good luck with it, hopefully you can also tackle that!