November 27, 2019

It is that time of year again, reflecting on the past year and setting my new year’s goals, which begins on my birthday rather than on the traditional calendar year. During my walk into work this morning, I was thinking about how to frame this year’s goals. While appreciating the fall chill, watching dead leaves falling, Newton’s third law of motion came to me: “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction”.

Therefore, this year, I will not only do “more” of something, but I will also commit to doing “less” of the biggest barrier that prevents me from meeting that goal. Many of these things, I have already started or do… periodically. But I find it useful to write them down so that when I reassess, I can ask myself, “Am I doing more of… and less of…?”

Here is my Top 10 list:

1. MORE in nature, LESS indoors

2. MORE time barefoot, LESS shoes

3. MORE writing, LESS excuses

4. MORE plant-based foods, LESS meat

5. MORE active exploration of new work, LESS settling

6. MORE time w/ people who love, LESS time w/ negativity

7. MORE simplicity, LESS consumption

8. MORE reading books, LESS audiobooks

9. MORE meditation/mindfulness, LESS distraction

10. MORE connecting, LESS silo-ing

The ultimate goal this year – and every year hereafter – is simply … MORE living, LESS dying.

To do that, set your intention, your goals, and work every day to do more and less of one or more of them.