2009: Looking ahead

I don’t recall having ever written New Year’s resolutions.  In fact, something about needing a New Year to begin changing your life has never made sense to me.  If it needs changing, I’m not inclined to wait until January 1 to do it.  And if it’s a nice-to-have kind of thing, then declaring to the world I will stop or start doing something also seems a little high and mighty.  Plus, in all likelihood a you’d probably stop or start for a month or two, and that will be that, until perhaps trying again the next year.

Ok, now that I’ve completely killed the notion of why I should ever want to do New Year’s resolutions, there are things currently in the works that I’m either doing now, or want to do soon, and thus I’m throwing them out there as declarations of “permanent” changes I’m making:

• As of December 6, 2008 I’ve drank my last soda.  Well, I should say, probably.  I haven’t had one since December 5, and don’t plan to have one today or tomorrow.  It’s not hurting me, and I feel good.  So barring the occasional gin and tonic (particularly when traveling Las Vegas), I’m going soda free.  Orange juice and grapefruit juice are my daily substitute.
• During 2009 I will step on a scale and see the number 1 as the first digit.  That hasn’t happened in well over a decade, but I think I can do it.  As well, during 2009, I will endeavor never to be over 210 lbs again (barring injury).  As a sideways comment on this, I don’t know how low a healthier diet can take me, so if I get down to 190 or something (seemingly unheard of) like that, I’ll revise this number lower.
• In 2009 I will write at least 150 blog posts for this blog.  Add to that 50 or so posts at My Side Door and 50 more at TeamBelt, not to mention AZ Real Estate Blogging Network, and that adds up to a post five days a week.  Lately I’ve been averaging around 2 posts per week, which isn’t quite enough.  If I can’t do this, I’m hopeful it means that working with buyers and sellers is getting in the way of marketing.  We can all dream, can’t we?!
• In 2009 I will launch RealPhoenix.TV (this link isn’t really live right now).  I don’t know anything about having a video blog, but I’m going to learn.  Hopefully, I’ll find a few cool people to lean on, that will help me.
• In 2009 I will make a blogging wager and win.  I’m zero for my lifetime in blogging wagers, and if it takes betting on the outcome of the pro bowl, I’ll do it.
• In 2009 I don’t want to evict another tenant.  Of course, if I have to, I will.  I just don’t want to do it again.  In 2008, I evicted the first two tenants of my career, a trend I would greatly like to end.

Here’s a few things I might do:

• In 2009, I might hire a licensed assistant.  I already employ a full time office manager, Shannon, but she’s not licensed.  Shannon does all of the back end stuff that makes it possible for me to be a full time property manager, and not completely lose my mind.  Plus she does the majority of the things a virtual assistant would do.  I prefer her to be in the office, so she can answer the phone and greet people that walk in when I’m not here, which means if I want to grow my business much further, I’ll be looking to bring in a new member to Team Belt.
• Already, it looks like I’ll sell more homes in 2009 than I did in 2008.  I’m once again working with motivated buyers for the first time in seemingly ages.  This may be an indicator that the housing market is turning around in Phoenix.  Or it’s just I’ve found the few motivated buyers that exist.  It’s too soon to tell.
• In 2009 I will permanently put an end to spam email.  How you may ask?  I really don’t know (yet).  But I’m working on it.
• Plus, as a bonus, I’m going to personally be responsible for gas going below $1/gallon.  Again…you’ll just have to trust me on this one.

Photo credit: ME°°

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