11 Tactical Resolutions That Will Improve Your Life

Below is an email I recently sent to the fine folks who have joined HomeStomper’s email list. I put it together in a moment of inspiration and didn’t really consider posting it to the blog but it was incredibly well recieved… even by folks who were forwarded the email by caring StomperAgents. So, here it is… I hope you enjoy as much as everyone else has.

today is a different kind of email because a lot of folks
are curious about my recent experiences.

see, i recently returned from two months of backpacking by
myself across Thailand where i saw and learned more than i
ever could have hoped for or imagined possible – a lot of
which apply to you and any new year’s resolutions you might
be making.

yeah, now’s that time when you make resolutions as a way to
set your intent for a more positive, fulfilling year. one of
growth and accomplishment. however, many new year’s
resolutions rarely make it past the first few weeks mostly
because they’re vague or involve tactical steps towards a
clearly defined goal.

so today, i’m going to suggest you make some tactical
resolutions.

each of these tactical resolutions is designed to give you a
long-term benefit (some even for a lifetime) with a minimum
amount of time and effort… and they’re either free or very
inexpensive.

more than likely many of these items have been on your
“meaning to do” list. so…

in the interest of betterment of your future, the enjoyment
of your life, and a clear start for the new year…

11 THINGS THAT WILL IMPROVE YOUR LIFE

1. register your full name as a web domain if you haven’t
yet. i’m sure most of you have but if you have an odd or
difficult to spell name (like Eckenrode) then you should
also grab a domain that’s easier for folks to email you.

for example, folks won’t exactly have an easy time
remembering how to email “jane@janelewczyk.com” so a
“jane@replytojane.com” or “jane@contactjane.com” makes more
sense when someone asks for your email. it’s easy and came
in handy when meeting folks on the trails.

2. check available cell phone plans to see if there’s one
that better meets your needs and usage. you can save
yourself a considerable chunk of change every month.

3. gain a source of new info. it’s amazing how much we view
the world through our own fishbowl with our own rose colored
goggles… and we’re content to stay there. so, subscribe to
a newspaper or magazine and get a regular dose of
information on a new topic – preferrably one you know
nothing about but have always been interested in. yeah, you
could also find a website for the info but having a physical
copy is more rewarding and you can take it with you.

4. go to new places. break out from the normal routine and
venture to a new location. you never know what opportunities
await you. you don’t necessarily need to go across the
globe, a new coffee shop across town will keep you from the
same-old same-old treadmill.

5. back it up. i never really took the time to do this but
before i went overseas i backed everything up onto an
external drive… two weeks into the trip my netbook’s
harddrive crashed. good thing i had that backup. you can get
an external backup drive super cheap nowadays. you’ll be
glad you did because it’s simply a matter of “when” not
“if”.

6. photocopy it. things such as your credit cards, passport,
social security card, birth certificate, and other important
documents. if you have a journal, photocopy that, too, and
place these in a safe, external (not at your house)
location. i scanned most of mine, printed them out, and
placed the digital copies on a thumb drive – 2 backups!

7. branding review. take a look at your business cards,
website, and other marketing collateral to see if the
information on them is correct and if the branding
represents your current business. yes, even your clothes.
oftentimes, as a business grows, the brand evolves but the
marketing collateral never does… make sure what you’re
putting out there is representative of your business.

8. debrief or journal. i keep myself a regular journal and,
along with my thoughts, i debrief after an event, meeting,
martial arts workout, etc. it’s a great way to internalize
the event, examine what went well, what you gained from the
experience, and how you plan to grow from it. do this after
your presentations, a day on the phones, or even a night
out. you’ll be one smooth operator in no time.

9. get physical. make an appointment to get a physical
checkup. nip any potential problems before they hinder the
year. but, also, make a point to be more active by doing
something as simple as regular walks or joining a hiking
club or martial arts school. physical activity recharges the
psyche and spirit.

10. get involved. the one thing that had the most impact on
me during my travels was getting involved with the
villagers. despite the language barrier and cultural
backgrounds we worked together. i can easily say they taught
this foreigner what it means to live in and care for a
community. life is enriched by the connections we make with
others and how we give of ourselves so make time to reach
out to others.

11. get an expert. before venturing into new and unfamiliar
territory it’s best to talk to someone who’s an area expert.
you want to avoid any hidden surprises or stumbles… and
there will be at least one on the trail, that’s for sure. on
one occassion i even had the foresight to grab a guide and
i’m alive because of it. so, do your due diligence, and
speak with an expert.

now, here’s the part where i’m supposed to pitch you on
marketing coaching… if you’ve read this far you already
know i’m not one to steer you wrong. so, i’ll skip the pitch
and simply point you to HomeStomper’s coaching page:

http://www .homestomper.com/services

okay, get stompin.

If you’d like to be a part of HomeStomper and get my emails, sign up at the top of the page or click here