First, I am going to start with some accomplishments. After all, motivation also comes from looking back to see that success is possible no matter what anyone else tells us.
Completed Goals:
- Bachelors Degree - I have a degree in Management Information Systems from Northeastern State University.
- Third degree Black Belt - A few days after I started Karate my instructor asked me what I wanted to accomplish with their class. I looked at their rank and it was Nidan or second degree at the time. I told them I want a third degree. Since then (approximately 20 years ago) I have received a fourth degree in Karate and a fifth degree in Aikijutsu. More importantly I have praise from a few people I really respect in the martial arts. Rory Miller and Steve Taylor. Now they didn't say anything like, hey this guy is the best. Although I would like to hear that one day. They simply said "He gets it." That means more to me then anything.
- Buy a house - looking back it was probably not the best plan but all in all I think it worked out. I still have a house and it needs some work but it is home.
- Buy a car I want - Done! I bought a Mazda CX-7 back in June. I really cannot afford it. Honestly I think I over reacted to my new found freedom. Although I must say I love my car.
- Visit Japan! - as mentioned in my last post I found out a friend of mine is going to be going to Japan in 2011 and it made me realize I have always wanted to go. So I need to make this a priority for my life and I need to go. It may not be at the top of my list but it is on the list for certain.
- Pay off my bills - when I say my bills I don't mean the day to day stuff. I have three big loans. My mortgage, my car loan, and my student loans. I MUST get rid of these debts, I am tired of paying for them.
- Go to England - I want to go see everything and study the martial arts with Iain Abernethy and Al Peasland on their home turf.
- Go back to Seattle - I didn't get a chance to actually work out with Kris Wilder while I was in Seattle and I really want to go back and work with him some more. I am currently working through the "Sanchin Kata" book and DVD so that I don't waste his time.
- Publish my own books - I want to publish books on my Aikijutsu system. I want it to be a resource for my students and I would like to do a good enough job for others to look at it and say something like, "Hey! This isn't garbage." I would also like to get a work of fiction published too.
- See my kids accomplish their dreams - I love this quote: "Find something you love and you will never work a day in your life." -Samuel Clemens. I would like to see my kids doing something with their lives that makes them truly and totally happy and fulfilled. I would like for it to be productive and meaningful too but I am afraid if I put too many stipulations on this it will not happen. So I wish for the best for both of them. I also hope that if they decide to be part of a family of their own that they are happy and healthy.
- Go see, Ghost and Darkness - the two man eating lions from Tsavo Africa, currently on exhibit in Chicago. Supposedly killed and ate over 130 people back in the late 1800's before being killed.
- Visit the grave of Musashi - these are in no particular order but this is one thing I would really like to do.
- Attend a seminar with Patrick McCarthy - another martial artist that I would really like to work with some more. Being that he lives in Australia means I also want to go see the sights while I am there.
- Visit New Zealand - I don't care about the movie sets but I really want to see more of what appears to be some incredible countryside.
- Make a living out of being a Private Investigator/Process Server/Executive Security - I want to work for myself. I want to be successful in a field that has unlimited potential. I see these things as something I can really enjoy doing. Something I can tie into my life very well.
- Skydive - yes I know. I might not need to worry about the rest of the list if I do this but it sounds like a blast. I want to do it! I think Japan is first though...
- Get Healthy - I want to get my weight down to 210 at most. This is probably the easiest of the goals to be honest. However, I have really been dragging my feet working on it. The emotional side of this is fixed now I think and I have started losing weight. I will post my progress in time. Perhaps after the initial weight loss is proven not to be a fluke.
Fake Diplomas
ReplyDelete...Good Blog....
Hi Nick
ReplyDeleteA great blog my friend.
You're more than welcome to come to the UK and train with us anytime you wish, as my guest.
The bucket list is a great idea - keep up the good work
Al ;-)
Paul,
ReplyDeleteThat is a great idea. Couple of minutes in a photo editor and I should be able to show proof of each event too. I'll work on that...
Al,
Thank you very much! Might be 2012 before I can get across the pond but it will happen. It is on the list, I have to do it now. :-)
Nick