My Mid-year Review: Needs Improvement

Waking up beauty

Random Observation/Comment #243: I spend a lot of time re-evaluating my life and making sure I can: 1) look in the past and nod approvingly at my decisions, 2) predict the future career steps so I can nod approvingly at the image of myself in the future, and 3) follow my routine to make sure it has a happy balance of productivity and enjoyment so both 1 and 2 can be maintained (with an approving nod).  I think I need a more organized schedule for these evaluations… I’ll use what I learned from work: let me write a proposal first! Hah…

Writing the list of goals, aspirations, dreams, and fantasies is more of a year-end thing.  I’m usually too busy writing about traveling during the middle of the year to worry about how the year is going to turn out.  I pretty much approached it by walking towards a general direction and hoping that my 3-steps above give enough padding to make it all work out.  It’s the “loosey-goosey,” “go with the flow,” and “live in the moment” type of mentality that I hope gives me a fulfilling life.  I probably analyze my life too much, but I only get one – so it’s probably something I should invest some time in.

This year, however, is a bit different from the past few.  I have started a “grown-up” routine and do adult things, like read newspapers and sleep on trains during commutes.  Even though I don’t seem like I do much living, I am trying my best to stuff things together and continue meeting my life goals.  Unfortunately, 9 hours at work with a total 3 hour commute drains my motivation to do more work when I get home – well, it’s more like, I feel I deserve to unwind a bit and just bombard myself with mindless media.

My to-do list grows as I think of things to do at work, while I’m outside of work and then I go home and feel the need to watch just one – or maybe two – episodes from my favorite shows.  By the time I feel refreshed, I’m only left with 2 hours before I need to sleep to start the whole routine over again.  Weekends pass way too quickly and my attention is split between friends and family.  It seems that my desire to check-off my personal list just needs a more flexible deadline.

This mid-year review is to evaluate my balance and my accomplishments in the first half.  I took a cruise in Mexico; started a full-time job with a great community life; joined multiple philanthropy organizations including Junior Achievements teaching 3^rd graders and FIRST robotics mentoring high school kids; learned much more about relationships; saw her again; became a manager for a band; re-enhanced plans for company; re-enhanced plans for comic book; re-enhanced online profile; attended at least one networking event per week for the past 7 months; studied for the CFA; studied consulting use cases books; learned a bit of French and kept up-to-date with German; got a bit more confident with Mandarin; restarted work-out routine; wrote first half of book and planned second half; took event photography for 7 Credit Suisse events; built solid relationships with multiple mentors; and went skydiving (today).

I already knew that this year would be one for building soft skills, exploring relationships, expanding networks, and setting the foundation for expanding to different career paths, but I wish there was more “umnph.”  Actually, given these goals, I think I’ve been doing a decently good job.  However, I’m still planning an upgrade of excitement!

In order to make this year awesome, I will definitely do my best to complete the following tasks: Pass CFA, take GMATs, apply to MBA programs, help Komtra make a profit, help Komtra get a song on the radio, participate in 3 more philanthropy events, have an unforgettable time in France and Italy, Review 6 more 5 star restaurants in NYC, Revamp online persona with travel and food reviews on yelp, take more event photographs at networking events, buy new DSLR, buy new Android phone, release Android app, release first draft of comic book, get a 4-pack, and publish book.

Some of these are easy and some of these require some extra effort, but I think I would end with a satisfactory mark. (y).

~See Lemons Up the Ante