2012. Today marks the day when so many of us will start hoping for an awesome 2012, compared to 2011 at least. We have new plans, new goals, new dreams and new wants. For me, New Year Resolutions are simply a way to start acting on things in life on a certain date. This is like a push: giving yourself and thinking of a specific date, today, to start doing things.
Our needs may remain the same, though our wants are changing. A few years ago I wrote on how setting achievable goals was not as useful as we usually think. It seems setting New Year goals offer no help unless the goals we’re setting focus on our entire life, and not just 365 days of our life limited by a calendar year name.
Here are my 2012 plans that I’m working on to create an impact on my life that will last forever. The focus is on simplifying the complexity I’m adding to my life, and the complexity that is my life.
For My 2012 New Year Resolutions, I’m Going to…..
- Have a 100% happy, simpler life
- Reduce physical clutter:
- Convert everything to a digital format when possible, like all forms of letters, receipts, books, into something online like Evernote or Google+ Photos.
- Keep only the absolutely necessary papers around in paper format, like legally-required-to-be-on-paper Driving License replacement printout or the passport.
- Throw away everything physical that is unneeded, like papers, books, letters, receipts, pens, decoration pieces, boxes, bags, etc.
- Keep only a minimum number of clothing apparel in life: maximum of 5 shirts, 7 t-shirts, 5 trousers/pants/jeans, 3 pairs of shoes, 2 pairs of slippers, 5 pairs of socks, 2 hoodies, 2 coats, 2 caps/hats, 3 towels, 2 mufflers (scarfs) and 1 watch.
(I’ve never done this before. I wonder if this is still too much? Let me know in the comments below.
) - Keep a maximum of 2 sets of hygiene essentials, like 2 soaps, 2 sets of shampoo and conditioners, 2 towels, 2 sets of shaving blades, etc.
- Have only one electronic item for each category, like only one cell phone, only one laptop and no desktop, only one camera, etc.
- Get something new only when I’ll throw out something I already have, online or offline.
- Reduce digital clutter:
- Reduce the number of info sources in my Google Reader.
- Cancel, delete or make a list of all my online accounts I don’t need, like ICQ, Skype, YouMail, PageOnce, or my multiple Hotmail accounts.
- Uninstall and delete everything on my computer I don’t need, like games I don’t play anymore or regularly, programs I don’t use regularly, etc.
- Keep only one version of any digital item. For example, if a file is in Evernote, delete it from my email OR from my computer.
- Consolidate backups of the digital life. For example, combine DropBox, CrashPlan and my Documents folder to all be together and work together.
- Simplify and focus on a few core Besizm Network sites. The Reasoner is one such example, where I’ll be simplifying things more in terms of designs and usability.
- Achieve things in life by reducing mental clutter and distractions:
- Not say “I’m Sorry” or “Sorry” unless I really am and unless I should be. This is related to “The Lie Called “I’m Sorry!”“
- Be 100% myself by being 100% humble, by avoiding manipulation, by not lying and by not exaggerating.
- Take action or make plans on things right away, even if it is to start them in the most basic form and to plan the next step for the future.
- Say “No” always when the answer is “No.”
- Finish or get rid of all incomplete plans and memories in life.
- Work on my Network content first, and then focus on any extra things. For example, I’ll be focusing more on producing content and will work on improving the visual designs only after I’ve done the content posting part.
With the exception of money and happiness, I’m trying to reduce down everything to the basics and bare minimum. With a simplified life will come a more focused happiness and more flow and value of money. With a more focused happiness and enthusiasm, there will be more direct results in life and also towards money. With extra peace of mind, there is be more things to enjoy in life with happiness and money, and fewer unnecessary or unwanted things to get boggled down by.
2012 New Year Resolutions - What are yours?
What are Your 2012 Resolutions?
What have you decided for 2012? What are you planning for 2012? Will your 2012 be the exact same as 2011? What are some of your goals, wants, needs, resolutions, etc?
Can you suggest anything I can add or change in my plans? For example, is the number of clothes I’m thinking of holding on to still too much to keep around? Am I missing something in trying to simplify things?
Do you have any goals that are similar to mine, or the exact opposite (like you wanting more stuff online or offline)?
Please share in the comments below. I’m now going to go and find out all the clothes that will be thrown away.
Thanks for reading! 
Interesting post again! I have too many social media accounts and was simply going to ignore in 2012 to have them delete automatically.
Thanks for the comment Daniel!
Ever since I went online for the first time, I also used to ignore any accounts I didn’t use and assumed they’ll be deleted or simply ignored. However, the knowledge that my online accounts are out there remained, and I knew that my information, or at least presence, was out there.
It’s like a loose end that needs to be fixed. Of course, services like Skype make it extremely hard, to have any account deleted completely. Still, it’s a goal. Let’s see how much I can get closed and deleted in 2012. Will post about it regularly here OR on Social Improve.
Wow, that’s quite a long list of resolutions you have made there, wish you success in fulfilling them all.
Me, I decided not to make a huge number, one of the most important is to reduce the amount of stress in my life.
Best wishes for a happy & successful 2012!
Thanks for the comment Frank!
Nice! Did you make a general plan to reduce stress, or did you aim at some specific things in life to reduce stress?
Great article! I enjoy reading it. Happy new year. =)
Awesome, happy new year Olga!
Firstly wish to all HapPy NEW YEAR 2012! AND PLEASE PRAY FOR success of all human being
Thanks Adeel!
What practical steps do you think we can take to make success happen for all human beings?
Foster a greater understanding of all people’s regardless of their beliefs, culture, background. Doesn’t mean you have to agree with them, but if you can even agree to disagree, you’re starting on the right track.
Unlike your other comments my new years resolution is to post more often on my social media accounts and more often in comment boxes on blogs.
Your post has given me the opportunity to keep my resolution (at least for the time being anyway!)
Good luck to everyone else in keeping their reolutions.
Thanks George!
That’s a good resolution: are your social media accounts listed on your post?
What kind of posts OR comments are you going to focus on posting now?
Hmmm. I should probably do that one too. Think that gets chalked up in the area of better communication with others and maintain your friendships – as we get older and grow, that’s a little harder to do.
This year I will finish some projects (websites) and hopefully finish university too.
These are the last new year resolutions, they told the end was near
just joking
John, :p
How many sites do you have? What are you studying?
Were these actual resolutions you thought last year, for this year, or did you decide on them once January rolled in?
Wow. You are really ambitious. I think you will have to monitor yourself every 4 days or so in order to have any realistic chance of succeeding with that many resolutions.
Andy, haha!
Instead of monitoring myself regularly, I’m simply removing everything unneeded and thinking about everything I’m doing to make sure I’m aiming at having less and not getting into any drama.
The above points, if you keep remembering them when you write them, will be in your mind, and you can refer to them regularly if you wish to make sure you’re on your way to accomplishing them. I haven’t made it a regular task to monitor myself every few days though: I’m trying to have a mindset of focusing on all the above points automatically (like an instinct) all the time.
I think my resolution would have to be keep my computer clean. Clean from adware, viruses and keep up to date. There is so much information that would be a disaster if I lost it.
That would indeed be an awesome goal, considering we are spending (or I am!) time online!
What about the online life for you?
I try and upload as much as possible, I hate having paper receipts filling up my wallet. Wish they were stored on my credit card or wirelessly transferred over to my phone..
Thanks for the comment, Tony!
What service are you using to upload? Are you uploading to an online service or to your computer? Have you tried something like Evernote?
Now that’s an admirable goal.
Sounds like you’re simplifying and stepping up your assertiveness. Very nice. I could be more assertive as well. And who couldn’t use a little more simplicity and decluttering in their lives.
-Brid
Thanks for the comment Brid!
Going to do my best and share the results on Social Improve more.
Who can believe that 2012 is here and galloping already (its the 20th Jan when I write this)!!
I ,like you, have started finally to go through all the stuff that is on my Desktop that I have hoarded over the last 3 years. I am being ruthless which is a New Year Resolution for me. Otherwise I tend to download things which I may use sometime, maybe never!!
I will also be bringing more relaxation time and meditation into my life as I have found when I have done it in the past that my productivity and creativity goes through the roof!
I wish you well in 2012 and beyond
Interesting post
Keep up the good work
Jon
Thanks for sharing, Jon!
Are you focusing more on downloaded stuff, or is downloaded stuff part of the online things you’re aiming to control?
That is one heck of a long New Years Res. list… mines usually something pretty simple, like, getting more exercise, or call my father more often. Good luck and Happy New Years!!!
Thanks for the comment Eiad!
Yep, it looks a bit long. I had to elaborate each point to make sure I realize what I’m writing fully, so that I can actually make such points part of my life.
Happy New Years to you too!
well written article. thanks for the detailed information. Will definitely visit your site regularly have bookmarked it already. i really like your blog color and layout as well.
resolutions are always tough to carry through arent they?
Thanks Vishal! Looking forward to seeing more comments from you.
Yep, resolutions are tough to carry through, though if you start acting on them from day 1 and make it your biggest daily life goal to follow all such resolutions daily, it becomes easier and easier until it becomes a habit and part of your life.
The blog is absolutely fantastic. Lots of great information and inspiration, both of which we all need. Thanks.
Its already February 2012, and I hope you still live by your plans for 2012!
a good list to do in the following year))) wish u to succeed in it)))
As I see, im not alone wanting to make my life simplier and more minimalistic! These are my goals not only for 2012, but also for 2013, 2014… Good luck everyone:)
In addition to my usual “get back on the diet” resolution, I made another more substantial resolution that, I think, will have a bigger impact on my emotional well being (and maybe even my physical well-being). I made a vow to no longer call a once really close friend who has hurt me badly in recent months. Actually, we’ve been friends for many years and work together part of the time. However, the reality is that the friendship has been one-sided for a long time and it has only gotten worse since she’s been dating a controlling guy who is jealous of her friends and her kids. She isn’t going to cut out her kids for this guy, but she has willingly neglected many of her friendships. I used to be one of her closest friends. She and I had been more like sisters than friends in recent year due to her health issues (her man was not supportive nor was even around for much of her hospital stays). Nevertheless, she hasn’t given much to our friendship, and for a while, was moody and hateful to me & other co-workers. After a while, that gets old. Talking to her about her behavior & asking her to talk to someone did no good. I tried a couple times to have a serious conversation w/her. But, I felt like she shut the door on me emotionally when it came to what her issues were. I believe she’s with an abusive guy (even if it’s not physical, it’s emotional & verbal) yet she hangs on to this guy for dear life. I think she’s lost most of her friends and I’ve heard enough from others to believe that her guy is controlling & manipulative. Until she’s willing to get out of the abusive relationship, things likely won’t change. I think it’s too late for any real repair between her and I but in the meantime, I’m making other friendships & doing other social things to get my mind of her & her chaos.
When someone else’s problems cause you so much pain & misery, it’s time to let go. The first step for me was to not call her anymore.
Biggest goal to reduce stress. And one more would be to make more money.
many social media accounts and was simply going to ignore in 2012 to have them delete automatically
Huge list. How’s it going so far? Mine were pretty simple this year, same as always – work hard, live life, enjoy time with my family. A well lived life is motivation enough for me.
Great list of tips there. Its always healthy to try something new rather than keep your life in a rut.
My sentiments exactly.
travel, enjoy, spend more time with my family, although I guess these are the same every year.
nice article, i really like reading your blog.
My new years resolution is to focus on my study! and be more patient…hehehehe interesting post!
Good post. I study something more challenging on totally different blogs everyday. It’ll all the time be stimulating to learn content from other writers and follow somewhat one thing from their store. I’d want to make use of some with the content on my blog whether you don’t mind. Natually I’ll offer you a hyperlink in your web blog. Thanks for sharing.
Hey! I just saw another message in one other weblog that regarded like this. How do you know all this stuff? That’s one cool post.