7 super resolutions for 2007... & for life!

My new year resolutions for 2007 are fairly straight forward:

1. Breathe: I've lived for nearly 3 decades but am yet to learn how to breathe well. I believe most of us don't breathe the right way all the time. Controlling breathing is the easiest way to control the mind, emotions, intellect, etc. I've never learned pranayama or yogic techniques. But to me it has been obvious that rhythmic, deep breathing using both chest and abdomen to full expansion-contraction holds the key to leading a very healthy life. It not only increases the IQ and EQ tremendously, but brings great joy! In the beginning, this will take a conscious effort but once it gets established as a routine, then breath by breath, this most important resolution will fructify.

2. Positive affirmations: I've made up my mind to constantly affirm positive thoughts... that I'll be extremely healthy, wealthy, wise, intelligent and successful in life. Like the weight of the stone that lets it sink to the bottom despite the currents, these have no choice but to find their mark. I've learned the hard way that being spiritual only means one no longer cares for something materialistic (or, its absence), but its harmful to wish away the material belongings as long as one is still in this world, ie, not a renunciate. A single negative thought that shaped my attitude for a while cost me dearly in financial terms... still does!

3. Work-life balance: I work for 2 companies and have atleast 4 bosses (or key stakeholders). This had led to quite some stress last year. To me, who is always looking for a variety of experiences, with work viewed as 1 aspect of life, it simply wasn't enjoyable. But over time I've discovered that successful people never crib. They effectively manage and enjoy all aspects of life, including tremendous amount of pressures at career too. I'm consciously trying to learn and practice good time-energy-priority management skills. To start with, I'm reading a personal productivity best seller 'Getting things done' by David Allen. Call it self-help or general management, I hope to bring some order into my otherwise chaotic work-life.

4. Read: I want to be very well read, especially in Management related subjects. After long last, I've figured there are only 2 career paths - technical or management - no point being in between. In technical, one needs to get deep down into the bowels of some technology by either going for a PhD or sticking on to a technology for the love of it for long enough that you're the undisputed king. In management, one learns to manage people, finance, companies, strategy, etc to change fortunes. A breadth of knowledge is key here, along with plenty of common sense. With more time freed up thanks to my resolution no. 3, I should be able to comfortably use it for my benefit.


5. Travel: I'm in a foreign land. A beautiful country with a rich History and plenty of multi-cultural experiences to go through. I wish to travel every weekend, atleast on one day within UK and atleast once a quarter to Europe. Again, key to making this come true is resolution no. 3.

6. Exercise: I've felt the extreme thrills that simple pleasures like exercising brings... a rush of blood to the head and heart... a sense of euphoria! Other than the known health benefits, it promotes increased sense of well being and higher energy levels, both mental and physical long after exercising. I plan to jog atleast once a weekday, swim on Saturday and jog on Sunday. When I buy a car, I hope to be able to start playing tennis once again. In a country like India, this would've been real easy. But here, it keeps raining all the time, the temperature drops to 0 deg. outside... and combined with my dislike for indoor exercise/ gymming, I need some special plans to make this work!

7. Eat: This relates to the trouble I've faced due to lack of food.. on which I've written 2 or more posts previously. I've decided its worth the effort to eat healthy, eat good and eat well to keep the body-mind going strong.

These 7 super resolutions are all I need in life. The rest will follow. I will stop making the same 'resolutions' from 2008, since by then with some discipline and will power, I wish to make them an integral part of my attitude... to let them sink into my conscious and sub-conscious mind so they come true of their own accord.