2019 is coming to a close, and with that a new year: 2020.

For me this has been quite an incredible year, however included in the painting a few dark spots.

In this post I will publicly share some of my own reflections for 2019, and write about some plans/goals for 2020.

Feel free to reply with your own thoughts on this, as well as your own 2019/2020 stuff.

2019 Reflections

#1: Be Decisive– the worst thing you can do is be in a state of limbo.

If your heart gives you even the slightest hint as to what the “right” decision for you is, then just follow that.

In the end it doesn’t quite matter what decision you make, as you can always adjust as you move along.

If you make the “wrong” inauthentic decision, you can adjust course later. For example, if you decide to live in a city you end up not liking, you can always leave.

The only “wrong” decision you can make is not making a decision- of course you need to give yourself time to make the “right” decision, but there does come a point where you just need to act and deal with the consequences.

Don’t regret anything; just adjust course ASAP.

#2: Keep it Simple- How do you be decisive? By keeping it simple!

Define things into their simplest components possible. For example, earlier this year I was telling victim stories about a break up and bad visa situation. That never fixed the problem.

When you define things into their simplest components, the advice that you need to hear is often quite easy to see. You often don’t need to ask anyone for advice.

If you still need to ask for advice, you can more easily receive it. The more complex the story you tell, the lower the quality the advice you will receive.

#3: Enjoy Darkness– Even sad emotions have positive expressions.

When you give in and surrender to your emotions, you can experience them fully which helps you release them.

Bad emotions give you lessons, and by feeling those emotions you ensure that you don’t get stuck in a loop of repeating your problems over and over.

There’s also a positive expression of each emotion, though we aren’t often taught that:

  • Anger – workout
  • Sadness – write poetry, redefine your life
  • Depression – workout and work on expression
  • Anxiety – an opportunity to overcome fear

#4: Reflect More– Seriously.

When you just sit down, journal, go for a walk, jog, whatever and give your mind time to sort itself out, it often does. You will know what you need to do.

Do not derp on social media, YouTube, drugs, etc. (it’s okay to do, but if you need answers in your life you’ve gotta embrace the pain that boredom carries with it until answers come).

#5: Everything in Moderation– including moderation.

In life there is yin & yang, left and right. Don’t get jammed on one side, though sometimes it’s definitely more ideal to stick to one side.

For example, you need to embrace reality but also be spiritual. Create wealth but also create spiritual wealth. If you get jammed on one side, you end up “needing” the other (ie. the poor yoga instructor, OR the hollow wealthy man).

However this balancing of opposites is not always absolute; for example, it’s generally wiser to lean to the side of health than the lack thereof.

#6: Just do what makes you happy– stop saying “should.”

Granted it doesn’t hurt anyone else, just do it.

You need to figure out for yourself what makes YOU happy, then just do it, without getting stuck in habits, routines, “shoulds,” ego, or pressure from family or friends or society, etc.

Life is simple. When you keep things simple, and define what you want, the steps to get it become rather simple.

It’s just easier to stay in routine than to repeat this reflection process, but it’s important you stick to it.

#7: Meditation is amazing.

I’ve now meditated almost every day for over a year- and the benefits are obvious.

It’s helping with the whole “clarity & simplicity” mindset I have. I’m also judging others way less, letting go of my former arrogance, and taking action in reality instead of in my mind.

Other 2019 Reflections?

I had several others, but I felt like these 7 would be the most benefit to y’all. Now here are some things I’d like to do in 2020.

2020 Objectives

#1: Long-term Conscientiousness.

I’d like to be more of a long-term thinker, which has naturally been happening as I move through life.

Instead of planning life by the month or day, I’d like to have an idea of general milestones for the next year.

This includes business success, relationships, and health. More on that here:

#2: Go to the Gym.

I’ve wanted to do this for quite some time, but I haven’t due to the whole traveling thing; it’s much more expensive going to the gym when you have to constantly cancel memberships…

I have a current workout regiment which keeps me quite fit, but not optimal- I’m able to build a ton of strength, but my muscles don’t “pop out” like they would if I were lifting heavier weights.

This year I achieved my goal of running 5k in under 20 minutes, and also for the majority of the year did a push-up/sit-up routine. The results are showing for my abs, but not for my arms.

Like I said I’m building strength but not muscle size, and looking better is a huge motivator for me. So, I’d like to upgrade my workout routine into the gym instead of doing what I’m currently doing.

#3: Ergo Work Setup

My days of working at a cafe are coming to an end!

I was meditating a few days ago, and my shoulders, neck, and head asked me to start taking better care of them.

Back when I first started in business, I had a dope ergo setup that also included a standing desk. Since traveling, I’ve not been able to easily recreate this.

It’s not hard work; I just take some books, buy an external mouse + keyboard, and work at home instead of at the cafe.

Since experimenting with an ergo set up just for the past few days I’ve felt a TON better. It’s crazy how much more endurance I have, and now I realize that previous “work fatigue” I thought I had was actually me hunching over!

Also, I’d like to work more from home instead of a cafe, just so that I can handle business calls, etc. Working from cafes is really fun though, so I’ll still do that, just for less time.

#4: Long-Term Living Situation

I will be more thoroughly investigating a long-term visa for Bulgaria, as that is where I tend to feel happiest.

However, this last trip in Thailand was 11/10 amazing. So if I can’t get that visa, then I’ll do 50% time in Thailand, and 50% time in Bulgaria most likely.

No promises yet though- I’m doing a little bit more reflecting to confirm my long-term living situation.

I’d ideally like to live in a one city- any city (ALMOST)- but I’m not quite committed to any place yet. The only place I’d pull the trigger on is Bulgaria, which also happens to be the hardest place for me to get a long-term visa >_>

That being said, even 50% Bulgaria and 50% somewhere else is nice, because at least then it’s certain, and I can probably rent one place and have it work out financially.

Like I’ve written many times this year, the whole “digital nomad” thing is kind of wearing on me. I need a main base, and it’s kind of funny how easily I’ve gotten stuck in this way of life.

I wrote down for my goal list “less travel, more focus on long-term connections + dating, and more focus on my bases as well.”

I’m also feeling more capable of handling deeper, longer-term relationships…

#5: Embracing Reality

I’m looking to embrace reality more and more, and apply my decision-making skills to this year to live a much more fulfilling and relaxing life.

Some moments in the past week I’ve been thinking things “should be like this, or they are like that in another country, bla bla bla” but I’ve silenced that victim bullshit and embraced reality.

It’s a lot better when you do that.

Anyways, what’s up with you? What did you learn in 2019, and what do you plan to do in 2020?

Let me know!

Thanks – Michael