Happy New Year, Nerds!

I hope that your new year is off to a great start and that you celebrated safely and responsibly.

How did we celebrate in our home? Beer (limited-release bottled, as well as yam-based), a tiny bottle of prosecco at midnight thanks to GoPuff, and a neighborhood full of illegal fireworks, shrieking children, revving engines, and gunshots. Cheers!

New Year, New Goals

First off, I want to make it very clear that goals/resolutions/whatever you may call them are not necessary at the new year. You are not required to have resolutions. Living life is hard enough and if that’s taking all of your energy, I get it.

For many years, I never did goals. But from 2018 through 2020, my Nerd Partner 4 Life and I did goals and I enjoyed the feeling of accomplishment for what we were able to complete off the list. Was it everything? Nope. That’s OK, as it gave us something to focus on and check in on during the year.

In 2021, honestly anything we accomplished felt significant and I didn’t need to set goals to feel the gravity of our wins. And how many wins there were:

  • survived 76 hours without power in single digit temps
  • visited a bucket list brewery, Jester King, on an awesome road trip to Austin
  • were vaccinated AND boostered
  • constructed a pea gravel patio in the backyard and enjoyed sitting outside drinking a beer
  • started an awesome new job that is 100% remote and pays a metric ton more
  • saw my family for the first time since December 2019
  • supported multiple charities and TCU sports/alumni groups
  • traveled to 14 states and 1 country
  • celebrated a niece who graduated high school and started her Freshman year at TCU
  • ran down my first home run ball at a baseball game
  • reconnected with a friend from high school while on an bucket list road trip to see Fall foliage in New England
  • started dance lessons with my partner
  • adopted Mr. Marshmallow and took him on a Christmas road trip

So about those goals…

Yes, I’m getting to that. Can you contain yourself to hear about my goals? Surely it’s not THAT exciting.

Since 2021 was a goal-free year, I want to get back on the horse to see what I can accomplish in 2022. Because look at how much I accomplished without goals. Surely I can accomplish more with a few goals.

So I give you my 2022 goals!

10 things I plan to crush in 2022

  1. Post at least once a week on here: because I got lazy, and a little bit complacent, and I can do better
  2. Focus on my health, which includes:
    • Seeing doctors when needed and not waiting until it’s a BIG problem
    • Improving the flexibility and reducing the pain in my hip
    • Eating less processed foods and more homecooked or raw foods
    • Use the workout equipment we have in the house 2-3 times a week
    • Get out and walk 3 times a week
  3. Travel to 2 new countries and 3 new US states
  4. Read 12 new books (or audiobooks)
  5. Donate to 20 different charities
  6. Move into a new house and get away from this neighborhood we hate
  7. Acquire an asset that will allow me to stop working by 40
  8. Reach 1,500 unique beers on UnTappd (currently, I’m sitting at 1,366)
  9. Build up my savings to cover 12-months worth of expenses
  10. And last but not least, digitize 1/3 of my APS film to have digital backups

So what’s the point of putting all of these goals on the web?

Accountability is a hell of a motivator. You now know what I mean to accomplish this year and, in theory, will want to know if I do accomplish it. So now I might want to keep you all posted. Maybe I won’t, but there’s a good shot I might.

Fun Fact: There’s actually some support to the idea that accountability helps you achieve goals due to social connection. You receive positive reinforcement and that feels good. Check out this short article on that.

And with that, I’m working towards achieving my first goal. One post completed this week! Boom!

Before I leave you all, I want to say how much I appreciate anyone who takes the time to read these posts. I know it’s not the most sensational content out on the web. However, it’s the best content I’m putting out on the web for other nerds like me. It means something to this Head Nerd and I hope it means something to someone out there too.

Cheers,
Head Nerd

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