A belated declaration of my goals for 2013 (starting from January 15th).
1. Read at least one book per week. 2. Write at least one (meaningful) blog post per week. 3. Sleep before midnight.
Read at least one book per week
This is distinct from "read 52 books this year". The goal is to consistently be engaged in reading books throughout the year. I draw this contrast since last year, I had months where I read zero books and months where I read more than 10 books. (I read 48 books last year)
Write at least one (meaningful) blog post per week
Early last year, I experimented with writing one blog post every day. There were some benefits to this, but I was not pleased with the unoriginality and shallowness of many of my posts during this time. This year I want to spend time focusing on writing more thoughtful and meaningful posts, rather than striving for volume.
Sleep before midnight
I am quite productive in the morning, yet tend to defer waking up until the last possible minute. By sleeping before midnight, I aim to facilitate an earlier start to the day. I lead a rather hermit-like existence for someone my age, so I am fortunately (?) not frequently faced with the challenge of balancing a night out with this goal.
Parting words
All three goals are easily attainable for me. I don't have to move a mountain to achieve them; in fact, my existing routine meets these goals about 70% of the time. All that I need is a mild strengthening of my already rather disciplined lifestyle.
On January 21 2013 10:19 Agama wrote: you should post in your blogs what books you read and your thoughts on them! would be interesting.
I'll definitely be doing a 2012 book review entry soon .
On January 21 2013 11:10 Najda wrote: What kind of books will you be reading, any restrictions? Or are you just reading whatever intrigues you.
Some authors I've read recently:
Malcolm Gladwell / Michael Lewis / Daniel Pink / Peter Singer / Seneca / Kurt Vonnegut / Neal Stephenson / Haruki Murakami / Barton Biggs / David Einhorn / G.H. Hardy / Shinichi Hoshi / Dan Ariely / Steven Levitt / Richard Feynman / Steve Wozniak / Lawrence Lessig / Nietzsche
On January 21 2013 09:15 thedeadhaji wrote: I lead a rather hermit-like existence for someone my age, so I am fortunately (?) not frequently faced with the challenge of balancing a night out with this goal.
be sure to sprinkle in some fun once in awhile. I didn't pick up much excitement in your post, which is the whole reason for goals - to make you excited!
On January 21 2013 11:44 Spiffeh wrote: be sure to sprinkle in some fun once in awhile. I didn't pick up much excitement in your post, which is the whole reason for goals - to make you excited!
Well I have interests outside of my new years resolutions that are more along the lines of "fun". These include weightlifting and cycling.
Actually, reading is a really enjoyable way to spend time for me. It's not a "chore" at all
On January 21 2013 12:27 docvoc wrote: I haven't seen you post in a bit, it is good to see you back in the blog section though .
Thanks I think my new found motivation (particularly respect with my desire to write more thought-provoking and critically considered posts) is at least partly related to the recent death of Aaron Swartz (whose quality of writing was quite inspiring).
If you read one book a week, won't they kind of get...forgotten? I think the trick to this new year's resolution is to make sure the intricacies of each book don't get overshadowed by the massive amount of reading, and to really put in the effort with each book to make sure you actually understand it instead of glossing over them and just getting the general concepts.
Sleeping before midnight, now that's a tough one and possibly one you don't manage stick to thinking about it in terms of my own situation, but who knows. Tell us how it's going so far and good luck on your goals for 2013!
On January 21 2013 19:47 ToKoreaWithLove wrote: Don't go for the game of thrones books. #3 tricked me with its small size and small text and it took me 6 days to read the damn thing
To compare I finished the last Wheel of time book in 2 evenings after work.
No, you should definitely read A Song of Ice and Fire (not game of thrones books, as they are commonly knows because of the TV series). They are a LOT better
How long do you spend on reading? Instead of setting a hard goal for myself in terms of number of books per year, I try to read at least 1.5 hours a day (~30 minutes commute, and one hour before bed). I mean, some books are just monstrously large (I've read four books over 1000 pages last year that just kept on going and going).
On January 21 2013 16:59 Roe wrote: If you read one book a week, won't they kind of get...forgotten? I think the trick to this new year's resolution is to make sure the intricacies of each book don't get overshadowed by the massive amount of reading, and to really put in the effort with each book to make sure you actually understand it instead of glossing over them and just getting the general concepts.
I've found that keeping a list of books I've read is enough to remind me of the central points of each book.
On January 21 2013 19:47 ToKoreaWithLove wrote: Don't go for the game of thrones books. #3 tricked me with its small size and small text and it took me 6 days to read the damn thing
To compare I finished the last Wheel of time book in 2 evenings after work.
Man I've been stuck on book 3 since 2010
On January 21 2013 21:07 WArped wrote: Sleeping before midnight, now that's a tough one and possibly one you don't manage stick to thinking about it in terms of my own situation, but who knows. Tell us how it's going so far and good luck on your goals for 2013!
Yup I'd expect this one to differ dramatically from person to person. For me, being a hermit, it's not so hard since I don't have many external influences making it harder for me.
On January 21 2013 22:30 Shikada wrote:
Another resolution for you. Change your TL handle
I don't think the TL overlords would let me
On January 21 2013 22:57 Cambium wrote: How long do you spend on reading? Instead of setting a hard goal for myself in terms of number of books per year, I try to read at least 1.5 hours a day (~30 minutes commute, and one hour before bed). I mean, some books are just monstrously large (I've read four books over 1000 pages last year that just kept on going and going).
I'd guesstimate 1-2 hours a day on average, though sometimes I spend 6+ hours on a weekend reading.
I know what you mean about large books... I read a few above 1000 pages last year myself. Honestly the complexity of the writing is a bigger issue than the sheer length though; reading 600 pages of Nietzshe is many times more daunting than 1000 pages of "Barbarians at the Gate"
I really like #1 & 3 and should probably steal for my own benefit. I have been majorly slacking on reading for well over a year now and it's quite embarassing. I also deny myself sleep like an idiot.
On January 22 2013 13:29 ROOTheognis wrote: GL. I'm the same with my book pacing-- sometimes reading multiple for months, othertimes not reading for months. =[
Yup it's really not ideal at all
I'm actually finding myself in binge-mode right now (3rd book in a week). I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do -- am I supposed to throttle it down somehow?
On January 22 2013 13:29 ROOTheognis wrote: GL. I'm the same with my book pacing-- sometimes reading multiple for months, othertimes not reading for months. =[
Yup it's really not ideal at all
I'm actually finding myself in binge-mode right now (3rd book in a week). I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do -- am I supposed to throttle it down somehow?
Sure, why not? Just spend more time thinking and contemplating what you've just read
On January 22 2013 22:20 iremnant3847 wrote: How do you choose your books? Are you looking for novels that are easy to read or intellectually challenging?
The books I read are usually "vouched for" by either friends or people whose opinions I respect.
I also like to look into books cited by books that I'm currently reading.
I found your blog inspiring. I wish more people would read instead of just staying in front of their tv 2-3 hours a day... The world would be a better place to live. But one can dream.
Anyway, could you by any chance give us the list of the books you read in 2012 ?
On January 24 2013 04:14 Mysti_ wrote: I found your blog inspiring. I wish more people would read instead of just staying in front of their tv 2-3 hours a day... The world would be a better place to live. But one can dream.
Anyway, could you by any chance give us the list of the books you read in 2012 ?
If you can give me a few weeks, I'm working on something that should satisfy your needs
EPT
