Final Blog of the "76 Days" Experiment and of the Decade - Day 76

This is the final blog post of the 76 Days experiment and, indeed, my last blog entry of the decade. As I write this post, the ball is dropping in New York's Times Square and the world is celebrating the release of the old while ushering in new hope. Photography enthusiasts are securing their cameras on stable tripods and getting ready to open their shutters and create long exposure images of fireworks streaming across the sky. Others are breaking out the party hats and/or bottles of Martinelli's Sparkling Apple Cider. I am keeping warm under my electric blanket, thankful that the kids are all sleeping (finally). A quite New Year's Eve for us, we don't even have the TV on... After I finish writing, I'm hoping to watch a Netflix'ed Blu-Ray of "Braveheart".

In all the energy of this holiday, I encourage you to keep it real. If you get tempted to make New Year’s resolutions, remember the power of taking small steps. Rather than telling yourself you’re going to diet and start an extreme workout program and get totally fit, considering eating 100 less calories each day. Start there and see where it goes.

Also remember the value of starting off each day with a Power Hour – doing what is most important first thing in the morning. My own Power Hour consists of first praying and thanking God, then walking while reading or rocking out to my favorite tunes, then doing yoga and strength work with Wii Fit Plus, and finally writing ten things I appreciate in my Gratitude Journal. Your Hour of Power will inevitably be unique. List a few of your “big rocks” and make it happen each morning. That 1-2 hour session will completely revolutionize and maximize each day. It's an investment of time that multiplies what you get out of the rest of your day.

As I mentioned recently, this “76 Days” experiment has been a great success for me. I’ve found my voice. I am now clear on my main focus for 2010 and the next decade. I’ve burst free from the self-imposed shackles of fear and am now feeling a degree of confidence I’ve never known before.

I fully understand that I will come up against challenges and make mistakes and continue to grow. But the change I’ve experienced is remarkable.

A Few More Things I’ve Learned

• I’ve learned how to focus and stay on target, avoiding distraction and multi-tasking.
• I have been reminded that I am a strong man, able to kill fear and make decisions with confidence.
• My theory was correct: self-love is a good thing… when I take care of myself, I am less needy, less fearful.

And this entire "76 Days" experiment, I now know, has been simply a starting point.

This is just the beginning. I have gone through kindergarten. Now I enter the first grade. I have gone through orientation. Now I begin my freshman year.

Will I continue blogging? Yes... I will share my thoughts as I continue writing my forthcoming book and developing presentations for upcoming speaking engagements.

Together, we can get our "master's degree" in self-confidence with a minor in fear-slaying.

Thanks for joining me during this initial orientation.

Happy New Year and best wishes for an awesome 2010!

Comments

[Barbara]

Happy New Year, Jim! (and to your family & BP family)
Thank you for sharing your journey! It has helped me a lot! I look forward to your next adventure!
Barbara

[Jim Miotke]

Thanks so much, Barbara. Happy New Year to you too! I appreciate your comments and look forward to a prosperous, creative, and love-filled 2010 for all of us! Thanks again!

[Susan]

Happy New Year to you and the entire BP family. Still taking baby steps here, but looking forward to 2010 with quiet confidence in myself and my work. Thanks for taking me along on your journey. The road ahead is beginning to emerge from the mist.
Susan

[Ingrid Kast Fuller]

Great advice on the Power Hour and working on goals a little each day. I think too many people want to change their life over night and really the best way to change your habits is consistantly and daily.

[Anne McKinnell]

Jim, thank you for sharing your experience. I think I should start at the beginning and read all the blog posts again. The things I have found most beneficial are the personal power hour and taking small steps. I wrote in my blog about my small steps accomplished last year and was surprised at the end by how much I really did accomplish. Now I have a sticky note on my board that says "If I knew I could not fail, what would I do or be?" I'm still not sure of the answer, but thinking about it is a good thing in itself. Thanks again and Happy New Year!
Anne.

[Patti Coblentz]

It has been fascinating to follow your thought flow. Full of very good ideas on defining, honing in on, and accomplishing objectives. Thanks for sharing this!

Patricia Coblentz

[essays]

Jim, what a wonderful experiment you shared with us! I really liked your wish that "Together, we can get our "master's degree" in self-confidence with a minor in fear-slaying."! That is very inspiring and you inspires me a lot!