With each passing year, time flies faster. I first came to this realization when I was like 15, when summers began to fly by instead of seem like forever. High school, at the time, did seem like forever, as did university. The older we get, and the more wise we become, or the more aware we become of the world around us, the more we’re distracted and the faster time consciously seems to pass. Without a doubt 2014 was the fastest year of my life.
It’s been a year since looking back on 2013 already, so now it’s time to reflect on 2014.
Summary
– In January I moved to a new place in Bangkok, close to where I lived before, but to a newer place that was bigger. My good friend Richard moved out to Bangkok from the USA, and lived with me for 6 months.
– In February I broke up with my long time girlfriend, and traveled to Malaysia with Richard. We went to Penang and the Perhentian Islands, a place I’ve wanted to visit for a couple years.
– March was mostly spent in Bangkok. We hosted a few friends from abroad. The STM Meetup was also in Bangkok, so attended that, as well as few other rooftop parties.
– In April I celebrated Songkran (Thai New Year) again, which was a blast. At the end of April, Richard and I went down to Krabi a few days before my brother and his friends came from the USA to visit.
– In early-mid May, our trip from Krabi continued to Koh Phi Phi, back to Bangkok, up to Chiang Mai, down to Phuket, over to Singapore, and back to Bangkok with my brother and his friends. It was great fun. At the end of May after they left, we went camping at Khao Yai National Park.
– In June, I went to Koh Samui for a goodbye party of some friends, and shortly after getting back to Bangkok I did a week trip up to Hong Kong and Macau. After returning to Bangkok, my friend Constantin (from Romania) came to Thailand for a month to travel. We went down to Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, then back to Bangkok since Richard was leaving Thailand and I was moving to a new place.
– In July, after Richard left, Constantin and I went to Chiang Mai and Pai, then back to Bangkok. He left in the middle of July. A couple weeks later, a couple friends and I went to Krabi (Ao Nang and Railay), where I started a challenge of no drinking for 2 months.
– August was spent mostly with my girlfriend, working, reading, and exercising. I didn’t go out much, but mostly focused on improving myself and planning out my next trip.
– In September I went to Bangladesh for a couple weeks, and when I returned, had my first sip of alcohol after 75 days.
– October was spent mostly with my friends in Bangkok. I did a day trip down to Pattaya and had some excellent lunch on the beach there. I also went to the Human Body museum at Chulalongkorn University. October 24th marked my 2 year anniversary in Thailand.
– In November I celebrated a couple birthdays, and then took a trip north to Chiang Rai to visit my friend who opened a restaurant there. We explored some of the province, and got some good local experience there. Afterward I went to Pai for a few days to rest in a hammock and visit some friends who just moved there, then went to Chiang Mai to catch a flight back to Bangkok. While there, I grabbed lunch with my friend Cam who was about to move back to the USA.
– In December I went to Koh Samed for the Kings birthday, spent time with some awesome people, and probably partied too much since my time in Bangkok was winding down. On the 23rd I returned to Colorado, where I am wrapping up this post. The New Years party is tonight, where we will be attending an event in downtown Denver raising money for charity, while celebrating the New Year.
What went well this year?
Health: Many things went well. I’ve become more conscious of my health. The 1st 6 months of the year, while living with my best friend, we partied like rockstars, which definitely took a toll on my body. Since, I’ve exercised consistently, ate much better, and have hopefully made a permanent change to how I treat my body. I can definitely say I’m in better shape now than I was January, 2014.
Knowledge: I’ve read a lot and become more intrigued as I’ve become more aware of things I otherwise wasn’t aware of before. I’ve become more curious. I’ve read more books than any other year of my life.
Business: I’ve scaled my main business and ventured into a few new projects, which are in the works for the new year. I’m in a better position now than I was at the beginning of the year, and I’m happy with the progress.
What didn’t go so well this year?
Health: While my healthy suffered the 1st 6 months, I had an incredible time with some good friends. For the short term, it was worth the sacrifice.
Writing: I missed 2 months where I didn’t get a full blog post done, which is something I will work on for the new year. During my 2 months of no drinking, I wrote everyday, but didn’t finish much of what I started. So it is time to focus on consistency and finishing what I start.
Business: I wanted to launch more into mobile, which didn’t happen, as all my new projects focused on desktop still. I also failed to finish a few projects that I started. In 2015 I will strive to finish what I start so I don’t have projects lingering around distracting me.
What am I working toward?
Health: Focus more on improving techniques, and learning more about my body. I’m working to reduce my body fat percentage, which has primarily been an issue with my diet. I also want to reduce my alcohol consumption, which should be easy now that I’m not in Bangkok ;), at least for a little while.
Knowledge: I have a book list about 30 books deep at the moment which I plan to make a good dent in, if not finish in 2015.
Writing: I enjoy writing, and I want to make an effort to do it more. I have lots of ideas and thoughts on various things that I want to share. Writing each morning when I wake up would be a bonus.
Business: I have a few loose ends of various projects I want to tie up, and then have a new idea I’m going to begin implementing which is related to scaling charities. I’m excited I get that launched.
All Together
Typing this post and looking back has been insightful. I stayed busy, mostly stayed happy, and thoroughly enjoyed this year. Many of the things I’ve worked on this year is used by thousands of people, and positively impacting their lives. I’m hoping 2015 will be bigger and better.
Looking back at my goals I set a year ago:
- Read at least 1 book each month. DONE
- Take mobile more seriously – learn everything mobile and launch a venture into it. FAIL (for another year)
- Travel to northern Asia. DONE (went to Hong Kong, though not as far north as planned. Though I am satisified with what I explored this year.)
- Spend at least 14 days without speaking English (only Thai). FAIL (made it like 4 days, and this proved to be harder than I thought)
- Do at least 1 30 day challenge. DONE (did not drinking for 75 days)
This year, instead of making a list of goals like I have in the past years, my goal will be to improve 1% each day. I want to work on my weaknesses, improve my strengths, venture into new uncomfortable things, and challenge myself. I’m exited for what the next year will bring.
On a side note, this year I made a G+ page which syncs with my Twitter and Facebook, where I share cool things I discover. Check it out and see if it interests you, I’d love to hear your feedback:
https://plus.google.com/104941165363038243339/posts
Among the things I shared was this speech below, which are 9 Life Lessons. It is well worth the 11 minutes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyBvbot3emM
Happy New Year, see you in 2015!
Patrick
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