State of the Rich (Brooks)

So, today's my 40th birthday. What's weird is it doesn't seem old to me. I remember when 30 seemed really old, but now I have friends in their 50's and they're skiing, snowmobiling, and partying like 20 year-olds. (It just takes us longer to recover now.)

What is it about round numbers that makes one take stock of one's life? I'm not entirely sure, but I do feel that it was an appropriate time to start jotting down some notes.

I apologize in advance for using this space--and your time--to make promises to myself. But who knows, maybe it will jolt some of you into asking new questions and making your own list, whether you're 20 or 60.

My wife asked me a few weeks back what I wanted for my birthday. While there are some "toys" I want, I'm at the point in my life that they're either something I can easily buy for myself (a new video game, a camera) or that are way too expensive (a boat, a vacation home on the water, etc.)

Last weekend my wife threw me a surprise birthday party and got about 60 or 70 of my friends, family and co-workers together at a local pool hall. A few brought gifts. It's interesting to see how your friends view you through the gifts they get you. A quick sampling:

• Three bottles of bourbon (two Knob Creek, one Basil Hayden)
• Two bottles of wine
• A bottle of champaign
• Two graphic novels (aka big comic books)
• An adult sized Spider-Man costume

Hmmm....not sure what this says about me.

Right now I'm most interested in new experiences. Lately I've been playing around with the idea of taking a photography course, or sailing lessons, or learning to rock climb. (My friends, who know that I can spend two hours every night sitting in front of my XBox playing GTA IV are probably laughing right now.)

I've gotten better about trying new things, but this year I'm going to make a concerted effort to doing things that are outside my comfort level (taking a kayak out to our next "boy's" island camping trip as opposed to motor boat) or just something I don't usually do (a play, classical concert, etc.)

Goals for Rich:

• Get a few lessons in with a personal trainer and drop 5 - 10lbs.
• Take a course in something new.
• Spend more time with my daughters: reading, playing, teaching them how to kick boys' ass in video games.
• Learn to cook 6 new dishes (salsa chicken and tuna salad will only take you so far)
• To lead a more sustainable life: more recycling, less buying of crap, healthy food shopping, and less "second dinners" at 11 o'clock at night.
• Have more points of contact with friends and family. This means face-to-face, phone calls, emails, Facebook, etc. Too many months go by between interactions with me and people I truly care about.
• Do something with the 72 hours of home video that's just sitting on digital tapes in my office.
• Reward my wife regularly because she deserves it.

Goals for Flyte:

• Put on four Webinars by year's end.
• Finish the several nearly-completed ebooks and put them up for sale.
• Go to at least two industry conventions I haven't been to in the next 12 months.
  
• Get the company to the point where I can take a paid sabbatical within 3 years. (Yes!)

I'm sure there's more that both I and my company can accomplish this year, but this seems like a good starting point. It will be interesting to check back on this post in 2009 (and 2011) and see how far I've come.

Rich Brooks
40 is the new 25

Comments

[Dan]

Let me be your first flyteblog reader to wish you a very Happy Birthday! I wish you the best of luck and success on meeting your personal and company goals.

Dan

[Shama Hyder]

Hi Rich,

These are pretty awesome goals. Congratulations on always thinking big. How about that webinar # 1? ; )

-Shama

[Mike Sigers]

Happy birthday my friend !

I'm 45, so you're just a pup.

Glad to see you got some nice presents created in the great state of Kentucky ;-)

Add a trip to Kentucky to your list. Come on down for a lakeside vacation or rent a houseboat and you'll never forget it.

BTW - my middle name is Hayden ....

[Rich Brooks]

Ahhh, bourbon, sweet bourbon. One more reason to love Kentucky!