Maybe it is a product of our “Facebook Nation,” or our (supposedly) improving economy, or maybe it is just the Johnny Walker speaking…. but it seems like everyone I know is glowingly optimistic for 2011. I’m certainly no different from the masses, as I am busy preparing for my Best. Year. Ever. Here’s hoping that my next Lou Challenges will take me to amazing heights… I hope you can join me for the ride.

I recently read an ebook called the 12 Week Year (by Brian Moran). The basic premise is that people are often ultra-productive when operating under a deadline. Just think about how much you are able to accomplish the day before a vacation, or how many pages you used to churn out the night before that college paper was due. The 12 Week Year recommends giving your New Year’s Resolutions a much tighter time horizon, and then adjusting after you’ve seen your progress. I’m a huge fan of changing nebulous dreams into simple, step-by-step actionable items. Presented below are my 12 Week Year New Year’s Resolutions, complete with action plan and overarching themes. I challenge you to share yours in the comments. Let’s make this an amazing 2011.

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Always one to begin with the end in mind, here’s what I want to accomplish before the end of my 12 Week Year (March 31, 2011):

• Rehab my knee / Get in amazing shape
• Regimen of nutrition
• Read 2,000 pages
• Start writing that Book
• Challenges/Events
• Look at 10 Small Deal Cards

And here’s how I’m going to get there….

Monday is Wealth Night. 5 e-mails or 5 calls, 100 pages reading. Networking, research, etc.

Tuesday is Agave Night. You know the drill.

Wednesday is Blog Night. Each week is another story from 5,000 Days of Single.

Thursday is Personal Development Night. 100 pages reading, strive for Best Possible Version of myself

Friday is Free Night. Time to Have fun or rest up.

Saturday is Catchup Day. Time to catch up on any I’ve missed that week, and get other stuff done.

Sunday is Nutrition & Reflection Day. Making sure that I’ve got the right stuff to eat all week. Look back at the last week, make adjustments, and adjust accordingly. Time to stop and smell the roses.

Notes:

• Yes, I realize that I’m a lunatic.
• No, I don’t expect to follow this to a tee every week. This is just a guideline, people. Sheesh.
• A future post will set up the guidelines for the Book, which will be a spin off the title 5,000 Days of Single. One blog reader asked, “Why do you want to be single for the next 5,000 days?” Don’t worry, blogosphere… the 5,000 days started on my 18^th birthday. That means I’ve got until September 12, 2011 to make the magic happen.
• The 2,000 pages of books to be read should include many of the following: The 4-Hour Body – Timothy Ferriss, Never Eat Alone (again) – Keith Ferrazzi, Are You There Vodka, It’s Me, Chelsea – Chelsea Handler, Assholes Finish First – Tucker Max, The Shack – WP Young, Cure For the Common Life – Max Lucado, and Life of Pi – Yann Martel. As always, I’d love to hear what you are reading. Any inspirational books you’ve read lately?
• “Small Deal Cards” is an analogy from the game CashFlow by Rich Dad, Poor Dad author Robert Kiyosaki. The idea is that you will never do deals if you aren’t looking at deals. In my case, Small Deal Cards means real estate investment, investing in a business or website idea, or, quite possibly, my book.

Some of my events have a Lou! Challenge feel, while others are just action items. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Birthday & Agave Fundraiser Dinner. January 3^rd is my actual birthday, but I’m very excited to host my party at Agave in Cabbagetown on January 11^th. Please come out and help me celebrate – it’s for a great cause. Information here:
2. Surgery. I’m finally getting my cranky knee scoped on January 5^th. Unless they find some extra damage while I’m under the knife, it should be a 3 or 4 week recovery period. I’m targeting early February for my return to the basketball court, and I should be dunking by March Madness.
3. Street Corner Man. Getting together with AlexThePhotoGuy for a jam session on a street corner in Atlanta. He’s bringing the upright bass, and I’m bringing the terrible singing and requisite scarf. Still lots to work out, like… What songs to play? Which street corner? Who’s filming? All thoughts are welcome from my lovely readers. ETA: Late January.
4. Spring Cleaning. I’ve been lax on a few household cleaning items. It will likely take an entire weekend to get through it all. I won’t bore you with details, but I’ll be MIA for one weekend in January.
5. Travel. Several options to choose from; New York with Hedge Fund Buddy? Las Vegas with West Coast Crowe? Another trip home to Cincinnati? Ultra Fest in Miami with the brother? ETA: TBD.
6. Perform Service. This one is a leftover from the 30 Days to a Better Man Challenge from mid 2010. I’ve yet to pick one, or schedule it, but it’s on the list. Any good causes you can recommend? ETA: Early March.
7. Songwriting Day/Weekend. I’ve tried and failed at this one a few times now, but I’m dedicating another weekend to write (and record) a few songs. ETA: February/March.
8. Photo Shoot Redux. Going to have another professional photo session with AlexThePhotoGuy. The blog needs some new pictures. ETA: February.

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Note: The direction of the blog might seem very different for the next series of posts. Since my current Lou! Challenge is to start writing this book… the content of the blog will be more focused on the book. I hope to make it as entertaining as possible.

Finally, I’ve pleased to say that the blog has gone over 100 posts! I certainly wouldn’t keep it up without your feedback – most appreciated! Here’s to the next 100.