Blog

Back to the front we go. Before we begin I would like to wish everyone a happy 2010. One thing I had fun doing last night (New Year's Eve) was watching all the youtube videos titled “2009 Sucked”. It was a great means in which to look back on the year that took a lot out of me. Don't get me wrong, I am very blessed in my own life and am trying to become the best person I can be for my family. I'm not complaining. I'm evaluating. 2009 sucked indeed. I'm not the only one who thinks so either. It was an average year, but one that I think will make for a good scaffold in which to build upon in 2010.

As we are dipping our toe into 2010, I'd like to introduce some things that I am going to do this year. If you are reading this, it's a good chance that you are connected to me somehow on a first term basis (Facebook, my podcast, twitter, etc). I'd like all of those connected to me to provide your encouragement and support throughout the year. If I make mistakes, please let me know. Here are some of them, in no significant order.

Goal #1 – Post at least one blog post every day.
For a few years I've wanted to maintain this goal. It's stupid that I don't do this. My main source of personal disappointment is that everyone tells me what a talented writer I am, and I squander it. I need to keep on this task to become the writer that I want to be.

Goal #2 – Read 52 Books in 2010.
My friend Julien Smith set this goal for himself in 2009 and pulled it off with flying colors. Reading so much helped Julien to become a better blogger, a better writer and a better public speaker. His book “Trust Agents” was released in August 2009 and made it all the way to the NY Times best seller list. Reading other books helped Julien to focus in on his own thoughts. I'd like to emulate and scale what he did. I was given a new Kindle DX for Christmas. I can't think of a better way to dive into reading on a mass scale than with a digital reader. I'm going to try and keep a running log of what I am reading on my home page. If you want to follow along, please do!

Goal #3 – Be the Goo
As goofy as this title sounds at this particular moment, you'll all get it by the end of the year. I've got a new production in the works called “Marketing Goo”. It's a video show. I want to make something that reflects what I do, what I enjoy and what others can benefit from the most. I want to be able to teach people how to quit their day jobs and live a more fruitful lifestyle with their families. Almost anyone can become a marketing guru. It takes a lot of learning and a few tools to get you there a little faster. This is going to be my creative outlet in 2010. I hope you will participate with me.

Goal #4 – Health and Fitness
Not much to mention beyond the obvious. I need to start backing away from the computer and continue a daily fitness routine that will get me in a better health position by the end of the year. My wife and I are new members of a beautiful new gym in town. I want to use it to the fullest in 2010. I also need to get a handle on some of my health issues. I've not been to a Doctor for a regular physical in about 20 years. Unless I was bleeding, broken, or in an emergency, I've really not needed a Doctor in that time frame. I'm a couple years away from being 40. It's time to start paying attention so I can make it to 80.

Goal #5 – Pre-Record
My music show is something that I still enjoy doing after all these years. I love putting the show together, but sometimes it takes too long in between shows. My best year of doing the show was the first one, when I did three shows a week. I want to get back to that, but with a twist. I'd like to pre-record the show so that I can have 3 different show formats every week. A regular “standard” show, a band challenge show (battle of the bands), and a new artist show. Band challenge will also get it's own feed and domain. I will probably expand it to include other genres as well. It would be a fast show to make, and I might even try an iphone app around it. It will be so much easier to fulfill this goal if I learn to record a lot of shows at once (a few months worth at a time). I need to plan, organize and implement this strategy. Soon.

Goal #6 – Catalina Island
Many of you know that I am an avid fan of Sailing. We own a really special sailboat that lives in Dana Point Harbor in SoCal. I'd like to sail over to Catalina Island (36 miles from shore) before July 4th, 2010. I know that my wife and I are talented sailors and are up to the challenge. We just need a bit more practice with speed trials, anchoring, and launching the spinnaker sail. We're going to have a few things added to the boat within the next month. Autopilot, Lowrance GPS/Sonar and new bottom paint will be applied.

Goal #7 – 100 Web Sites
I'm going to own over 100 web sites in my network by December 15th, 2010.  As of today (1/1/10) I have 5. So at the consistent rate of one site every 3.65 days, I'm doing it. I've got the know-how and means to do it. Just need to add the elbow grease. I'm starting with this site, marcuscouch.com. I need to create a platform in which everyone can consume all my content in one place. Right here.

Goal #8 – Fishing Milestones
In 2010 I want to catch these fish:  Bluefin Tuna, Yellowtail, Halibut, Barracuda and Giant Squid. I'd like to catch a limit of Pacific Spiny Lobsters before the season ends in March.

What did I miss? I'm sure I'll find out. Hopefully so will you.