2016 Annual Goals

It's that time of the year again ! Another year has gone by so fast. Before I go into my new goals for 2016 I am going to recap on how my 2015 goals went

2015 Goals

1) Rise to lower limits poker

I am actually still stuck at 2NL online which I am to blame for this. I went a massive spell through summer that I didn't play poker for around 3 months straight. It has made me realise what stage I am at with my life.

2) Win an mtt

Again I failed this one, not enough volume put into mtt tourneys and although I won quite a few sng's I just couldn't get anywhere close to even a final table in mtt.

3) Collect 2,500 FPP points

I failed this one again due to lack of volume but when I did play especially the last half of the year I played well and that's important because in the past I use to play when I was tired, not in the mood or when I was hungry which are poor choices so I've improved a lot on that aspect.

4) Travel more often

I would have expected to get this but I actually hardly travelled this year. When I did travel Manchester was decent and London was pretty good but I was somewhat lazy on both trips, just felt tired and stuff but next year I have a big trip, more on that later.

5) Be more positive and don't overthink

I passed this one, been a lot happier in 2015 than 2014. 2014 was a good year but still a few tough times that I didn't handle the best I could. 2015 I have been a lot more positive and more proactive rather than reactive. I am being responsible for my results rather than blaming them.

6) Put a lot more effort into my Youtube videos

I am going to give myself a pass on this one. I didn't make many videos but I took more time with the ones I did make. I have made some of my older videos private because I had good times with those ones but I would rather my channel get taking more seriously now so have kept up the ones that I like the best. Youtube is not something I spend time on now but when I do make a video I take time. I will always use it, but I'll only be making videos now and then.

7) Help those worse off

I gave a lot of money to charity and I also give advice and try to help those who need it. This is something that makes me feel good about myself and I am grateful that I am in a position to help others.

8) Make at least 100 Vine videos

Hardly made any. I do enjoy Vine but it's not something I should focus on too much, it's always there when I want to use it.

9) Use Sky TV more often

I would say I used Sky less over 2015 which I am actually happy about because I feel this was a silly goal in the first place. I have spent so much more time out of the house which has actually developed me.

10) Learn 7 new songs on guitar

I learned more than 7 new songs. Been playing when I can and I am just really enjoying learning and getting better. Being a celebrity is not something I want anymore. I am happy just keeping music a fun hobby.

4/10 so I am happy about that because I like to set challenging goals and enjoy the process of them rather than get attached to the result. Another point I'd like to make is I think I have changed as a person a lot this year, for the better which I am happy about.

Let's take a look at next years goals now

2016 Goals

1) Learn Italian and Spanish fluently

This goal really excites me, my Italian is coming along, I'm part Italian so it's pretty sad I don't already know this language fully. As for Spanish well if I learn Italian then I should make it easier to learn Spanish. I love cultures and it really gets me interested how all parts of the world live their life. If I do well this year with 2 Latin languages I may go totally off the radar and try learning Russian or Arabic.

2) Win 3 live mtt poker tourneys

This is a big goal. I am travelling for 6 months with 3 of those months being in LA/Vegas so can't play online but they both have good live setups. So my plan is to play a few tournaments per week. But the fields should be pretty soft especially the stakes I am playing so I believe I have a good chance with this goal.

3) Win an mtt online 2,000+ players

I am on the road for half the year so this one will be tricky to get the volume in but I know how to play this game. I will have 1 or 2 chances making it deep to really go on to win one so I need an incentive to really push for this. Difficult but possible.

4) Be more social poker wise

This is a funny goal you are probably thinking but this one is something that goes along with me as a person. I want to play poker first and foremost to have a good time. I've been almost playing online for years except a few rare occasions. America will open me up to meeting people playing live and discussing poker and life.

5) Spend more consistent time with girls - I have always preferred chatting to girls on a more natural basis as in at swimming, shopping centres, on the street etc. I feel that girl can be themselves more in these environment. Clubs and bars although I like I just feel they are more false, period ! So I don't have a problem approaching girls, my problem I would say is more consistency. Sometimes I'm really busy and just don't have time, essentially the goal this year is to make time throughout the whole 12 months rather than some months going out other months too busy. I am trying to put a lot more importance on this one as I feel I am now at age that I still enjoy being single but would like to have a long term relationship too. I just go with fate and let things happen rather than force them,

6) Socialise more often - I am at a stage in my life now that poker and music are going to just be kept as hobbies, I can still be successful at both but I had to look at the purpose of each. I don't want to be rich and I don't want to be a celebrity so if that's the case why push myself with both. I am still going to get better at both, but the main thing I want is to have fun with both of them. I lost that for a while especially with poker, I was just playing but not really enjoying it the same way I use to. So I want to go back to the old way but still taking it seriously, so good bankroll management and go mindset. By being more social and spending time with lots of people this actually helps me focus on my hobbies. It makes me happier in the long run and that's what's important.

7) Pass my driving test

Been driving for a year and a half and I won't be doing much while away but when I get back this will be a priority. I will still theory study for 6 months then when I get back book that and hopefully pass 2nd time(already failed once) and then get some driving lessons in and pass just before Christmas. That's my plan but driving doesn't come too easy to me.

8) Drink more vodka

I want to go to more clubs, parties and pool parties in 2016. I won't drink every time I go but I want to drink most of the time I go. I workout enough to keep in good shape and I feel that I don't go overboard with exercise now. I always just stick to the same drink now so vodka is fine with my body.

9) Become 10 stone in weight

Being vegan, I can get lazy sometimes. It's going to be even more difficult with being away for 6 months but I want to put on over a stone. Right now I am 8.5 stone so got a long way to go, although I am a healthy bmi I would rather have some extra weight around me.

10) Become intermediate with skiing

I want to go up Glencoe soon and then when I get back again I want to make this something I get really good at. Haven't been skiing in years but really itching to go again. Bring on the snow !!

So a lot of really exciting goals for next year. As you can see I still love poker but I am not wanting to pursue is as a full time or part time career anymore. I love the game and I don't want to lose that. My main focus this year is to do a lot of social things, become a better person and spend more time with new hobbies, maybe play more tennis, play some basketball and read more books. I also want do sight seeing which I should have good chances to do that and lastly stop focusing on material things. I'm not too bad with material things but I have looked at my life and I believe being poor with just a little bit of extra money for fun is what would make me the most happiest financially. I would have no trust issues, it would force me out to meet people and it would allow me the freedom I crave.

I have this vision after I pass my driving test of buying a car and living out of it for a while, that would be an adventure.

So I hope you all have a lovely New Year and I also hope this blog has inspired you to create goals of your own for 2016.