The year 2007 went by quick! I spent some time reviewing the past year’s accomplishments and disappointments and put together a plan for this year that will get me rolling in the right direction.

There are not many best moments of 2007. The trip to Paris was great, I got back into writing and started a few new blogs based on specific interests. I met some really great people professionally and socially and have got into a career path that seems to suit me well.

The good and the bad

I had a post a few weeks back on my addiction to domain names and started looking at the list of domains as more than just empty URLs. I took a day over the holiday and sat down with a print out off all the domains and started looking at each one as a possible business venture. I keep up with a lot of marketing and ‘make money online’ sites as well and thought I could use some of the information as a tool to make a viable business model out of each site I have in my bag o’ domains. The task is bigger than I would have thought but having a website that does something (like make money) is better than the alternative. I have an entrepreneur’s spirit and know that one of these ideas is going to be big. –more on that later.

I was in a rut for a bit with work. After the layoffs from Phoenix I had bounced around a bit. I tried out some new positions working in industries I was fairly new to and learned about a lot of technologies that I would have otherwise not had any exposure to. I found a listing for a Business Development Manager at Acronis on a job board and thought I would apply just to see what happened. I have the qualifications for the job but I figured with the recent bouncing around and the fact that I had been out of this particular industry for a while was going to count against me. It didn’t, and I now have a great position with a up and coming company doing something I am great at.

Maybe Babies?

Yes…I am really posting this! Meghan and I have been talking about it. Things moved pretty fast after returning from Iraq. Though we met it 2001, I came back a different person in some ways after the war in 2004. In a short time we bought a house, got a dog and then took some time to enjoy them both. Baby talk was bound to be on the horizon and it inevitably was. There is no denying that I am a fan of children. There will be a day when I am a dad. Almost all of our friends are already having them and some are on their second. I still have the lingering doubts but I have to fight those demons. I was raised well by my parents and I’m sure I would do a good job. But enjoying the time until Sexton jr. arrives will be on top of my list. That being said, don’t be surprised if there is a post in 2008 saying I am pregnant. OK enough baby talk, that’s about all I can handle!

Books and more books

I love to read and I am one of those freaks that enjoys technical books and stuff that is usually referred to as ‘reference books’. I stepped out of my comfort zone and read some great ones too and started adding mini book reviews to my categories of posts. The books I did write about were amazing and I recommend them to everyone.

Crazy and intense

The Macarthur Maze burnt down, Anna Nicole died and the numbers of troops dieing in Iraq grew more than the previous year. There was the tragedy at Virginia Tech that will be forever marked in US history.

New lives started

Alexzander Nelson (my nephew) was born. He looks more like his mother which is cool since their first boy looks more like his dad. Rogin Riley made his way into the world and his parents are spoiling him.

Bring it on!

After looking back at the past year, it didn’t fly by very fast. There was a lot of stuff crammed into 365 days and it’s important to take the time to reflect on all of it. I was reminded last night after the New Year festivities by a 2AM call from my Army brothers that I didn’t take out much time for them. We hung out at the Memorial Day party but that was about it. Those guys mean more to me than I can ever express without someone calling me a fruitcake. As I have said a dozen times, friendships like that do not come by easily and it’s disrespectful not to acknowledge the pure brotherhood of soldiers on a more regular basis. Without them I would not be the person I am today (if I’d be here at all) and the lessons I learned while with them have really catapulted me personally and professionally. You guys (and girls) are the BEST.

I am ready for 2008. I don’t really put too much faith in New Years resolutions but I think that putting a good plan together is a positive thing. But sticking to the plan is a different story altogether and I think I have put the steps in place to keep me on track.

Here are some targets for the next 365 days.

Write more: Writing is a skill I want to grow on. I love to write and I have met some great people in the online media industry that have a lot to teach and I plan on using that to get better at creating posts that are dynamic and entertaining. So instead of one post every couple of weeks, I will go for a couple a week on each of my mine sites

Read more: Maybe I should look into a speed reading course. I generally go through about 7-10 books a year and I want to see if I can get through about 15 in 2008. I have a list of books I want to read and I am sure there are going to be some released that I fill into the reading list as well.

Build a business: My career takes most of my time. As well it should, it keeps a roof over my families head and food on the table. Disregarding your paycheck for a dream is not a path I want to walk down. So I am going to pick one of my key domains and actually get a business license under it and make something of it. Using some of the tips for the 4-hour Work Week, I think this will automate some revenue for me.

Work on my network: No, not my home network, thought that needs some work too. I mean my close friends and associates. Rarely do i touch base with any of them for the hell of it. Mainly it’s for favors or advice. I am going to make a point to call or email my friends on a regular basis for the year. First email will be to find out when everyones birthday is so I never forget it!

What are you doing to get ready for the next 365 days?