The “Mind” category is one that is represented by the Cool Blue of analytics. It is the rational me, the planner, the learner even. In many ways, the introverted me, the deep-in-my-head-this-is-what-I’m-thinking-about me.

In the past, some of my successes in this area have been purchasing a car or house, getting my french, finishing my Masters, making career changes to try something new, taking courses for fun (like film literacy), using a telescope, making some shelving, trying new software packages, learning to program, organizing my book collection, making presentations on HR, moving, running my website, home repairs, financial planning, lots of interesting and challenging files at work, and even using this approach to personal planning.

Last year, I took a slightly different approach, and had ten clear priorities for the year. Here’s how I did on them — generally, I sucked. This is my “big” area, the one that should come naturally to me. Sure, I completed my planning guide with my new approach (#1), organized the office closet (#3, done but need to reattach closet doors), and we re-did the powder room (#4, although mostly farmed out to others).

However, I didn’t set up the backyard or redo the kitchen island (#2 and #5, both postponed due to insecurities at work); never got around to looking at ETFs or re-reviewing the insurance papers (#6 and #7), didn’t update my french profile at work (#8) nor organize my booklist in paper and ebooks (#9). I did add some stuff on trivia and photos to my site, but it now needs to be redone completely in those areas (#10).

For this coming year, being better organized has to be on the list again. I have been feeling like I’m drifting of late, and I am. Survival mode rather than “progress mode”. So, I need to get Evernote organized, using my tablet to help me manage my To Do list regularly, getting my HD / backup scenario going.

While somewhat linked, I also want to do a lot more reading this year. Since I do book reviews, this also means getting my books organized, as well as my booklist. This should also help me on my bucket list regarding making a list of top 600 books and reading it (BL #67 and #68).

Home renovations could be a major theme for the year, although a lot of it will be done by others. Up first is some electrical work, but overall, the backyard is the first priority, followed by the basement, and lastly the kitchen. We may not do anything with the kitchen this year, but it’s an option. Some minor roof work is on the list too, but really it’s about the deck and the basement.

Finances have shaken themselves out a bit, but I need to tick the box by the end of February on new mutual funds or ETFs. Andrea and I should also re-evaluate our insurance this year, and I want to update one element of our will (simplifying the options around catastrophic loss).

I’ll also be expanding my website. This includes more book reviews, some movie reviews, more blogging, etc. — this is generally more related to the yellow section for self-expression than here, but I do need the “structures” of the website to be updated to accommodate the various pieces.

I’m also hoping I get time to perhaps make a garden (#03), learn to knit (#56), learn to juggle (#57), or learn origami (#58). I would also like to find time to take a course or two, just not sure yet on what — or rather, there’s a long list, just not sure what I want to do THIS year.

With those goals in mind, here’s my working to do list for the Mind category:

On to the next area!