Readers, how have you been? It’s been a while since I’m posting in this blog. I’ve been away for holiday in Surabaya Indonesia, and taking it as a chance to have a break and think through my plan for the new year. Time has passed and here we are in 2009. It’s a bit late, I hope it still feels new to you, and I want to say HAPPY NEW YEAR to you!
Reflecting on year 2008
I’ll just kick in with a project that Robert Hruzek has: BLOGAPALOOZA! or what I learned from 2008. I love the idea of reflecting on my journey in 2008 through the posts I have written. The project requests us to put one favorite post per month in 2008. It will be posted in Middle Zone Musings, and here is the preview special for my readers, with some reflections on my life on that month:
January 2008: Dream as if you will live forever!
Based on James Dean quote that really inspired me… Dream as if you will live forever, live as if you will die tomorrow! Isn’t that a great start of the year? Have a big dream, and put it into achievable goals and actions plan.
February 2008: Seven benefits of blogging to your personal growth
And yes, blogging, one activity that I’ve done almost the whole year, has made a great impact on my personal growth, check the post to know how.
March 2008: The 7 interesting (and useful) facts about my flaws
This post was inspired by a meme project on 7 interesting things about me. It turned into a revealing inspiration for me, how I can see my flaws in a whole lot different perspective. It’s all about turning limitation into advantages, the theme I picked as the core message of my blog.
April 2008: 12 ways you can become a great friend
If you take time to ponder, you will see that we are surrounded by great friends. Each of them is different, and has its own way how they care about us. This post helped me thankful of my friends, and how they have taken a special place in my life.
May 2008: Money and blogging, the opportunity and the dilemma
May was the month where I posted my paid review. One was a gray product and the post was sharing about the dilemma I was in. Some might say it sounds I’m trying to convince myself, but there are lessons I learned from the dilemma.
June 2008: How to stay focused: The “people-collector” style
June was the month particularly I struggled with greediness and indecisiveness. It was inspired by Barry Morrow, a people collector. And it was great lessons I pick from him and see how that can help us to stay focused. And the exciting thing, Barry Morrow himself even posts a comment on my article.
July 2008: How I lose faith in blogging (and get it back again)
I was having leisure trip to Hongkong and Macau, where I got into an argument with my relatives. It was the time I realized the sleeping giant within me. “What’s the point of blogging when actually I’m not doing what I preach?” It’s the question that drags me down. See how I picked myself up, and start blogging again.
August 2008: Writing less, eating more
Rummy, one reader, mentioned his wish to see me writing more often. But what happened the month before has impacted me to pick different strategy. I have to “eat” more, “eat” what I preach, do what I write! Or otherwise I’ll be dying of starving while selling my “inspiration” food.
September 2008: Your heart, your fight, your dream
It’s the month of actions. After learning a lot about myself, being aware of my subconscious thoughts and belief, I’m making the courage to produce something. It was not easy, my heart is trying to treason me, and if that happens to you, here is the lesson I got from Paulo Coelho, “tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself.“
October 2008: The “cycling” poverty: The lessons to live your life
After the actions, here is what I learned. Participating into Blog Action Day ‘08, I talked about how we often have poverty mindset, and it’s surprising that we can actually start to change and live our life.
November 2008: Running with Team Hoyt
A deep reflection of a touching story from Team Hoyt. Bringing me back the importance of love in our life, and more than that, the importance of God in my life. Just like how Os Guinness put it, “Unsure of ourselves, we are sure of God.”
December 2008: I’m taking a break from blogosphere!
Year 2009 in the making
HABIT! Something I’d like to focus this year. I have started a few, and now I am also looking forward to add more of them in my life. The aim for this year is more towards personal excellence and self leadership.
The Leader: I will be involved more in Toastmasters, a community where we help each other in improving communication and leadership skills. You can check out my speaking journey through my YouTube page. Do subscribe to get updates. Some of the friends I asked to record was not professional, so if the video doesn’t look good, close your eyes and listen ^^ (I hope you will feel better).
The Human: I will be joining discipleship program in my church. It’s really going to be lots of practice on discipline, such as bible reading and journaling (again, habits that I want to form). And the great thing is that the journey is not taken alone. We will be going through it as a group.
The Blogger: One of the goals I want to make is the habit of writing. I am now always writing on the last minute, right before the planned publication date. I really hope that I can make it regular. As I am juggling with few other commitments, I may not be able to write much in the first few months. But I hope that I’ll be able to integrate into my life a writing habit as well, might be daily or weekly.
The Engineer: The goal I have is to utilize my strength at my work, without neglecting the responsibility. Sometimes it seems contradicting, but I do believe that we can balance them, or work around them. I believe in utilizing strength, that it can be the key for maximum performance and results. I will talk more in the future on this.
Let us make this year, a year of action!
And remember to stay happy in the journey…
Happy new year!
Robert
Hello and welcome! I am Robert, sharing with you articles in personal management and personal development. Check out the 
13 Comments
Mohd Hisham
on 9th Jan, 09 02:01am
Happy New Year Robert!
– i was anticipating a good read from you for 2009 and you don’t disappoint, as always!
I am always inspired by your writings and you being upfront about your weaknesses.
I have started something of my own, what with my recent hospitalisations, taking stock into my life. I am ashamed to say that I looked through your website numerous times for aide on my personal reflection.
May 2009 bring all the goodness in you and everyone else in the world. With depressing news from the economy to the sordid state of affairs in the middle east and europe, there has to be a shining star somewhere to brings us that yes we are alive and we will live!
Sham
Mohd Hishams last blog post..Of SAF “fixing” Social Application Personnels
Robert A.
on 10th Jan, 09 12:01am
Hi Hisham, happy new year to you. Really glad to hear from you!
Hope you have fully recovered.
I am so encouraged by your message. Thanks for that.
May 2009 brings happiness, brings your dream into reality.
All the best and stay persevering for your goals.
Cheers,
Robert
Arswino
on 10th Jan, 09 04:01am
Hi Robert, nice to see you again here. It has been a long time since you published your last article (Getting Things Done).
You have set your goals clearly for this year, Great,
and your video at YouTube, I think you did something great too when most other people didn’t dare to do that which is action.
Keep it up, Robert.
Happy New Year too and always be success,
Arswino
Arswinos last blog post..If You Don’t Sacrifice Now, You’ll Hate Yourself Later
Ross
on 10th Jan, 09 06:01am
Hi, hope you had a great time off in your holidays!
Thanks for the reflection on the past year, and sharing goals and challenges ahead! Stay on track!
-Ross
Rosss last blog post..New E-Book: Jump-Start Change!
Robert A.
on 11th Jan, 09 02:01am
Hi Arswino and Ross, thanks for the message. It was inspired by Scott H. Young, on the life themes we should work and focus on, and habit was the first theme. All the best for your goals and plans as well.
Keep on smilin’
Robert
Ari Koinuma
on 13th Jan, 09 03:01am
Just a quick note to say Happy New Year! May 2009 filled with everything you desire, and more! I’ve been out of the loop for a while, slowly getting back into it. Please keep in touch.
ari
Ari Koinumas last blog post..Disassociating Fear from Your Challenges
Robert A.
on 13th Jan, 09 06:01am
Ari, welcome back! I read that you just recovered from some sickness. Hope you’re well! And thank you for the kind message. All the best for the new year!
Nicole Price
on 14th Jan, 09 04:01pm
Before I get involved in your post, let me first welcome you back and wish you too a very happy new year. Yes, you have been away for quite a while haven’t you?
Nicole Prices last blog post..Good Deals on Hair Products
Nicole Price
on 14th Jan, 09 04:01pm
I quite like the review and particularly the ones where you emphasize what you learned from the posts and its comments from your readers.
I am also impressed with your resolve for the new year and hope to see you achieve all of them successfully. I am particularly looking forward to seeing you post regularly.
All the best.
Nicole Prices last blog post..Good Deals on Hair Products
Robert A.
on 15th Jan, 09 04:01am
Nicole, it’s been quite a while. Thanks for coming with such greeting. I wish I’m able too. I’ve got to manage my life better at the moment. Some changes in my workplace and other commitments I take for this year.
Thanks for the wishes. I’ll be back to write some articles for sure.
Robert
Michele
on 15th Jan, 09 06:01pm
What an awesome post, Robert! I see I missed out on some amazing stuff here. I’m so glad you shared this reflection – now I have some catching up to do! Hope 2009 is fantabulous for you!
As always,
*smiles*
Michele
John Belo
on 19th Jan, 09 02:01pm
Happy new year Robert!
Hope all goes well – I think I’ll also give Toastmasters a try…
game-girl
on 12th Feb, 09 07:02am
I am glad to read the comments and get aquainted with kindly people here for best communication and having a good time.