Today, I created my first ever lifestyle manual for 2009. Essentially, it’s a personal road map that I’ll use to improve my life and sharpen my focus on core interests over the course of the year. Currently, it’s five pages long, but will expand as I add more content to the document. Because it’s hosted by Scribd, the latest version will always be available here — All you’ll need to do is download it and read.
Why share this personal document with the public? It’s not really that private of a document. It’s really a framework for how I’ll live and advance my life in 2009. I hope it will inspire someone else who’s seeking ideas to improve their personal and professional life.
(To download or email the PDF, click on the “iPaper” drop-down arrow to expose a list of functions)
Ronald Lewis’ Lifestyle Manual for 2009
Ronald Lewis (Twitter) – Lifestyle Manual for 2009 Dear Reader, Thank you for the opportunity to share my “lifestyle manual for 2009″ with you. Although personal, it’s an informative and interesting way to take a glimpse of the inner workings of my life, thought process, desires and more. My only reason for offering this personal document is to hopefully inspire others who are seeking ideas to improve their personal and professional life in 2009. This is the first time I’ve ever created something like this and I am very glad I did. This document is my personal road map for the calendar year. Best, Ronald Lewis This lifestyle manual was created for one purpose: To help guide, inspire and manage my core personal and professional interests in the 2009 calendar year. This manual -A live document — shall be read, updated and maintained to track and improve my progress as necessary. Pledge: I, Ronald L. Lewis II, pledge to dedicate my focus to the interests outlined in this lifestyle manual. It is my “life reference” to ensuring I remain on on track and focused on the “interests” contained herein. It is my duty alone to study and execute it. Calendar year theme: “The best year ever” Employment status: Self-employed (full-time since 2005) Personal victories in 2007 and 2008: Returned to Denver in April 2007 … Eliminated a multi-year “mental slump” due to an emotionally challenging relationship in mid-2008 … Re-established living independence in early 2008 after returning to Denver from Canada and Michigan … Greatly improved self-employment income in 2008 (best period to date since full-time self-employment began in 2005) 30th birthday: September 10th, 2009 Ronald Lewis (Twitter) – Lifestyle Manual for 2009 Ronald Lewis (Twitter) – Lifestyle Manual for 2009 Personal and Professional Development, Improvement For 2009, it’s important to reduce/eliminate mental distractions (constant ideas, new projects, etc.) and focus only in areas which make the best use of my time, money, energy, knowledge and visibility. Doing so will lead to great improvements in my financial stability, flexibility, lifestyle management, and personal/professional development. Thus, only the following interests shall be developed and/or improved this calendar year: • Advisement/Consulting, Education and Evangelism ◦ 100% virtual and “location independent” by mid-year (currently at 90%) ◦ Cloud computing: Linux, Windows, OSS (MySQL, Apache), open source telephony (Asterisk, FreeSWITCH) ◦ Create media (documents, videos, etc.) to educate, promote work and expand visibility ◦ Partner with industry players to help evangelize certain interests (cloud computing, etc.) • Branding and Public Relations ◦ Hire brand / PR rep (selected — Retain by March) ◦ Consult with CD and BM to develop image, branding ◦ Isolate certain interests (cloud computing, etc.) and create separate branding, Internet presence ◦ Further develop personal blog to serve as a conduit and marketing platform • Public Speaking ◦ Organizations (employee morale building, inspirational storytelling, ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ dream/imagination engineering) Non-profits, schools and universities (inspirational storytelling, dream/ imagination engineering for students and youth) Conferences (cloud computing, open source telephony/telecom, general technology and social interests) Roundtables and Townhall meetings, events (interviews and social interests) Lifecasting (inspirational storytelling, dream/imagination engineering) • Book (“Stick It To The Man”) ◦ Research, develop and implement unique marketing concepts to help drive sales Ronald Lewis (Twitter) – Lifestyle Manual for 2009 Ronald Lewis (Twitter) – Lifestyle Manual for 2009 ◦ Promote book via the Internet, media, bookstores, etc. ◦ Develop strong, visible Internet presence • Social Media / Networking Continue improving genuine presence, relationships Focus on top social networking sites (Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, etc.) Increase activity and visibility on “lightly used” networks Produce and publish at least three podcast interviews per month for Spotlight Magazine ◦ Expand presence and visibility of Spotlight Magazine ◦ Promote “personality talent” as a professional, effective and engaging interviewer ◦ Partner with event organizers (conferences, etc.) to cover and interview attendees, guests ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ Relationship and Community Development For 2009, it’s important to realize one thing: I will never fully grasp how human beings truly think or function. To agonize over and analyze each negative experience is pointless and emotionally paralyzing. I must accept that I have no control over anyone’s interpretation or impression of who I am as an individual and human being. I do, however, have complete control over how I live, learn, listen and relate in society. • Developing new or existing relationships (platonic, professional, romantic) ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ Mine existing relationships to discover and create new ones Eliminate “social postings” on Craigslist and similar sites Increase activity with various Meetup and interest groups Spend more time with friends and family Make better use of technology to improve relationships Do not stress over fickle behavior Monetary and Economic Policy For 2009, it’s important to pay even more attention to real-world data to understand the failing health of America’s infrastucture and economy: Job losses, bankruptcies, foreclosures, “health of the Dollar”, and office/storefront closures. Maintaining keen awareness of the important indicators is the only way to navigate the turbulent journey ahead. • Diversify currency, investments and metal holdings ◦ Maintain a “comfortable” reserve of USD currency for domestic activities Ronald Lewis (Twitter) – Lifestyle Manual for 2009 Ronald Lewis (Twitter) – Lifestyle Manual for 2009 ◦ Invest in precious metals such as silver and gold ◦ Generate income in Euros, Canadian Dollars and other currencies which are more stable than the Dollar ◦ Investigate foreign stock exchanges Health and Fitness For 2009, a healthier lifestyle is important as I approach my third decade of life on Earth. I am slightly concerned about my family’s blood pressure and cholesterol history, so I’d like to mitigate future risks by implementing and maintaining a healthier diet going forward. • Weight ◦ Eliminate 40-45 lbs (from 200lbs) by June 1, 2009 ◦ Permanently maintain weight between 145-160 • Food Permanently eliminate carbonated beverages Increase consumption of fruits, nuts and vegetables Increase consumption of boiled, baked and broiled foods Maintain consumption of chicken, turkey, fish and shellfish; Permanently eliminate infrequent consumption of red meat, etc. ◦ Eliminate all foods with preservatives (as best as possible) ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ Travel and Transportation For 2009, it is important to expand my travel schedule to explore new cities, countries, events and more — I must satisfy my nomadic nature. It is also important to explore acquiring a personal vehicle once core interests start paying dividends. • Cities, States and Countries of “short list” ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ London, England Perth, Sydney and Melbourne, Australia Tokyo, Japan Shanghai, China Hawaii Germany Anchorage, Alaska Artic circle • Vehicle “short list” Ronald Lewis (Twitter) – Lifestyle Manual for 2009 Ronald Lewis (Twitter) – Lifestyle Manual for 2009 ◦ Volvo XC60, S80, XC90 or S40 ◦ Toyota Prius Ronald Lewis (Twitter) – Lifestyle Manual for 2009
