My 10 Best Decisions of 2022

This year, I decided to take the plunge and start my own e-commerce business. It wasn't easy, but it has been one of the best decisions I ever made. I've learned invaluable lessons about entrepreneurship and risk-taking, and while I have a lot of room for growth I've achieved greater success than I ever imagined.

I started the year embarking on a freelance writing career, but it only took a few months to realize I'm not interested in researching and writing about tech stocks, the latest medical device, and other such topics that, with no offense to anyone, bore me to tears. However, I did continue taking writing courses, I regularly participated in a weekly writing group, and I have been searching for writing projects to focus on in 2023 (stay tuned).

I have a mega Type-A personality. I wake up early and go, go, go. I've been doing this all my life, and since I left my last job in the fall of 2021 I've found it challenging to unwind from this approach to work and life. So, I purposely built downtime in my schedule that would force me to go outside more, do more hiking, more running, more camping, and more traveling. Productivity is still critical to achieving big things, but now, when the work is done, I leave it and try to enjoy life without constant doing.

Outstanding community, an opportunity to stretch my limits, and I learn an enormous amount from everyone's lists.

There were many! I talked about several of them in earlier lists.

Grand Canyon: https://notepd.com/idea/10-pictures-from-my-run-in-the-grand-canyon-yesterday-446ua

Wasatch Range: https://notepd.com/idea/10-things-i-learned-running-a-100-kilometer-mountain-race-yesterday-8j73z

White Mountains: https://notepd.com/idea/12-beautiful-photos-from-my-run-on-mount-baldy-az-this-morning-43wvw

Columbia River Gorge: https://notepd.com/idea/10-life-lessons-i-learned-from-running-my-16th-ultra-marathon-earlier-this-week-1906

I injured my left foot, ankle, and toes during a 100-mile race in September, so taking time off was a decision forced on me more than one I made with intention. That said, I could have tried to rush back to running before my body was ready, and for once I opted to relax and wait. I'm glad I did because now that I'm getting back to running I feel pretty good.

Only around the U.S., but this year I've been to California, Washington, Oregon, Utah, Idaho, Colorado, New Mexico, Ohio, North Carolina, and of course all around my home state of Arizona.

I made this intentional decision along with #3 above, trying to focus on appreciating nature by being in it more.

I have an unbroken streak starting from October 1, 2021. Some days it's great, some days it's challenging, and some days I have no idea why I'm doing it, but on balance, it calms me and reminds me of what's most important in my life.

This year, I decided to invest in myself by reading more books and taking more online courses, and I got a business coach to help me on that journey - something I've rarely done before. I could easily take the easy path, get a day job, and live a "normal" life. But I just can't do it. I'm willing to bet on me, on my skills, on my mindset, to take me to new levels in life.