Today is my birthday. I am 42. This is going to be an auspicious year, I can feel it. The number 42 has always held some kind of power for me- it was my address forever, until I moved away for college, and so has always felt a bit like home. And then I read The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Universe, and learned that it was the answer to what life is all about. So yeah. It’s going to be a good year.

I would be foolish, however, to leave it all up to the universe. The universe helps those that help themselves, after all. So I’m going to meet the opportunity of 42 with some goals of my own. Having fallen prey to long, unattainable, though well-intentioned, lists of goals in the past, I will be concise and focused.

1. Single tasking- No more trying to do more than one thing at a time. I have learned that scattering my energy across many things ensures only one outcome- mediocrity and incompleteness. This year, I will learn to slow down, focus on excellence, and work toward completing goals that are intentional and attainable.

2. Less screen time- I have already been working toward this lifestyle change by raising the bar on the kind of media I consume. No longer will I spend my precious time with sub-par shows and movies, podcasts, books, or music. I still need to work on time sucks like Facebook, Poshmark, and the one and only game I play, Dots. I am excited about committing to this change, as it will be like adding hours to my day.

3. Write- When I think over the course of my life, there are a few threads that I can see that connect me now to the me of my childhood. One of these few threads is writing. I used to fancy myself quite the writer, and along with music, it was one thing that I felt I did fairly well. I’ve attempted many times over the years to stoke the embers of this mostly slumbering passion, but 42 is the year I fan the flames. Now, how to learn how to accept my writing for what it is, and not compare it to what it’s not. 20 minutes a day. Every day.

4. Exercise- I’m finally starting to redefine the role this plays in my life. I’m accepting that I won’t ever be a size 2, with sculpted arms and defined abs, and 1% body fat. Committing to exercise being an important part of my routine means that I am dedicating part of my life to being healthy and strong, which is a gift not only to myself, but to those I love. I don’t want my kids or my penguin to have the burden of taking care of me someday because I was too lazy to take care of myself when I could.

5. Mindfulness in thought, word, and deed- A challenging goal that can be applied to everything I do- in work, at home, with my relationships. From the meals I make and the food waste I throw away. To the kindness I show to others, and to myself. To the intentions I have as I move through the world. To what I choose to let into my life, to that which I deem unnecessary to my personal progress. Mindfulness to me means proactivity instead of reactivity, thoughtfulness instead of superficiality, deep breaths, centeredness, and confidence in myself.

There. A list, concise, focused and attainable.

Yeah. 42 is going to be a good year.