I want 2011 to be big. Real BIG.

2010 had its bad moments and its highlights, but the successes outnumbered the failures. I’m not a big fan of resolutions, but I strongly believe in goals. And the only way to create goal strategy is to look at your past goals.  So for 2010…

Left my partnerships and started a new company: HUGE SUCCESS

Caught up in political drama: HUGE FAILURE

Political win record: DRAW

Bought new house: SUCCESS

Vacationed in Europe: SUCCESS

Family shape: SUCCESS

Physical shape: DRAW

Spiritual shape: FAILURE

Intellectual shape: SUCCESS

More blogging: SUCCESS

Friends: SUCCESS

Hobbies: FAILURE

The highlights of the year were definitely starting my own company, buying a new house, vacationing in Europe, being with my wife and friends and reading and blogging more than I have in years past. I also started a very successful podcast. I failed at staying out of the political BS, being involved with my church and finding that allusive hobby that doesn’t involve the Internet or politics. I didn’t build the muscle I wanted, but I didn’t get fat and I slowed down on the drinking. And for the first time, I lost as many races as I won (dang crazy political climate).

So for 2011…

Build the business 3 times its current size: I’m not going to be happy until the business blows up. My love for politics has become a love for entrepreneurship.  We’re continuing general consulting and Internet consulting and I’ll be leading the SC Senate GOP Caucus political, communications and redistricting efforts. But Donehue Direct is taking a strong swing toward product development. When I analyze what we are really good at, I see that our websites and applications are far above average and even superior to most other products I see out there. We are going to do much more custom development while officially launching Fundraiser7 and Win With Wordpress. I also have a goal of rolling out 2 additional products in 2011.

Stop cursing: I have to thank Will Folks for this one.  Sometimes you don’t realize you have a problem until it becomes very public.  My pastor and in-laws seeing me dropping F bombs was embarrassing.

Find a hobby: This has been on my list way too long. It’s getting crossed off this year.  It can’t involve the Internet or politics. Those are my big loves, but I need something to give my brain a break. I’m thinking the harmonica.

Read 1 book a month: I did better this year. I probably knocked out 8 books, a number of audio books and more podcasts, magazines and news articles than I can count.

Get a six-pack: This is the biggie.  I’ve slowed down on the drinking and cleaned up the diet. Now it’s about working out.  5 days a week. No excuses.

Get very involved in 1 church ministry: I’m thinking the choir, but I’ll let you know.

1 big international trip and 1 big domestic trip: Last year it was two weeks in France and Italy. We are thinking Ireland and the UK this year.  We’re also going to hit up Nantucket.

No political drama: This one is pretty obvious. In politics there is such thing as death by 1,000 cuts. I have about 997. Luckily those cuts heal over time. The key is to stay out of the news for a while.

Spend more time with friends and family: I love my family and my friends. This year I want to become closer with my crew and reconnect with some old friends.

Write a book: This is the other biggie. No, not a tell all political book. I’ll leave that one for Will. There are a lot of things you guys don’t know about me and I’ve been strongly considering writing a motivational book for young adults. Stay tuned.

Build the blogs and podcasts: This was a good year for the blogging. Pub Politics took off and Process Story seems to be growing. I also did more personal blogging and vlogging. It’s time to step it up.

Call them resolutions. Call them goals. This is what I’m aiming for in the next 364 days.  I hope I can count on you to keep me motivated and focused.

Thanks for supporting me and the Donehue Direct team in 2010. Let’s rock 2011.