2012: Year of Progression
2011, for me, was dubbed "Year of the Website." While I did not complete all that I wanted to, I did manage to get two-thirds of it done. My accomplishments consisted of migrating this very website from WordPress to Squarespace, which can be read about here, as well as launching a new website of mine, Ad for 5. Needless to say, I am very pleased with the outcome of both projects.
The third project, however, never happened. I am still waiting on Squarespace 6 to be publicly released (I'm currently a beta tester). When that eventually does happen, expect something big. It's a website that I have been wanting to create for a long time now.
With all that said, it's time to look forward to the new year and the many possibilities it could bring – which brings us to the point of this post. 2012, at least for me, is dubbed "Year of Progression." I have been doing a lot of thinking throughout the past few months, and it's finally time to take action. So what am I talking about, exactly? Let's break it down.
I'm unfollowing everyone on Twitter.
Yes, you read that correctly. At the time of this post, I currently follow exactly 2,260 people. That's just too many to count. I have argued in the past that I would rather take in too much information than too little. While I still believe this holds true in certain regards, I'm willing to take a chance in having a clean start.
Why am I doing this? I just don't feel as satisfied with my timeline as I used to. Rather than getting personal and unfollowing individuals one by one, it's just easier to start from the beginning. Doing so will allow me to re-follow those who I believe provide good content.
Negativity will not be tolerated.
It seems I cannot go a day without seeing some sort of negative comment. Whether it occurs on Twitter, Facebook or especially YouTube, I'm tired of seeing it. As you may know, I am a positive thinking person. I realize bad things happen every day, but I don't need to hear about it. It's exactly why I rarely watch the news nowadays. I just don't find it necessary. If it's important enough to care about, then I will find out naturally. Otherwise, I don't need to know about things that will only bring me down at the end of the day.
Getting into user feedback on my content... Constructive criticism is great, but if you're going to be rude about something, then you get an instant block. For some reason, hiding behind a keyboard makes people feel better about themselves, thus motivating complete idiocy. If you are one of those people, you don't deserve my respect. I work too hard to put up with useless jargon. Simple as that.
Squarespace 6 will change everything.
It's no secret that I am a Squarespace addict. After all, it allows me to run sites like this and TekSocial. With version 6 releasing in only a matter of months, I cannot express my excitement. Okay, maybe I can... I can't freaking wait! Developed from the ground up, this new platform is going to allow me to not only drastically change my current websites, but also create a brand new one. While I am not unveiling any details just yet, do know that the future is bright for content creators like myself.
The release of Squarespace 6 is also going to open up some new business opportunities that I've been brainstorming for a while. In a way, it really is a new beginning. I just can't wait to get started!
Survive the end of the world.
Apparently, December 21 will bring an end to life as we know it. I'm going to do whatever it takes to avoid such an event. If it means building an underground shelter filled with Apple products and an everlasting connection to the Internet, then so be it. I'm not going anywhere.
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Of course, there are other resolutions I'd like to conquer throughout 2012. These are simply the primary ones from a productive standpoint. No matter what, I am always looking to better myself in any way I can.
What are your resolutions for the new year? Feel free to share them in the comments below. And of course, have a great 2012! Make it count.
Sunday, January 1, 2012 at 2:25PM 
Reader Comments (18)
My New Year's resolution is to get back into creating short films. I used to love it back in the days when I didn't have work or college to bother about. Although I have created a few videos for my YouTube over the past year, I feel I need a bigger challenge. I've started writing a few projects and I am determined to finish them.
Anyway, Happy New Year to y'all!
My resolution is to become a Mac user.
David, I'm a huge fan of your content but I feel like the way you plan to treat the trolls (who I assume are the ones being negative) is a little immature.
Everyone is entitled to an opinion, even if they think your video "sucks" or that you're an "Apple fanboy", whilst unfounded, they are still opinions, and they have every right to express them in your comments. By insta-blocking any trolls they know they got a reaction out of you, which is what they are after. And they are more likely to come back under a different name. I feel like if you just ignore any negativity, the positive comments will outweigh the negative and will push any trolls to the bottom of the pile.
Just my two cents,
Thanks
You sound like Data from star trek at the end haha but its a good way to be
Elliot, blocking the trolls has actually been pretty successful thus far. My true supporters either post positive feedback or constructive criticism that actually helps me improve. They may have the right to be idiotic, but I also have the right to block them. It has nothing to do with being immature. It's called standing for what I believe in. I'm not going to support those who choose to call me "fag" and try to put me down. Those kinds of people are worthless in my eyes.
Perhaps it has to do with being on YouTube for more than five years. After a while, you just become tired of reading certain comments. Why reply when you can simply block them? If anything, they might learn their lesson.
Great article David! I am looking forward to Squarespace 6, your website update and your new website!
Actually NASA said (this is linking to the last resolution) that the world will not end.
Source: http://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/2012.html
I posted this on the wrong place earlier I think. I recently found your videos and love them.
Appreciating my family is my plan for the new year. In 2011 my father was diagnosed with cancer yet again (agent orange) this time it is very advanced. My mother went blind from an eye disease and I spent 7 out of 12 months in the hospital due to brain/neck/spine surgery which has left me in a wheelchair unable to walk. (I also have lupus and live with my parents. I am 37). This year I plan to enjoy every day with my family and try not to take the small moments for granted. Thank you for sharing your family videos with the world. It is wonderful to see people loving each other unashamedly. God bless you and yours.
Brenda,
Thank you so much for your kind words. I'm sorry to hear you haven't had the best of luck, but I do hope things improve. Spending more time with your family sounds great. Enjoy 2012 and good luck with everything. :)
Keep up the good work David. I am looking forward to what content you release in 2012.
My New Years resolution is to have no New Years resolution. Every year I tell myself that I'm going to stop doing something, or start doing something differently but I can never stick to it. Why keep lying to myself? Does this make me a "downer"? No. I don't think it does. I just can't continue telling myself I'm going to do something to eventually fall through and feel bad about myself. Maybe a year off will make me stronger for next year?
Great post David! I love the idea of unfollowing everyone, I did so back in 2011 and now I only follow 20 people and I have found that I use Twitter much more. As for my resolutions, I would love to migrate to square space 6, I have resisted SS in the past due to the "monthly payments" but I think its time to set aside some money that i'll use each month for that.
I appreciate that you took the time to write this letter to alert everyone of what is going on...So many of us have followed you from the beginning, like myself. Through you and watching you and your family, it has inspired me to get to know my teen daughters better and we now spend way more time together then we did before...You are helping people daily, David, just hold onto your faith and values and keep making us all smile!
Hell yeah Apple rules it's a shame Steve Jobs had to die:(
This was a great post. The content you put out is awesome. New year's resolutions are hard to accomplish, but with a little effort and hard work, they can be done. I am planning on (hopefully) attending the University of Minnesota. Even though I live in Philly (we are both addicted to WaWa) I don't really like any universities or colleges here. I want to get out and explore my country. This year, I really want and will start getting back to writing in my travel blog. I need to improve my Journalism skills. I also want to advance farther in social media such as YouTube, because I have great content that has been piling up now for over 3 years. I see 2012 as a great year, one where I will accomplish much, and take large steps toward my passion, traveling. Thank you for this great post and DFTBA as the great VlogBrothers would say!