This year, I resolve to make mistakes, more or less.

Okay, not the kind of mistakes like forgetting to wear pants to work or, worse, confusing ‘who’ and ‘whom’ in a sentence (oh the humanity!). I meant the mistakes that come with trying to achieve a goal – like when you repeatedly tumble over while learning to ride a bicycle. You might be a little bruised, but you jump back up on the bike and hold tight onto the handlebars. Eventually the stumbling will help you figure out how to balance a little better on two wheels.

A friend recently shared with me an article on developing a mindset for achieving success. He pointed out a few words quoted from a speech by Teddy Roosevelt. It goes like this:

“[The accomplished individual is one] who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly…”

Daring greatly. It’s a brilliant description that speaks to the courage of chasing dreams and transcending boundaries even – or perhaps especially – in the face of possible failure.

And so, this year, my resolutions are to go running in more places around the world. To read a new book every week. To write (letters, journals, stories, and the ever-so-overdue blog posts) more often. To pursue bigger career goals, and to continue learning and trying new things.

And while ambition often refers to doing more, I also resolve to do less. To idle less when I come home from work. To eat less meat (in particular, less beef, given its environmental impact with water usage). To spend less on unnecessary things.

Sure, I will make mistakes along the way – the road to accomplishing a goal is probably bumpier than that of a bike ride. Maybe I’ll come up short on reading 52 books this year, or maybe my work aspirations will have to traverse tough hurdles. But seeding ideas and taking action is a helluva lot more exciting than being afraid to fail. It’s what keeps life interesting.

In short, take on more challenges and live less within my comfort zone. After all, what’s the worst that can happen?

Worst-case scenario, I forget to wear my pants to work.

Cheers to the New Year, y’all.