ABSOLUTE ASCENDANCY

Commencing operation . . .

Overview

In just a couple of days, we will be entering into 2020 and the beginning of a new decade! It is a little mind-blowing thinking about all that has transpired in the last ten years. This post will list my significant milestones during this decade and my resolutions for 2020.

Achievements During this Decade

Below I list ten things I accomplished during this decade.

1. Graduated from University
2. Learned How to Play the Piano
3. Won a Regional Level Yu-Gi-Oh! Tournament
4. Attended my First Pokémon Centre
5. Saw my first Orchestra and Concert
6. Scuba dived for the First Time
7. Progressed my Martial Arts Journey
8. Travelled the World
9. Worked for the McLaren Formula One Race Team
10. The Rise of Absolute Ascendancy

1. Graduated from University

I graduated in 2011 with a degree in Mathematics, which was my greatest academic achievement to date. This result was a massive deal to me as I struggled a lot with my education as a child, and it was not until my college days that I started to get to grips with things.

The days I spent at university was likely the best years of my life. I have made some lifelong friends along the way. It was hard work but a lot of fun.

2. Learned How to Play the Piano

You can read all about this one here.

3. Won a Regional Level Yu-Gi-Oh! Tournament

Although I no longer play Trading Card Games and have shifted to Board Games, winning that regional level tournament was a big deal to me at the time. Without diving into too much jargon, my deck concept was unique.

At the time, I was likely the only player in the country who used that particular deck. The design was rather unconventional, and I believe this played a significant factor in securing my victory, as, on more than one occasion, various opponents made mistakes against me.

I have always been the type of person to utilise unorthodox methods and strategies, so I was delighted when my efforts paid off on that occasion.

4. Attended my First Pokémon Centre

You can read all about this one here. Believe me when I say it was a mission to even get inside the store!

5. Saw my first Orchestra and Concert

I finally got around to seeing a Distant Worlds concert during the year of Final Fantasy’s 20th anniversary at the Royal Albert Hall. Given that many of the songs I play on the piano are from the Final Fantasy franchise being able to listen to a live orchestra play through some of my favourite soundtracks of the series was awe-inspiring.  

I also went to see DragonForce live, not once but twice! DragonForce is my favourite band, so being able to see them live was amazing.  

6. Scuba Dived for the First Time

During one of my visits to Australia, I was able to go scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef! The water was crystal clear, and I was able to dive reasonably deep with my instructor – a little beyond ten metres if I recall correctly.

I saw all manner of wildlife, including a turtle!  

7. Progressed my Martial Arts Journey 

You can read all about this one here. To summarise, I graded to 2nd Dan in Koshiki Karate and became a Sensei. I also started taking Kickboxing and Brazilian Jujitsu classes to supplement my self-defence. I took my first international first place in Karate and won my first amateur Kickboxing fight.

8. Travelled the World

I have been fortunate to travel plenty throughout this decade, either for international karate competitions or for leisure. Below is a list of countries I visited.

• Australia
• Sri Lanka
• Ireland
• Netherlands
• Germany
• France
• Russia
• Lithuania
• Poland
• Canada
• America
• China

One of my trips to Australia was almost six months long, which you can read about here.

9. Worked for the McLaren Formula One Race Team 

Throughout my working career as a data analyst, I had worked in various sectors – IT, insurance, education, gaming, and motor sport. Of all of these, working for a Formula One race team was the role I had the most pride.

During my time at McLaren, I was able to get a good look at many of their historic cars on display in the boulevard, as well as tour various other areas such as Mission Control, Production Centre, and the Simulation Room.

10. The Rise of Absolute Ascendancy 

My final accomplishment for this decade was the rise of Absolute Ascendancy, my platform for voicing my views of the world, sharing my experiences, and showing the way to build strength, eliminate weakness, and unleash potential.

Absolute Ascendancy has existed for less than a year, and in that time, I have written two books – one for the body and one for the mind. I have plenty of other ideas rummaging around up in my mind for 2020 and beyond.

New Year Resolutions

2020 is going to be a big year. The start of not only a new year but a new decade. What do you intend to make happen in 2020?

Many people make resolutions to become fit. If so, definitely check out Home Workout as it gives you everything you need to kick your rear into gear and tone your body into shape.

I will share my three objectives below.

1. Continue to build Absolute Ascendancy
2. Grade to 3rd Dan in Koshiki Karate
3. Learn at Least Five new Songs on the Piano

1. Continue to build Absolute Ascendancy

As I mentioned earlier, I am just getting started with Absolute Ascendancy. I am building an empire, slowly but surely. Rome was not built in a single day after all. I will aim to publish a hundred articles and write the third book in 2020.

2. Grade to 3rd Dan in Koshiki Karate

It will be three years since I graded to 2nd Dan by the time we reach the middle of 2020. In terms of timescales, this is considered a minimal length of time to grade to 3rd Dan, so I will be looking to take that next step up sometime in 2020.

3. Learn at Least Five new Songs on the Piano

I always try and learn new pieces during each passing year, so this objective has been with me for many years. Five is a reasonable number to stretch and aim toward, though this often comes at the sacrifice of forgoing older pieces. I play by ear and memory, so there is a limit to how much I can reasonably expect to retain and maintain.

Conclusion

I invite you to reflect on the past ten years and think upon all that you have achieved. You will honestly surprise yourself. I know I did during this introspective analysis. I also ask that you to plan ahead for the year to come and anticipate the beginning of a new decade!

Feel free to share your plans for 2020 in the comments below.

Mission complete – Overlord Drakow signing out.