One quarter down, 3 to go: How many goals have I accomplished so far?

The best way to accomplish goals is to review them several times - and monitor your progress - before its too late to make any changes.  By taking a step back every once in a while, you’ll be able to see what you need to be spending more of your time on.  Also, it’s just good practice to review what you’ve completed so you know what’s left on your list.  Lets get into it.

The first quarter of the year is over - so lets take a look at what I’ve accomplished so far.

• Read a book - Yep, I already read a book!  What book did I read?  It’s called Seeing Systems, by Barry Oshry - and no, by “Systems”, it is not referring to computers; It is referring to organizations.  The book was actually the recommended reading for a week-long workshop I attended for work, and it was amazing.  I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to learn more about how organizations operate, and why people react as they do to certain situations.
• Take on more public speaking opportunities - No, I haven’t joined Toastmasters yet, but I did get an opportunity to speak at a local high school about what I do at my job.  I think it went very well, and I’ll be looking to volunteer for things like that in the future.
• Make a Dabbledoo work schedule so my life is more structured. - This is becoming increasingly harder and harder to do as more and more tasks / projects / todos surface.  I have been trying to make goals to get certain things done each day, but sometimes that doesn’t leave much time left in the day.

Doesn’t seem like much right now, but hopefully I’ll get a bunch more done in the months to come.  Here’s what I plan to accomplish by next quarter:

• Get married smile
• Start a new job
• Take the GMAT
• Buy a beginners DSLR - I think I’ll be getting a Nikon D60

Apr 11, 2008

My Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals for 2008

On our car ride back from Chicago today, Michelle (my fiance) and I talked about what we want to accomplish in 2008.  I’m going to try and keep this as a “working document” to make sure I capture everything we discussed - and more as I think of them.

• Get married
• Start a new job
• Purchase real estate (probably a condo)
• Furnish our condo
• Become an expert in something - Brian Clark (of CopyBlogger and Teaching Sells) wrote a article over at Teaching Sells entitled Secrets to Becoming an Expert in Any Subject about how all you need to do to become an expert in any subject is read 3-5 books.  Interesting enough… I’m going to try it this year.  I’ll report back with what it is I want to become a so-called expert in.  Michelle wants it to be in personal finances, but we’ll see.
• Read a book - it’s been way too long.  This one’s a given if I’m going to follow through on the previous goal.
• Take the GMAT.
• Buy a beginners DSLR - possibly a Canon XTi?  Any suggestions on this one?
• Buy a MacBook Pro.
• Start a new project with Adam.
• Build my personal website up to 1,000 visitors a day.
• Take on more public speaking opportunities.
• Join Toastmasters to strengthen my public speaking / presentation skills.
• Make a Dabbledoo work schedule so my life is more structured. It drives Michelle crazy that I don’t know what I’m doing each night until the night actually comes.
• Learn to play the guitar. This is a very audacious goal if I do say so myself.  I’ve always wanted to be able to play the guitar - so I think the time has come.  I can’t guarantee that I’ll be strumming like John Mayer by the end of the year, but I hope to be able to play a few songs.

Remember - these are meant to be goals difficult to attain, hence the Big, Hairy, and Audacious headline.  More to come as I think of more items to add to the list.  If you can think of anything I should add, feel free to post it in the comments and I’ll update my list.  And if you can help me accomplish any of the items above, I’m all ears!  Wish me luck!

Feb 10, 2008

lazy in london

so i’ve been having a lazy week… most of the days i’ve been sitting at my computer doing nothing. on thursday, me, marc, emily, stacy and caitlyn went to Camden Market and walked around a bit. we all ended up getting track jackets… i got an italy one and the rest of them got england ones. quick story… marc was bargaining to get us a deal since we were buying 5 of them… marc offered 37.50 so we would all pay 7.50 each… the guy, being the idiot that he was counteroffered marc 35.00 pounds… marc then proceeded to have a very confused look on his face and accept the offer. what kind of business man offers lower than he is offered… apparently one that doesn’t speak very good english.

today, shira, chelsea, caitlyn, emily, stacy, marc, taz, scott, greg and me went to kensington gardens for a picnic. we played soccer… i mean football, at some cookie cake, listened to some music and had some good laughs. sitting around at the park all day was very relaxing but i have 2 papers to write and they’re due this week… maybe i’ll have some time to do them tommorrow.

cheers.

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Apr 30, 2005

doug-o was sick-o

i’m sitting in the computer lab right now making a cover and title pages to the paper version of my blog.  here’s what they look like right now… click to make them bigger...

anyways, sorry i haven’t been writing much, i’ve been sick since i got back from barcelona… must have been something i ate.  possibly the Dublin Bay King Prawns (shrimp).  i’ve been brainstorming lately with greg and others about possible website names for businesses.  everything seems to be taken.  we have a great idea for a college website but we don’t have any money or anything to get it off the ground.  mom and dad?  haha just kidding.

everybody has been going out and doing things around me while i’ve been sick.  it’s kind of depressing but at the same time a good break from going out.  monday was scotts birthday and everyone’s been going out to celebrate.  happy birthday scott!  last night there was drama mama in our dorm with all of the alcohol going around and the STABs were being loud (STudy ABroad Students).  that’s what the degree students here call us.  isn’t that mature?  i think we’ll call them ASSHOLEs… it’s of course an acronym.  haha.  wouldn’t it be funny if all of them read my blog?  here, i’ll make it easier for them to search for it on google with some keywords they may be looking for… abroad, richmond university, aifs, london, degree students, study abroads, STABs, history of london, winston churchill.  i think that will do for now.  winston churchill will definitely get them when they’re researching for their papers.  ok i’m going to get going now.

peace.

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Apr 22, 2005

bacelona is crazy

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MOM AND DAD!

in the couple of days that we´ve been in barcelona, we experienced so many weird experiences.  we´ve experienced fights on the beach, scott taking any interesting shot, as well as our hostel with me sleeping practically in the ceiling.  the night life is as crazy as they say it is.  it´s even stumping jackie with how late people stay out here.

brad has told us a few sights to see but mainly we are just here to relax for our last trip.  today, we walked to the top of a mountain to look at gaudi´s museum and architecture.  it was cool and all but my legs are going to be really sore from that mile walk uphill.

back to the man picking fights on the beach… there are men that walk around with coolers selling refreshments on the beach and this drunk man was starting fights with each and every one of them… one of the guys got so into it that the drunk guy ended up throwing a huge rock at the guys head (i´m very glad he missed).  after that, the drunk guy swung at the refreshments guy.  it was pretty crazy on that beach.  in addition, the drunk guy was messing with us and picked a fight with lee.  well, i guess technically he picked a fight with all of us.

ok i´m going to go now because people are waiting for me to get off the computer.  goodnight michelle and everyone else.

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Apr 16, 2005

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