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