subject: New Year Goals – New Year Resolutions [print this page] New Year Goals New Year Resolutions New Year Goals New Year Resolutions
Every New Year, many of us reflect on our past accomplishments and future goals, some referring to this as their New Year's Resolutions. For the last two decades, I've been in the habit, arguably the practice, of reviewing my past written goals and concisely writing goals for the upcoming year. I usually have five to ten bullets, goals I strive to accomplish in any given year. This ritual happens around this time of the year, but always prior to January 1st. These goals are written on a small piece of paper, added to prior annual goals, neatly folded and placed in a bedside drawer. From time to time, when reaching for an alarm clock or a mundane artifact which might be hidden there, or tossing in a seemingly eclectic item which would be better stored in a waste basket, I happen upon these goals.
Some of the goals might be personal, others business related, some health oriented and some might be financial. For example, in 2008, my goals included:
Write a business book
Take 3 interesting vacations
Take a trip to Bermuda for one of the vacations
Scuba Dive
Take Advanced Scuba Diving Training Course
Wake up weight of 180 pounds
These were six of my ten goals at the end of 2007. When I reviewed them at the end of 2008, I accomplished five of them, double dipping by receiving my Advanced Scuba Diving certification with a trip to Cozumel. Another major accomplishment, at least for me, was the significant headway achieved in the writing of my first book, ultimately called Your Virtual Success, which was sold in 2009 and published in 2010. This goal had been mentioned as early as 2002, recurring each year until finally accomplished about 6 years later. My personal perspective on my New Year's Resolution ritual is to achieve as many as reasonably possible, realizing it may take more than one year to achieve all of them. Which goal remained outstanding at the end of 2008? Waking up at 183 pounds on January 1st, I'd like to claim the festivities on New Year's Eve were the catalyst for this near miss, but a simple check of my 2009 and 2010 goals found the same weight related goal, and this morning on my daily weigh in, the same number was still to be seen, 183 pounds. So, what are my goals for 2011, at least those which I can share on this blog?
Write a second business book
Take 3 interesting vacations
Spend at least two weeks in a warm climate
Publish at least 25 articles 15 on Insurance Agency Web Marketing
Wake up weight of 180 pounds
Granted, there are always a few bullets relating to very personal goals, assisting a family member in need, spending more time in charitable pursuits, etc. Ten is the maximum number of goals which seems reasonable for me; five or six is often preferred. It is a cathartic process for me, one you might find beneficial too. In 2011, I can virtually guarantee that four out of the five goals above will be accomplished. Now if I can just cut back on some of those carbohydrates!
