Goals, 2009
New Year’s Resolutions are a waste of time. They’re broken consistantly, they’re frequently un-achievable, they’re vaguely defined… they just flat-out suck. So rather than set a list of easily-broken, poorly-defined resolutions, this year I’m going to set some proper Goals – things to achieve during/before the end of 2009.
Goals have certain qualifications. They must be specific, measurable, realistic, and time-bound. So goals like “lose some weight” are right out, because it’s not specific. Goals like “become mayor of the earth” are, again, right out – not realistic.
So given that, here’s my goals for 2009:
- Lose 30 lbs. I don’t want a perfect body, but I do want to get rid of this spare tire I’m lugging around. Getting down to 195 would do most of that.
- Excersize 3x weekly, for at least 30 minutes. I’m going to keep a journal and everything.
- Launch BillOnSite. There’ll be more on this later, but I think I have a real winner (or at least some real potential) here.
- Pay off my PC Financial Mastercard. My strategy here is that every non-rent paycheque is used to reduce it a further $500 from last time. So if it’s at $2000 and I spend $40 in the intervening time, I have to put $540 on it to “catch up”. I don’t know how well that will work, but even if it doesn’t, I should still be able to pay the whole thing off this year.
I am going to make one resolution though, since I have a sort of tradition of including one un-keepable resolution with each year’s list. This year’s will be…
“Punch out Bill Gates in a proper boxing match.”
I’ve got nothing against the guy (actually, I rather admire him), but the chances of me being anywhere NEAR a boxing ring at the same time as him are rather slim, let alone there being a pugilistic agreement between the two of us.
Good luck with the new year, everyone!
Comments
Geoff
AuthorLosing 30 lbs will come in handy during the boxing match, but it’s a shame he’s not a woman.
May Chu
AuthorIt seems like we have some similarities here. I too, need to lose 30 lbs. I gained 70 lbs from being pregnant and lost 50 lbs already.
I also would like to exercise 3x a week, but find it extremely hard to do so when running a business.
Paying off credit lines can wait however, I know I have to spend money to make money.
Regarding setting goals…I suggest micro-goal setting, it is what I call “weekly intentions” and I do it every week and it translates to beautiful results in business.
Dan Hulton
AuthorWell, sadly, my weight gain is through my own negligence, not through anything as acceptable as a baby. =)
And since I’ve written this post, I’ve made some changes in priorities as well. My credit lines have taken a rather large back seat to my business, as a main thing, so I understand where you’re coming from.
Also, I belong to this rather cool little forum of entrepreneurs, and one section of the forum is for publicly stating weekly goals (and the results of last week, to boot). I find it incredibly motivating, you are correct.