2006 Goals Review
Is it just me or is December flying by?
A few entries ago I promised to share a few of my 2006 goals and give a progress report. I’ve chosen five goals (from my list of 25) to share with you.
Why five? Why these five?
I’ve chosen these five goals because they represent the different status options of any goal you may add to your own list.
Goal 1: Schedule 1-2 speaking gigs per month
Status: Not attained by choice.
I was doing well with this goal through spring ‘06. But then some changes within my family caused me to reevaluate this goal. I made a choice to no longer actively pursue speaking engagements for the time being. I will, however, still consider opportunities that present themselves but I’m not looking for them.
Over a period of years, weeks and sometimes even days, your priorities can change. Be willing to make a conscious decision to adapt your goals to reflect those changes. I haven’t given up on the goal to motivate and inspire people through my talks, but it can’t be a top priority for me at this time. That’s okay. It’s okay if one of your goals has to take a back seat too.
Goal 2: Create a home study course based on the stories in my book Glow
Status: Deleted from list
This project was one that I’d been bouncing around in my head since I published Glow in 2003. But after seeing it written down, I realized that it wasn’t something I really wanted to do. The stories in Glow speak for themselves… to take them apart and instruct someone on how to apply them seemed unnecessary.
There are some goals you may decide you no longer want to achieve. You may have a reason or you may just lose interest. That’s okay. Delete the item from your list if you are no longer drawn to it.
Goal 3: Organize my computer files
Status: Not done, not started, but still wanted
My computer files are a mess. I know where things are (for the most part), but I would like my files to be better organized. I’d like to delete duplicates of both written and audio files. Sometimes I can’t find the most recent version of something so I end up working on older versions again and again.
Some goals just haven’t made it to the top of your priority list. If the goal is a big one or seems overwhelming, it can be easy to push it to the bottom of your list. My advice for these goals you haven’t even started is to build time into your schedule to create a task list. Break the goal down into as many small tasks as you can. And then start working on them in 5 or 10 minute increments.
Rather than dropping this goal from my list, I’ll add it to my 2007 goal list.
Goal 4: Do a top-to-bottom whole house cleaning
Status: In progress
I’ve written several entries on this goal. Let’s just say I’m plugging (or polishing) away at it. I haven’t given up on it. I’m still working on it. It will get done. Whether I finish before the clock strikes midnight on Dec. 31st, I can’t say. But I’ll keep working until this goal is finished.
Some goals take time. They take effort. They take continued focus. If it’s important to you, keep at it. Every little bit you do makes a difference.
Goal 5: Spend time each month with friends
Status: Done
This goal was a challenge at times. Finding time to spend with friends means working around the schedules of two or more busy people. It did take advance planning. It did take compromising. But what a great time I had staying involved in the ups and downs of my friends’ lives. This goal will definitely stay on my list for 2007!
When you achieve a goal it’s important to recognize that you’ve achieved it. Celebrate! Consciously recognize the effort and choices you made to make it happen. Thank the people who’ve helped you along the way. Allow your success at this goal to spur you on to another goal on your list.
So that’s my Goals 2006 update.
Have you taken a look at your own goals? Are you thinking about your goals for 2007?
