So it’s a new year. Which means a new round of goals. No, not silly resolutions that you don’t take seriously. It’s time for you to sit down and spend a few minutes (if not hours or days) and think about what you want to achieve and what you actually can achieve. Here are the guidelines I used for last year and this year.
- Your goals must be specific.
- Your goals must be measurable.
- Your goals must have a time limit.
- Your goals must be your own.
- Your goals must be in writing.
I used the following categories and tried not to put more than 5 or 6 goals in each category.
- Spiritual
- Physical
- Intellectual
- Career
- Family
- Financial
- Social
So I did this for the first time last year. I sat down and wrote out my goals at the beginning of January for the entire 2016 year. I tracked them in a spreadsheet and marked them off throughout the year as I achieved them. It was an interesting experience. I learned that some of my goals I listed were too easy, some were too vague, and some were too difficult to achieve. Sometimes I would look at my goal list every week, and other times I would forget about it for a few months at a time. I started with 26 goals for 2016. When I did my final calculation I realize that 2 of them were too vague and I ruled them out.
For 2016 I completed 14.1 of my 24 goals. Only a 58% completion rate. While you might not think that is good, those are completed specific goals. Not pipe dreams of “Well maybe next year will be better…” or “I wish I could do X,Y,Z…” Those are things I chose to pursue and accomplish. Many I did accomplish. A lot of goals that I didn’t complete are partially completed and some of them have become more specific goals for 2017.
Some of my completed goals for 2016 include the following:
- Completed a 3 month workout program and exercised 6-7 days a week. (P90X3)
- I got a raise.
- I submitted a warrant officer packet.
- I taught my kids specific skills.
- I took 3 trips with my family.
- I saved a specific amount of money.
- I obtained my CEH certification.
For 2017 I have created 17 specific goals across the above mentioned categories. Some categories have less and some have more than last year. I’ve tried to balance them with what I forsee my situation being in 2017 to include variables such as a new baby, active duty time, moving, etc.
A few of my goals for 2017 include the following:
-
- Obtain my CISSP certification.
- Commission as a Warrant Officer.
- Read 10 fiction books and 5 non-fiction books.
- Tweet 30 times a month.
Those are just a sample of them. Some are more serious, and some are less serious. I would encourage you to do the same. People who are successful have goals. Not dreams. As the saying goes, “A goal is a dream with a deadline.” So get out there, work hard, set some goals, write them down, track them, and crush them! The only thing holding you back from being successful is the person in the mirror. So get after it!
Later,
Derek