A brand new year. It means a fresh new start, a fresh new beginning, a fresh new mindset, and new goals.
Last year was the first year I actually came up with list of goals and made commitment to follow them – or at least try to follow most of them.
I want to do the same this year but I want to go deeper, go further than last year. I really want to put myself in a bigger picture – step outside of my comforts and be active in this lively world.
I struggled to come up with a concrete, measurable, and achievable list last year. After all, you come up with goals to accomplish, not just put it on your wall and admire your ability to create them. You must be able to walk the talk. How would you know you achieved them without any measurements?
Below are my 8 goals for this year. I put a measurable indicator for each goal, so I’ll know whether I have achieved or failed at the end of 2010.
- Read 18 books but no new purchases
- I’ve managed to read my goal of 12 books in 2009. Now I’m pushing that limit to 18 (increase of 50%) this year. I know it’ll be tough since I’ll be attending part-time graduate school, but you can always find time to read when you’re really into it. I plan to read previous-purchased books that I’ve never opened, borrow from library, or read books that I’ve read again (the good ones!). No more spending money on books this year – I’ll have very tight budget! - Keep weight under 175 for all year long. Keep track of weights once a week
- This one might be really hard, but I’m going to try to monitor my weight for the entire year. Some may argue that I am not fat at all and yes I agree. In fact, I’m probably on the healthier side of 25 year old man, but I really do need to watch out my health, I feel like I’m losing a step on sports field too, maybe I need to get back in the shape so I can be competitive again. - Take 5 graduate school courses
- I’m going back to school. 5 classes is my goal, but that all depends on class availability and my work schedule. If I’m in DC for the entire 2010, I think 5 courses are very doable. - Take two trips (at least 5 days long) outside of Mid-Atlantic region
- Between school semesters, I’ll have about 3 weeks of school-free time. I want to take advantage by going on trips on these breaks. Not entirely 3 weeks but maybe one short break within US and one longer break outside of US would be fantastic. I’ve also set $2,500 as my travel budget, so money won’t be the excuse of not-going. - Save at least $1,000 a month ($12,000 year)
- This one might be the toughest. I don’t know what’s going to happen once I move to Crystal City area soon. The rent will almost double and I’m not sure where I can cut my budget. I’m already on a pretty tight budget and I’ll need to work harder to save money. Maybe less eating out and more brown-bag lunches. - Attend at least 5 non-profit/charity events
- This one has my heart and desire. I just need to find the one that fits my schedule and my expertise. There seem to be none. Maybe I need to look harder and wider – someone could use my help, right? Hopefully one that offers free Disneyland tickets. - Complete a half marathon
- This one goes along with goal #2. I really want to have a reason to work out and be in shape other than look good (even that doesn’t get me girls). Marathon sounds perfect reason to workout and training. I know I’m not ready for the full-length even with one active year of training. I’ll compete for half length and maybe try for full-length within next two years. - Read Bible from Beginning to the End
- Now, this is a real goal. Can you believe that I’ve been calling myself a Christian, yet I have not read the bible from the beginning to the end? What a shame. I don’t know the stories inside out. It’s like telling people I play guitar yet I can’t read the chords. This has to be the most important goal for 2010. I cannot fail this one.
Some are career related, some are more of personal interests, but nonetheless all of them will challenge me somehow and I look forward to accept those challenges. They will benefit, strengthen, and make me a better person at the end.
It wouldn’t be a total failure if I don’t get to achieve all of them in 365 day window. I just set the bar high so I can get motivated and try to hit the bar as high as I can in a given time. It will probably mean less fun, less sleep, and definitely more hardship – but I accept the mission.
Please pray that I don’t get side-tracked with my goals. I’d still have God as my priority and continue to be more like him everyday (although I fail everyday). It’ll be an interesting year for me. I’ll be turning 26 in 2010; officially a late-twenties. Perhaps, I should have included “find a girl” as one of goals too.
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