In this week’s blog, I'm going to give my own perception of goals versus resolutions, then tell you what mine are for 2012! The word resolution has left a bad taste in everyone’s mouth considering the
lackluster performance of congress and the continuing resolutions they have repeatedly granted at the last minute. For that reason alone I'm going to veto my own use of the word on New Year’s Eve! There is a certain stigma associated with breaking resolutions which seem to be nothing more than promises destined to be broken. I'm going to stick with the good old fashioned GOAL!
Goals are best if you can put them in terms that are quantifiable and realistic. There is no sense in being ambiguous or lofty when it comes to attaining the established goal. I like to break my goals into categories of being either personal or professional. After that I may subdivide them into subcategories of mind, body or spirit.
I'll start with personal goals first. I am a family man and really enjoy spending time with my family so I think a good goal to start with what would be a minimum of one hour of quality one on one time with each of my family members each week. I certainly won't stop at that one hour and tell anyone, "Time's up!" I'll confess that this seems almost too easy more often than not, but it's still well worth pursuing since they grow up way too fast.
Another personal goal would be to expand my circle of friends. Most of us get caught in the rut of being in the same old circle of friends which can get quite stale. If I could make it a point to truly get to know at least four new people in a year I could learn to gain the trust, respect and friendship of someone who could potentially provide greater insight into who and what I am as a human being. I know, really deep.
One last personal goal is to reduce my stress and practice patience. One would think that as long as I've been in the martial arts this should be easy but that is far from the truth. The quantifiable part of this goal is to learn to say no when asked to take on additional tasks. I can learn to be patient first with myself, then my family, then everyone else outside my family. I've been reading about yoga and feel that 2012 is the year I will add it to my stress reduction methods.
My first professional goal is with my position in government service. I am already starting the New Year with an added responsibility which will add to my overall value as a federal employee.
The second professional goal I have is in my martial arts career. In 2012 I plan to reach black belt in Combat Hapkido and Blue Belt in Gracie Jiu Jitsu, two styles that will compliment my own system a great deal. I may add an additional certification before year’s end, if time and finances permit. This could finally be the year I go for a PDR Certification under Tony Blauer!
I'll state one final goal and call it combined personal and professional. It's related to my health and well-being. Aside from adding yoga into my routine for stress reduction, I also want to actually have measurable goals in five fitness categories: performing 10,000 each of pushups, sit-ups, squats, and punch/kick combinations. Crazy you say? 10,000 pushups divided by 366 days in the year is only 28 a day (rounded up), small but powerful when you put it all together. Wonder what I'll look and feel like?
Posted at: 07:50 PM | Add Comment
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