I recently read a blog where the author posted about setting personal goals for the year, and I thought it was a great idea, so I have decided to give it a try.

I’m not sure why I’ve never thought of doing this before… I’ve always written goals professionally, and I get the fact that if you don’t set goals, you may not make progress.  But I have a very different problem in my personal life.  By not setting personal goals, I feel like I haven’t made any personal progress, even though I probably do a ton each year.

So I’m doing this for two reasons: 1) to focus myself in on what I want to achieve  (and be okay with leaving the rest for later), and 2) to serve as a mechanism for recognition at the end of the year when I can look back and see how much I’ve done. I see this as a good practice for anyone who’s a ‘minimizer‘ of their own accomplishments, or who’s hard-working, and I’m excited to see how it works for me!

My Personal Goals – This Year (by wellbeing pillar)

Mental

• Create a blog, and post at least every 2 weeks (starting in January)
• Complete 3 projects from my wish list (maybe: kitchen counter tops, finish toy room, and something outside?)
• Document my well-being successes once a month (starting in May)

Physical

• Build a work-out plan that works for me, stick to it, and modify if needed (and be okay with less than perfect!) (March)
• Keep a mainly Paleo diet
• Do a veggie cleanse once a quarter (Feb, May, Aug, Nov)

Career

• Ensure my leaders understand my career goals, and talk to them about it regularly (Feb, May, Aug, Nov)
• Finish editing my friend’s book and decide how I like the job

Social

• Go to the cabin at least four times this summer
• Go out with friends twice a month
• Find a volunteer activity I can do with my family, and do it at least once

Financial

• Get our savings accounts back up to snuff (June)
• Meet with a financial planner
• Finish will & health care directives

Another interesting thing I learned recently is that people typically over-estimate what they can do in one year, and under-estimate what they can do in five or ten.  So, in addition to setting goals for the year, I’m going to set goals for five years out.

My Personal Goals – Five Years Out

Mental

• Find a church that works for me and my family
• Start writing my book
• Put up hallway photos

Physical

• Get to my ideal weight and body-fat percentage

Career

• Maintain current satisfaction with my job

Social

• Have set of volunteer efforts for my family to do multiple times throughout the year (close to holidays and/or in down times of year)

Financial

• Have a side investment or alternate source of income

Someday Maybe

Almost important as what I’ve shared above as things I want to focus on, are the things I choose not to focus on.  So here’s a list of things I might consider for later, but am giving myself permission to de-prioritize for right now.

• Take book-writing classes
• Finish writing my book
• Get a Masters in Knowledge Management
• Start weightlifting (not just yoga and cardio)
• All the other projects on my wish list!!