Have you set any goals for 2010?
Back when I taught a Student Success college course, the first lecture was always dedicated to the importance of goal setting.
I could easily summarize that first lecture by stating three important points:
- Limit yourself to three important goals to work on this year.
- Work on only your first goal for 90 days before adding work on the second, ans so on.
- Create an accountability system that keeps you on track.
Let’s flesh these out a bit more, shall we?
Limit Goals to Only Three. Why only three? Because any more than that and you’ll likely lose focus. Multitasking is a myth and trying to work on several goals at once is futile. I used to work on goals in several areas of life: personal, health, education, business, spiritual, etc. I’d choose one or two in each area to work on. But by year’s end, I’d be frustrated with my lack of progress in each area. By limiting yourself to only three goals total, your efforts are focused like a laser and your outcomes more fruitful.
The 90-Day Rule. Leo Babauta, legendary founder of the blogs Zen Habits, mnmlst, ZenFamilyHabits, and 6Changes urges us to begin slowly on starting new habits or instituting new changes in our lives. Why? To better focus our energy on making change permanent. I agree and urge my readers to work on one habit that supports reaching a goal for 90 days before introducing another. Focused action on a daily basis is the key to effecting any change.
Accountability Makes It Happen. This weekend LE and I went to see my parents for a belated holiday dinner with other family members as well. While we were there, I spoke to my brother-in-law about forming an accountability pact. We both have similar weight loss goals and could use the interactive encouragement that having an accountability partner can provide. When setting goals, it’s essential to not only write them down, but create accountability systems to help you achieve them. Going it alone rarely works.
My Three Goals for 2010
Having said the above about goal setting, here’s where the rubber meets the road in Solo-Dadville.
My three goals are located in three separate areas of my life. They are:
Business - Develop one of my blogs into a cash-generating entity that will become part of the Barry 2.0 effort to be economy independent within 3 years. This goal is one I’ve put off for far too long. I know how to do it. I have all I need to make it happen, I just haven’t done it. Now is the time.
Personal - Reach my goal weight of 185 pounds that will eliminate the need for BP Meds. I’ve lost 10 already by walking twice daily with Buddy. However, I’ve not really taken the goal seriously enough to make more healthy changes. This goal requires me to make lasting changes if I am to reach and maintain my target goal. That’s 40 pounds in twelve months or a net loss of 3.3 pounds per month. Sounds doable, right? 
Spiritual – Meditate daily for inner peace and insight. This is a goal that will greatly effect the other two. I learned to meditate a few years ago in the Kriya Yoga tradition. And, when I practiced religiously (pardon that very bad pun 
) I felt different, was more focused throughout the day, and was generally a much happier person.
