An Old Tradition

It is always with some reservation that I post on topics that are off Topic (my topic is supposed to be IT life), but here goes.

As the years fly by, life gets increasingly busy.  Sometimes, you forget what all the management gurus and self-help experts will be more than happy to tell you – you need specific, concrete goals if you’re going to exceed and grow in life.  Otherwise, you risk just getting lost in the day-to-day flow of life.

I’ve found that the old tradition of New Years Resolutions helps me focus on advancement and growth in the coming year.  My process starts in Q4.  First, I recap and assess the previous year’s objectives.  Next, I contemplate what I’d like to try to get accomplished in the next year.  During the week between Christmas and New Years I finalize my list.  To remind me of my goals for the year I type it up on a 3×5 index card, and clip it on my calendar that hangs in my office.  There, I will see it almost daily.

I suggest you create a list of no more than 10 items, and include both professional, personal, family, and spiritual goals.

I won’t bore you with examples.  But I will tell you that in 2007 I batted 650 (65%).  Note bad I suppose.  Will have to kick it up a notch in 2008.

I welcome your comments,
Mike Brannan