I read a blog post from the nice folks at Livestrong.com the other day that handed down some
tips on how to make your resolutions more achievable. They made complete sense to me. They supplied similar steps that I have applied to my business life for years.
All of a sudden, my personal life seems just as important these days. So why shouldn’t I set these similar tactics in play for myself?
I started breaking down my life into the following categories:
- Personal
- Fiscal
- Physical
- Career
- Relational
- Intellectual
On the personal front, I began deconstructing myself and looking at me for who I think I am. What lies in the shadows that I need to fix or remove? Character flaws? Personal traits that I like that might need be moved to the forefront?
The fiscal goal seems to be a percentage increase, just like is expected in the budgets I set forth in my current job. Reducing my debt / overhead will be a must this year, via paying down credit debt and selling a house in Arkansas.
Physical might be tasking. I set some running goals, cycling goals, body shaping goals and some weight loss / BMI goals. All of these seemed extremely measureable, so it make them simple targets.
Career goals are some current job goals as well as some sideline objectives with things that I enjoy. Maybe not a change, but an enhancement.
Relational is going to be a big one for me. I think that I need to be a much better husband, dad, boss and all around human being. I used to take great pride in being an excellent “people person”. As years of retail has taken it’s toll, it’s difficult at times to not be bitter in a sense. The relational goal seems to be less tangible, so harder to measure. Other than the smiles of course.
On the intellectual front, I need to learn to read again. Non-fiction books. At least one a month. I need to activate this brain again. Give it some life.
Here’s the trick:
The goals need to be specific.
The goals need to be measurable.
The goals need to be bound by a time.
The goals need to be realistic to you.
Just saying “I am going to lose weight” won’t cut it.
More like, “I’m going to lose 20 lbs by May 31st, 2009.”
Now you got a goal!
Next post, we’ll talk about how to take action…
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