Setting Goals

So I read somewhere that settings goals for yourself will motivate you and help you to focus on projects, or other aspects of life throughout the year.  Then I got a fortune cookie that said almost the same thing only days later.  So since the fortune cookie said so, I'm going to do it.  I'm going to set goals for 2012 and achieve them.

I had a discussion already with friend about the goals I jotted down and what I thought I would want to achieve this year.  I think I may want to rethink what I want to do.  Here was my initial list:

1. Run a 50 mile race and finish
2. Cycle a 100 mile race and finish
3. Get a hunting license

I don't necessarily think those are bad goals, and I know I can achieve them, but I think I might be going in the wrong direction with my decisions.  After taking more time to ponder what the list should be, I've come up with this outline for myself:

1.  No more than 10 goals, I think 5 would be best
2.  Some should be individual goals, others should be family goals, and at least one should involve friends
3.  Be sure the goals have specific outcomes, not like "eat healthier", but more like "don't buy beer for the house on a weekday".
4.   Take into consideration work and personal life balance as not to add stress, take too much time away from family, but be fun and fruitful.

So, looking back at my first list.  Running 50 miles takes a lot of training.  I would have to dedicate many, many hours a week for the next 6-8 months to build up the endurance for this kind of event.  This would be stressful on the body, on my personal time, and family time.  But i don't have to remove running from the list, maybe a more likable goal that would be to run 3 three new trails.  They don't even have to be official races, just running new trails and exploring is what I really love about trail running.

Next is the cycling goal.  This I will probably keep.  I have a couple friends that I regularly cycle with, and we do a charity ride every year that offers a 100 mile loop.  So why don't I get them motivated to ride it with me?  I think I will.

The third item was a hunting license.  I think I would only modify this one to include a reward of some sort.  Something like get license, then go on a hunt with a local guide.

Alright, time to put some goals together (before 2012 is over!) and stick to it:

1. Run 3 new trails
2. Cycle a 100 mile ride
3. Get my hunting license
4. Work on my writing projects
    a. Add quality posts to the blog regularly
    b. Finish editing my children's book
5. I'll just leave this one open for now