Scoring a GOAL

OK, so the Vikings didn't score enough 'goals' in the playoffs, but those aren't the type of goals that I'm talking about anyway....I'm talking about new goals for the New Year - 2009! For the last five years, I have sat down on New Year's Day and made a list of goals for the coming year. I try to make them specific, measurable, and realistic so I'm more likely to work toward achieving them.

(Sidenote: One of the goals that appeared year after year at the top of my list was "Move to Texas" and each year it went unfulfilled. This year I was able to cross that one off with a big fat Sharpie!!)

I would highly recommend taking the time to set goals for yourself and putting them on paper. I print copies of my goals and keep them in my planner, at my desk at home, on the wall in my bathroom, etc. The more I look at them, the more likely I am to work harder to achieve them!

Here is an article about the Top 10 Goals people set for 2009 (the only thing I don't like about this article/list of goals is that they are very vague - goals need to be more measurable. For instance..instead of "Lose Weight" it should be "Fit into size X jeans" or something like that):

The Top Ten New Years Resolutions For 2009 - Trying to Improve

By Richard McDuff

Every year it seems to be the same 10 top resolutions. Why? Because they are just so hard to keep! The only two resolutions listed below that I was able to keep were the quit smoking and get more exercise. I hope that you have better luck than I did. My list includes many of the items listed below, but this article is not about Richard's New Years Resolutions, but the top 10 Resolutions.

Here is the list:

1. Get Out of Debt
This is going to be a hard one to keep, with the economy going the way it is going. People are using their credit cards for basic purchases, like gas, food, etc. With the fear of losing their jobs or even their homes. This will be the number one fear of many Americans.

2. Stop smoking
This one should be fairly easy to keep. With governments taxing customers, and the legislation that makes smokers feel so uncomfortable, it should be the one anybody can keep.

3. Get Fit
This is an excellent habit to get into. Once you start it, you will want to continue until you can not.

4. Lose Weight
It is amazing how many overweight people there are in America. I was a physically fit person until I moved to the North East. Than I ballooned up to 286 lbs and had high blood pressure. It has been a long battle, but the weight is coming down.

5. Enjoy Life More
The key here is to find something you love, and do it until you are an expert. You can than teach other people what to do and hopefully start a business doing what you love. With a good grounding in marketing you can always find customers.

6. Quit Drinking
If drinking is a problem for you than you should seek medical advice and attention. Alcholol is an addictive drug, and you will need some serious attention.

7. Get Organized
With the help of a PDA (many cell phones now have these), getting organized is so much simpler. In the old days we had to use index cards and brick tablets. These PDAs help with the mundane stuff, in order that you can get on with the serious things in live.

8.. Learn Something New
If you love to learn this is so exciting. Why should the young be the only ones to learn? In the past year or so, I have taken up art. I love it, it is so relaxing.

9. Spend more time with the Family
This is where you have to think of quality time, and how you should spend it with your family. What can you and your family do together. Hold a little family council, and see what they like to do together.

10. Help Others
This can be an rewarding endeavor. It does necessarily mean doing things for the low income and the needy. It also can mean helping young kids learn a sport, or recreational activity, etc.