2013 Direction on Goals
In the past, I’ve created a huge list of goals and tried to accomplish as many as I could and really seemed to just frustrate myself and neglect some of my responsibilities as a result. This is specifically the case when I was working a full time 8-5 job which I am now. I seem to get better at this every year so hopefully I can continue improving. But I appreciate purpose/goals/objectives for their constant reminder to focus on what’s most important. This year I will work to follow in the same vein but look more toward a healthy medium of energy replenishment as well as task prioritization/management still trying to be conscious that there are multiple categories (i.e. spiritual, career, social, personal, physical, financial).
Life Plan: Determine the Destination Before Steering the Ship
I decided this year to do Michael Hyatt’s recommendation of a Life Plan which I actually started in early November. You can download his Life Plan ebook and/or listen to his Life Plan podcast on the topic. I’ve done several before but his is succinct enough that I can use it as a reference throughout my year and review it in less than 5 minutes. If I need a reminder of the why for what I’m doing or seeing the finish line this is a big help. I can also determine when I’m falling off course and need a change of goals or just an encouraging reminder.
Managing Energy or Managing Productivity?
I am currently reading The Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz as it was recommended by Michael Hyatt as a way to consider managing energy as more important than simply task management/prioritization. It’s true in my own situation specifically now that I’m working an 8 hour day at an office that I need to prioritize breaks in order to maximize energy. And this energy will create the ability to be more productive. So, that is one of the first books in my 2013 goals and I already have a head start. 
I also have a stretch goal that is something that would be out of the ordinary for me to accomplish and is unusually challenging or different but would be icing on the cake in that category.
2013 Goals
I’m also focusing more on sprints. Jon Acuff inspired this and I agree. I do a lot of things in shorter spurts and maintaining a crazy regiment just for the sake of a year long goal without replenishment is unrealistic. Instead, I want to focus on creating habits. So, some of my goals are year long but are split up into groups and others are just from Jan 1 – Feb 22. The category is also listed after the goal in parenthesis. I’m obviously not providing this info before Jan 1 but better late than never:
- Read 2 books toward completing 12 non-fiction books in a year (Personal Development)
Stretch: Contact the author and ask him questions or go to a conference on the topic of one of these books. - Imagine by Jonah Lerner
- Celebration of Discipline by Foster
- The Power of Full Engagement by Loehr and Schwartz
- Brandscaping by Davis
- 15 Indefinable Laws of Growth by Maxwell
- The Art of Possibility by Zander
- Power of Habit by Duhigg
- A Technique for Producing Ideas by Young
- Frequent Flyer Master by Guillebeau
- Family Driven Faith by Bauchum
- $100 Startup by Guillebeau
- Parenting the QBQ way by Miller
- Workout 3 to 4 times a week and lose 10 lbs by Feb 22nd. Marriage is a little too good. (Physical)
- Read through Bible in a year (Spiritual)
- Memorize 2 verses every 2 weeks – going through Navigators verses first (Spiritual)
- Engage with one new couple a month for dinner or a social (Social)
- Start something that resembles a master-mind/accountability group (Personal Development)
Current list (subject to change) and in no particular order:
