Goals
I’ve made three modest goals for myself this year:
- Lose 75 lbs by Dec 31, 2008
- Write as often and as well as possible
- Relax and declutter my life
Most folks I’ve told these to have told me that #1 was the hardest goal. I think it will be #3. Relaxing, especially when working for a high-profile internet startup, is difficult. The decluttering, however, is very, very broad. Decluttering, to me, means not only physical items, but mental ones as well. Old commitments that have outlived their purpose, new projects that promise to be massive timesinks1…all of these fall into my clutter category.
I think Leah Culver nailed it in her recent post. Easy-going is a worthwhile goal. I wish her luck, and hope some of that rubs off on me as well. We push ourselves so hard to achieve…what? Eyestrain? Stress? An estranged family? It’s not worth it. All the podcasting, coding projects, stock options…none of it is worth it if you are a shell of a person, hollowed out by too much pressure.
Here are some articles that I’d like to pass on, as they’ve helped me clarify some of my own thoughts on the next year:
- Death and Underachievement: A Guide to Happiness in Work
- Beginning the Year with Fresh Starts & Modest Changes
- Re-evaluating Your Online Commitments
Happy New Year, everyone.
My easy rule for new projects is this: Cash on the barrelhead. If there’s not some way that I can better myself financially with the project, forget it. As much as I’d like to believe that I have time for all the cool stuff I’d like to do, the truth is that my time is worth more to me than what most projects can offer. So, then, this is my measuring stick and my dweller on the threshold.[back]
January 2nd, 2008 at 1:34 pm
As someone who has lost 60lbs in 6 months, I can tell you that once you set your mind to it, losing weight is easily accomplished. If your brain isn’t there, it won’t happen no matter how much you struggle. It’s all about hitting rock bottom and being willing to do whatever it takes to get your life back. Good luck, I’ll be rooting for ya!
January 2nd, 2008 at 3:43 pm
It makes me sad that you find the interweb such a stressful place while I think of it as a playground, but I’m glad you’re back and have some good ground rules to make this baby work for you:)
Here’s to a happy, healthy and minimally stressing 2008!
January 2nd, 2008 at 11:10 pm
I’m with you on the loosing weight, and I’ll match ya. 75 lbs by Dec 31st next year. At 300lbs (ish) and 6ft tall, I’m just to short for this much weight. Either that, or I need to grow two feet higher.
You’ve thrown down the gauntlet! And I’ll do what I can to meet you on this Chris.
And… I will get my A+ Cert!
January 3rd, 2008 at 8:21 am
with you 200%
January 3rd, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Welcome to the club; I’m aiming to lose another 40lbs by June (down 20 since October).
Also, is that a Wordpress plugin that generates those footnote popups?
January 13th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
[...] but it’s not usually my thing. That said, a number of people I admire and respect have decided to set goals or declare their hopes for the upcoming year. I figured I might as well join [...]
January 16th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
[...] of resolutions, then, several of my friends have been establishing hopes or goals to look forward to in 2008. I’ve pondered doing something like this, but I’m finding [...]