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The difference between a New Year's RESOLUTION and a PLAN

December 9th, 2008 at 10:44 pm

How often do we set ambitious goals come Jan. 1?

How often do we fulfill most of them?

Where are we going wrong?

I think I found few problems with my previous approach to resolutions.

1. Defining goals that are not completely up to me.
I think it is intimidating to put down goals such as "get published". What if you fail?
I think a better goal to set is "submit x articles for publication". So that you just have to worry about doing your part.

2. Accountability. I am a procrastinator at heart, so it is oh so easy to get to December with nothing but good intentions.

So I break down my goals month by month -- every yearly goal broken down into steps.
Print out the "month" sheet and put it on the refrigerator.

Get graded. Post a reward for 80% compliance(nobody is perfect and life happens). Email the list to friends.

So here I am posting mine for JAN. (oh, nothing wrong with getting a head start, if possible, to make it easier later).



Goals for the year:
Visit new country (done every year)
Max out ROTH (done every year)
Save $400 monthly outside retirement accounts
Have 20 ski days this season (18 days last season)
Finish Chinese language courses
Try new sport
Learn 12 New dishes (1 per month)
Loose 20 lb
Eat healthier
(very stereotypical, I know)

Every month I check of the monthly list and write down what progress has been made on each goal.

3 Responses to “The difference between a New Year's RESOLUTION and a PLAN”

  1. gamecock43 Says:
    1228864521

    awww...you set up goals for your yearly goals! I like that...so organized! good luck!

  2. whitestripe Says:
    1228865348

    lol. it's funny how most people have very similar goals: lose weight, save money etc. i too have the same. Smile good work though! i like the learning chinese goal.

  3. creditcardfree Says:
    1228867706

    Nice goals! I'm sure you'll meet them by having them more clearly defined!

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