We’re a few days away from a new month, new year and new decade. Can you remember where you were 10 years ago?
Man, I was a teenager, had my first girlfriend, just started to drive and was learning about the world. Life was a lot different 10 years ago and I’m grateful for everything that’s happened.
If you’re like me, you tend to spend this time of year in reflection and in forward-looking. Here is how I plan and goal set for the year ahead.
First, I look back at my 2019 goals in black and white – did I achieve them or not? There’s a time and place for gray area – and this isn’t it for me.
Second, I look at themes from the year – what words, people, events and things popped up a lot and which do I want to keep going into 2020?
Third, what’s one big goal I can set for each of my buckets – financial/business, creativity, relationship, health, learning, faith – one goal that makes everything else either nonexistent or unimportant.
Fourth, map out how I can accomplish those goals step by step.
I know things will change throughout the year and that the goals can be fluid, but without a map, I’d just be wandering through the desert hoping I find a body of water.
Take some time to reflect and look forward these next few days and let’s make 2020 the best year yet.
PS – if you’re not already, I’d love it if you followed my journey on some other channels.
– I write a daily, motivational post called Daily Momentum.
– I put these posts and personal pictures on Instagram as well.
– I have some fun on Twitter every day.
– Add me on LinkedIn and let me know what brought you there.
– Most of my articles get posted on Quora and Medium
– I’m about to get back into some fun stuff on YouTube as well.
Weekly Six-Pack
Here are the 6 things to check out this week:
- Last week I wrote about my #1 networking tip: plant a tree every day.
- I’ve been traveling a lot these holidays, from SF to Chicago to Indy to Boston and over to CT for New Year’s Eve. Right now, I’m reading We Learn Nothing, essays from Tim Kreider.
- This podcast between Ed Mylett and Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez was so good that I listened two times (seriously). They talk visualization and playing with your heart instead of your head. I’ll be writing more on this.
- If you’re a creator, a leader or a thinker – your output depends on your input.
- Seth Godin wrote about Quality and Effort.
- As a naturally stubborn guy, I hate when people tell me what to do. Here are some thoughts on when to follow the rules – and when to break them.
Quote of the Week
“The student goes to the master and says ‘I’m discouraged, what should I do?’ The master says “Encourage others.'”