Goals

I only hit 50% on my 2010 goals and I’m looking to improve on that in 2011. So here we go, let’s do this.

• I’m a new Dad so I want to make sure that I keep my #1 goal from last year. I want to be around for Nolan so the main goal for me is to continue to work less. I know its a repeat goal, but I think its pretty important to keep the work / life balance in check. Goal #1: Continue to work less.

Well, its 2011 so that means its time to review my goals for 2010 and set some new ones. This post will be focused solely on reviewing 2010.

• Goal #1: work less – SUCCESS! I think that 2010 proved that I could be more productive at the office without putting in a lot of nights and weekends. My boss recently gave me the permission to say No! which has been huge for my productivity. I’m hoping that this current work environment continues through 2011. The future is exciting!
• Goal #2: 2 in 12. – FAIL! This was my running goal and while I did run more this year, I didn’t hit my goal. The best that I did when I was running quite a bit this summer was 1.5 in 9. 1 in 6 happened a few times but I couldn’t make it to 2 miles in 12. I was more commonly a 8 miler man honestly and it was only when I really really REALLY pushed myself did I hit those numbers. And to be honest, it was stupid when I did push myself like that. I always paid the price and couldn’t run for crap the next couple of times out. Nolan coming along kind of killed my endurance as I didn’t exercise nearly enough. But I’m turning that around.
• Goal #3: the 5 hour work week.– FAIL! I didn’t put in 5 hours a week, but I did do quite a bit better on the side business. More hours before Nolan but he’s falling into a nice pattern which is making it easier to dedicate that one hour back again.
• Goal #4: Inbox Zero! – FAIL yeah, not even close on this one.
• Goal #5: read one book a month. – SUCCESS! While it doesn’t seem like it, I read quite a bit this year. Maybe not every book all the way through, but a good majority of just about every baby resource I could get my hands on. A lot of them were fairly short and not near enough fiction books. But still, I call this one a success.
• Goal #6: Stop checking email first thing in the morning. – SUCCESS! I think it goes with #1 but I have definitely stopped checking things first thing in the morning. Maybe not as much now that Nolan is around and I need to pass the time while he sits up and falls asleep (typically) after his morning bottle.

Conclusion

It wasn’t a steller year, but still fairly successful as far as my goals went. While I fell short in quite a few areas, I did better than I expected while failing. I’ll live with 50% and look to improve this year. Onto 2011!

I’ve been really bad about keeping up with various blogs lately. I mean really bad! I’m months behind on several of my favorite blogs. So it should come as no surprise that I’m just now stumbling upon this post which I wanted to chime in on.

I’m not a stranger to stating public goals to here are my two things:

1. What do you want to get better at?

I could go on about a good dozen or so things that I am pretty horrible at. But if I had to narrow down just one thing, I would pin it on its this. I need to be better at going to bed. I know, it sounds really simple doesn’t it. You’re tired, go to bed. But I’m not that guy. Typically my wife will go to bed at 9:30/10 and I’m up still until 12, 1 and this week even 2 a few times. Sometimes it is work related (the 2AMs this week), but often times it is not. Sure dabbling with a side business can do that to you, but its not my main focus. And with a wee one due any day now, I need to get a LOT better at getting my sleep in.

I’ve already stated my main 5 goals for 2010. But this morning I realized that I have developed a very bad habit since getting my iPhone a few years back. This is kind of related to goal #1 of work less. But I think it needs to be separated out on its one.

My iPhone serves several functions for me in the morning. Its my alarm, weather station and unfortunately, its my email client. Yup, one of the first things I do in the morning is check my email. Am I getting called by our 24/7 NOC? If there was something wrong, they would call! So why in the world am I checking first thing in the morning. I don’t need to know that right away. There are more important things to do like eat breakfast, take the dog for a walk, etc. Unless I have an early morning meeting (not recommended for programmers and admins), email just doesn’t need to be in the mix until I get into the office. At the very least it can wait until I have some Cherrios in my belly.

As the end of the year is quickly approaching, I like to look back at what I have accomplished for the year and what new things I will strive to complete in 2010. Some people like to make a New Year’s resolution. I personally think that this is great, but limiting. Most people will set one goal for the year and probably abandon that resolution within a few months. Typically these resolutions center around weight loss which is fine and the local gyms like to prey on these individuals.