New Year’s Goals
Along the lines of some discussions I was having with my employees in December (and a conversation we had with all our guests over Christmas), I find myself thinking much more in terms of goals vs. resolutions tonight. Last weekend, the thought crossed my head that even though it feels like such a clean slate when you turn the calendar, the reality is that it’s just another day. 1/1/2008 isn’t far enough removed from 12/31/2007 for there to be any expectation of big change. 12/31/2008 is kind of a different story, though. So setting a resolution of, say, exercising every day in 2008 is kind of setting yourself up to fail. Setting a goal of exercising more in 2008 (or maybe just exercising once in 2008) is a tad more realistic.
So, one might ask, what are my goals for 2008? Hm, that’s a good question. Exercise is somewhere in the picture, although that honestly feels more like a 2009 thing (how’s that for planning ahead?). There’s the new TV, though that doesn’t have much to do with character building or anything like that. After running a few ideas through my head, there are probably three macro categories that capture most of it. In reverse order:
3. Be a better dad. We already do lots with the kids, and we are very available for them, but I feel that at times I am chasing my own agenda and my fuse can be awful short.
2. Get more organized. In the second half of this year, it felt like things were getting done just-in-time. I could stand to do some physical organization of the different compartments, and a little better time management wouldn’t hurt either.
1. Find joy in the journey. Donia picked up a little tchotchke with that saying on it, and I think it’s a good motto for me for 2008. Too often I’m focused in on 20 years in the future, and when I force myself to live in the moment it’s a lot less stressful. So….I guess my number one goal is to focus less on my goals. Whatever. If I find joy in the journey in 2008, it’ll be a good year.
Find joy in the journey. Truly words to live by, I think. Life is too short to waste a single minute of it.
There’s a saying that I’ve become extremely fond of (but can’t remember the exact words)… something about the goal of life is not to arrive safely at the end in a perfectly preserved body, but rather to come screeching in sideways, shouting “Whoo HOO! What a ride!”.
therefore, my goals are simple: to have fun, and to make a difference.
Happy New Years to you, Donia, and the kids. May 2008 be n awesome year for all of you!
I pray that we all can live daily by your number one goal. We let joy slip away too easily.
I liked kellyd’s quote also. Here’s one that I heard and like,
“Life should not be measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away”.
Seth:
At 62 I must say that I enjoy each day and what it may hold. I still remember two things from school One is from fourth grade- the teacher had a statement on the wall wih something to the effect that we should make a difference on the world before we leave it. The other is from high school english. I do not remember the poet but it was about a tiger burning bright in the night (about getting old but still going at it). The sentiments expressed above are very similiar.
The seasons of life are fasinating. Would I go back in time and change anything- NO. God has allowed so many things to shape my life. From marrying, kids, career and most importantly salvation. I won’t change a thing even if I could.
I have always been a believer in life. Now I cling to it even more as I dearly want to see what my children do and what my grandkids will become.
What will 2008 bring to us? Tomorrow will tell.
Your goals are well placed.
Dad