Reviewing the Goals You Set for 2009

iceman (Mike) · #1 18-12-2009, 07:19 AM

I never used to really set myself goals - and I certainly never wrote them down.

But at the end of last year/beginning of this year, my Kyoshi and Shihan at BBMA (Karate) talked about goal setting, and it really inspired and motivated me to actually set myself goals - categorise them, and write them down!

I've just spent some time reflecting on my goals and seeing how I went against them - what I achieved and what I didn't achieve. And also starting to think about my goals for 2010.

Obviously not all of them are karate related, but the discipline, focus and mindfulness that karate is teaching me is helping me in all areas of my life.

I've written my thoughts on my blog, and if you're interested you can read it here:
Another Year Comes to and End - Reviewing my 2009 Goals

Do you set yourself goals? Do you write them down?

How did you go against your goals? Did you achieve what you wanted to? What stopped you from achieving your goals?

Would love to hear your thoughts.

multiweb (Marc) · #2 18-12-2009, 08:07 AM

Yeah it works for me too. I wrote them down when I arrived in Australia. Things like pay house off within 5 years, get the job I wanted within 2 years, etc... Right now I've achieved everything I wanted so I've stopped setting goals. I'm in a pretty happy place right now, cruising and enjoying life and saving the occasional buck for retirement.

I find there are periods in your life where you have to work your a** off, mostly to take care of the family and kids, schools, etc... then as they grow you start taking care of yourself and your wife a bit more and wind down a bit. Kids will take over soon, get a better job than I ever did and I can squat and build an observatory on their big block of land

Lismore Bloke (Paul) · #3 18-12-2009, 08:24 AM

I'm a bit like you, Mike: not one for setting goals. I am realistic enough to recognise that there are deficiencies in my visual observing that I need to attack. So, next year.

1. Prepare for observing sessions better - I'm doing too much ad-hoc viewing.

2. Try and find a dark sky site that is safe, not too far away. Part of this will involve working out how to lug a 12" Dob around without bashing it to bits. My home site is far from brilliant. For example, my north view only goes as far as the northern stars in Orion.

3. Record observations, probably with a notetaker of some sort.

I'm a bit messy rather than neat and methodical so I don't know I'll go. Cheers, Paul.

Kevnool (Kev) · #4 18-12-2009, 01:02 PM

Mike i used this thing called the ten year plan but sadly it should be longer.
Cheers Kev.

DavidU (Dave) · #5 18-12-2009, 01:41 PM

Yes I actively set goals and targets, but this years GFC has ruined 30 years work.

wavelandscott (Scott) · #6 18-12-2009, 01:57 PM

I regularly set goals and track my progress towards them...I find it helps me keep focused on the important things in my life.

I've developed a decent track record of moving towards those goals over time.

lacad01 (Adam) · #7 18-12-2009, 05:19 PM

I'll start next year...maybe

GrahamL · #8 19-12-2009, 07:33 AM

Interesting read Mike, I was thinking I'm not a goal person, but looking back there are a few of things(not writen down ) that I have tried to work towards during the year . and probably did achieve some them mostly.

Astronomy I'm not sure is something we should set goals for in that theres so much that limits opportunity even before you can get outside,I try to get out when I can and the weather wants to play nice, and not to get to negative when it dosn't for months on end .Maybe the time frame we try and fit everything into, much like the stars
needs to endless ,accepting that theres going to be whole years where not much
is going to happen no matter how much dedication and time your prepared to throw at it.

Louwai (Bryan) · #9 19-12-2009, 07:52 AM

Most important goal.
#1 2008 goal - Acqire 20" SDM
Dec 2008 - 20" SDM ordered

Jan 2010 - 20" SDM Delivered

Other than that, I'm pretty work focused. We have lots of "Employee advancement" things at work which I use.

PDP (Personal Developement Program)
Mentoring
On line university (Harvard based courses)

Just to name a few.
The company is extremely employee orientated. (maybe a little too much in some aeas)

Jen · #10 20-12-2009, 10:18 PM

Yep i had two goals this year, to finally go to an Astro Camp and to loose weight

Guess what i achieved both woooohooooo

Bring on 2010

havnt thought of new ones yet maybe to get some nice astro pics