Posts Tagged goals
Goal Status: February in Review
Another month bites the dust, so it’s time for a goal update:
1. Drop 50 pounds
After losing 14 pounds in January, my weight loss tailed off in February. I still lost 6 pounds, bringing my total to 20. Only 30 more to go. I’ll blow this one away!
2. Benchpress and Deadlift 300 pounds
I’m able to benchpress 235 and deadlift 225 pounds, 8 reps each. If I stick to my routine, I’ll hit this one, too.
3. Post more frequently
FAIL! While I surpassed my January post total, this is still only the tenth post for February. But it’s the shortest month. Yeah, that’s the reason. I need to kick myself in the ass.
4. Fund my 401(k)
On track, due to direct deposit.
5. Read a new book each month
I read a collection of Ernest Hemingway’s short stories. I’m open to suggestions for March. Any ideas? Leave a suggestion in the comments.
6. Run 3 miles
The bad weather has curtailed my walking program, but I’ve shoveled a lot of snow lately. Spring is coming. I’ll get back on track.
Check back for more updates!
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My Goals for 2010 The odds of hitting your target go up dramatically when you aim at it. - advice from a fortune cookie A Disclaimer I don't believe in luck, curses, the Evil Eye, four-leaf clovers, rubbing a rabbit's foot, crossing my fingers, knocking on wood, or the power of wishing wells. ......
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Goal Status: January in Review
Spurred on by a fortune cookie, I wrote about my modest goals for the year in this post:
So, now that we’re a month into the new year, I’ll give you my status. Here goes:
1. Drop 50 pounds
I lost 14 pounds in January, primarily by sticking to the Metabolic Diet (thank you Dr. Di Pasquale). If you can live without bread, you’ll have success with it. I haven’t had any terrible cravings, and the worst thing that I ate for the entire month was a slice of pepperoni pizza on my son’s birthday. I achieved 28% of my goal in the month, so I’m off to a good start.
2. Benchpress and Deadlift 300 pounds
I’ve been hitting the weights three times a week, and I increase the amount of weight every Monday. I’m using a 5 rep x 5 set routine, and I’m benching 220 pounds and deadlifting 210 pounds. I’m taking it easy because of my bad back. You can see that I’ve got a long way to go.
3. Post more frequently
Eight posts for the month. Pathetic! Well, I’m way behind on this goal. I’d hoped to post 5 times a week, but between a death in the family, a crazy work schedule, several birthdays, and the demise of my home computer, I’ve really dropped the ball. Hopefully February will yield more posts.
4. Fund my 401(k)
Thank goodness for automation. This is a set-it-and-forget-it goal. My contribution gets deducted from my paycheck each week, and gets dumped with the rest of my soldiers in an index fund with a low expense ratio. I’ll hit my goal, no problem.
5. Read a new book each month
With a broken computer, I’ve had the time. It’s a good thing, too, because Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment isn’t the easiest thing to read. I’ve also read Never Be Lied to Again by David J. Lieberman. So that’s two in one month. A good start. I’m playing with house money.
6. Run 3 miles
I’m currently walking 3 miles each morning, at a really fast pace, so it won’t be long before I start jogging a little bit. It sure is cold at 6 am, so there aren’t any neighbors that I have to run in to. I hope to be able to run at least a half mile by my next report.
So that’s two that I’ve exceeded, two that I’m on track with achieving, and two that I need to kick some ass in order to achieve them.
How are you doing with your goals? If you’ve fallen short, don’t give up; just start over. There are many bloggers that start on Groundhog Day, so why not join them? Good luck!
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My Goals for 2010
The odds of hitting your target go up dramatically when you aim at it. - advice from a fortune cookie
A Disclaimer
I don’t believe in luck, curses, the Evil Eye, four-leaf clovers, rubbing a rabbit’s foot, crossing my fingers, knocking on wood, or the power of wishing wells. I routinely delete those chain emails that promise untold horrors if I don’t forward them to ten of my friends (sounds more like an Amway pyramid scheme to me. I’ll save my friends the potential horror). I’ll walk under ladders, step on sidewalk cracks, open my umbrella indoors, and even mention that a pitcher has a no-hitter going on. Oh, and I don’t believe in horoscopes or fortunes, either.
Change is good
But a recent meal of Chinese food brought an unexpected benefit besides the MSG headache and indigestion: a fortune cookie that reminded me to state my goals for the year. The simple statement is listed above, but truer words have never been written. I’m going to list my goals for 2010, but first I’ll give you the behavioral changes that will make my goals a reality:
Eat healthier foods - I actually started this before the New Year, and it’s paid off in a smaller waistline. I started substituting salads and fruits for Doritos and chocolate chip cookies, and I’ve dropped about 12 pounds this year. But some of that weight loss is due to change #2…
Exercise regularly - I’m currently doing 5 days of exercise a week. I try to lift weights at least four times a week, and get some walking in on the weekends. Work has been crazy since before Christmas, so I’ve been leaving and getting home in the dark. When things calm down, I’ll try to walk before work.
Get to bed early - Or really, earlier than usual. I’m trying to get 6 hours of sleep a night. Old habits die hard, but the exercising has been making me sleepy.
Have more patience - this applies to having more patience to let these changes take effect before I throw in the towel. “Stay the course”, as Ronald Reagan once said. “One bite at a time” is my new mantra.
On to the goals
So, if I follow all of these behavioral changes, I should be able to meet my goals for the year. Here they are:
- Drop 50 pounds - Yes, you read that correctly. I started the year just a shade under 230, and I’d like to get back to my fighting weight of 180. I feel this warrants the pole position, as I’m starting to block out the sun. I’ve already dropped 12 pounds, so this is definitely doable. Besides, I’ve done it before, about 7 years ago.
- Benchpress and Deadlift 300 pounds - Why does a beancounter need to be able to lift 300 pounds? Well, just to shut my smartass son up. He thinks the old geezer is over the hill. I’ll show him! Besides, I like lifting weights.
- Post more frequently - Because I have a full-time job, I struggle to find the time to post these strange thoughts that rattle around in my cranium. Going to bed early won’t help, as i usually brainstorm after everyone has gone to bed, but hopefully eating all of that healthy food will increase my energy. I’d like to hit 250 posts for 2010.
- Fund my 401(k) - This is an easy one, as I make it automatic. It’s good to put a couple of softies on the list; achieving them keeps you motivated. I did the same thing last year when the market tanked. I followed Warren Buffett’s advice and dumped more money into my 401(k) when everyone was panicking.
- Read a new book each month - I was doing really well with my reading last year until Thanksgiving, and then the wheels seemed to fall off. I’ll set aside time each day to read. I’m open to suggestions. Has anybody read a good book lately?
- Run 3 miles - Since I’m currently walking 3 miles, this may be the toughest goal to achieve. I don’t enjoy running, and have never gotten the “buzz” that so many of my running friends gush about. I’ll start this one slowly, as I’m no fan of shin splints. Can anyone recommend a good running shoe?
So, there you have it. Nothing impossible to achieve, but challenging to some degree. I’ll keep you posted on how I’m doing. So, what’s your biggest goal for this year?
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Living in the Past
Posted by enrique s in Motivation, Rants, lifehack on October 12th, 2009
Photo by archangel_raphael
I heard some people at work sharing war stories. You know, how many home runs they hit in their senior year in high school; how much hair they used to have; how thin they used to be in college. I even heard one guy admit that he was just “going through the motions”, that he wasn’t motivated, and that he was more productive when he was younger and less jaded. Wow. Pretty honest.
20/20 hindsight
It’s pretty honest because usually, people tend to glorify their past accomplishments. We put too great an importance on what we’ve already done, and not enough thought into what we plan to do. Our goals are loosely defined, lacking the clarity of our past endeavors, because they haven’t happened yet. It’s funny how 20/20 hindsight can sharpen our memories of the past that we’d like to have had.
I ain’t as good as I once was…
It reminds me of that Toby Keith song, As Good as I Once Was, where he laments that he’s a shadow of his former self, but that he’s got enough left in the tank for at least one more try. I’m no fan of country music (I’m more of a Zeppelin fan); I guess some people like songs about dead dogs, pickup trucks, and the South rising again. To each his own. But as I dodged the twangy guitar riffs and cornball references to cowboys and rednecks (his words, not mine), I found a message to take away.
There’s plenty of daylight left
Even though I’m in my forties, I feel that I’m just hitting my stride. Sure, there are things that came easier when I was younger. But I also made lots of mistakes in my youth, so things tend to balance out. I have more tricks up my sleeve than my 20-something self, more rounds in the chamber. If our youth is the morning of our lives, then our middle age is our afternoon. I kind of like the afternoon. It’s when the sun shines brightest. Which is a good thing, because I’ve still got plenty left to accomplish.
You know the good ole days weren’t always good
And tomorrow ain’t as bad as it seems
- Billy Joel, from Keeping the Faith
Maybe we never were as good as we thought we were. But we can always strive to be better. As long as there is air in our lungs, we have a chance to do things that will make our past accomplishments pale by comparison. Start today. Think about what you’d like to achieve. It doesn’t matter if you’re going bald, or if you’re 50 pounds heavier than high school. Even if you’ve “lost a step”, you’ve still got plenty left in the tank. Write down those goals!
I say, start creating your future today. Don’t waste another moment by living in the past.
Follow me on Twitter: CorpBarbarian
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Corporate Barbarian Links: Corporate Re-Org Edition
My company is going through yet another reorganization in order to “rightsize” and position itself better in the marketplace. Can layoffs be far behind? Well, I don’t worry about layoffs, as I ‘ve alluded to in the past. On a cheerier note, here are some good posts that I’ve read this week:
Jared at Technotheory shows us how he empties his inbox fast by learning from Google. I think my foolproof file-naming system would work well with his approach.
Jonathan at Awake at the Wheel discusses the benefits of big hairy audacious goalsetting. I’m more inclined to use the “baby steps” method, which allows me to break down large goals into small increments.
Jim at Bargaineering asks: What is your dream job? Mine was always centerfield for the Yankees, but I just don’t have the wheels for it anymore. 
Steve at Brip Blap believes that there is no cost to good health. I agree. Most people would rather take a pill after the fact than take care of themselves with a good diet and exercise.
In a guest post at Five Cent Nickel, Kevin offers some suggestions for when your job is in jeopardy. Actually, these are good suggestions for even when your job is not in jeopardy.
Free Money Finance asks: Do you dread Mondays? I’m usually pretty productive on Mondays, as I tackle my To-Do list (At least nobody can say I’m having a case of the Mondays).
Jacob at Early Retirement Extreme tells us to spend a little more for classics. Well-made items last longer, and are cheaper in the long run than disposable junk.
Brett at The Art of Manliness gives us some motivational posters featuring George S. Patton. I love how George C. Scott portrayed Old Blood & Guts in the movie.
Peter at Bible Money Matters wonders if schools should be required to teach personal finance classes. I think it’s a great idea, just ask my son!
No Credit Needed talks about micro-goals and staying motivated. I follow this thinking, and think even small progress is a positive thing.
Patrick at Cash Money Life and his wife received a special delivery from the stork. Congratulations!
Happy reading!
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We threw a graduation party for my son, two weeks prior to his real graduation. We did it early because we wanted our relatives to attend, and didn’t want to interfere with everyone’s summer vacation plans. It was great to see family and friends that I usually only run into at funerals. Here are some great posts from my friends on the internet:
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David at Simple.Organized.Life says that having order is a hallmark of living a simple life. I agree. Having too much stuff, and nowhere to put it, generally causes more stress for me;
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Andy at Tight-Fisted Miser talks about frugality and weight loss. He has no problem sticking to a budget; junk food is a different story;
Steve at Brip Blap wonders: Will people change? I think people change easily for the short term, but slide back into their old habits;
Flexo talks about when going into debt is worthwhile at Consumerism Commentary. I’ve done this with 0% credit card arbitrage;
Dusty at Chasing the Bull gives a recap on building his passive income. He evaluates his strategies, and adapts them for the future;
Weakonomics is holding a contest, and the prize is a copy of the book Biography of the Dollar. I’ve entered; it looks like an interesting read;
Peter at Bible Money Matters talks about getting back you budgeting momentum. He gets his mojo back by taking some time off;
David at The Good Human lives up to his name by constructing a solar space heater that he plans to give away. Nice job, David!
Enjoy the links! But come back and visit…
Follow me on Twitter: CorpBarbarian
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