One Red Hot Country Mama!

Okay – it is quarterly goal setting time again. I just like to put them here since it gives me accountability but they aren’t especially revalatory. I’ve been reviewing these things every Sunday and planning my weeks around them. It has been interesting to see that in keeping focused on them, the goals are evolving instead of flip-flopping or getting forgotten. I’ve removed goals I have achieved, added new ones and amended others (changing timelines as things become more clear and/or making them more attainable)

Here it goes – the colored writing is new since January;)

Short Term (within the next 12 Months)

Mind
- Continue to become a better writer by writing three times a week, and a better thinker by reading 50 books this year, interspersing more serious ones than last year, both classics and non-fiction.
- Focus on what is truly important instead of the obsession of the moment or the dramas of everyday life.
- Begin more serious writing in the fall + write some more fun stuff.
- Make the most of my current work role intellectually (grasp for the good stuff).

Heart
- Continue to give and receive love in any form.
- Fully express myself honestly.
- Connect with at least one of my family members at least once a week.
- Get out to see live music or lecture once a month.
- Stand up to people who are trying to hold me and others back.

Spirit
- Raise $5,000 for charity this year.
- Travel in the fall (hopefully to Vietnam).
- Don’t take office hierarchy/petty rivalries seriously (focus on own goals instead).
- Trust instincts more and keep fears in perspective (don’t be own worst enemy ) .

Physical
- Get  back into a size 6 (from the current by June (now half-way there ) through exercise and healthier eating (cutting back on white sugar, white flour, creamy Starbucks drinks) and exercising 4 times a week.
- Complete a sprint triathlon in the spring.
- Keep being neat.

Professional
- Work on the competencies discussed with my group manager (use numbers proactively, engage in discussions even if they do not benefit me, look calm but responsive under pressure, evangelize technology).
- Move forward with business plan + have my own professional website by the end of the summer.
- Make more connections within industry.

Economic
- Buy a condo this year.
- Waste less money by eating in more and keep spending less on lattes.
- Procrastinate less on admin stuff.
- (?) x savings from last year.

Long Term (Next 5 Years)

Mind
- Move into a profession that fully engages me intellectually by late 2007.
- Think big and use creativity to help people love, feel love and be inspired
- Write and publish book and/or have a regular column some place by 2010.
- Focus on what is truly important instead of the obsession of the moment or the dramas of everyday life.
- Use business skills to the maximum (make sure every role is as interesting as possible and delegate the rest!).

Heart
- Continue giving and receiving love in any form .
- Have a positive impact on everyone who I come into contact with, remembering that "positive impact" does not mean simply pleasing them.
- Be able to spend more time physically with my family members.
- Stand up to people who are trying to hold me and others back.

Spirit
- Dedicate at least 25% of my life to helping people live healthier and more fulfilling lives (this can be through fund raising, professionally or through family) by 2008.
- Improve meditation skills and keep an easy and relaxed manner even when things aren’t going my way.
- Remember about the illusory and transitory nature of hopes and fears (don’t be own worst enemy!)

Physical
- Maintain a healthy weight and work out 4 times a week.
- Get progressively better at sprint triathlons and 10k races.
- Continue to be neat.

Professional
- Have my own business full time OR an autonomous and high-profile role by late 2007.
- Move into a more intellectually stimulating and fulfilling career and don’t work around people who waste my and the company’s time.
- Be the manager that I want to be by mid 2008 (inspiring, effective, receiving feedback, standing up for self and others in an environment that encourages this style).

Economic
- Keep increasing savings at current rate.

Okay, that’s it. I will revisit again in June .