(Late) Goals 2011

So, exactly how much thought did I give my goals for 2011 over the last two days? About five minutes.

Quit laughing.

Actually, I only gave them about five minutes of thought because I already knew what most of them were going to be. I just needed to figure out how to phrase them in the “proper” way. There’s a proper way, you ask. Yes, yes there is.
Goals need to have the five W’s and the H. You learned them in school, and here they’re popping up again.

Who? What? When? Where? Why? And How?

Who: Who is doing this? Is it just you? A family goal? A goal with a business partner?

What: Be specific when making a goal. It shouldn’t be I want to lose weight. It should be I want to lose ten pounds.

When: Give yourself a deadline. Without a deadline, we are more inclined to procrastinate. I want to lose ten pounds by June 1st.

Where: Is not always applicable, but sometimes with the “how” you need a where. Like maybe for a weight loss goal you need a gym.

How: We are more apt to stick with goals if we have a plan. If we leave the goal as just that, it kind of hangs out there—mocking us. Yes, goals can be evil like that. Again, be as specific as possible. I want to lose ten pounds by June 1st by sticking to a 1500 calorie diet and going to the gym three times a week.

I saved “Why” for last because I think it is the most important, and the least thought about. Why are you setting this goal? You feel it is important enough to actually set as a goal, a commitment, but why? Going back to the weight loss, there are many possibilities—health, feel better about how you look, keep up with kids, envy, embarrassment…whatever it is, if you nail the reason, you’ll have that metaphoric yellow, polka-dot bikini.

So, short summary—be specific and go deeper, set deadline and a plan. One more big thing—make sure the goal is attainable, but also challenges you. If it’s too out there, you won’t follow through, and if it’s too easy, either it won’t stick or, again, you won’t follow through.

My goals? So glad you asked…

I want to lose twenty pounds by June 21st (my anniversary), and then another ten by the end of the year. I am going to follow my diabetic diet and walk/workout at least four times a week. I want to lose weight so that I can keep up with my kids and feel better about myself, knowing I’m taking care of me.

I will write at least 500/day, six days a week (excluding Sundays), by using my free time more productively. These words can be my novels, blogs, or articles—as long as it’s something other than emails and Facebook updates. I want to develop a routine that becomes second nature to me so that I can better my craft.

I will follow Flylady.net’s routines to the letter for six months in my home. I am a crazy housekeeper and I need to change my ways so that I’m not embarrassed when someone appears at my door unannounced. Hopefully, by the end of six months, some of it will be ingrained in my thick skull.

Those are my top three. What about you? What are your goals for 2011? Let’s keep each other accountable. I will revisit my goals (and yours) in three months to see where we are and what changes may need to be made.

*GASP* That’s right. You can CHANGE your goals because life sure doesn’t stay the same!