New Year's Resolutions

I've been spending some time thinking through what I want to accomplish this year.

I've posted very long lists of goals here before under the auspices of promoting accountability, but here's my problem:

For the resolutions that are truly meaningful to me, I don't really care what you think. Sorry.

However, I've made my list (actually more like a mindmap), and I'm spending a couple hours every day revising and changing and fleshing out. The "workplan" for the year covers everything from social life to how I'm eating to my business income goals for the year.

I'm learning from my mistakes in the past that making lists of resolutions and goals is pointless unless you state them correctly in the first place and are actively and frequently reviewing them throughout the year.

For example, I resolve to bicycle 1000 miles this year. That breaks down to roughly 250 miles a quarter or about 19-20 miles a week.

I frame this as a past-tense goal (for the positive affirmation (can you tell I've been reading a lot of self-helpish stuff?)): "In 2005, I bicycled at least 19 miles a week for a total of over 1000 miles."

This means that I must quickly review my list of goals at least once a week to see if I'm on track ("I bicycled 19 miles this past week. Yes or no?"). I will also do a big review every quarter ("Did I bicycle 250 miles this quarter? Is my goal of 1000 miles for the year the correct goal?") and a bigger personal retreat (literally getting away for a few days) at the end of the year to review 2005 and set 2006 goals.

I'm also paying attention to things like, "How many hours do I expect to spend on this activity?" Given my speed and "get ready time" it'll probably take anywhere from 100-125 hours to bicycle 1000 miles. Once I run out of hours in the year, I must start dropping the less important goals.

Obsessive much? Difficult to maintain? Probably, but that's where my head is spinning right now.

I will share one goal with you:

"In 2005 I acknowledged, respected, and was thankful for my accomplishments." When I really stop to think about it, I realize I have done quite a bit more than I give myself credit for sometimes.

So rather than post a lengthy and ambitious list of ideas for the upcoming year, I'll respect what I ACTUALLY accomplish this year (all of it... big and small).

On December 31st or so, I'll post a list of things I'm proud of accomplishing in 2005. It will be a long and possibly boring list to you, but I expect it will be the most inspirational thing I've ever done for myself.

See you then!