A clean slate
I returned from the holiday break on January 2 a few years back and, during the course of the day, found myself in a co-worker’s office. After all of the usual catch-up chatting, I noticed that he had a post-it note affixed to his desk phone base. The post-it note had only one thing scribbled on it: 1,019,000. So of course I had to ask why he had this on his phone. His answer was astoundingly simple – “That’s how much I’m going to make this year”. Before I had a chance to respond, he followed by saying this – “The first step to reaching your goal is to write it down”.
It’s that time of year when most everything is new. New year, new dreams and aspirations, a chance to start fresh. Taking a page (or post-it) from my friend, I’m going to memorialize some goals. No, not the usual ‘lose 10 lbs/eat better/stop smoking’ kind of goals but technical goals. Over the last few years, I’ve steadily embraced all of these new internet-based mediums for business development and information sharing. But I can do better. Below are some goals that I am setting for 2012.
Goal #1 – Don’t bog the blog. I launched this blog in December 2010 and have since made 54 posts. That works out to a little over one post a month. Not bad but making blog entries is certainly pretty easy. And I always have plenty of thoughts. So writing down my little number for Goal # 1 = 36 (as in 36 new posts for 2012).
Goal #2 – Tweet louder. I currently have 55 followers on Twitter (dausyouknow). I guess that’s OK but this year, I need to focus on increasing my followers. I plan to do it by releasing more time-senstive tidbits versus just using it to announce new blog entries. So writing down my little number for Goal #2 = 55 (as in 55 new followers for 2012).
Goal #3 – Link smarter. I was an early adopter of LinkedIn, having used it for nearly 5 years. When I’m in the grove, it works well – I have over 550 connections, am a member of dozens of groups, utilize Slideshare to share market info and new listings, etc. But then I’ll go underground and not do anything for a week. Or three. I need to provide more consistent attention to LinkedIn and utilize all of its tools versus just selected ones. So writing down my little number for Goal #3 = 3x (as in actively using LinkedIn 3x each week).
Goal #4 – Burn some leather. OK, I know that I said these were tech goals but I have to sneak one ‘normal’ goal in. After all, we are talking about New Year’s resolutions. This year, I want to start running. And stick with it. I have several reasons why. All three of my kids run like deer. I need to get in better shape. And oh, by the way, I coach a track team. With the help of a newly-downloaded app called ‘Couch-to-5k’, its time to get going. So writing down my little number for Goal #4 = 5k (as in competing in a 5k by May).
So there you have it, my four goals for 2012. I’ll be sure to keep you posted on my progress as the year unfolds. Oh, and my friend, the one that wanted to make 1,019,000? That was in 2002 and yes, he did it.
And has continued to do it every year since.
And yes, he still writes it down each year.
