New Year, Goals and Intentions

This post is a little late, but I’ve been getting my ducks in a row with the site and Dev side of the house.

My word for the year: Self-Actualization

Quote:

When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.

– Lao Tzu

These both represent the fulfillment of untapped or unused ability to fully reach capabilities.

This year, I had a different approach to how I wanted to enter the new year.  Traditionally I’ve always been the type of person to rely on ability more than work. This has afforded me a certain level of comfort and achievement. What it hasn’t done is push me to true excellence.  Basically, I decided I want to see what I can really get out of myself I fully applied myself and abilities intellectual and otherwise.

So, I sought out a way to apply I want to focus on squeezing every ounce of juice out of my abilities. I’m getting to the age where potential means nothing and results mean everything. So I’m orienting my goals around tangible, measurable results.

Balance and reality are key, so it was also critical to approach the new direction realistically. So, I chose vehicles that reinforced that: Discipline, Satya (Truthfulness), and Mindfulness.

Discipline, so that I could build the habits and foundation to be consistent which is the hardest part of achieving a goal to me.

Satya – A Yoga, precept that basically means truthfulness, in thought, approach, and intention.  I’m moreso applying it as a tool to know my limits and what can realistically be achieved while maintaining an approach to achieve as much as possible.

Mindfulness – In staying present the success or failure of the past is irrelevant, and the focus can remain on the task at hand.

Secondarily, the goal is to have that self actualization impact and influence those around time to realize their abilities as well.

To support that I know I needed a framework to lay out goals, and to have something to measure and hold myself accountable.

I chose the following categories:

Spiritual: Reflecting on and finding God internally through self-reflection and as it relates to connections w/ other people.

Mental: Pertaining to my health mentally, confidence, self-image and esteem, & betterment of self via intellectual pursuits

Physical: Body, Weight, Appearance, Diet, and physical health

Financial: Income, Savings, Investments

Business: Relating to all ventures professionally and entrepreneurial; Sales and Client Goals

Personal: Strengthening and celebrating my relationships with my closest friends, and family. Developing those relationships that benefit and enrich me. 

I broke these goals down into small, medium and hard categories, which each level supporting or feeding the next. I also set up a cadence to check in bi-weekly and Monthly to see how I’m trending against each goal.

I’ll let you know how it goes.