January 19th
2012 Milestones
As I have done since 2008, I reflect on the goals I set for myself the previous year, and make new ones to try to meet for the following twelve months.
Here were the achievements I set in 2011:
- × Read at least 30 books
Not even close. I managed to crack 10 before year’s end. One silver lining: I discovered a love for fiction, which helped break up the monotony of DIY books, technical manuals, and biographies. It also sparked my imagination; I felt like I was accessing a part of my brain that’s been dormant for a long time. - × Win a bike race as a CAT4 / Upgrade to CAT3
My 2011 racing season was plagued from the start. Despite some early-season fitness, I spent many races over-thinking and waiting too late to make my move. The season ended with a bad crash that broke my collarbone, taking me out of ideal training conditions for three months. - ✔ Host at least 10 get-togethers
While I didn’t host anything at my house per se, I co-hosted many parties with Mary, so I count this as being achieved. We’re living together now, so I’m looking forward to hosting more parties in 2012. - × Go camping at least twice
Weekends were either packed with day excursions, or bike racing. - × Finish Pump as a native iOS app
Despite an early-year push to learn true native iOS development, I didn’t continue long enough to achieve fluency. I did build some fun little one-off mobile HTML5 apps, however. - ✔ Redesign KarmCity.com
I managed to squeeze this one in near the end of the year. The new design allows for more freedom of content with a fluid width, but keeps things simple. - × Build a self-designed computer desk from reclaimed wood
I finished the design, but realized I would need some serious tools to pull this off. Deferred. - ✔ Collaborate with someone on a Web project
I worked with Mike Brenner on BaltimoreTech.net conceptually, but I didn’t quite hit the full collaboration I was looking for. - ✔ Wake up no later than 7:30am every day
For the majority of the year, this was not to be. However, I’ve been waking up consistently at 7:40 every day since we moved to DC in December so I can get to the office by 9am. - ✔ Attend networking and community events whenever possible
I picked up a bit on this, focusing on events that are conducive to meeting new people. I also attended a trade conference that turned out to be very helpful for Localist. - × Keep in touch with my close friends more actively
I made a decent effort to do this, but it seems we were all very busy, so finding time to get together was tough.
How did I do? Not great. I think this is mostly because I never developed a habit of checking in on the list, so I quickly forgot what was on it. A few goals in the list were part of my daily life, so I was able to stay focused on them, but some, like going camping, were quickly forgotten.
I’d like 2012 to include specific checkpoints throughout the year, perhaps each quarter, so I can monitor my progress.
With that, here are my goals for 2012, split into personal and health categories:
2012 Personal Goals- BHAG: Participate in at least two media-free weeks, or six media-free weekends
- Read at least 30 books
- Host at least 10 get-togethers
- Spend more “offline time” with Mary, playing board games, going on walks, etc.
- Get a dog (Greyhound)
- Get married!
- Create 3 new paintings
- Build 2 adirondack chairs out of old pallets
- Build a stool for sitting in the kitchen
- Travel to another country
- BHAG: Upgrade to CAT3
- Transition weekday workouts to the mornings
- Be asleep no later than 10pm
- Focus more on diet, beyond just eating healthy. Monitor supplements, carb intake, etc.
This year, I’m focusing on measurable goals, with a Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG) in each category. I will revisit this list in April, July and October.
