01 Jan 10 A New Year

Yes, another year rolls by. Of course, it’s only an arbitrary man-made date, much the same as the calibration of time, so we all can all cross paths just when we need to. Just think for a moment what fun we’d have if we didn’t have clocks and watches; if we hadn’t invented a way to keep time or date. Pretty chaotic, don’t you think?

Anyway, back in the days when I would go out until the small hours, and drink too much for my own good, I would then proceed to announce, along with many of my fellow revelers, what I was going to give up, or cut down on for that year. Yes, thinking back, it was usually quite a negative thing in some respects. Sure there were goals, but it was usually things like quitting smoking, or drinking, or eating less. I don’t often remember it being more positive goals, like getting a promotion, or buying a new car, or a bigger house, or simply resolving to be a better person.

Still, I quit doing that a while back. Why? Well, really we should be re-evaluating ourselves each and every day, not just on an annual basis. We should really keep track of where we’re heading as we go along. After all, when we go on a new journey that we’re not familiar with, we check the map (or listen to the GPS) at regular intervals to be sure we’re still going the correct way don’t we? We don’t drive or walk without looking at the signs along the way. Why should we do that with the journey of life?

So, my philosophy is to set some attainable goals. You can do this at any time, it doesn’t have to be at the beginning of a year. Then just keep an eye on where you’re going each day to make sure you’re heading at least in some way towards those goals. Adjust your route if not. Find another one, or traverse the current one a little quicker or a little slower, or perhaps in a different vehicle.

Attainable is an important word here too. You may resolve to become a millionaire in a period of time. Perhaps you will, some do, many don’t. It could be better to do it in small steps. Get a spare grand first, then ten grand, a hundred grand. That way you’re achieving more goals, and not simply never seeming to reach the big one.

Remember that tomorrow never comes, and neither does ‘one day’. So while you’re aiming for those goals, have a little fun along the way too. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

Happy New Year

Tags: 2010, goals, happy new year, resolutions