On Setting Goals

Here’s the thing. I’m not a very good goal setter. I tend to adopt the philosophy that if I never set goals, then I’ll never not reach them, thus eliminating the chance to ever be disappointed in the unreached goals. (The backwardness of this line of thinking does not escape me.) But for whatever reason, this year I’ve found myself with these tiny urges to set goals. To admit to myself that I want to accomplish something more than I want to face the chance of not accomplishing it.

To encourage myself in developing this new pattern of positive behavior, I am setting goals. Attainable goals. Goals I know I’ll be able to accomplish with a standard amount of effort – nothing more. Goals with lots of room for mistakes and missed opportunities. Wussy goals, but goals nonetheless.

For instance, my lovely friend Liz and I share a proclivity to blog sporadically. We made a deal recently that we would blog at least 52 times in 2012 – equal to the frequency of posting once a week without the entrapment of having to actually post once a week. Lovers of structure, we are. The deal was sweetened by the suggestion to see who reaches her goal the fastest, and then the loser will buy the winner dinner at Yoshi’s, a favorite Chicago eatery.

But, since this turned into a contest, we figured we should bend a little to the yoke of structure and create some ground rules.

1) Posts must be somewhat informative.
2) Posts must have at least 52 words. (Byline: Shorter posts can combine to equal one, i.e. two posts of 26 words will equal one legitimate post.)
3) No more than one post a day shall count toward the total.
4) Photo-only posts shall count only if there is a minimum of five photos that share a commonality and tell a story (sometimes there just are no words).

Our assessment after establishing ground rules (via Gchat):
Liz: I think that we should both post them on our blogs today. The world will keep us accountable (or the 10 people who read our blogs).
me: yes!!
Liz: Plus, it will put us each one post closer to 52 (although it will be a wash since we are both doing it…)
me: but I am one ahead!!
Liz: Oh, I’m not worried about that…
me: haha
ok
i am getting excited about this challenge
i can almost taste that delicious red snapper with the head still on
Liz: I’m looking forward to a nice steak prepared by Mr. Yoshi himself.
me: ooh he does real good steaks
real real good
Liz: indeed
This is going to be good.

Right?? It is going to be good! Hooray for attainable goals – I think you should join us!