Photo Courtesy of geishaboy500 (flickr)
As a ridiculous goal setter, New Year’s Resolutions offer an amazing opportunity to really challenge myself. In 2009, my number one goal was to move to Nashville, which Tessa and I did in early February. My second goal was to start my own business, which I accomplished in June. My third goal was to get married, which happened in September. I set all three of these goals at the beginning of the year and I was able to accomplish all of them in nine months.
I remember a conversation I had with a co-worker before I moved from Boston. I was explaining my goals for 2009, how I planned to move 1000 miles across the country, start my first business, and get married, all in the same year. She told me I was crazy and that it was only realistic to set one big goal per year. At the time I thought she was being helpful and I began to think I might be overdoing it. Today, I can confidently say that she was playing it safe. I was able to accomplish all three of my bold goals and many others as well. In the past, my resolutions were always too small. I would either accomplish my goals too quickly and stop there, or I would give up too soon because I wasn’t committed.
How to Set Your Goals for 2010
First, don’t call them resolutions. I made this mistake many times. Call them goals, or even better, call them committments. Resolutions are weak. They can be forgotten and easily overlooked. Making a commitment, a solid pact with yourself and others is the only way to ensure you will follow-through with your goal. Make it real, make it possible, but make it worth the effort. Challenge yourself and don’t give up.
Second, make them public. Tell everyone you know about your commitments and ask them to check-up on you throughout the year. Tell them how important the goals are to you, and they will be curious all year as to how your progress is coming along.
Third, keep them ridiculous. Think BIG. REAL BIG. If your goals don’t scare you, they definitely aren’t big enough. Seriously, make this year memorable. Make this year the first time you pushed yourself further than even you thought was possible.
My Commitments for 2010
1. Publish my Book (more details about this next month)
2. Run my 1st Ultramarathon
3. Get out of Debt Forever
I have other goals, but these are enough to get started. Another note, don’t be afraid to fail. I have expect to fail at most or even all of my goals sometimes because I know that the faster I fail, the faster I will reach success. Keep that in mind as you move forward with bigger and better commitments for yourself.
So, what are your BIG goals for 2010? Leave a comment on this post or shoot me a message. I would love to hear what you’re up to. Good luck on making your commitments and stay positive!
The Clueless Graduate,
Jeff Sanders 
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