Now that the Christmas season has passed and we're all settling into the -20 degree weather, it seems like a fitting time to figure out what my New Years resolutions will be for 2017. There's a part of me that doesn't want to post them on the internet; after all, if you read them then you can hold me accountable to them! But that's precisely why I need to tell you my goals. Because if you know what I'm working towards, then you can help keep me motivated and honest.
Last year I set a goal to run home from work and to write a book. I accomplished one of my goals, and I failed in spectacular form on the other. I tried running home from the University of Calgary to my house in Black Diamond, and after 45km I had to call a friend to pick me up from the side of the road after my foot completely exploded (ummm...I'm not sure if that's the medical term for it. But that's how it felt).
So, one of my goals remains the same: I want to run home from the University one day this year. I used to run to and from work everyday. Granted, that was when I lived 4kms away from work, instead of 65km. But the principle is still the same. One foot in front of the other. Just more times, right?
My second goal is to only read books from inside my house this year.
I love books. I love reading books, but I've come to realize that I love having books even more than I love reading them. Over the years I've collected so many books that I have the best of intentions of reading, but I never get to them. Because I buy another new book or have one gifted to me by friends.
Therefore, I will try my best to only read what I already have, or at least I will start them. If they turn out to be bad books I'm not going to struggle through them. Life's too short to read bad books. If by some incredible miracle I make it through all the books in my house that I am curious about (keep in mind my wife has a collection I can break into as well), then I'll open up the challenge to any books on my property, since we have a little lending library in the front yard. But I seriously doubt it will get to that!
What are your goals for the year? Feel free to write them in the comments, or tell them to someone in your life who will help keep you accountable. Try to make sure they're S.M.A.R.T. Specific, Measurable, Agreed upon (you can't really force a goal...), Realistic and Time oriented. Best of luck on the upcoming year and all you set out to accomplish!