2010 Goals, Part #1

"If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time." — Zig Ziglar

I believe in the power of setting goals. Like most people, however, I have failed to do so. A real goal should follow the SMART acronym. Anything else is just a wish or a daydream.

S = Specific
M = Measurable
A = Attainable
R = Realistic
T = Timely

This post is not to convince anyone of the importance of goal setting, but rather to serve as public accountability for my own goals. I ask only that my family and friends keep me to task to meet these goals. Ask me how I'm doing. Offer encouragement. Comment if you have positively constructive ideas.

Here are a few of my goals for 2010 in several different areas, in no particular order:

Physical: Lose 40 pounds. I currently weigh 195 lbs. All the charts put me at an "ideal weight" between 150-160. I'm not going to let anyone tell me, "You'd be all skin and bones," and settle for less. This is less than 1 pound per week. I will accomplish this by counting calories (I use livestrong.com/thedailyplate) and visiting the gym at the local community center at least 3 times per week.

Financial: My wife Kristin and I, huge fans of Dave Ramsey, have agreed that no matter what, come Hell or high water, we will pay off all our credit card debt during 2010. Without boring you (or freaking you out) with the numbers, lets just say we can gloat about the fact that we are "above average citizens."

Okay, those were the easy ones. My next goal is to create meaningful goals for the following categories: Professional, Marriage, Spiritual, Children and more...