# Goals **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 9, 2009, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goals/520582 "2009-12-09T12:22:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2009, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goals/520582/21 "2009-12-13T17:43:52Z")
1. Academic success: continue making straight As, draft a research proposal, apply for a summer fellowship using said proposal, take the GRE, do something productive over the summer (hopefully that fellowship), maybe try to get something published, apply to the Ph.D program in social welfare. 2. Lose 12 pounds (that’s it, one for each month. I’d rather lose weight permanently than quickly.) 3. Start meditating again. 15 minutes a day, in the morning, should do the trick. 4. MOST IMPORTANT: Stop taking life so goddamn seriously. Smile more. Joke more. Talk to strangers more. Sleep soundly. ---
**Author:** ![Kayeby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9de0a6/32.png) [@Kayeby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kayeby)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2009, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goals/520582/22 "2009-12-13T22:43:52Z")
Get my blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Keep all the plants on my balcony garden alive Cook something new every week Incorporate yoga and interval training into my workouts again Use my time more efficiently ---
**Author:** ![Silver\_Tyger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Silver\_Tyger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silver_Tyger)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2009, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goals/520582/23 "2009-12-14T01:10:44Z")
1. Finish my degree (one semester left!) 2. Get a job & get rid of my non-student loan debt 3. Work a lot harder at taijitsu (missed several months because of school) 4. Start regularly posting my webcomic 5. Do a lot more writing I plan to go to Japan by the end of next year too (preferably through the JET program) ---
**Author:** ![Hilary\_Algar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilary_algar/32/4282_2.png) [@Hilary\_Algar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilary_Algar)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2009, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goals/520582/24 "2009-12-15T12:05:24Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > It’s not a hobby. In the words of a friend who’s also opted for Lateral Reproduction, “el deber de los padres consiste en criar bien a los hijos; el de los tíos, en malcriar a los sobrinos.” “'tis the duty of parents to raise their children properly; 'tis that of uncles to spoil nephews rot’n.” > > Oh, and you can quote several people by using the button with the “+” sign, the one in the middle at the bottom of posts. Use the regular “quote” button for the last post you want to multiquote. You’re welcome. This doesn’t count as junior modding, does it? I’ve never been yelled at about it, so I think it doesn’t. Nava: entendido y gracias ---
**Author:** ![Hilary\_Algar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilary_algar/32/4282_2.png) [@Hilary\_Algar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilary_Algar)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2009, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goals/520582/25 "2009-12-15T12:08:03Z")
> [@NinetyWt](#): > > 1. I hope that neither one of my uninsured kids gets sick. NinetyWt: I will have a talk with God about this for you. hope this doesn’t creep you out ---
**Author:** ![Hilary\_Algar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilary_algar/32/4282_2.png) [@Hilary\_Algar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilary_Algar)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2009, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goals/520582/26 "2009-12-15T12:10:09Z")
> [@olivesmarch4th](#): > > 1. Academic success: continue making straight As, draft a research proposal, apply for a summer fellowship using said proposal, take the GRE, do something productive over the summer (hopefully that fellowship), maybe try to get something published, apply to the Ph.D program in social welfare. > > 2. Lose 12 pounds (that’s it, one for each month. I’d rather lose weight permanently than quickly.) > > 3. Start meditating again. 15 minutes a day, in the morning, should do the trick. > > 4. MOST IMPORTANT: Stop taking life so goddamn seriously. Smile more. Joke more. Talk to strangers more. Sleep soundly. olivesmarch4th: Ere I could do the same. ---
**Author:** ![LouisB](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dfb087/32.png) [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2009, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goals/520582/27 "2009-12-15T12:23:24Z")
I want to: Get my divorce finished Get my personal injury law suit finished so I can collect my settlement Buy a one bedroom condo so I can give my sister her life back Get my dental problems taken care of Learn to live alone Learn to cook healthy meals Spend more time on the straight dope. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2009, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goals/520582/28 "2009-12-15T18:11:01Z")
Whatever your goal(s) may be, remember that they need to be SMART goals: Specific Measurable Attainable Realistic Timely Every goal should be specific. For example, someone might say, “I want to earn more money next year.” Okay, be specific: how much more money? Now, they might say, “I want to earn an extra $10,000 next year.” Now we are on the right track. That’s specific; it’s measurable; it’s definitely timely, assuming next year means the year ending 12/31. The questions arise now: is that realistic and is it attainable? Etc, etc. You have to monitor and adjust the goals as needed. ---
**Author:** ![lindsaybluth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90db22/32.png) [@lindsaybluth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lindsaybluth)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2009, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goals/520582/29 "2009-12-15T18:21:32Z")
1. Really get into Pilates. It’s not my thing at all - I’m way too high strung - but it’s a good compliment to spinning and lifting. 2. Continue cooking healthy, especially through EatingWell cookbooks. 2a) Continue losing weight. Pictures will be supplied to the SDMB 🙂 3. Flesh out exactly what I believe in politically. After interning for Obama, I’ve slowly become more and more disillusioned with what I thought I believed and with the two party system. 4. Finish the book Radicals for Capitalism. 5. Get my parents to move away from their crappy little town. 6. Get my temper under control. ---
**Author:** ![Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f08c70/32.png) [@Crowbar\_of\_Irony\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crowbar_of_Irony_3)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2009, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goals/520582/30 "2009-12-15T18:22:56Z")
1. Clean up my room 2. Finish a computer game which I have been writing for at least a year 3. Reconcile with my mum (we just met for a pleasant Christmas dinner) 4. Go exercise at least once per week 5. Hold a job for a year ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goals/520582/31 "2009-12-16T04:14:48Z")
> [@Hilary\_Algar](#): > > hope this doesn’t creep you out Not a problem. I need all the help I can get! Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goals/520582/32 "2009-12-16T04:53:35Z")
1. Get a job 2. Get back in shape. Let’s say losing 15 pounds in 6 months. 3. Get my anxiety under control 4. Get closer to figuring out what I want to do with my life ---
**Author:** ![Illuminatiprimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/illuminatiprimus/32/11520_2.png) [@Illuminatiprimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Illuminatiprimus)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goals/520582/33 "2009-12-16T11:50:40Z")
I’ll make these goals SMART - good idea. 1. Lose the extra 7lb I’m carrying around at the moment - it’s the difference between looking great and my trousers feeling snug ☹ 2. Get a good performance review in March after a truly crap year this year and get promoted to the next grade in my job by the end of the year. 3. Start the training to become a counsellor that I’ve been thinking about doing for the last five years. I think it’s finally time, and if I start soon I can be finished and actually practicing by 35. 4. Read more! Currently I’m doing only a book a month for my book group and as far as I’m concerned that’s practically illiteracy. I want to do the 50 book challenge next year, let’s see if I can. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goals/520582/34 "2009-12-16T15:32:52Z")
> [@Hilary\_Algar](#): > > Dinsdale: > What is the personal lowest golf score you can foresee in the coming year? I tend to avoid setting single specific goals like that, because I want to give myself more opportunities to succeed. And i generally try not to focus overmuch on the total score, because if that is your sole goal and you miss it, you can tend to be disappointed with your round. While there are so many other things that can make a round of golf tremendously rewarding. Sure, having shot a 79, I’d like to equal or better that. And I should be able to do so. But I’m not going to set myself up to be disappointed if - say, I never shoot 79 but instead get several 80s. Also, the 79 was from the white tees, and we usually play blues - from which I don’t think I have recently broken 82. So a 79-80 from the blues would make me very happy. Or my handicap was a 10 all year. A few years back I spent a couple of months as a 9. I’d be very happy if I got back into single digits for at least a part of the year. I play in a 9 hole league that has 4 major tournaments each year. I have one 2 of them over the past 15+ years - including one next year. Getting my name on another plaque would be another sign of a good season. My all time best in that league was a 1-under 34, and last summer I shot a 1-over 36 with 11 putts. So those set a couple of standards to aim at. But peraps the biggest success would be if I managed to get my wife or one of my kids out on the course with me. My 2 eldest and my wife all made noises about learning/playing the game last year. I hope at least one of them decides to act on it and join me for some pleasant walks in the park! ---
**Author:** ![melodyharmonius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/melodyharmonius/32/21310_2.png) [@melodyharmonius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melodyharmonius)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goals/520582/35 "2009-12-16T15:42:36Z")
I have a list I work on all the time - here it is: 5 Top Fives **5 Things I Want to Focus On:** [ol] [li]My SO[/li][li]Family & Friends[/li][li]The Charlotte Geeks[/li][li]ConCarolinas[/li][li]Dragon\*Con[/li][/ol] **5 Things I Want to Do** [ol] [li]Clean up my credit score[/li][li]Get my own place in May/June[/li][li]Get a full-time salaried job with real benefits[/li][li]Learn to play guitar for real[/li][li]Organize/Clean my closet[/li][/ol] **5 Things I Want to Write/Complete:** [ol] [li]My Fantasy Novel[/li][li]The book about my dad[/li][li]Charlotte Geeks’ Website[/li][li]ConCarolinas Sponsorship Package[/li][li]My murder mystery game/dinner party[/li][/ol] **5 Things I Want to Buy:** [ol] [li]Better home Office chair[/li][li]Bed[/li][li]6-string guitar [/li][li]CD player for my car[/li][li]Laptop[/li][/ol] \*\*5 Places I Want to Go/Visit: \*\* [ol] [li]New England (I’m a little homesick)[/li][li]Wyoming (for my SO)[/li][li]Canada[/li][li]The Pacific Ocean (CA, WA, or OR) [/li][li]Scotland or Ireland[/li][/ol] My rule is that I can’t concentrate on more than 5 things in each category, and if I want to add something on I have to take something off - either by finishing it or putting it on a back burner. It’s an ever-changing work in progress 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goals/520582/36 "2009-12-16T17:42:27Z")
That’s a good question for the end of the year coming up. I’m just about done taking a class for computerized landscape designing; I want to put it to use in the coming year. I have an idea about selling pre-drawn designs to people so they don’t have to pay thousands of dollars for a design so everyone can afford to take their stupid grass out and replace it with proper plants. I also need to get back to work and start making some money - I think my first goal for 2010 will be heading off to the temp agencies. My car loan is finished as of August next year, then the lump sum comes due - my goal is to pay that off completely next year (especially since Jim’s car is getting on in years and we’re thinking of a newer car for him - we don’t want two car loans at the same time). My weight loss goal is permanent over quickly, too - I’ve done 15 pounds in six months, so another 30 next year seems do-able. That will put me close to my goal weight (and hopefully clear up some health problems). Our vacation this year was supposed to be up north, but it didn’t turn out that way. I’d like to go to the Yukon next year (possibly the Northwest Territories and Alaska as well). ---
**Author:** ![The\_Weird\_One](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@The\_Weird\_One](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Weird_One)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goals/520582/37 "2009-12-16T17:58:08Z")
1. Lose weight. A minimum of 30 pounds. 2. Save money for my wedding in April 2011. My fiance and I need to put aside between $250-300 every month. 3. Pay off at least one credit card in its entirety. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goals/520582/38 "2009-12-16T18:57:58Z")
> [@melodyharmonius](#): > > I have a list I work on all the time - here it is: > [li]Canada[/li] > [li]The Pacific Ocean (CA, WA, or OR) [/li] Just a thought- Canada is the second largest country in the world. You may want to start off with a little piece of it. I note that BC is lovely, and would allow you to tick off the Pacific Ocean box at the same time. I live in Vancouver, and it’s a cool place to visit. PM me if you’re gonna be in town, and I’ll buy you a beer if I’m around. ---
**Author:** ![melodyharmonius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/melodyharmonius/32/21310_2.png) [@melodyharmonius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melodyharmonius)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goals/520582/39 "2009-12-16T20:17:28Z")
> [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](#): > > Just a thought- Canada is the second largest country in the world. You may want to start off with a little piece of it. I note that BC is lovely, and would allow you to tick off the Pacific Ocean box at the same time. > > I live in Vancouver, and it’s a cool place to visit. PM me if you’re gonna be in town, and I’ll buy you a beer if I’m around. Good point - I’ll look in to that! ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2009, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goals/520582/40 "2009-12-16T20:23:08Z")
> [@melodyharmonius](#): > > Good point - I’ll look in to that! I just looked at your profile and saw that you’re in Charlotte NC. I grew up in a microscopic town near Morehead City. Seriously, if you’re wind up doing a Vancouver trip get in touch. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goals/520582.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/goals/520582.md?page=3)