1. Lose 50 pounds
2. Write a Book
3. Earn additional income

Identifying your goals is an important first step, but it is not the final one. While these are good they are either not specific enough or not actionable actionable.

Let's work these until we have something we can use. We need to take these and make some SMART goals. Here is how we define SMART goals.

Specific: A Clear Unambigiuous Statement

Measureable: How Do We Quanitfy Success

Actionable: How Will The Goal Be Achieved

Realistic: Is It Attainable

Time-bound: What Is The Timeframe

Time-bound

So what do we do with our first goal? We can start with the time-bound part. These are the goals for year 41. so we will start this way.

In 365 days...

Realistic

Next we need to have a realistic goal that is still challenging. This is where the amount of pounds lost will be listed. With an expectation of 1-2 pounds lost per week 50 pounds makes sense.

... I will have lost 50 pounds.

Specific Measurable Actions

I am combining these three because it makes sense in this context.

This will be achieved through tracking calories (1920/day) and exercise(3x/week).

Put It Together

Goal #1

In 365 days I will have lost 50 pounds by eating 1920 calories per day and exercising 3 times per week.

Goal #2

In 365 days I will have written a novel of at least 50,000 words by participating in National Novel Writing Month and writing at least 1700 words per day.

Goal #3

In 365 days I will have created another stream of income. This stream will generate an additional $500 throughout the year. This income will be generated through speaking and advertising revenue.

When doing a retro you ask yourself these questions.

1. What Went Well
2. What Needs Improvement
3. What Needs to be Added Specific Goals

Personal Retro

What's Working Well

1. Creating a new rhythym even with the many changes
2. Healthy Sleep patterns
3. Podcasting
4. Immediate family relationships

What Needs Improvement

1. Prioritization
2. Nutrition
3. Exercise
4. Additional Income Stream

Goals Met

1. Complete MS Degree
2. Preached/Spoke at 4 events

Goals Not Met

1. Bike to work > 1 times per week
2. Write Book

Specific goals for next period

1. Write Book
2. Lose 50 pounds
3. Earn additional $500/mo

Professional Retro

What's Working Well

Individually

1. Good Team
2. Writing Code Again
3. Mentoring

Corporate

1. Communication
2. Growth
3. Corporate Atmosphere

What Needs Improvement

Individually

1. Find a new challenge
2. Data Science Opportunity
3. Additional Stream of Income

Corporate

1. Still looking for unclass development and telework
2. Paternal Leave is still important to me. New baby in December.

Specific Goals for Next Period

Big 3

Near: Contribute to an Open Source Project

Mid: Utilize my Data Science Skill set

Long: Developing a SpinCo

Image Credit: Deidre Walsh Blog

Nothing is more frustrating to me than seeing things I procrastinated on, or worse yet things I was afraid of flourish. I had 2 of these very things hit me in the face in the last few weeks.

NO MORE

My prayer for all of us is that we would stop being irrationally afraid. Count the costs and DO IT! There will always be course corrections. There will be plenty of things that die on the vine. Learn from the failures and Go GO GO!

This guy knows you can do and he believes in you. Go get it done!