For many years I have been setting goals and I usually try to do this around some momentous occasion. One example is when we were up on Waiheke island celebrating my 50th birthday. I spent some time setting some goals for the next period of my life. The best thing about goal setting is being able to look back on them, they are a great snapshot of what I was thinking then, and what my aspirations were. There's many that I haven't got anywhere near, in fact, have gone in the opposite direction (especially and sadly, on the weight department!).
During that Waiheke session, I wrote down things such as "What do I need in my life" and "what don't I want in my life". Good things to start thinking about before getting into specific goals, and reassuring that these things are still true today, a few years on. One thing I wrote that I needed in my life then really does resonate today.
I need something to look forward to! I believe this is an important aspect of maintaining good mental health - for me anyway.
I don't always put measurements into my goals, which goes against most goal setting gurus advice. I do try to put in a few biggies, or some out-there type goals. I once set a goal to "get more involved in equestrian activities such as media" which at the time, was a left field goal, as I hadn't been involved in anything much to do with horses for some years. It was therefore quite entertaining to look back on those goals at the end of 2004 and be able to give that a big tick; that was the year that I attended the Athens Olympics as an accredited journalist specialising in the NZ Equestrian competitions. It was one of the highlights of my life to date and has taken me down a road where I have had some amazing experiences and reconnected or met some truly magnificent people.
This year's goals were created during one of those wet afternoons we have just had. Not quite new year's resolutions, but the end of the calendar year is a great time to reflect. My goals are more predictable than ten years ago perhaps, and very consistent with last year's lot. Perhaps at this time of my life it is more about building on experiences, rather than starting something brand new. Certainly career hasn't dominated like it has in other years. Going through this process has made me reassess what I am doing at the moment and there are going to be changes. I will instigate those as soon as I can. I have already made the changes in my head but there's always the paperwork, and bringing others on board.
As you have worked out, another change is ressurecting this blog. I will really get this thing cracking this year. Expect to see lots of photos as well as commentary. The only photo going up today is the one of two friends I expect to see a lot more of in 2014 - I am predicting both will be in the winners circles.
I feel a sense of freedom, and anticipation. 2013 was a good year, thank you 2013. Bring on 2014. I am ready.
