Every year I set a series of goals in every aspect of my life. I keep track of all my progress no matter how small. I’ve found that by doing this my productivity has really improved. This year I documented 22 pages worth of accomplishments and progress. Every year I post an abbreviated list to help myself stay productive throughout the year. And I hope that my example will inspire others to go for what they want in life.
Goal List:
Writing
Completed my first novel
Wrote and edited complete synopsis of first novel
Won ebay auction to have horror grandmaster Ray Garton critique my novel
Entered the Leisure Books Fresh Blood Novel Contest (This allowed me to get the goal of sending out my completed novel to a publisher).
Had two short stories shortlisted for inclusion in two different anthologies
Started a Word Press Blog
Submitted stories to 14 fiction markets
Entered 4 writing contests
Made Stoker award recommendations
Paid Horror Writers Association dues
Updated Myspace page
Transferred fiction and nonfiction to the Mac
Began an outline for a nonfiction book idea
Wrote the first chapters of 2 nonfiction book ideas
Researched writing project management software
Joined and donated to Duotrope Digest
Read chapters and stories for two aspiring authors and gave them some encouragement and information
Bought and read The Novel Selling Tool Kit
Wrote 2 new stories
Purchased Scrivener
Began writing another short story for an anthology
Martial Arts
Celebrated 22 years of martial arts training
Celebrated 10 years of Bujinkan Budo/Ninpo Taijutsu and jujutsu training
Began teaching private martial arts lessons
Continued teaching my wife martial arts (but changed the focus to a karate style curriculum).
Officially founded North-Martino Martial Arts
Had a discussion with my Aiki-Jujutsu teacher that is sure to shape my martial destiny for the next decade.
Went to the BMAC Old School Winter Seminar
Paid Bujinkan Dues
Reviewed SKH Coaching Program
Bought Patty a Do-gi for our training together
Attended BMAC March seminar
Bought a new Kasari-Fundo training weapon
Joined the NRA—got a free membership
Bought new BDU pants
Bought a new Bo (staff)
Watched monthly SKH DVD’s
Appeared on monthly SKH DVD as a student in training at SKH Martial Arts Festival.
Watched and took Comprehensive notes on SKH Kuji-in and Kuji Kiri DVD’s
Received Business credit card for my martial arts business
PNM Books
Continued to sell books and DVD’s as an Amazon seller.
Car
Completed all scheduled maintenance for our cars
Set up GPS
Had to update my license this year
Won a car spar from Anchor Subaru ($160.00 value) and cashed it in.
Financial Goals
Created two Think and Grow Rich affirmations and said them regularly
Sold old Kindles so we could buy Kindle 2’s
Filed taxes
Decided to wait before we locked in mortgage rate—It didn’t make sense financially
Won 2 tickets to IMAX from IMAX on Facebook
Made a small profit from selling Cemex stock
Made a small profit from selling TIVO stock
Made a small profit from selling Titanima Metals stock
Activated and used a 2 Month Free BJ’s Membership
Decided to move from Sharebuilder to Options Express
Patty Won Tickets to the Providence Bruins
Paid our car loans down significantly
Paid equity loan down significantly
401k increased significantly
Old 401k improved and mostly recovered
Got $$$ for opening Options Express account
Patty received bonus and raise
Transferred credit card balance to take advantage of 0% APR
IRA Improved and mostly recovered
Things
I don’t like to list everything on line but suffice it to say, we made our thing goals for the year.
Family
Celebrated 14 years of marriage and 17 years since our first date.
Visited with my uncle and aunt from NH
Visited with my Dad’s cousin from CA
Called my Mom, Dad and Sister once per week
Easter at the in-laws
Visited Mom for Mother’s Day
Went on vacation to York and Kittery Maine
Visited Dad for Father’s Day
Visited with Parents in Newport
Patty and I spent a day in Mystic CT. We went to Mystic Sea port, Mystic Aquarium, and ate at Go Fish. We also stayed a night at the Hilton
Attended my Nieces’ baby shower
Thanksgiving at In-laws
Holliday’s with In-laws and parents
Health
Lost 10 lbs
Passed a kidney stone
Changed my eating to combat kidney stones
Used Triple Flex for joint mobility
Pulled a hamstring
Dentist appointments. Had cavity filled.
Signed up for Medco by mail to get cheaper prescriptions but decided to go back to a brick and mortar pharmacy.
Education
The Gothic Tradition in Literature A
Applied Chemistry C+
Adult Development and Ageing A
Introduction to Information Systems A
Friends
This year has been extremely busy and I’ve neglected some friends but I’m already making some plans to rectify that in the coming year.
Appointed Vice President of Physical Fitness of the David Martino’s club of world on Facebook.
Caught up with a lot of friends on facebook
Made plans to visits some friends in January
Spent time training with friends at dojo
House
Got new rugs for downstairs bathroom
Finished sorting clutter in the study
Replaced air filters and heater filter
Completed spring cleaning
Video taped house for insurance
Replaced mattress
Had floors installed
Had Cable box put in upstairs bedroom
Had 1800 Junk come to clean out garage
Got a new fire extinguisher
Charity/Community Service
Completed all charity/community service goals
Planning
Decided to stop using Franklin Covey for Outlook. I have returned completely to Anthony Robbins RPM. But I’m using the Word for Mac notebook and some templates to implement the system instead of using the planner.
Travel
Kittery, York and Scarborough Maine
Foxwoods in CT
Newport RI
Mystic CT
That’s all I have for now. 2010 here I come…
You are far more organized than I seem to be. Have at it. Have fun with it. Get that stuff done!