2021 goals: Personal and professional

 

I’m not making any New Year’s resolutions for 2021. (I shudder at the thought.)

New Year’s resolutions, popular though they be, seem to be nearly impossible to achieve. Look at the blogosphere, for example. Posts abound, as the New Year approaches, with folks declaring lofty intentions for improved physical fitness, healthier diets, career advancement, financial independence, and more.

People polish resumes, as the calendar turns to a new year. Gyms announce new classes, expecting increased memberships with January’s arrival. Banks trumpet new account offerings. Nutritionists and fitness trainers sign on new clients. Career counselors book new appointments.

Countless individuals seem enjoy a boost in personal motivation and energy (at least mental energy), as the New Year begins.

Sounds great, right?

 

But wait …

How many people come back to report their successful achievement of these ideals at the end of the year? How many stick with their New Year’s resolutions through the end of January?

OK, so I'm not doing New Year's resolutions.

 

Count me in for 2021 goals.

Goals vs. resolutions. Am I mincing words here?

Not at all. I think it’s important to outline some specific, tangible, potentially achievable objectives for the coming year. I’m not promising to lose 50 pounds, become a corporate CEO or bestselling author, or win a global award. (Gee, no kidding!) But I am setting out some clear commitments that I believe are worth declaring for the sake of personal and/or professional enrichment. (I’d contend that personal and professional enrichment are closely linked.)

Motivational gurus love to talk about SMART goals. That’s an acronym:

• Specific – Can I define the goal clearly?
• Measurable – Can I evaluate my progress towards that goal? And will I know when I get there?
• Achievable – Is the goal even possible for me at this point?
• Relevant – Does the goal fit my life (i.e., my values, talents, gifts, objectives)?
• Time-based – Does the goal have a reasonable and well-defined time frame?

In the past, some of my New Year goals (not all in the same year) have included changing jobs, running a marathon, writing a book for publication, reading through the entire Bible, and running the year in miles.

 

Here we go.

1. Read 50+ books. That’s just shy of one book per month. As a writer and reviewer, it’s probably the least I can do. You can read more about this goal here, if you wish.
2. Run 2,021+ miles. Join me, if you want, for this year-long virtual running challenge.
3. Sort, scan and shred at least one family photo album per month to cut clutter. This will diminish our collection by a dozen, while digitizing the images for future generations. Hey, it’s a start.
4. Exercise for 30+ minutes at least five times each week. Hopefully, this will include cross-training to go with the running.
5. Schedule and show up for a couple of long-postponed routine medical tests. Don’t ask. Let’s just say I’ve used the 2020 pandemic as a worthy excuse for putting these semi-elective appointments off.
6. Write and send at least one non-agenda note per month. These correspondences do not include thank-you notes, appointment confirmations, favor requests, meeting recaps, FYIs, or even holiday greetings. These are simply social interactions in writing to communicate affirmations, encouragements, and personal interactions. Forms may include electronic and actual paper.
7. Pare down my portfolio. At this point in my own career, I probably don’t need multiple copies of every corporate annual report, product launch packet, executive speech, company newspaper, and other publication I’ve done. It’s time to fill the recycle bin, rather than my own shelf.
8. Reconnect personally with at least one friend/colleague per month. I’m not talking about those I see regularly. These would be deliberate reunions with those I’ve intended to see for a year or more. If the world reopens, we can have in-person meet-ups. Otherwise, I’ll aim for virtual get-togethers.
   

Also, I am reserving the right to add goals as the year progresses, if that seems appropriate.

Looming in my head are several more nebulous, unmeasurable ideals. I want to cultivate genuine gratitude in each day, choose more appropriate language (especially in what we might call heated moments), and develop improved personal stress management. I’d like to raise my daily water intake and cut my consumption of simple carbs and sugars. Those efforts are harder to quantify, but they’re no less real.

 

What goals have you set for yourself in the coming year?

Vision boards and goal charts may help plenty of people, but I’m simply listing my objectives for the year. I’m not bothering with stickers or tokens or treats.

Also, my roster is not aimed at begging for accolades or attaching goal guilt to anyone. I’m posting it publicly to make myself accountable. I need that.

Welcome, 2,021. Ready, set, go!

 

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Got an interview or presentation? Get some exercise first!

It’s easy to sit and over-think an upcoming job interview, important meeting, or business presentation. Many of us have done exactly that – more times than we’d like to count. And our schedules grow cramped and confused, so we find ourselves skipping personal pursuits. Like exercise.

We’ve likely heard that physical fitness (at any level) can improve our overall health and perhaps even our professional performance.

So what do we do, drop and give ‘em 20 in the company hallway? 

Simply pacing the floor and fretting about that upcoming appointment doesn’t exactly count, either.

To gain the benefits, we need to mark out time windows regularly for personal exercise. We know it’s good for us in plentiful ways, both on and off the job.

Exercise may improve both thinking and memory functions, according to Heidi Godman, executive editor of Harvard Health Letter. “Indirectly, exercise improves mood and sleep, and reduces stress and anxiety,” Godman said.

“With every step you take, every mile you pedal or every lap you swim around the pool, you’re enhancing your cognitive fitness. Recent studies suggest that the activities you do to improve your body also benefit your brain,” The Cleveland Clinic reported.

“When you exercise, your body releases chemicals such as dopamine (pronounced doh-pa-meen) and endorphins (en-door-fins) in your brain that make you feel happy. Not only is your brain dumping out feel-good chemicals, but exercise also helps your brain get rid of chemicals that make you feel stressed and anxious,” a recent Dana Foundation report explained. “People who exercise tend to be happier and less stressed than those who don’t exercise. Regular exercise can also help you control your emotions when you do feel angry or upset.”

A Web MD write-up lists these common benefits of exercise:

• better memory/retention
• improved sleep / restfulness
• higher level of alertness
• more consistent concentration
• reduced anxiety
• stronger neuroplasticity / mental flexibility

Of course, regular exercise improves cardiopulmonary health and also points to potential prevention of depression, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and several other serious health conditions.

Can you just imagine how those exercise-related changes could help with job interviewing or even daily workplace activities and interactions?

Moderate exercise choices might include aerobics, bicycling, dancing, dog-walking, gymnastics, hiking, horseback riding, jogging, martial arts, roller-skating, rowing, skiing, swimming, tennis, walking, weightlifting, yardwork, and yoga. The trick is to find something we don’t absolutely hate to do – some form of exercise that we will actually continue consistently. Ideally, we choose a variety of fitness activities for optimum benefits and to keep us interested.

For example, my weekly schedule includes a few fitness classes, plus my individual runs and workouts. I didn’t pursue physical fitness personally for much of my life, but in recent years, it has become a priority. And it’s made an enormous difference in so many ways. (It all started with a life-changing medical diagnosis, which lit a fire under me. That’s a long story, but it led to my running full marathons.)

In addition to the personal benefits that result from practicing physical fitness, most people seem to find stress relief and a sense of satisfaction from achieving personal goals. Exercise activities also make us more interesting to potential employees, clients, co-workers and others, who find we have more than just “shop-talk” when conversations come up.

Those who participate in group exercise, just as gym classes or team sports may experience additional socialization, which can also carry over into improved performance and overall adaptability in the workplace.

Gee. Maybe that’s why lots of companies offer discounted gym memberships, or even on-site fitness facilities.

Image/s:

Adapted from public domain images

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Feel free to follow Twitter. Please visit my Amazon author page as well. And I am happy to share my RUNDERDOG ambassador code for 10% off on Bondi Band Athletic Headbands, Accessories, and Fashions. (Simply enter the code at online checkout.).