I find these few days just before and after New Year’s Eve slightly stressful.  So much internal self imposed pressure to get my goals nailed down.  I actually dread the process.

Don’t get me wrong. Setting goals you want to pursue and attain is a great exercise, but, ‘should’ing’ on yourself to do goals because you SHOULD is killing to one’s psyche.  I do enjoy getting a cup of tea, sitting on my couch with my friend called Moleskin and writing away as I did today.

The feeling of ‘should’ing’ was alleviated by enlisting Brian Tracy’s “identify your #1 thing exercise’ exercise.  This is something I enjoy.  For me it’s always about the journey not just the result.  I need to ‘enjoy’ goal setting, or ‘start and stop’ process. I can’t dread it or my creativity shuts down.

So here goes…..

1. What’s the #1 thing I could start doing today, that if I did it consistently, would have the most positive impact in my life? (Then do it.)
2. What’s the #1 thing I could stop doing right now, that, if I stopped doing would have the greatest positive impact on my life? (Then quit doing it.)

My # 1’s to start doing:

• Minimum 15 minute ‘chair time’ alone with God, reflecting, meditating, journaling, praying.
• Daily check in time with my best friend Rosetta, my wife.
• Be a positive influence on my adult kids and their kids on their terms.
• Keep sharpening my coaching capacity and competence with my mentor coach and joining CAM.
• Coach men to be life givers in their relational and work world’s.
• Keep focused on being an above average encourager and people builder.
• Keep growing margin financially, emotionally, and physically.
• Be ruthless with managing my weight and getting to 192Ibs

My # 1’s to stop doing include:

• Stop complaining and stop speaking critically of others when they aren’t around.
• Stop eating ‘fatty, crappy’ food and avoid starch like the plaque.
• Stop focusing on what I can’t do and focus on what I CAN do in regards to advancing my coaching practice.

And that’s it for now.

I plan to take football coach Jim Harbaugh to heart–to attack each day with enthusiasm unknown to mankind.

God helping me, I will!!