Goal Setting and Going Public

[newdad]

Hi all,

I came across Steve's articles in November of 2006 and have found much inspiration from them. Perhaps the greatest article I came across was the first one I read, "30 Days to Success". I had been searching for motivation to improve myself in all areas of my life. I got stuck in a rut of looking for a "how to get up and go". I found all kinds of great tools that I fully intended to use and spent lots of time sitting in front of a computer, journaling about what I ought to do. But, I didn't get out and do anything. Until, I came across "30 Days to Success". After reading that article, it all seemed so obvious and easy. Pick one thing and just do it for thirty days. How hard is that? I chose to exercise a half hour every day for thirty days. It didn't take any preparation. I didn't have to create an elaborate plan. I just had to write down these words. "For the next thirty days I will exercise a minimum of thirty minutes, no matter what". The goal was set to paper and put into motion that day.

I couldn't have asked for a better impetus to getting things moving. From there I started several other 30-day trials, including becoming an early riser and journaling every day. I became hooked on the 30-day trial and no longer fear giving anything a go, because I know that if I don't like what I try I can try something else in 30-days.

As a result of this success, I have become far more serious about improving my life in all areas. I am going to meet this challenge by applying overwhelming force. So, I decided to go public with my goals. I created a blog where I have set four primary goals that I will track over the next year, hopefully the fear of failing publically will drive me forward on those days that I don't feel up to the challenge. I also intend to track 30-day trials on various personal growth tools I find of interest. I hope people will check it out from time to time to keep me in check, offer up words of support or celebrate successes of your own. Anyone that wants to go public with their own goals feel free to drop me a line and I'll post them and any pics as well. Send your goals and pics to jonathanpippenger@gmail.com or visit Jonathan Pippenger

Wish me luck!

p.s. the pictures will be coming next Monday and the posts are coming I just started this site earlier this week.

[bellbird]

All the best on your intentions and experiences! Great idea

[Freelancer]

Awesome idea, another blog I'll be reading.

Do you have any idea's on how to get that financial freedom (working from home) you want?

[newdad]

Thanks for the words of encouragement,everyone!

Freelancer, of the four primary goals that I mentioned I would have to say that finace is my weakest area. This weekend I intend to work up a plan to get this going. I know that a large part of the plan is going to involve learning budget strategies and how to increase my income. I will post any and all ideas that I choose to adopt over the next year and report on how effective they are. I should have my initial plan posted by Monday evening.

[Freelancer]

Originally Posted by newdad

Thanks for the words of encouragement,everyone!

Freelancer, of the four primary goals that I mentioned I would have to say that finace is my weakest area. This weekend I intend to work up a plan to get this going. I know that a large part of the plan is going to involve learning budget strategies and how to increase my income. I will post any and all ideas that I choose to adopt over the next year and report on how effective they are. I should have my initial plan posted by Monday evening.

Awesome, keep us updated.

I was considering starting a blog about personal development as well and focusing on my personal journey towards excellence. Right now I'm debt free and physically fit with plenty of spending money for the next half year. However MY goal is excellence in that I want to become wealthy and happy while helping people. I decided to first start a blog about poker strategy and use that to figure out how blogging works out (I should be able to drive decent traffic from the get go) and if thats running properly start another one on personal development. So I'll follow your blog closely and hopefully pick up some idea's.

So if you want a 'partner' in a journey towards excellence toss me a message, we might be able to help each other out by bouncing idea's back and forth.

[newdad]

Thanks again Freelancer,

I would welcome to have a partner in someone that has already achieved some of the success that I am looking to achieve. I am just learning how the whole blogging thing works. Steve's article on making money from your blog gave me the idea to try it. I know that I have a long way to go before I could even reasonably claim excellence and I figure that if I can give accounts and show my progress by using strategies and tools that are suggested I can inspire and create value. I hope that in time my blog or perhaps my book will replace and surpass my income so that I can dedicate more time to inspiring, educating, and entertaining the world and still have an opportunity to go out and show my son the world and teach him a few virtues and values.

Please drop me a line or send any interesting ideas to jonathanpippenger@gmail.com

This invite is to anyone and everyone. If you come across an article or you have one of your own that you think I ought to read send me a line.

[newdad]

I established some financial goals and posted them this week (See "Money on my Mind) and I have to say this was probably the hardest goal for me to set. Partially, because I do not have 100% control on this one, I have to depend on my wife helping achieve this goal. I also have so little past knowledge in this area. I used a zero-based budget approach. I'm gonna give it thirty days and see how it goes.

[newdad]

Just an update. I weighed in today after following the first of my 30-day trials and I met with success. The three things that helped make it successful are posted on my blog.