Tick tock, Tick Tock

All Goals


It is such a cliche' that even the mere discussion of time is a cliche' in of its' self.  Rich or poor, black or white, we all are given the same 24 hours in a day.  Time and death are the great equalizers.  Maybe that is why we hold time in such high esteem, or do we?  Many times we just let it waste away like it's water flowing between our fingers.  We think, "Oh well, there's always more and besides, it doesn't cost anything." However, it costs everything.

One of my goals for this year was not in what I wanted to accomplish, but what I didn't want to do anymore - "wasting time on the Internet."  Not wasting time is always on my mind when I'm surfing.  Most of the time I look for something that I'm researching and that's it.  Then, there are other times.  You know the ones, "I'll just click on this interesting article."  Then it happens, you are swallowed up in a vortex of endless information that is more fascinating than the last piece.  On and on and on it goes - "What was I searching for?" Alright, I admit it, these times happen more often than I care to admit.

The Internet is a great tool.  I remember the other day telling my wife that I could not imagine not having this at my disposal.   I'm glad that we have it, but with everything, there are good and bad uses.

Hey wait a minute, that looks interesting.....click.

Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day | Fritter and waste the hours in an offhand way | Kicking around on a piece of ground in your home town | Waiting for someone or something to show you the way

Pink Floyd

Green Shoots

All Goals
I had to call a client the other day to ask him/her a question.  As usual, it went to voice mail.   My client went through the normal voice mail message, "I'm not available to take your call...blah, blah, blah."  Then he ended it with, "Please listen carefully, What you focus on, grows."  I thought that it was kind of hokey, but I considered the source - my client is in sales and motivation.

What we focus on does grow, there is no doubt about it.  Take for example the article attached.  The author cites our country's debt in the 1800's and what Andrew Jackson did to eliminate it.  President Jackson focused on reducing the national debt because he saw it as a problem for our country.  The author explained it well,

"The elimination of the national debt did not happen simply because the country was prosperous and expanding. It happened because Andrew Jackson was determined to make it happen, and he did everything within his constitutional power to bring it about."

President Jackson was very passionate about achieving this national goal.  He was incredibly determined to eliminate the national debt because of something deep down inside him. As a result, he was able to motivate others to believe in the payoff.

This example is true for us today while we work to achieve our goals. Just remember,  a goal without discipline is just a dream. However, to develop discipline, we have to be able to see a payoff first.  Let's say you want to be debt free.  If just left at that, great goal.  However, that alone is not much to motivate you in the day to day pursuit of completing it.  What it comes down to is you have to see why it's important to achieve this.  You must be convinced of this to the point that it gets deep in your soul.  After it becomes part of your core convictions, discipline is established.  Then and only then will you have the fuel necessary to achieve the goal.

http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2011/0606/opinions-paul-johnson-current-events-debt-moral-issue.html

The Plan for 2012

All Goals
I learned much in 2011 as I blogged about my goals.  In 2012 I would like to focus my blogging more on achieving each individual goal and not so much about what I have learned along the way.  Don't get me wrong, I will still blog about something I find interesting in my readings or something that happened at my work.  However, I want to discuss each goal a little more in depth.

Also this year, I have simplified my goals by reducing them and by making them more achievable.  As I said, "I learned much from 2011."  What I learned was that I don't have enough time to achieve everything.    If I focus on one goal, it's usually at the expense of another.  That's alright, however, I have to be careful at what I'm neglecting in that moment.

This year should be a good one.  It has already started out very interesting especially in the areas of the family, career, and our finances.  I'm positive that I can achieve all that I set out for. How does your year look?

If you want to see what I have on tap for 2012, please look at the tabs for my goals.  Also, hey, please leave a message if you want. I was able to open it up for ANYONE to leave a message. Oh yea, in order to do this, you have to click on the blog entry. From there, you will see a place to post a comment.
  

I found this and thought it was great. Calvin as a teenager.

Looking back at 2011

All Goals
It was an eventful 2011 and I learned much from blogging. I didn't hit all of my goals, but, I have a suspicion that I hit more than I would have if I never wrote them down. One thing that I continue to understand is that one goal will usually affect another. For example, my goal to read ten books has benefited my career as I read about management practices. Exercise affects everything in my life as it has increased my energy.

I had some wins and I had some losses. Overall, It was a decent year. Here is what happened:



Family/Spouse 
Goal  #1                                                               Measured by                          
Dates with my wife                                 At least one per month
These are dates that I set up. I call the babysitter and ask out my wife.
Progress
We went on dates every month. We loved it so much that we decided to try at least TWO date nights per month. It has been fantastic taking time to be with my wife without interruption from our almost four year old. Setting up the dates has been made easy with the help of family members and a babysitter we found at our church. 

Goal #2                   
Prepare a question and answer book for fathers.
Measured byWork on a couple of times a week. I dont' plan to finish it by year end.
Progress
I'm about 1/3 the way through it. I've enjoyed visiting my past and thinking about my child(ten) reading this book one day. It's definitely a work of love. I've found out that a leaving a legacy is more than leaving money.

The Faith

Goal #1 - 

Personal Bible Study
Study the Gospel of Matthew
Progress

Finished this in April. It was a very good study and I learned much. In fact I have decided that I will always be learning a book of the Bible with this method. After the Gospel of Matthew I started on Genesis.

Goal #2 -
Men's Bible Study                                            Time frame                                       
Attend men's Bible study at my church           Every Friday morning at 6 am
ProgressAttended almost all classes. There were a few that I missed due to over sleeping. I honestly look forward to the class and it an incentive to getting up an hour earlier. Currently, we are studying Amos.


Financial            
This are changed many times in 2011. This is primarily due to the decision to start preparing our house to be sold in the next year. All extra money - to the exclusion of savings - has been used to fund home improvements. After the house has been updated, we will start saving for the down payment on our new home.

Goal #1          
Payoff all debt except the house

Progress
Paid off 3/15/11
This was one of the highlights of the year. I can't believe it!!!! WE ARE DEBT FREE!

Goal #2                                                     Time frame

Fund Emergency fund of 3-6 months          June 15
Progress
Completed 06/30/2011
Always keep reserves. I need to build this back - emergencies came up.

Goal #3                                                   Time frame
Prepare an investment policy statement       June 15
Progress
Printed off outline from a web site and have started working on it.
Had to back off of this. Our 401k is still with my employer as they have not spun it off. When they do, I will look into investing in single stocks and some mutual funds.


Career 
I didn't list my goals for work in this blog. They include deposit sales, investment sales, referrals, and loan production. I had a very successful year and hit most of my goals at work. My review reflected the good year.


Goal #1         
Research my career path                                                                           
ProgressI have concluded that I want to stay in Wealth Management. I'm considering management or more of a "hunter/killer" role. Recently, a couple of head hunters have called me and have me thinking more and more about my future. There is much to think about.


Goal #2    
Finish Reading Private Wealth Management
ProgressI didn't get even close. Actually, one of my colleagues has the book. I will however, be asking for it back as this will be a major focus in the new year.

Goal #3                                                                      Time frame
Read articles about wealth management issues              Daily
Progress
This goal has been very easy to achieve. There is always something to read about my industry. With
the Internet and a few bookmarked sites, I have no trouble finding information.

Goal #4                                                     Time frame
Meeting by myself                                   Every Friday
Progress
I don't miss this time for anything. I wish I had started this a long time ago. Always begin with the end in mind.


Health 
Goal #1                                                         Time frame
Work out                                                   Monday - Thursday at 6 am
Progress
There have been times that I'm up every morning killing it and other times, well, uh, I stay in bed. I still feel very healthy and my weight has been maintained.

Goal #2                                                              
Run the mile under eight minutes
In order to accomplish this I need to run at 7.5 mph for 8 minutes. 
ProgressIt was a stupid goal. I didn't even try. Remember, goals have to mean something to you and you have to see a vision in pursuing it. No vision here except to kill myself.

Goal #3                                                         Time frame
Get a physical                                                 6/30/2011
ProgressI didn't get a full physical. However, I did get blood drawn for an insurance exam and it came back to show that I'm very healthy. So healthy that they actually lowered my projected premium.


Intellectual / Self Improvement

Goal #1                                                               Time frame
Read ten books                                                   By year end
Progress/ Finished
I have really developed a love for reading and knowledge over the last couple of years. I honestly think reading has developed my mind and has benefited my career.

1. Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
2. The Great Depression: A Diary by Benjamin Roth
3. Return to Prosperity by Arthur Laffer and Stephen Moore
4. The Million Dollar Financial Advisor by David J. Mullen Jr.
5. The Million Dollar Financial Services Practice by David J. Mullen Jr.
6. Questions Great Financial Advisors Ask....and Investors Need to Know by Alan Parisse and David Richman
7. Selling to the Affluent by Dr. Thomas J. Stanley
8. Little Bets by Peter Sims
9. Medium Raw by Anthony Bourdain
10. Great by Choice by Jim Collins
11. Practically Radical by William Taylor

Goal #2                                                      
Give four speeches in Toastmasters
ProgressI delivered one speech and worked on another one for nine months. This is one area that I truly believe in. I have to deliver more than one speech in 2012. Communication is essential in my vocation. I have to become better at it in order to be more effective.

Ok, so I Will Stop it...

All Goals


A couple of weeks ago I posted an article from Jim Collins that dealt with goals.  This article pointed out that we should not only have goals that we want to achieve, but have goals of things that we want to stop or avoid.

I pointed out in that earlier entry that there are certain habits, traits, and ways of thinking that hinder us from achieving our goals.  With that in mind, here are a few things that I want to stop in 2012:

1. The Internet
Stop wasting so much time surfing for no reason.  This is not a very efficient use of my time.

2. Stop trying to focus on too many goals
Keep it simple in all areas where I'm trying to achieve short term goals.

3. Eliminate negative thoughts about myself.
"Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're right." Henry Ford

4. Stop doing tasks that my coordinator can take care of for me.  
I have a new assistant.  However, there are too many times that I keep certain tasks on my desk.  I need to trust more in order to free up my time to chase after more income producing activities.

5. Stop focusing too much on the end game and more on the "ride" and journey. 

 "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." F. Bueller

6. Stop letting decisions and attitudes of others and my company affect my outlook.

I can only control what I think.  There is only so much that I can influence in others.  Just the other day I listened to a negative person at work whine (there is a much better word I want to use here) about the old days.  That dude just stole :15 minutes of my day and I let him!

7. Stop staying up if I'm tired.
It's probably a more efficient use of my time to go to bed when I'm tired instead of "working" on something.  Granted, there are times when I'm tired at 8:00.  That's a little too early to hit the sheets and I will probably get a second wind anyway.  However, when 10:30 rolls around and I'm tired - GO TO BED!

8. Stop making short term decisions that impede long term results.
That sounds like some corporate-speak, and quite frankly it is.  It does make sense both personally and professionally.  I'm trying to think of a good example and all I can think of is the Debt Crisis of 2008.  Many financial institutions focused on short term profits at the expense of their credit quality.  As a result, many long time historic institutions crashed.

Well, I only came up with eight things thus far.  I should probably have ten items like every other list, but I quit doing that last year.

I said, "Stop It!"

All Goals


At the end of  this year I've been thinking about what I have accomplished, what I have left undone, and what I should focus on next year.  After reading the attached article, I think I'm going to add a new goal category; Things that I need to stop doing.

When we establish our goals we decide what we want to accomplish.  However, many times we are our own worst enemy in trying to accomplish them.  Therefore, the need for a new type of goal category.

I have an idea of what I want to stop doing - how about you?

http://www.jimcollins.com/article_topics/articles/best-new-years.html

Three Guys Out

Long Term Goals


A couple of weeks ago I went out with two friends from my church.  It was a great time of Brazilian fare, good beer, and great camaraderie.  As it is with men my age the talk always transitions from current events to work to ideas.

This night was no different.  By the end of the night we were swapping ideas and dreaming of developing products that would make life easier for folks.  As I explained in a previous post, my wife gets to hear all about my crazy ideas. Therefore, it was good to know that there are others like myself that have this creative gene in their DNA.

As a result of this night, I have really focused on this pursuit. The benefits will be; to create a product that will help people, be somewhat revolutionary, and to provide for me and my family another income stream.  To aid me in this endeavor I researched book and found a book that might be able to help, One Simple Idea: Turn Your Dreams into a Licensing Goldmine While Letting Others Do the Work by Stephen Key.  This is a very interesting book that walks a budding inventor through the process of licensing their product or idea. Thus far it has been very informative and not some kind of "get rich quick" scheme.

As I right this entry I can see my inventor's log book justing waiting for me to add plans and prototypes.  This is one long term goal that is starting to develop. 

Water over the Bulkhead

All Goals


Back in the late 90's President Clinton was waist deep in the Monica Lewinsky scandal.  During this time I remember there was much debate about whether the President's personal dealings had any bearing on this ability to lead and to be trusted.  I'm not totally convinced that it wouldn't have any affect.  Remember how he shook his finger at the television/American people and said, "I did not have sexual relations with that woman."  However, a little later he would go back on TV and say that he did indeed have relations with her. The point of this is not cast the former president in a bad light. It is to illustrate that all of the areas of life flow into each other. If you can picture water pouring over the bulkheads of a ship, you get the idea. A  failure in his personal life affected him professionally; him lying to the American public.

As I have undertaken this blog of tracking and reporting my goals it has become clear to me that if one area of my life is affected, the others will be as well.  Basically, if you pay attention to one area, others will benefit, if neglect one area, another will be negatively impacted.  Here are a few examples:

If my wife and I were spendthrifts with a mountain of debt the results could be detrimental to our marriage. Money arguments would start to flair up as we tried paying our expenses.  Then, because money - or the lack there of - is always on my mind, I look desperate when I make calls on prospects and clients.  After not being able to pull in any new business I start to worry about getting fired and come home grumpy all the time and take it out on my family.

Let's say I stopped caring about my health.  Here's what will take place.  At my age everything is starting to slow down.  Because of this my cholesterol will shoot up if I don't' worry about eating healthy and stopped working out.  As a result of my declining health, my life insurance premiums would increase. Additionally, my energy level would decrease and would leave me not wanting to play with my child because I'm too tired. I suffer, but most importantly, my wife and child would as well.

In the area of faith, if I stopped my study of the Lord's Word and receiving His gifts my soul would be vulnerable.  I remember how St. Augustine explained the allure of the world and the war it rages against us:

But that new will which had begun to spring up in me freely to worship thee and to enjoy thee, O my God, the only certain Joy, was not able as yet to overcome my former willfulness, made strong by long indulgence. Thus my two wills--the old and the new, the carnal and the spiritual--were in conflict within me; and by their discord they tore my soul apart.

As you can see, everything is connected.  Let's get that water flowing.