I don't like coming up with resolutions for the new year. I saw somebody else set some goals for the new year, so I think that sounds like a good way to go. To me resolutions sound similar to goals without any form of measurement of success. "I'm going to work out more this year." If you worked out 10 times last year, and you work out 11 times this year, success! Instead, with several exceptions, I'm going to try to define my goals and try to set some milestones.
Also, there are quite a few things here. I won't be able to do them all at once, but I should be able to add things in over time. So here they are:
Workout More
Sure, it sounds similar to what I was making fun of. The difference is I have a measurement of success. It's the number of times per week that I'll exercise. My goal is to work out for at least 30 minutes 3 times a week. It doesn't sound like much, but every little bit helps.
I've been feeling pretty bad about myself and my physique for a while now. I'm a really thin guy so a lot of people make a comment like, "yeah, you really need to lose weight." Honestly, fuck you. I'm not overweight nor do I gain weight easily, but that doesn't make me physically or mentally healthy. I get tired, sick, and my brain slows down. Exercise as seldom as 3 times a week doesn't necessarily build muscle mass, but it helps me feel better physically and mentally.
My stretch goal on this one is to work out at least 5 times a week. The other stretch goal is to get in an hour to an hour and a half of exercise.
Read 3 Professional Books
I've said before on Twitter, I have a huge backlog of professional books. Most are technical, but some are occasionally just professional. I figured I could read 6 to 12 last year. That was...unreasonable. I'm going to read 3 this year. My big debate is whether or not to count the one that I've got in progress or not.
My stretch goal on this one is 6 books.
Test Driven Development
This goal could also be a "get better about unit testing" goal, but I would rather aim for TDD. I have been getting better about unit testing, but my goal is to make TDD and integrating tests into legacy code that I work with a constant, regular thing. I should be writing tests for every feature that I implement or change that I make (unless the tests exists and cover the change well).
What makes me feel better about the fact that it's not a regular part of my day to day already is that other people also haven't made that move just yet.
Be More Tolerant/Patient
Sometimes I'm just as likely to tell you to go fuck yourself away as I am to help you with your problem. Could be the day of the week, how much sleep I got the night before, weather, whatever. I need to be more open and accepting of other the problems and issues that others bring to me. People wouldn't bring me their problems if they didn't value my help, or if it wasn't something that I screwed up. This isn't really something that I can measure. I'll just know if I'm doing a good job with this or not.
This is actually one of the reasons that I want to have a more regimented exercise routine. I'm a friendlier person when my endorphins have pumped through my body on a regular basis.
Drink Less
This is another one that I can't really measure, and I'll just know that I'm being successful. This is another factor that'll help me be more patient/tolerant. Also, I'm not going to say how much I drink, nor how often. Just know that it's more than I feel comfortable with, and I am going to cut back.
Publish Two Android Mobile Applications
I've had an idea for two applications for quite a while. I even started coding up one of them using TDD. I've made very little progress.
I'm setting a stretch goal of integrating the two together. I have a couple of integration points I can make on them. Another stretch goal is to implement them for Windows Phone 7.
Get my MCSD
This is for my company really. I've never aspired to be a certified developer, but I like my company. I want to show them that I have a vested interest in the short term and long term success. This is specifically for them. Some of the other goals are also for the benefit of the company, but this is one that I'm making the effort to do solely for the greater good.
I have one test done, three more to go. My Stretch goal is to complete the certification track before the end of March.
Blog More
I want to blog more. For this blog, my goal is to write two articles a month. I do and learn lots of interesting things. Why not share those with the rest of the world. Plus, I can look back on it to help remember things that I did in the past. My stretch goal for this blog is to write an article every week.
I also keep another blog. My goal for that blog is to write a post a month. My stretch goal is two a month.
Play More Video Games
Why do all of my goals have to be serious? I like video games. There was a time that I would play for hours a night. Obviously that time has past. I have a significant backlog of games that I want to play, but I don't have a lot of time. I should make some time.
This is another one that I'm not going to put a measurement on it. I don't want to sacrifice time with the family for video games. I just want to have a little on screen violence and puzzle-solving.
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