“In the absence of clearly-defined goals, we become strangely loyal to performing daily trivia until ultimately we become enslaved by it.”

This is a quote by Robert A. Heinlein that my father-in-law has taped to his computer monitor. I noticed it while we were visiting Colorado, and it made me think for a moment. I realized then that I kind of stopped having goals for a while, especially after I got pregnant in September and the terrible morning sickness started. At that point, it was all I could do to focus on existing. I’m glad Chloe will not remember any of it.

Like millions of other people, I am starting to think about the goals I’d like to accomplish in the coming year. Unfortunately, I pretty much failed on my last year’s goals, as easy as they could have been. The problem with me (besides much that I’ll not list here) is that I am simply not a creature of habit. I sincerely dislike repetitive tasks, no matter how good they might be for me, or how much I’ll like the end result. It is just something I know about myself. So, the question is, if I am not goal-oriented, what am I? How do I go about effectively choosing and prioritizing my goals, and how can I accomplish them?

Despite what I just wrote, I am capable of goal-setting and success. Many big things like “getting a degree,” “trip to Europe,” “buying a house,” and “starting a family,” have been accomplished. Small things like “making my bed everyday,” “drinking more water” or “keeping an organized desk” simply haven’t survived, no matter how many times I’ve tried.

So, where to focus? There’s lots to choose from – my kid(s), our finances, our home, family, the things that make us happy, retirement, the future… these are things I’ll be reflecting on in the coming days and weeks, to try and develop some “clearly defined goals.” I encourage everyone to do a little reflecting of your own, if you haven’t already, and please feel free to share your thoughts on the subject!