Goals for 2009 (and 2008 review)

Last year, I posted my goals for 2008 because a trustworthy source informed me that writing down and sharing goals increases the probability that they will be accomplished.

I had the good pleasure of spending New Years Eve with some excellent people, including Ian (who posted his goals here) and Rhett; during the festivities, I took the time to write down some of my 2009 goals.

There is no time like the present, and I’m tired of wasting all that I have (aka the now). So without further adieu I take this opportunity to state some of my goals for 2009 (feel free to ask me about them):

• 1. Publish poems in two different magazines or journals
• 2. Pay off all debt (other than student loans)
• 3. Get accepted to graduate schools with scholarships
• 4. Write ten new poems and one new long poem
• 5. Finish “High Margins” (download here (without music) or here (with music) and submit the poem to a publication
• 6. Get physiotherapy and complete healing in my right arm
• 7. Run +25km (see how I’m doing by checking out my running sidebar plugin)
• 8. Read five new book before August
• 9. Complete a manuscript of poetry
• 10. Blog twice a month
• 11. New theme for my blog
• 12. Achieve a first place finish for my age group in an Olympic distance (or longer) triathlon
• 13. Compete in 5 triathlons

I believe that I will attainable these goals with hard work and focus. Goal #2 will be the most difficult to achieve, followed by my goal for publication.

So, how did I do on my 2008 goals? Not too well. Many of them were unrealistic and weren’t made a priority over triathlon and work. Here’s my review of my 2008 goals:
Travel off the continent: Went to New York, which was pretty close to getting to another culture. Still, I can’t check this one off the list.
Write a suite of poems: Did not complete this.
Play a show with guitar and poems: Barely even picked up my guitar in 2008, which is a crime.
Pay off all debts (excluding student loans): Although I made some headway on this front, this goal was not possible for 2008. It would have required me to change jobs or win the lottery.
Reread: The Iliad, The Odyssey, The Aeneid, Lord of the Rings, Wasteland, Four Quartets: I reread T.S. Eliot’s work, but not the other texts. 33% on this goal.
Poem published in magazine or journal: I was published in a small US zine called the pulchritudinous review. I was also featured on two different radio programs (more details here and here–both include audio) . . . That should count for something!
Remain aware and thankful of all my changes and growth. Maintain health: This goal was rather nebulous, but I would say that I accomplished it.
Attend 4 concerts, 4 plays, and 10 literary events: I attended more than 4 concerts, 1 play, and 8 literary events.
Perform at poetry event: Completed multiple times over.
Attend a Buddhist religious event and Hindu religious event: I attended a Ukrainian Orthodox baby baptism and an evangelical wedding, but I did not attend any other religious events in 2008.
Read five new, good books: Yes. I surpassed this number. My highlight was One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez, Blindness and Death With Interruptions by José Saramago, and Everything is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer.
Walk on water (admit failures and inabilities—stay humble: Again, another nebulous and soft goal. I’d say I accomplished it.