2010 Goals? Episode 1

Much like my thing about things, this will be an ongoing list, only this one is not so much ‘resolutions’ as goals I want to meet in 2010…

Which makes me think what the difference between a ‘goal’ and a ‘resolution’ is…?  The almighty Wiki says:

 "A goal or objective is a projected state of affairs that a person or a system plans or intends to achieve—a personal or organizational desired end-point in some sort of assumed development. Many people endeavor to reach goals within a finite time by setting deadlines.
A desire or an intention becomes a goal if and only if one activates an action for achieving it (see goal-oriented).
It is roughly similar to purpose or aim, the anticipated result which guides action, or an end, which is an object, either a physical object or an abstract object, that has intrinsic value."

And…then ‘resolution’ is a little more convoluted, being that it has many more options for a definition, but does give you the option for "New Year’s Resolution":

"A New Year’s resolution is a commitment that an individual makes to a project or the reforming of a habit, often a lifestyle change that is generally interpreted as advantageous. The name comes from the fact that these commitments normally go into effect on New Year’s Day. Some examples include resolutions to donate to the poor more often, to become more assertive, or to become more environmentally responsible.
There are religious parallels to this secular tradition. People may act similarly during the Christian fasting period of Lent, though the motive behind this holiday is more of sacrifice than of responsibility. During Judaism’s New Year, Rosh Hashanah, through the High Holidays and culminating in Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), one is to reflect upon one’s wrongdoings over the year and both seek and offer forgiveness. The concept, regardless of creed, is to reflect upon self-improvement annually."

….where as "resolve" gets an epic fail from Wiki but has been saved by Merriam-Webster online:

"1 obsolete : dissolve, melt
2 a : break up, separate <the prism resolved the light into a play of color>; also : to change by disintegration b : to reduce by analysis <resolve the problem into simple elements> c : to distinguish between or make independently visible adjacent parts of d : to separate (a racemic compound or mixture) into the two components
3 : to cause resolution of (a pathological state)
4 a : to deal with successfully : clear up <resolve doubts> <resolve a dispute> b : to find an answer to c : to make clear or understandable d : to find a mathematical solution of e : to split up (as a vector) into two or more components especially in assigned directions
5 : to reach a firm decision about <resolve to get more sleep> <resolve disputed points in a text>
6 a : to declare or decide by a formal resolution and vote b : to change by resolution or formal vote <the house resolved itself into a committee>"
 

Does that clear it all up for you?  No?  Me either.  This gave me an "If You Give a Moose a Muffin" moment, as it then lead me to thinking that definitions are really very cold, where are words are warm – the difference between clay that’s being worked with and a clay vase.  Sure, the vase is usually very pretty, and useful, but its hard to mold once it’s fired, whereas the clay is still open for all kinds of personal touches and interpretations.

So, in the world of moi, here’s how I’m seeing "goal" vs "resolution" today:

A goal is something that needs to be worked for.  It involves clever maneuvering, strategy, sweat, and open-mindness.  There are several paths to getting there, but as long as the ball winds up in the net, as it were, the point is scored.  That beign said, it’s not all about winning or losing, it’s how you play the game.  And sometimes, you have to play dirty.  (Not all the time, but sometimes.)  Goals do not go away when you get weak, they’re still there and they’re waiting for you to figure out how to dodge your opponents and get the quaffle through the hoop.

A resolution is something you’ve made up your mind that you want to do – you’ve convinced yourself that it would be a good idea, in theory, and now lets see if you actually do it.  Resolve feels like it’s still teetering, that you’ve decided that it’s for the best, but really it’s going to be

hard because your full ‘self’ is not commited to it.  It’s something that would be nice to achieve, but not at the expense of the work that it entails to achieve it.  Resolve is easily crumbled, so resolutions don’t last.  The end achievement isn’t worth anything because you aren’t fully commited to it.

My readers here are going to immediately know, if they don’t already, the White(s?) I play as this would be a good debate topic…

*sips coffee and sits back*  I’m awfully deep this morning.  Must be tired…

So my goals for the year include, but are not limited the following:

• Lose 50lbs
• Run in five 5Ks
• Pay off the last of my outstanding ‘old life’ debts and bills, starting with friends
• Be a better friend
• Have more sex
• Take 17 college credits
• Read 4 books a month (that I haven’t read before)
• Make my Slumber Parties business my primary source of income (i.e. my highest paying job) so my job in The Woods doesn’t drive me as bat sh*t crazy when they don’t pay me for holidays like they’re supposed to (sorry minor rant there).
• Spend more time being active with my friends and family, especially my Mom
• Save 10 grand for my wedding from SP profits
• Work out, even if it’s just on the Wii, every day (unless I’m sick)

So that’s the list for now.  It will be an ongoing one and I will add stuff as new stuff becomes relevent, but it’s going to take a lot of hard work…but not the kind that I mind.  Each thing on my list is very personal to me, they are things that I need in my life and will make me more complete as a person.

And when your deepest thoughts are broken,
keep on dreaming boy, cause when you stop dreamin’ it’s time to die.
And as we all play parts of tomorrow,
some ways will work and other ways we’ll play.
But I know we all can’t stay here forever,
so I want to write my words on the face of today.
[ Change – Blind Melon ]