In going through some old files on my old Mac G4 tower (Quicksilver G4 for those who are into that sort of thing) I found a text file with my goals for 2005. It was created January 3, 2005 and modified February 3, 2005. Naturally, some things are now irrelevant, still on my list, or already accomplished. It’s interesting to compare this with my goals for 2010.
- Do about two paintings per month
- Do Nanowrimo (www.nanowrimo.com) in November (write a novel in a month)
- Get a Powerbook
- Move into a nicer/bigger apartment not attached to someone’s house
- Exercise 3 times a week
- Get buff
- Become a good host and host parties, dinners, etc.
- Make concrete plans for a trip to italy, perhaps going in the fall or next winter
- Complete version 2 of my website
- Complete an all-Flash version 3 of my website
- Drum up enough freelance work to work on one freelance project per month
- Treat my fine art efforts as a second job, probably as a part-time job (20 hours a week?)
- Come up with some new painting series
- Develop desktop art for people to download from my website
- Start a visual journal, somewhat like Spilling Over by Sabrina Ward Harrison
- Get in the habit of running again
- Get in shape
- Go a month without watching TV
- Limit TV-watching to one hour a day when I actually do watch TV
- Read really good books that have something important to say
- Watch Classic movies
- Have theme dinners with friends
- Get a studio space (if I have the money for it)
- Dress nicer (not so sloppy)
- Broaden musical and cultural horizons (ex: expand jazz collection)
- Create provocative art and design (like James Victore’s posters)
- Carry a camera and sketchbook everywhere
- Incorporate type into my paintings
- Try printmaking again
- Drink less coffee (one cup a day?)
- Drink less Coke (and other fizzy drinks) - maybe two per week?
- Be more open and honest with myself and my friends
I still don’t run, I still haven’t made it back to Italy, and before the flood I was working out 3 times a week. But now I’m married with a baby and another one on the way, and we close on a house at the end of the month, and I have no time to watch movies or TV, but I am typing this on a MacBook Pro, and you are reading this on Version 4 of this website, which uses NO Flash at all, but a little jQuery here and there. Still have a hard time finding time to paint, but at least I’m making money freelancing. And I read thought-provoking books constantly, more than I ever have before.
All very good goals! “Get buff” made me laugh. I dunno why…when i think of the word “buff” i think of all those dumb meatheads out there…and you are SO far from that. how’s the coffee addiction coming along? =)
I think everyone should do these at the start of every year…then you can look back and see how much you’ve grown and how your priorities have changes. For instance, I bet on your 2010 list, being a better father and husband would be on the tippy top, and get buff probably wouldn’t be there at all.
It is good to have goals. They define our actions. I know that one day you will go back to Italy and relive the passion that once enthralled you. Italy is the best way to be.
Thanks for the comment, Dani. The 2010 List is actually much more career- and housing-oriented. But yeah, it sure is interesting to compare one’s priorities over a five-year period. Five years ago, I was renting a mother-in-law apartment and eating dry cereal without milk (that was a new low for me.)
It sure is. We had planned on going in 2010, but that was before we had a baby. :) Now we’re shooting for either when the kids are big enough to stay with the grandparents for a couple of weeks, or they’re big enough to go with us.