Goals…

I know that I am a bit late to the table for a new years goal setting post, however, the best day to make a positive change in your life was yesterday.

I have seen several posts about how people are going to get in shape this year or become even more productive. These are some of the common themes that are floating around out there, and I’m all about doing everything possible to improve my performance in my day job. I have plenty of goals documented at work, and there are a lot of people that have already put out some good career and productivity stuff that can be used at the 9-5.

Things in my professional life are doing okay at the moment, so I plan to take some time to focus on my off time. Becoming more efficient at work will give me more time to enjoy at home, and since that is what I really want in life, will help me stay on the professional track throughout the year.

These days most of us spend more time at work than we do with our families and the activities that make life worth living. So, this year I want to tackle some things that have been on my list for quite some time, like:

Fencing

Yep, that’s right. Nothing says fun like good old-fashioned swordplay! Of course, I have never done anything close to fencing since I was a kid battling the neighborhood kids with broomsticks, which was always fun.. until you got smacked on the hand, or ear. It may be my inner pirate or that one James Bond movie that got this one high on my list.

Rock Climbing

There have been a couple periods of my life where I was hitting the rock climbing gym pretty often. Growing up in Colorado I took the mountains for granted and never made it out of the gym.

I do think it is a little funny that this is pretty high on my list as I am terrified of heights, so I’m hoping to spend some time confronting my fear head-on. Granted I won’t see any major heights in FL, so I will have some time to work on this one.

This also fits into another overall goal…

Getting active

I work in an office, so that means I sit on my ass all day and get fat. There is no shortage snacks and temptations floating down the aisles between cubicles, and I am never one to turn down a baked good that happens by.

I know that getting fit is one of those New Year’s resolutions hardly anyone keeps, so I am going to start by just being more active. Easy stuff like going for a walk during lunch and having a Nerf gun war with my kids. Just getting off my ass and away from the TV will go along way.

Writing

I really wanted to try my hand at writing this year, so started this blog. I don’t really have a set plan or goal for this other than to publish a new post about once a week. I realize that I will need some time to find my voice and what I really want to write about.

Camping and hiking

I love it outside! I love the smell of campfires and sleeping in a sleeping bag. Listening to the breeze move through the trees and waves lap on some shore put me at peace. It’s very true that going into nature is going home, and even an overnight backpacking trip feels like a week-long vacation.

Car camping is great, but nothing beats heading into the back county where everything you need fits into a backpack! I really want to take my son on an overnight trip this winter before it starts to get hot again. We only have two seasons in FL. There is the scorching hot sweat staining summer, and a couple cool days sometime in January- March. So, needless to say, I need to pencil this one in soon.

Now for the things that really matter…

Playtime with my kids

My kids are growing up so fast. My boy is in kindergarten and my little girl is already starting potty training. It’s hard to imagine moving into the next phase of parenting where there aren’t any babies anymore. I can admit that becoming a dad has made me more emotional, and sometimes it makes me a little sad to see how big they have grown.

My last position in my company had me traveling about a week a month, and over the course of a year, I felt like I missed so much. Even though my trips were usually three to five days they looked bigger every time I came home. I realized it was time for a change when it wasn’t a big deal to them when I left on my trips. I was fortunate when a new position came along that required much less travel.

Whatever you do, don’t take time with your family for granted. It will be over sooner than you think!

Snuggling with my wife

Is there any more that really needs to be said about that? Spending time with your significant other is precious. I really look forward to nights after we put the kids to bed and we can just talk, and be us for a while. It is hard to believe that we have been married for ten years as of June 2017! I’m glad that she still puts up with me, and all my quirks… Like wanting to go fencing.

An overall goal of a full life

All of these things just help to enhance the quality time we have. Don’t spend too much time thinking about work, and your next big move up the corporate food chain. Do your best to leave work where it belongs, at work!

You can always make more money, but you will never get the time you spend away from those you love back. Don’t let stress get in the way of a full life, and never ever take time for granted.