1-year-old boy sporting a backwards cap on yellow background. Photo by Ryan Klos Photography, Woodstock, IL portrait photographer.

I’m not one for New Year’s resolutions, but I think it’s important to set goals so you have something to work toward. And what better time to set some yearly goals than at the beginning of the year? As a business owner I have plenty of business oriented goals, but I have several personal goals I’d like to meet this year as well. The image above is part of one of my goals: to make monthly portraits of my boys. This portrait has only one of my boys because the other isn’t born yet, he’ll be here in about three weeks.

Why am I posting them on my blog? Maybe by publishing them I’ll feel more compelled to meet each one. Maybe this post will get buried and I won’t ever think about these goals again. Either way I’m putting them out there. I’m making it known that I have high expecations of myself and I’m going to work hard at meeting these goals.

  1. Make monthly portraits of my boys
  2. More dates with my wife (out of the house)
  3. Read 20 books
  4. Read the Bible more intentionally, less passively
  5. Discover more new music (so good for creativity)
  6. Spend more time enjoying the outdoors (hiking, picnics, outdoor games)

Those six goals may not seem like a lot, but I’m usually the one making lists of lists that go on for pages. Not this time. I wanted to keep things realistic. Make sure they’re attainable. I think this is a good start.

How ’bout you? Got any goals planned for 2011?