Not being one to make resolutions, I look at the new year as a time to make a fresh start. I am always working towards improving my quality of life in all areas, from health and fitness, to mental well being. It’s nice every once in a while to re-evaluate and establish new goals and simply hit reboot. It doesn’t matter where you were at the end of 2010, it’s a new year now and we have a new starting point to work from in 2011.

One thing I’ve learned over the years is that small successes along the way help to motivate me to work towards my goals, so I need to make them achievable within reasonable time frames. When I can check a goal off the list I can then move onto the next goal with confidence. I may have a big picture agenda in mind, but the goals I work on tend to be small and measurable if they are going to help me move forward on my larger agenda.

Some of plans include getting back into a regular fitness routine; continuing my growth in photography; reading more great books; working on my own small business projects; travel; organizing; and more. I’m going to start walking and running again; do a 365 project in photography; take a course in using photoshop; read a mixture of fiction and non-fiction while participating in one or two book clubs; add more content to my website and monetize it; continue blogging regularly and add some creative writing; make a short trip to BC then take my family to Florida; set up a better workspace for myself at home…

Each of these require a plan and small goals with deadlines. I need to spend a few days figuring out just what will work for me (realistically) while still providing a bit of a challenge. Without taking risks and being challenged, there is no growth.

How do you approach your goal planning and execution? Are you a resolution sort of person, or more of an ongoing work in progress? Or perhaps you do a bit of both? I invite you to share some of your goals in the comments section. Let’s make changes happen together!