I’ve finished graduate school almost twenty years ago. The last time I received a grade for a learning assignment Ronald Reagan was just leaving office. I’ve attended workshops and professional trainings since then, but long gone are the weekly classes and homework assignments. That is, until recently…

In January, I registered for a DreamWeaver web design course at the local community college. This wasn’t a job requirements or even a skill needed in my career. It was just something I wanted to learn. I’d learned some online through the excellent videos available at Lynda.com, but I felt that there was something of value in having an instructor to answer my questions.

We are now halfway through the semester long course and here’s some of the unexpected lessons I have learned (or relearned):

1. You can learn just as much from your classmates as you can from the teacher.

2. There are other ole’ dogs, just like me, looking to learn new tricks.

3. Spring break is still for the young and financially free.

4. Even when grades don’t matter, you still check the gradebook each week.

5. Everything is computerized, from registering for classes to viewing last week’s class presentation.

6. My son still doesn’t want to be seen with me on campus.

I’m really enjoying the classroom experience and will probably take another class later this year.  There is so much I still want to learn.  But the most important lesson is that education is not just for the young.  So take the time to learn a new skill or study an interesting subject.  Sign up for a class at your local community college.

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So here is my plan to correct my problem and become more productive:

1. First, I need to take 30 minutes and clean off my desk.
2. Then I will set up a couple simple file systems for work that needs to be handy, but put somewhere other than a big pile.
3. Finally, I set an expectation for myself to clear off my desk top before I finish working each day. This will keep the mess from accumulating.

That’s the plan. Clutter gone, productivity should increase. What ideas do you have for reducing office clutter?

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The problem with most new year’s resolutions is that we set the goal too far in the future, or we try to make an abrupt 180° change of an old habit. Change is best achieved the same way we walk through a dark room, one small step at a time. We set a small goal and move in that direction. If we run into problems, we can readjust; keeping our mind on where we want to be when finished.

So, if you’ve given up on a new year’s resolution, I want to propose something. Instead of quiting, pick a easier goal with a shorter target date. For example, trying to quit smoking? How about just smoking two less cigarettes a day? Not sure how many you smoke? Then your first goal could be to simply record how much you smoke each day for two weeks. Oh, and don’t be surprised if you smoke a little less simply because you are keeping track.

The idea works with almost any goal. Start with a small step and set a goal of only a couple weeks. Then, when successful, set a new goal, maybe increasing your effort this time. If you are not successful, examine what went wrong and readjust your goal. Don’t get caught up in the “success or fail” attitude. It’s a “success or adjust” attitude that wins in the long run.

Now it’s your turn. Did you set new year’s goals, and how are you doing with them?

[Photo Credit:KentGoldman]

So, I’ve given this some thought and I’ve got to make two important changes.

1. No food allowed in my home office. This should help address the snacking problem and help cut back on the messy office.
2. I will walk or jog for at least 30 minutes, 3-4 times a week. Actually, I like to run with a heart monitor, so I will exercise in my heart rate target zone for at least 30 minutes each time.

That’s it. Making these changes, effective tomorrow, should make the different. In a week or two I will let you know how I’m doing. In the meantime, what other simple suggestions might you offer?

I was actually tagged early in this chain at one of my other blogs where I use a pseudonym. You can read that post here. However, since I was tagged by David at a different blog, I suppose I should write another list. So, keeping with the goal achievement theme of this blog, I’ve decided to post seven strange goal related facts about myself.

1. I ran a half marathon about five years ago. Like David (you really have to read his marathon story!), I am a large man who is not typically considered a runner. But when I was 19 I set five goals for my life, one being to complete a marathon. I have achieved four of the five goals, but have yet to enter a marathon.

2. I graduated college at 19 years of age. I love learning but don’t like waiting to achieve things. (That’s not always a good thing.) I started college while still in high school and then took pretty heavy loads in college so I could finish quickly. I did take a little more time getting my Master’s degree.

3. I’m obsessive about tracking things on charts and spreadsheets. While I write this post, I have Excel opened with a graph of daily traffic on each of my blogs.

4. I have lost over 100 pounds in the past 8 years. Sounds impressive, eh? But here’s the catch…I did this in three different episodes (35 lbs., 48 lbs, and 32 lbs.) and regained the weight back each time. I know how to lose weight, and I’m actually very good at it. It’s just the whole “keeping it off” thing that I struggle with. That is one of the reasons for starting this blog. It helps keep me motivated.

5. I used to play tournament Scrabble at the intermediate level. I even placed third in the first tournament I played (32 players, 22 games, 3 days). I love the game, but I gave it up because of the time commitment. I was studying words for 1-2 hours each day. But it was great to set goals for learning new words and how well I’d do at tournaments. I miss it…some.

6. I once won a prize for being the worse bowler on a league bowling team. I was so proud of the award. Okay, I was only eight, but it was the first thing I had ever won. The bowling pro made such a big deal when he awarded the prize to the worse bowler on each team that we didn’t even think about why we were getting the award. We all loved it.

7. I don’t have all my sh** together. What? How can I write a blog about achieving personal goals when my life is not perfect? Because I’m real. I’m just like you. I struggle with my weight, I’m challenged by my work, and I don’t have the perfect retirement plan. My problem is the disconnect between what I know and the action I take. So, I share what I know and what I learn from others in order to help both of us.

8. Bonus Fact: Two years ago I decided to learn cake decorating. That’s one of my cakes in the photo.

There it is…seven (plus one) strange, but true facts about me.

Okay, now I’ll tag some blogs that everyone should be reading:

• Tom Ross at PushStandards.com - Thoughts of a young entrepreneur and web designer.
• Bruce at YourEdenWork.net - Connecting Christian purpose with Christian entrepreneurship.
• Nikita Knysh at Nikita Knysh’s Blog - Social networking, IT stuff and much more.
• CarpetGuy at OpinionHead.com - If you’re not reading this opinion blog, you should be.

My personal goal for work (my day job) is to complete the redesign of our agency website by February 19, 2008.

I work for a nonprofit state association that has really struggled with our presence on the web. The current web design was completed about 3 months ago. Okay, completed is not truly accurate, but the site was redesigned. And it actually is a huge improvement. But there are still problems.

The biggest issue I have with the site is the lack of regularly updated content. I have learned through blogging that websites are most helpful when they keep readers up-to-date with current news and information. So, my strategy for the redesign is to use the blogging platform, WordPress to manage the site. Since content is the biggest problem with the existing site, that will be my primary focus in the redesign.

I hope to have a draft ready for a committee meeting late next week. If they approve, I can complete the site in a week or so. That means this goal is definitely short-term. I will post a link to the new site when it is complete.

BTW, if you have recommendations for the site, please leave a comment or contact me through the new contact form.

I will spend at least one hour each week in an outdoor recreation activity (not including normal exercise). I’m doing great. I’ve done at least one hour each week. Last week it was hiking for one hour while camping. The hills were great for some exercise and it was an awesomely beautiful day!

I will lose 13 pounds by April 1st, that is one pound a week. I’m slipping a little. Lost two pounds the first week and gained one back the next. Then lost another pound. So, after three weeks I’ve lost two pounds. I’m not going to beat myself up, but I need to get on track. Since I’m getting some exercise, I know I need to start watching what I eat more closely.

To complete a class on web development or programming to help me with my blogging. Class starts tomorrow! I’m really excited about the web design class I am taking at the local community college.

How are you doing on your goals?