I typically write a beginning of the year post every year in order to outlay my general goals from above the forest before I dive into the trees to get it all done. I looked back on my post of last year – CLICK HERE TO READ IT – and am pleasantly surprised at my accomplishments.
I achieved #1. In fact, I finished three CPA exam sections instead of the two I had postulated. Additionally, all academic requirements are completed. Check.
I also achieved #2. I flew a total of 126 hours during 2009, which is quite satisfying considering my part time freelance CFI status, coupled with the slow economy.
I did fairly well with #3, though I did lay off the music aspect about the end of July. However, my priorities had realigned and even now I am not sure how much time I will have available towards this end. Music, as it stands, its not a particular goal for 2010 – though I intend to continue to play when I want to.
#4, not so much. However, I have been doing some serious running over the last several months and have been hitting the weights as well. So, as it stands, I am not horribly disappointed, but do have some more serious fitness goals for 2010 – keep reading.
In review, 2009 was a kickin’ year in terms of moving the football down the field. The greatest accomplishment BY FAR was the attainment of nearly 90% of my CPA credential. I am left with one last test to pass before I can apply for the license and move on with my life.
Enter 2010:
My goals for 2010 are as follows:
1. Study for and pass the AUD section of the CPA exam by 2/11/10, at which point this journey will come to a close after 13 months of a full time effort. Handle the appropriate paperwork to get my license and certificate hanging the wall. Add designation behind name.
2. I have a few goals regarding things I want to do within my church. I haven’t been as involved as I’d like to be lately and have three objective targets that I want to reach this year.
3. Find a good job again. I haven’t made significant money since I resigned from the airline at the end of 2008. All my effort was aimed at earning the CPA, which will be able to provide me greater income potential when the time is right. I believe that time is nearly upon me. My goal in accounting as it stands is to join up with a firm that is not only enjoyable to work with, but which will challenge me to advance professionally during the next several years. I need to blow some major dust off my existing practical knowledge and take up where I left off with getting a strong foothold into this field. This year will hopefully mark the beginning of a renewed professional journey that will pay dividends for many many years.
In the short term, I am excited about getting “largish” paychecks again. I’ve got a small student loan to pay off, bank accounts to replenish, and other things on the horizon that are going to require lots of money. I hope to make 2010 the foundation for a lucrative career to come.
4. The above items are the types of goals that will happen so long as I do what I am supposed to do and exercise reasonable discipline. However, this fourth goal is likely going to require the greatest conscious push in terms of doing something uncomfortable. It is going to require that I take the hard road out almost every time. It is going to come at the end of LOTS of sweat and emotional ups and downs.
This goal, simply stated, is an intermediate “bite size” goal by its very nature and that is to stick to a “rigorous” exercise routine for a period of 12 months, consisting of weight lifting, running, etc. As to exactly what I do, it will evolve and change over time as I learn and try new things. Suffice it to say that I have done much research lately and do have an objective plan that I am going to follow. However, that plan will evolve with knowledge gained.
I just turned 28 years old yesterday and figure that if I am going to get into the best shape of my life – not only for myself, but also to be a role model for my kids when they come (I hope to promote fitness and be a good example for them to make good choices in their lives) – and still be young enough to enjoy the fruits of my labor for a good period of time, I’d better get busy now.
I’ve been thinking lately about writing a blog post about what the CPA exam has taught me about “sticking to it”. Actually, there are several parallels between the CPA exam and attaining fitness goals. Both are long term efforts, large enough that any given day of accomplishment is merely a single grain of sand on the pile. Both take considerable discipline – I turned down multiple family events and other fun functions during the year in order to do the right thing and study. Both subjects are full of true and false data all over the internet that must be sifted through to find something that works. Both are full of companies that sell an intolerable picture of the subject matter only to state that their method will make it bearable and achieve results. Both are quite attainable after choosing a smart path based on sound logic and pressing through the noise (both internal and external) towards the end result.
There are other similarities as well, but these are the most pertinent. Any goal that is tough to achieve will have similarities to both of these things. As a soon to be CPA, I am going to have to fight to stay in good shape. Many CPAs are heavy and out of shape from the inherent sedentary nature of the job. I need to escape from that now and embark upon a different road while my body is still young and vibrant and quick to react to whatever I choose to do with it. Like attaining the CPA or any other goal, a solid lifestyle change in the direction of achieving better health will pay dividends for years to come. I will let go of this body (aka die) someday. However, I’ve just got too much I want to do before then. A little bit of time each week dedicated to the goal of increased health will afford me a high chance of being around for a good time to come.
5. Continue to fly. My flying goals are going to be largely a “rinse and repeat” type of thing. I just need to continue to network and provide good service. Peaks and lulls in the flying load are bound to happen, but I will continue to do my best to continue what I did in 2009.
6. I want to fly R/C airplanes more. And I want to try to finish that Chipmunk airplane that currently lies still in kit form in a box. This goal is simple enough.
7. I need to up my game as a husband. More on this topic is going to remain private.
Tomorrow is Monday, Jan 4th – the first day of the business year. Lots to do. Lets get started!!!