I’m a huge fan of setting goals. If you aim at nothing you will always hit it.
In 2015 I wrote four posts regarding setting and accomplishing goals:
I maintain a robust “bucket list” of goals that I want to accomplish before I expire. These items are, of course, in addition to normal everyday activities. This year I checked off the following:
1. Join Mensa International
Mensa is the largest and oldest high IQ society in the world, open to people who score at the 98th percentile or higher on a standardized, supervised IQ or other approved intelligence test. There are around 57,000 people in the U.S. who have passed the test.
When I was in high school I took an IQ test and missed getting into Mensa by .5% and that has always bothered me…like an unfinished sentence.
So on May 16, 2015 I took the test and scored in the 99th percentile. Yeah.
2. Visit a country I’ve never been to before.
My goal is to visit 60 counties before I die. Mary and I have been to 43 and we try to add one new country every year.
On August 10-14, 2015 Mary and I went to the United Arab Emirates and enjoyed the mid-eastern culture, went to the top of the world’s tallest building, etc. We have plans to add two new countries in 2016.
3. Stand 30 minutes by myself somewhere on earth where it’s at least 130° fahrenheit.
While I was in the UAE I hired a car and driver to take me out into the desert toward Oman. Fortunately, the area was experiencing a severe heat wave. I recorded 132° on my digital thermometer.
I also want to stand for 30 minutes by myself somewhere on earth where it’s at least negative 30° fahrenheit. Perhaps this year…
4. Publish six monographs on the six soft skills I teach in the Lead Well workshop.
In September of this year I published Lifelong Learning: Why it’s more important and doable than you think
In 2016 I will publish #2 of the six: Signature Soulprint.
Don, these 4 goals—and the reasons behind them—represent only a fraction of the reasons I admire you. Thanks for taking your own medicine and living to the fullest!
Thanks, Wayne, for kind words. The more I get to know you, the more I see a deep and thoughtful person who has a lot to share with others. Thanks for our friendship.
Don, I do appreciate this latest effort of yours to encourage us to ….THINK! You are consistent.
Congratulations on accomplishing that first Bucket Item! … although I see it did take you 40 years to get just 1% better!!
I am facing full professional retirement within months, (perhaps, my last 1%!) and so I think that your letters may just encourage some aspect of my decision-making during this life-change.
More so, I am EXPECTING in your works something for me to consider in my service during my remaining time here! I look forward to your next ones….
Thanks, good brother!
Bill, Congratulations on your retirement. You deserve the privilege of “every day is Saturday.” Let’s get together. Don