How badly do I want this? | personal | April Goals

I had a terrible case of the Mondays yesterday. I wanted so badly to sit down at my computer and write this post, but it just didn’t happen.

I have not had much time to think lately, but I have had a lot of talks. Talks with others and myself. Thinking to myself is different than talks with myself. Thoughts are more rambling and free, but talks are succinct and motivating, actually, more commanding. Kind of like locker room talks or team huddles. I seem to be having a lot of these with myself lately.

Maybe its because we’ve been watching a lot of college basketball. I am an Ohio State fan and I really enjoy watching Aaron Craft play. (For those who bleed Carolina blue, he reminds me of Tyler Hansbrough.) He is full of energy and a little bit of desperation. He knows what he has to do and doesn’t care what happens to him when he does it – he lays it all out there on the court. That energy is transferred to the other players. I just love that. It is so inspirational. I want that energy and that drive.

But there is a reason basketball games are only 40 minutes long. No one can operate at that capacity 24/7, for most of us its not even possible for 8/5. We need rest, we need downtime, and we need motivational speeches – times to just listen and be inspired.

This balance of preparation, rest and action are key when running a home business. In order to reach goals, all three of these must have a place in everyday life. Its like a career athlete, he starts out at a young age on a pee-wee team and, sure, his dream is to one day win the NCAA National Championship, but right now he must focus on the fundamentals.

Running a business is so similar. I start with a dream – this is my ultimate goal for my business? Now, how do I get there? I break it down into years, months and then days. It takes a lot of patience and perseverance, and the earlier this is realized, the better.

On Saturday, I had a transformational pep talk with myself (now… who doesn’t do this?). One question arose and it really hit me: “How badly do I want this?”  I realized later that two other questions must come after the first: 1. What will I have to give up? 2. Is it worth it? And I am a Christian, so there’s always the ultimate question that must precede all others: Is this what God wants for me?

So… how badly do you want your dream?

Here are my April Goals. The ones crossed out are March’s accomplished goals.

Edit and deliver all School Picture Day proofs

Clear out my desk (I have got to do this!)

Update my website portfolio (ditto!)

“Build” an awesome new desk

Put up new shelves in my office

Organize the laundry room

Work on Three eleven Photography branding

Take a photo every day

Memorize Psalm 31:3-4 (Memorize 12 Bible passages this year)

Read Judges through II Kings (Read the Bible in a Year)

Escape to the beach with Josiah for our anniversary