2021 Goals

Encouraged by the momentum built in 2020, I will aim to build the following habits in 2021 and beyond. I started by listing down the outcomes and asking myself why I want them. A few whys later, I’ve peeled off the proverbial layers of the onion and got closer to the identities – who I aspire to be.

In 2021 (and very likely beyond), I want to become someone who runs his race well and be helpful to others on theirs. A competent athlete and a generous coach, so to speak.

Here are the breakdown of that vision into more specific areas.

1. Become a marathon runner

Quick win: complete one full marathon in first half of 2021 at sub 4’30” and stretch goal of sub 4’00” by end 2021. Cheer me on here.

Long game: inspire and bring together group(s) of people who want to run and stay strong and healthy.

2. Become a better reader

Quick win: complete a classic fiction each quarter to explore different life virtues (inspired by On Reading Well by Karen Prior)

Long game: to develop (again) the patience and attentiveness required for deep reading (of literature works).

3. Become a father whom his children adore

Quick win #1: spend at least 15 minutes a day doing a meaningful activity (reading, role play, etc) with my Princess and Prince.

Quick win #2: bring them out once a month for an outdoor family activity.

4. Be a husband who loves, leads, and communicates well with his wife

Quick win: lock in 3 monthly dates in the first quarter the Mrs.

5. Become a Christian who reads, believes, and acts according to the Bible

This will need another post to examine more thoroughly but here is the gist: I want to read the Bible for myself more this year to understand the unity and grand narrative culminating in the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

How? I’d be following the Discipleship Journal Bible reading plan with a few friends and read through the whole Bible in one year.

What? I commit to posting a weekly short reflection of what I learn from that week on Sunday. Nothing profound – and probably theologically unsound even. But let’s see what a perfect God can do through a fallen man.

So those are my personal goals — I’ll save the professional goals for my manager.

I have never set such specific goals before. I’m excited to see how I will get on with them. Do you set goals? What are they? Share them with me. 🙂