2004: Planning Ahead

Hey, if eating black eyed peas and collard greens is supposed to bring good luck, how come Black folks aren’t better off?

Anyway, it’s a new year and time to set my personal agenda. I don’t make resolutions, because to me they always seem to be vague and ambiguous–”I want to be a better person” or “I want to meet someone special.” Such ambiguity makes them less attainable and more easily dismissible, which is why so many people break them by the end of January.

I prefer instead to lay out my annual “To Do” list. Like the daily one I use at work, it is a list of things to get done by the end of the year, or sooner. More definite and concrete. I usually tape it up on my front door so I can look at them before I leave each day.

Now having said this, there can still be obstacles to overcome in completing each task. Last year for example, I laid out perhaps an overly ambitious list, 11 items, of which I managed to complete just one (the purchase of the new laptop I’m using now). In past years I have had better success.

This year I will put forth a more modest list, with deadlines, and try to hold myself to them. I share it so others can hold my feet to the fire as well.

To Do List for 2004

1. Retire more debt, save towards a house (All Year)

2. Complete Notary Public certification (by March)

3. Update my résumé (by January 15)

4. Identify new job or career change (by June 30)

5. Decorate my apartment (All Year)

6. Purchase a bicycle (by April)

7. Finish writing first draft of my play (by July 1)

8. Visit either Atlanta or the Bay Area or both (by September)

9. Get faster internet connection (by March)