I will be perfectly truthful here and honestly declare that my track record of achieving goals set at the beginning of years is generally poor. Yeah, as poor as Liverpool’s shambolic defence. 😥
For the past 3 decades of my life, I probably have sat down for at least 5-6 times contemplating the targets I should be achieving in the year ahead. And by the end of the year, more likely than not, I could take the whole list and repeat it for the following year. Urgh… 😕
But luckily for me, I have managed to break this vicious cycle during the past year as I can safely say that 70% of the targets I set for myself in 2014 were met. A combination of some public accountability, more free time without a 40 hour work week and the much lauded SMART description probably did the trick.
So with some positive experience under my belt, here’s my targets for next year.
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1. Financial Goals
Increase portfolio size to $320k – On first look, this seems a very ambitious target since the Nov 14 portfolio is only slightly over $250k. But if you think about it, once I start work, the second OCBC 360 account should easily attract 2% of interest and it’s highly likely that I will be able to top it up to the maximum amount of $50,000 by the middle of the year. And a $20k increase in the valuation of the equities portion should easily be achieved through either capital appreciation or some injections.
Combined savings of $50,000 – Compared to the above, this is much more within my control. And instead of looking at just expenses, a savings target grants me more flexibility. Besides reducing expenses, this goal can be achieved by increasing income too. And I am also inspired by many other bloggers who consistently have set such targets.
2. Fitness Goals
12km in 60 minutes; 120 burpees in 15 minutes; 25 laps of breaststroke in 50 minutes – If you compare it with the previous year’s targets, I am keeping the pace for both the running and swimming but stretching the distances. I hope to be able to do both of these activities at least once a week. Burpees was a struggle this year as it’s pretty “unpleasant”. I would normally require at least a couple of days to recover from the aches after each session but it will be the main priority this year. Besides being a much better barometer of fitness, it’s also much easier to set aside 20 minutes than an hour.
IPPT Gold – With the changes made to the IPPT system, there’s really no reason for me not to be able to get a Gold and having an extra $500 in the bag.
3. Relationship Goals
A baby – I don’t know how much this is within our control but adding a member to the household is definitely on the cards in 2015/2016. No pressure though and probably enough already said on this. 😉
Satisfaction in new job – Although I am definitely not ruling out an early semi-retirement, adopting that kind of mindset towards my new career could prove to be defeatist. It’s a vocation aligned with my deepest values and I am going to do my best. I will constantly have to remind myself that the modest passive income should not “provide an escape” if I face a difficult challenge. Yeah, no shirking.
4. Personal Development Goals
26 NEW books – Yeah, there’s an emphasis on new as the habit of re-reading old books can be a big bane when taken to the extreme. Granted, this consolidates ideas but at the same time can make one closed to different or even opposing arguments. One book every two weeks from every kind of genre and I will actually be actively looking out for titles that challenge my worldview.
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And here’s wishing all readers a Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year!
Nice SMART goals over there. All the best to achieving your goals! Care to reveal the said career that’s aligned to your deepest values?
Hi Mr Physiotherapist,
All the best with your goals too! I will be working in the education industry. =)
Sounds like a good plan 🙂 Keep us updated on your goals and see if you’ve met it before the year is up. It’ll motivate you and keep yourself on track too 😉
Hi LP,
Yep, maybe I will do a mid-year evaluation just to check if I am on track. Just like you, I find it amusing that most of us set goals based on the calendar year. But somehow it has worked for me. =p
Hi 15hww
I always like you for being honest about everything. No hiding and hoody moody even though you don’t meet the intended target.
$320k portfolio and a $50K savings are a big goal there for you and Mrs15hww. I sincerely hope that you are able to meet it given that you are now both working and will be achieving the goals sooner rather than later. Having said that, don’t focus too much on the numbers though as they are only numbers at the end of the day.
I wish you the best of luck in your new career and baby plan. I’m excited to wait for your announced plan so I hope 2015 is the year for you and Mrs 15hww.
Last but not least, I think it’s easier to go firing at the goals in the first half of the year. I think it gives us more motivation rather than waiting for the last 3 months to complete them. Don’t rush though and I’m sure you will do really great in 2015.
YNWA.
B
Hi B,
I believe what gets measured gets tracked and improved but at the same time, the most important things in life (i.e. values) can’t be measured easily. Oh well…
That brings us to honesty too. If I can’t even be honest to myself on this blog, then I guess there’s really little value in continuing it, no? =)
But that said, I prefer to spin a more positive outlook, which probably explains why anything not met is not termed a “failure” but more like “yet to be met” goal. =p
markets go down too instead of up.
Hi Kyith,
Very true. But most of the times when I set a goal, I prefer to be optimistic and set a high bar rather than the other way round. I would rather not meet a “good” goal than achieve an “easy” goal.
Just a personal view and nothing wrong if a person believes in the direct opposite of what I do. =)
Looks like you have an wholesome goals set! All the best in achieving them!
Hi Richard,
Thanks and hope you meet the investing goals in your nascent journey too!
Dear fellow long suffering Liverpool fan 😉
Those are a nice, balanced set of goals, spanning the basics of life. Keep it up, it feels great to have followed your blog the past year and see your progress over that time. I can imagine at this rate four or five years down the road you will really get somewhere on your 15WW goal (which is a SMART goal in itself). Inspiring and again something I hope to do as well on a similar basis – thank you!
Hi RetailTrader,
Seems like there’s quite a few long-suffering LFC fans around. =p
Thanks for being a loyal follower even though there’s periods when I ain’t so active. I think you can probably semi-retire earlier than me if you keep up your trading performance. Impressive set of results for 2014!
Thanks for posting this. It’s a reminder for me to also start planning for next year. I like how you are being transparent about your results. There’s so much for me to learn.
Let’s work towards a great 2015!
Hi Mickey J,
Although I am pretty transparent, I do tend to sugarcoat stuff too. =)
I am an advocate of planning and even though it’s bad when it’s excessive, I believe that planning is something most people fail to do enough of.
I am also learning from you too and I am sure you will be nearer to your goal at the end of 2015!
Hi 15HWW,
That’s a set of nice targets, esp the one on baby. Govt love you! Think big and become big!
As for liverpool defence, their attacks were no better. I become a liverpool fan in 1988, when my father tell me the striker with moustache is good at scoring. Last year we found one striker with equal or better scoring prowess. Unfortunately he bites. And that is probably what liverpool team is lacking for the past >20 yrs – Bite and desire to win.
Happy new year!
Rolf
Hi Rolf,
Let’s hope I am able to benefit from the Govt’s baby bonus soon. =p
Under BR, there’s actually only one effective way for Liverpool to play. They need a mobile forward for the system to work and the attacking performances have been much better in the past few games with Sterling as the lone striker rather than Balotelli or Lambert. I am still quite patient with BR although it’s quite impossible to defend his transfer dealings.
Became a fan during the “Spice Boys” times. Never saw the striker with a moustache live. oops, revealed my age. =p
Hi 15HWW,
Nice goals for 2015. Probably I should do something about my fitness too. Haha. All the best for the new year!
Hi S-Reit System Investor,
Health and fitness is actually way more important than money. Furthermore, it’s something that is more likely to stay with you.
Mr Market might take wealth away from one easily but it’s much harder to lose your fitness if one continues working out diligently.
Hmm, maybe I should have written a blog on health and fitness instead but too bad I have less passion and interest in those topics.
yo, just popping by to wish you a fabulous year ahead! may this new year bring you nothing but good health, wealth and lots of merry moments ^^ good luck in the new job!
Hi bb,
Wishing you good health, good luck and good moments too!
Thanks for the well-wishes and hope to be able to attend some of the events (if I am invited =p).