Frederic Wiggins (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} mrmartini) wrote,@ 2009-01-01 11:30:00 |
|
2nd entry of the new year, still the first day
Time for some goals for the new year!
Unlike resolutions, which most people break, I see goals as things to strive for. Similar to a resolution, but without as much oomph if you will. Where a resolution is sort of a promise to oneself, and I hate breaking promises, not meeting a goal can happen for any reason. It allows for things that are out of one's own control.
As a for instance, someone can resolve or make a resolution to run a marathon, then they could break their leg the week before the marathon. While they still could feasibly participate in the marathon, the chances are slim to none that they would. As a goal, it's got more flexibility.
OK, now that we've gotten the difference between a goal and a resolution out of the way, on to the goals!
Goal #1: Continue to grow in all my personal relationships.
That means I want to grow closer to my soon to be wife, my family, my friends and God. That's not to say that I don't think I'm close, but we can all, always be closer. If we always keep our ears, eyes and mind open we can learn a wealth of things from those around us and closest to us.
Goal #2: Get back to school!
We were really close on this one already. Technically I applied for the spring semester. But -- here's that flexibility -- I realized trying to work, go to school, and get married all in the spring... might be a little difficult. So, the goal is to be back in school for the fall. I've already got the determination to make this one a success.
Goal #3: Start saving to replace the "Jellybean from Hell"
As my car is oft to do, it's earned a new nickname... jellybean from hell. That's my latest moniker for it. As you've seen with the two of the previous three entries, I have no tolerance for (most) American (or Canadian) made garbage anymore. As I recently learned in a visit to the UAW Web site, the Dodge Challenger and Charger are both CAW (Canadian Auto Workers union) made cars. By my principles, as much as I admire the styling of these cars, because of the union involvement in their manufacture, I don't think I could bring myself to buy one. Additionally, if you're in the market for a car, check the UAW site first... then also check the car's VIN. Apparently Toyota Carolla's with a VIN beginning with a 1, 2, 4 or 5 can't be trusted. The UAW might have been involved.
OK, enough soapboxing... for the strategy. The 'car' is almost paid off. After it's paid off, the former auto-payment will go into a new savings account set aside for buying a car. That fund will be used for downpayment on something non-UAW made.
Goal #4: Participate in the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K.
Alright, this is probably one of the more ambitious goals for the year. It's going to require a huge amount of dedication and training. I've never really been a runner either, but this is something I'd like to do for many reasons 1) to say, I did. 2) the intrinsic health benefits of training for such a task, 3) it's going to be something that no matter how well I do, I think I'm going to look back on and be proud of myself for having been able to accomplish the task. 4) It'll set a benchmark for next year (?).
Goal #5: (an annual favorite of mine) Get all my Christmas Shopping done by Thanksgiving.
Alright, this is one that I always fall short on for one reason or another. But, it's one that with determination, careful planning and thoughtfulness, can be accomplished -- maybe.
Goal#6: Get (more) serious about my photography.
This year I've kind of slacked off a little -- at least in some ways -- on my photography. Most of the time that I was shooting, I was shooting weddings. That's not a bad thing, that generates revenue. I think I did a dozen weddings in 2008. But, the problem is that I didn't do a lot of other shooting, that I probably could have done or should have done. Anyway, I've already started to get more serious with actually writing a business plan. It's not done yet, but I'm getting there. I'm going to try and do more and more self promotion, shoot more weddings this year and yet again invest in some equipment. This year... lighting and another camera body or camera system. NOOOO I'm not switching from Canon to Nikon, but I'm looking into either the Hasselblad H1 (two or three generations old, first released in 2002) or Mamyia 645 AF or AFD. If I get just another Canon camera body, I'm considering the 5D Mark II and/or a Canon 1D Mark IIn. At any rate, we'll call this a significant equipment investment year. Other possible pieces of equipment that I'd like to invest in are again, lighting, backdrops, a new work station/computer. (My laptop is GREAT, but I'd like a nice desktop that can speed things up, with a larger monitor.) NOW, for the strategy: I plan to pay for these capital expenses primarily or at least 50% through wedding photography proceeds. So to reach my goal of say a H1 or even the 5D Mark II I'm looking at.... roughly... 15 weddings. Give or take. That's an increase by 3 over the weddings I did in 2008 as an assistant. Now, that's if I'm just assisting. It could be as few as 6 if I'm the primary photographer as a freelancer for another studio or maybe just 1 or 2 if I'm doing things on my own. We'll see what this year brings.
Goal #7: Take some vacation time
Haha, this is an easy one! In 2008, I met this goal. I even did what Jon Pope, my former boss recommended, and took an entire week at once. (Though I believe his actual recommendation was to take two weeks all at once.) Anyway, this is going to happen. I'm getting married in April and we're going on a honeymoon. Vacation... obviously.
Goal #8: Continue to work at the PI while continuing to keep my eyes open for new opportunities.
Well, I'm going to keep working at the PI, even though I swear it's killing me. But I'm going to keep my eyes open for new opportunities... constantly open for new opportunities. I want to be able to do my own thing too with the photos, but I also sometimes enjoy not being the boss. So, whatever opportunities present themselves, I'm going to keep my eyes open.
Goal #9: Find a way to give more back
Lately I've felt like... I could do more to help more, but I'm sometimes not sure how, so in 2009 I'm going to find as many ways to give back as I can. Maybe, hopefully, once a month... I'm going to work to give back in a substantial way. I don't know what those ways are yet, but substantial.
Time for some goals for the new year!
Unlike resolutions, which most people break, I see goals as things to strive for. Similar to a resolution, but without as much oomph if you will. Where a resolution is sort of a promise to oneself, and I hate breaking promises, not meeting a goal can happen for any reason. It allows for things that are out of one's own control.
As a for instance, someone can resolve or make a resolution to run a marathon, then they could break their leg the week before the marathon. While they still could feasibly participate in the marathon, the chances are slim to none that they would. As a goal, it's got more flexibility.
OK, now that we've gotten the difference between a goal and a resolution out of the way, on to the goals!
Goal #1: Continue to grow in all my personal relationships.
That means I want to grow closer to my soon to be wife, my family, my friends and God. That's not to say that I don't think I'm close, but we can all, always be closer. If we always keep our ears, eyes and mind open we can learn a wealth of things from those around us and closest to us.
Goal #2: Get back to school!
We were really close on this one already. Technically I applied for the spring semester. But -- here's that flexibility -- I realized trying to work, go to school, and get married all in the spring... might be a little difficult. So, the goal is to be back in school for the fall. I've already got the determination to make this one a success.
Goal #3: Start saving to replace the "Jellybean from Hell"
As my car is oft to do, it's earned a new nickname... jellybean from hell. That's my latest moniker for it. As you've seen with the two of the previous three entries, I have no tolerance for (most) American (or Canadian) made garbage anymore. As I recently learned in a visit to the UAW Web site, the Dodge Challenger and Charger are both CAW (Canadian Auto Workers union) made cars. By my principles, as much as I admire the styling of these cars, because of the union involvement in their manufacture, I don't think I could bring myself to buy one. Additionally, if you're in the market for a car, check the UAW site first... then also check the car's VIN. Apparently Toyota Carolla's with a VIN beginning with a 1, 2, 4 or 5 can't be trusted. The UAW might have been involved.
OK, enough soapboxing... for the strategy. The 'car' is almost paid off. After it's paid off, the former auto-payment will go into a new savings account set aside for buying a car. That fund will be used for downpayment on something non-UAW made.
Goal #4: Participate in the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K.
Alright, this is probably one of the more ambitious goals for the year. It's going to require a huge amount of dedication and training. I've never really been a runner either, but this is something I'd like to do for many reasons 1) to say, I did. 2) the intrinsic health benefits of training for such a task, 3) it's going to be something that no matter how well I do, I think I'm going to look back on and be proud of myself for having been able to accomplish the task. 4) It'll set a benchmark for next year (?).
Goal #5: (an annual favorite of mine) Get all my Christmas Shopping done by Thanksgiving.
Alright, this is one that I always fall short on for one reason or another. But, it's one that with determination, careful planning and thoughtfulness, can be accomplished -- maybe.
Goal#6: Get (more) serious about my photography.
This year I've kind of slacked off a little -- at least in some ways -- on my photography. Most of the time that I was shooting, I was shooting weddings. That's not a bad thing, that generates revenue. I think I did a dozen weddings in 2008. But, the problem is that I didn't do a lot of other shooting, that I probably could have done or should have done. Anyway, I've already started to get more serious with actually writing a business plan. It's not done yet, but I'm getting there. I'm going to try and do more and more self promotion, shoot more weddings this year and yet again invest in some equipment. This year... lighting and another camera body or camera system. NOOOO I'm not switching from Canon to Nikon, but I'm looking into either the Hasselblad H1 (two or three generations old, first released in 2002) or Mamyia 645 AF or AFD. If I get just another Canon camera body, I'm considering the 5D Mark II and/or a Canon 1D Mark IIn. At any rate, we'll call this a significant equipment investment year. Other possible pieces of equipment that I'd like to invest in are again, lighting, backdrops, a new work station/computer. (My laptop is GREAT, but I'd like a nice desktop that can speed things up, with a larger monitor.) NOW, for the strategy: I plan to pay for these capital expenses primarily or at least 50% through wedding photography proceeds. So to reach my goal of say a H1 or even the 5D Mark II I'm looking at.... roughly... 15 weddings. Give or take. That's an increase by 3 over the weddings I did in 2008 as an assistant. Now, that's if I'm just assisting. It could be as few as 6 if I'm the primary photographer as a freelancer for another studio or maybe just 1 or 2 if I'm doing things on my own. We'll see what this year brings.
Goal #7: Take some vacation time
Haha, this is an easy one! In 2008, I met this goal. I even did what Jon Pope, my former boss recommended, and took an entire week at once. (Though I believe his actual recommendation was to take two weeks all at once.) Anyway, this is going to happen. I'm getting married in April and we're going on a honeymoon. Vacation... obviously.
Goal #8: Continue to work at the PI while continuing to keep my eyes open for new opportunities.
Well, I'm going to keep working at the PI, even though I swear it's killing me. But I'm going to keep my eyes open for new opportunities... constantly open for new opportunities. I want to be able to do my own thing too with the photos, but I also sometimes enjoy not being the boss. So, whatever opportunities present themselves, I'm going to keep my eyes open.
Goal #9: Find a way to give more back
Lately I've felt like... I could do more to help more, but I'm sometimes not sure how, so in 2009 I'm going to find as many ways to give back as I can. Maybe, hopefully, once a month... I'm going to work to give back in a substantial way. I don't know what those ways are yet, but substantial.
