2022 Goals (But Not Really)

I abandoned my typical end-of-year goal-setting routine. In full transparency, this article is NOT about #2022Goals (which you already figured out and I invite you to keep ready still).

Why did I abandon my routine?

Well (some hardcore goal-setters may not like this), I think I'm learning better. As the adage goes, "When you learn better, you do better."

Instead of reading a #LinkedInArticle about setting and achieving your goals in 2022, I will share a worthwhile habit for you to explore developing (and reveal why I let go of my goal-setting practice).

Here's Why I Left My Goal-Setting Practice Entering 2022

I let my goal-setting practice slide this past Winter rather unceremoniously. Mainly because of the influence of several people (I'll mention a couple below).

Influences (there are many, here's two)

• Marie Forleo
• James Clear

A couple of years ago, I discovered Marie's Decade In Review videos (image credit: a screenshot of Marie's Decade in Review Part 1 video). This video series supported a theme I'd run across captured by this quote "People overestimate what they can accomplish in a year, and underestimate what they can accomplish in a decade." I'm not 100% sure where I got the quote (but I feel like it came from Marie or James).

That's when my thinking around annual goal-setting started to shift. I felt I needed to begin considering how I wanted my life to be in the next decade, especially at my age and at this career stage.

Around the same time, I read James Clear's book, Atomic Habits (image credit: JamesClear.com). The book upended my thought process around goal attainment by asking the question, "What type of person do you want to become?" I think it had the same impact on some of my work colleagues because I introduced the book to complement a learning initiative we ran internally at my company, Master Electronics.

Here's the concept, instead of setting the goal of ...

• I want to cycle (ride my bicycle) four times a week for 10-miles each time, work on
• becoming a cyclist, i.e., doing what cyclists do, i.e., ride your bike, multiple times per week,
• even IF it isn't four times a week for 10 miles each time.

Clear's perspective is that each time we do a thing, even for only five minutes (or in the case of the cyclist ride for a quarter of a mile versus 10-miles), we vote for the type of person we desire to be (our identity). Additionally, this approach, starting with small steps, is how we build the habits that ultimately reshape our life into the new way we want.

Extend Your Duration and Build Your Habits

Take a moment and reflect. What do you want your life to look like ten years from now? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Now consider this. What habits will you need to develop (or deepen) to shape the life you envision in ten years?

It forces you to think about things differently doesn't it (when you extend your attainment period to a decade)?

I've asked myself these questions heavily over the past few years. I'm in my fifties, and when I reach my sixties (and beyond), I want to still be in my career with more profound expertise and enhanced skill sets. Envisioning the latter half of my work-life is a significant part of why I returned to college last year (after dropping out of university only a year or so into it, when I graduated from high school). I chose Southern New Hampshire University as my partner to help me achieve my long-term academic and professional aims.

2021 and 2022 Reading Lists

Instead of chasing annual resolutions, establish a reading habit that will serve you in life regardless of your personal or professional pursuits.

I love books. I love reading. Reading is a habit that will help me achieve my educational aspirations.

Even the way books are "built" and designed is fascinating. For example, I'm reading Michael Bungay Stanier's book The Coaching Habit. Michael's snappy wit is on each page, and the book is "interactive" with references to his free community, videos, and more.

Another great example is Sheri Riley's book, Exponential Living I'm wrapping up on Audible (my company president, Riad Nizam, encouraged me to try Audible about five years ago). She includes portions of the book where celebrities, professionals, and leaders answer vital questions themselves, like a mini-interview. And, of course, classics like What to do When it's Your Turn (And it's Always Your Turn) by Seth Godin (snippets of wisdom juxtaposed by incredible photos).

Below is the list of books I read in 2021 (i.e., a physical book, the Kindle version, or the Audible version) and the books I plan to read in 2022.

You can see other 2022 reading lists and book recommendations in Peter Manniche Riber's post (here).

If you absolutely must set a goal for 2022, select reading because having the identity of a life-long learner through reading will serve you always and help you shape your life 10-years from now.