It is my plan to set some realistic goals for the new year and hopefully in a year I can look back at this post with pride and say, I accomplished those goals. I have done them using the SMART goal system.

1. Reading the Bible — This is the one I have placed as a top priority as I believe it will help me in many areas of my life.
   1. Specific – I am going to read the English Standard Version in it’s entirety, and in Chronological order, see Bible Schedule above
   2. Measurable – If I am behind schedule I am behind
   3. Attainable – I know this is attainable as I have accomplished something very similar previously
   4. Realistic – I am willing to work toward this goal and sacrifice to accomplish it.
   5. Timely – This will be accomplished in one year.
2. Reduce Debt — Although we don’t much in the ways of consumer debt we have some school loans and old business debt along with our mortgage.
   1. Specific – We will use extra monies to pay off existing debt and freeze our credit cards (Literally, we are putting them in a Ziploc bag, filling it with water, and freezing the card.) All Debt but mortgage will be paid off, and Second Mortgage will be reduced by half.
   2. Measurable – using quicken we will chart our progress. It will simply be a matter of reducing our debt amount
   3. Attainable – I have done the calculation and believe that this is attainable and something I am willing to work for.
   4. Realistic – Although it is a significant amount of money I believe we will be able to accomplish it with a little will power.
   5. Timely – This is also to be accomplished by the end of the year.
3. Reducing wasted Time — This will be harder to objectify and perhaps harder to accomplish as my wife and I disagree on what is wasted time.
   1. Specific – I will spend no more than two hours combined on TV and PC games (games my wife and I play together do not count). This will not include time the TV is on as background noise while folding laundry or other tasks. This will include weekends!
   2. Measurable – I will track the amount of time I spend watching TV and compare to the goal.
   3. Attainable – I believe this to be attainable as I don’t spend much more than that watching TV now, although weekends may be tough. I also have goals that will keep me away from these time wasters.
   4. Realistic – I believe this to be realistic as I have other hobbies I enjoy that will enable me to avoid TV.
   5. Timely – This will be over the course of the next year.