What is your next step is a question I constantly ask myself. By now, you would think I am where I want to be and there is no next step. After all, I am old(er) and achieved a modest amount of success. Without any extraordinary help from medical science, I am planning on living another thirty (30) years.
I don’t know about you, but I have things I want to do with my life! Here it is July 2011, and I am thinking about 2011/2012 goals. I am thinking about the future and planning vacations, projects, and classes. You know what I am talking about, that next step! You probably think old(er) people are thinking about their health, early bird specials at their favorite restaurant or going to sleep early. Since I am in good health, trim (5 ft. 9 in and 150 lbs), and healthy, I am thinking about the future and the next step.
This summer, I decided to make that big push to reach my goals this year. I asked myself the question, what do I need to do now to reach my goal by December? What steps do I need to take to succeed? I looked at my articles and realized I need to step up my content. Whenever I write about subjects I am really interested in, I have more readers. Since I want to increase the number of visitors on my site, I need to promote my blog more and use more key words to optimize it.
About ten days ago, we celebrated Independence Day with friends and we were talking about vacation next year. We met some new people who were from Barcelona and it reminded me of our last trip there. Whether you are planning a vacation or just talking about previous vacations, it takes you back to those enjoyable experiences. My wife and friends want to go to Italy and I would like to add Amsterdam and Paris to the itinerary. I guess it is a work in progress.
This summer will be busy for me since in addition to writing articles and promoting my blog, I am taking a refresher class in math. More specifically, it is a refresher for Algebra I, II and Geometry. Sounds like fun, doesn’t it? Last summer, I taught Algebra ! & !! in a bridge program for incoming ninth graders. I enjoyed it so much, that I decided to get a supplemental credential in math. Learning never stops!
So what goals am I planning for next year? Besides an overseas vacation, I want to keep up with what I accomplished this year and more. One of the things on my list is learning Spanish! I took Spanish in college, but that was a long time ago. I also took a conversational Spanish class through the district. In fact, I took two! This time, I think I will try the Rosetta Stone for language acquisition. It will force me to practice my pronunciation. I think I am up to the challenge!
2012 is also the year I want to start volunteering. I have been thinking about this for a while! What would I do? Where would I do it? How much time am I willing to contribute? These were questions, I was unable to answer until recently. My plan is to volunteer at the Boys/Girls Club for a couple hours a week to start and expose the kids to personal finance. I have been preparing myself by practicing with my high school students.
This is a work in progress! Planning these things is fun and keeps me interested in the future. What is your next step? Do you think about it? Are you planning it? If not, why not? A few months ago, I wrote an article called “If Not Now, Then When” basically says stop making excuses for not accomplishing your goals. What stops you from planning your goals? Are you doing long range planning? I think about what I want to accomplish all the time, after all, I only have thirty (30) years to accomplish everything. What is your next step?
Photo by: OperationPaperStorm
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Start with the first step and never forget your next step!
Very well written KC! One should always have a plan of action and follow through! I’m amazed by the list of things on your plate!
I think I genetically predisposed to stay busy! I am not complaining, I love doing a lot of things, it gives me a feeling of accomplishment.
KC, I bet you will accomplish all of that! Your attitude and energy will make it so. We are retired & are busy with travel, hobbies, and helping our grown kids & their families. I tried to learn Spanish for our trip to Spain about 1 1/2 years ago. Lots of fun! I enjoy a place so much more if I can at least communicate a little in the language. I was very proud of myself that I could order in French in Paris even without a menu. So satisfying! It’s a great idea to always think, “What is the next step?”
I like staying busy because there is a purpose in that. I love taking things on especially when it is difficult. I think I am genetically predisposed since my Mother and Father were like that. Looking forward keeps me enthusiastic and happy. I recommend it to everyone!
For me, it’s always fun to game out the next steps. I’ve got quite a few plans – like you, i’d like to increase my online presence, so I’ll be busy doing that, and I’ve got quite a few other things planned that I cant really talk about quite yet, but needless to say i’m excited for. Those will all be happening before 2011 ends, then into 2012 I could be looking at purchasing a home – just not sure yet.
Planning out your next steps keep you excited and enthusiastic about the future. There is nothing like that feeling of accomplishment to keep me going.
As a next step for my blog, I would really like to get it more ‘out there’. Summer is just so busy that I am just doing what I can to get by.
My much bigger step in life is regarding my ‘post kid life’, which will be evolving over the next few years. My oldest graduates next June, then my daughter 2 years after that and my youngest two 2 years later. So, in 5 years, my nest will be empty. Sounds like a long time, but it really isn’t. I need to rediscover what I really want at this stage of life and make a plan of attack.
Now is a great time to plan! Set up your goal with a plan. What could you do tomorrow to stat on the road to that goal? I t is exactly what I did 7 years before I became financially independent!
There are so many things I would like to do, we definitely need a plan.
Our next step after getting out of debt (a month to go) is to save like crazy across the board. So we can do some of the many things.
What can you do today to start? Pick one small thing and do it. Success will motivate you to do more.
Sounds like you have some great plans!
I always have lots of goals – like yours – always evolving.
Mine this year were to a) get my site going and build traffic (on my way) b) start the next phase of my ‘online empire’ (started) c) visit my Dad’s brother and his wife and record their stories (done) d) have a money camp for my grandkids (done), throw a graduation party for my future daughter-in-law who graduated nursing school after working full time AND going to school full time for years to get there (done) e) get plans moving for a 3 generation family vacation next year (done) f) raise the number of rented days in our condo (struggling here) g) put new floor tile down in the bathroom myself (almost done)…….you get the drift.
Big projects down the line will be getting involved in lien certificate investing, real estate rental properties, more do it myself home remodeling, working with the family to start up multi generation family enterprises, and of course some travel!
I am tired just reading! You are on top it, keep it up.
I’m thinking about a Master’s for next year, and other that in the short-term thinking how I can advance my side projects further. Got some things to think about!
It is good you are thinking about it! The next step is start doing something about it today. Good luck.
Great goals; every few years I start to get the itch and feel like I need to take a formal class or certification to learn something new. It took me about 4 years to do my MBA at night, so I needed a break after that. Last year I got certified as a CPSP (cert supply chain professional) and outside of work I’m always learning something new w the kids from coaching to vacationing in new places. It’s great to do different things each year though instead of the same routine each year.
I find the more I am exposed to new things, the more I start to take advantage of opportunities. It may be a class, a new thought or something as simple as an idea for an article.
I love your goals! I actually learned Spanish through classes and traveling and now am quite fluent. I speak Spanish at work everyday and really enjoy it. If you need any help with Spanish, please let me know. As far as math, I recently posted an article about Free Education with online videos (www.worldoffinance.biz), majority are math focused that might give you ideas to implement into your classes you teach. Last summer I was in Spanish and Amsterdam, it was an incredible experince. Funny, how I also have always had the idea in mind that they should teach something more real life in high school, such as a personal finance class. Best wishes with your goals and I’m sure it was be a great journey along the way to achieving them.
Thanks. I taught personal finance, i high school for four years. Spanish will be a significant challenge because I do not like my pronunciation. Practice may cure that, however it is a work in progress.
Awesome article KC! Besides growing my blog, I want to write a book. Finally jotting out an outline, but need to do more. Thanks for kicking me in the butt. On another note, Como Esta? and watch your R’s! I highly recommend Mango Languages. I took their basic French. I’m far from fluent, but I have some basics down now. If you are working on vacation plans, I also recommend going to a Spanish speaking country. You will be forced to use what you know and you can benefit from hearing native Spanish speakers. You have the passion and energy of a 20 year old, keep inspiring!
Thank you, I went into teaching to influence young people and perhaps blogging as well. I taught in a school that was 98% Hispanic so there is no lack of opportunities. I just need to practice!
My wife and friends are leaning toward Rome, I want to add Paris and Amsterdam. We already have enough miles to go business or first class, our next step is where and when.
I think I genetically predisposed to live a busy, energetic and enthusiastic life. After all the alternative is not as much fun.
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