Evolution
I can’t believe we are already at the end of February, and I haven’t posted my 2011 New Years Goals yet. Alas, this is the life of the graduate student. School comes first, and everything else is secondary. I mean, if you’re spending several gold doubloons for something, then you should immerse yourself in it, right? I’m pretty sure you can tell from my tweets and blog posts that I’m all up in the intellectual and academic world of Harvard and enjoying every bit of it. But enough about that.
2011 promises to be a year of evolution. At the very least, it will be the culminating point of three decades of evolution, along with the bright beginning of a new chapter in my life. It’s hard to imagine turning 30 in December. Some days I still feel like a kid and some days I feel like I just want to be out of school already to get some work done. The past 29 years have weaved a rich tapestry of experiences, and I’m kind of excited to be turning 30. So 2011 is really about the end of an evolutionary period in my life and the start of a whole new one.
As I was thinking about the goals I wanted to set this year, I thought about making a “bucket list” for the final year of my twenties, but that just didn’t seem appropriate. I feel like turning 30 is more subtle–more evolutionary–than that. I actually don’t agree that 30 is the new 20. I think we should let 30 be 30. 30 is the year that you automatically get street cred. You’ve been around the block for a little while. You’ve built up a reputation and 30 is dignified. So I’m going to ease into my 30’s, and keep doing what I’ve been doing to make the last year of my 20’s as classy, dignified, and fun as possible.
As I do every year during my reflection time, I started by re-examining my goals and values from last year and then brainstorming new goals that fit with my revised personal values. I did not change my personal values at all and have created 10 new goals for 2010.
Personal Values
- Challenging Adventures – I live for new and challenging experiences, whether that’s professionally or personally, with others or in another country. The thrill of adventure stimulates my soul.
- Contribution to the World – I live to make lasting, positive impacts on society’s most pressing problems.
- Expressing Creativity – Being able to express myself artistically, musically or professionally keeps me inspired.
- Lifelong Learning – I love to learn. I am energized by the steady and deliberate journey from ignorance to competence to mastery.
- Quality – I choose to live a full and quality life, which is neither excessive nor is it below my standards of excellence.
- Family & Friends – Above all, my life is about the people I choose to journey with. They are my heart.
New Years Goals 2011
- Do something physically challenging
- Do better at celebrating my friends and family
- Explore and get to know Boston and New England
- Continue improving my Tagalog comprehension and speaking skills
- Enter in a case competition and a business plan competition
- Take a risk with a personal relationship
- Go through the start-up phase of business plan for nonprofit
- Honor and celebrate the last year of my 20’s
Here’s to a constantly evolving and improving life, and to a fabulous culmination of my 20’s!
