Goals for 2011

It’s that time of year again. I’ve put together some goals to help me focus on achieving them this year.

A look at the 2010 list

These are the goals I set myself last year.

1. Bungee jump Success: Jumped off the Goldeneye Dam in May (watch the video)

2. Be a yes man Kinda: Think this just ended up in more trips to the pub. Maybe not such a good resolution.

3. Learn something new Fail: Did some martial arts classes but didn’t keep at it. And my guitar just gathered more dust.

4. Attend an international conference Success: Had the pleasure of attending SXSW in Austin, Texas.

5. Redesign this site Success: Simplified it and it’s been a work in progress ever since.

6. Launch/design an iPhone app Success: Designed and launched the Lookaly iPhone app (Ecliptic Labs did the hardcore development)

7. Review at least 1 book per month Fail: Stopped reviewing books after a while, although I did listen to quite a lot of audio books.

8. Work with some really cool clients Success: Of course I did.

Goals for 2011

I’m going to try and keep it simple and stick to some basic goals that are achievable. Most of them are sharpening things up. I spent too much time on the Xbox in 2010 and let a few things slip.

1. Read more books I listen to audio books while at the gym but have too many unfinished or unopened books. Need to get back in the habit of reading. Would love to say I’ll read 12 books but I think 6 is more realistic.

2. Talk at more events I shied away from a couple of barcamp/bizcamp talks this year mainly due to not being prepared. Would like to get better and more confident at public speaking so no excuses this year.

3. Develop an iPhone app I want to have a stab at this, at least so I understand how Xcode and Interface Builder works. If I’m able to develop something that gets into the App Store then I’ll count that as a success. I opened Xcode over Christmas so that’s a start ;-)

4. More side projects Didn’t do too many of these in 2010. They’re a great way to keep up the learning and to keep ‘shipping’ stuff. I’m thinking 3 side projects in 2011, or maybe a tidy up of some of the ones I have out there.

5. Blog more I don’t blog as much as I used to, mainly due to lack of time. Blog posts start off as 30minute tasks but end up taking hours. Will try for shorter manageable/consistent blog posts.

Nothing too adventurous or extreme in there this year. I’ve got a wedding in 2012 to plan for so that will take up some time (and money :-?).

Work wise I’ve been doing a lot of work with Sharethrough over the past year, who are really kicking ass in the field of social video advertising, and two other projects/businesses I’m heavily involved with Lookaly and Referalot, all which will continue into the year ahead.

Conferences I’m definitely attending this year are #naconf, #sxsw, #buildconf and a few more I’m sure.

Any other suggestions?

Am willing to take on other goals to accomplish in 2011 if you have any suggestions. Serious and/or random welcome.