I've Been Tagged - So, Let's Play

I've been tagged by Stephanie West Allen to take the following challenge: "Gotta Get Goals". 

In a new blog post, list and write about the top 5 to 10 goals that you gotta’ get so that you can truly say you have achieved your wildest dreams in life. These have to be your best, most exclusive, and over-the-top goals that you can pick off your goals list.

Interestingly, having goals is not a challenge for me.  I'm totally goal-oriented, so much so that I live my life as if my goals were already achieved and, miraculously, I achieve them.  The achievement ends up being surprisingly anti-climactic because I was enjoying getting there so much. Then I have to create new goals....all the time.

And for the record, this is not smugness, there is no secret.  I just have always lived by the mantras "Never regret" and "Make It Happen."  These are not quotes from books I've read so I can't direct you to some profound tome of wisdom. 

"Never Regret" - when I was in tenth grade I fell madly in love with the handsomest, most outstanding boy/man on the face of this earth (yes, I'm going back to my 16 year old giggly days).  I rearranged my whole schedule, learned German because that was the only class sophomores and juniors could take together.  Went from glasses and my old brother's shirts to hot pants and halter tops.  You name the transformation, I transformed.  It was a mission.  No, not stalking.  Just a mission.  Until one day I got him to ask me out.  Of course, I was such a dufus that when he asked me out instead of just saying 'yes' I had to have some witty retort to show how clever I was.  The moment passed.  He never asked me out, again.  'Never regret."  As a result of this lesson, if there is something I truly want I exhaust ever opportunity to get it.  If I've done everything imaginable to make it happen and it still doesn't happen, it wasn't meant to be.  Move on. Never regret.

"Make It Happen" - When I worked in sales for a planned unit development builder I was at the top of my sales game.  This was back in the days when sales people were treated lavishly to inspire and reinvigorate.  Trips to Hawaii, Puerto Rico, $20,000 bonuses just because.  But my favorite 'gift' was the prehistoric version of a Blackberry which included a calendar, calculator, address book, date book, etc.  And the motto etched on it was, "Make It Happen."  I was heartsick when I lost it, the raised lettering nearly rubbed off of this talisman.

So, there you have some insight into how I operate and why goals are a staple of my intellectual diet and in my emotional backpack wherever I travel.

Here are my long term goals that now have a short event horizon because they are approaching completion:

1.  A month long trip to Africa on safari with my husband and son for my 50th birthday (50?  Surprised you, huh?  And, yes, that picture is recent!)

2. Publication of "How To Hang A Shingle Right Out of Law School....Or Shortly Thereafter." (Trademarked)

3. To see the entire world before I leave it.  (Have made some serious headway over the years but a couple of continents and the Poles have eluded me.)

4. Foment a Revolution

5. Lead a materialistically simple life, no burdens, no stresses

6. Watch my grandchildren grow (no, I have a three year old so it's just my bid for longevity!)

That being said, it's time to tag and tag I will because I'm genuinely curious:

Carolyn Elefant, Chuck Newton, Dreams of a Solo, Inspired Solo, Liz Strauss

Goals are critical for solos versus dreams.  Goals have a definite timeline and a map to get there.  So, solos or solo-wannabes start marching towards your goals.