Goal Setting - April 2010 through September 2010

Alright, I'm a little behind on this.  I should have put up this post in early April.

January through June Goal Progress

- Graduate

- Become a Pharmacy Technician

- Research Schools

- Lose Weight

- Graduate - I am on track with this.  On track and ready to graduate with my BA in Psychology with a minor in Chemistry.  And graduating with A's in both Psy Research and Genetics

- Become a Pharmacy Technician - This goal is in question. I finally got my pharm tech license, but it may have come too late to be of immediate use.  I did however at least get to work for the Census as a temporary stop gap, and applications are out there.  And listened to a talk from a Walgreens District Manager.  I haven't ignored this goal, but how it's going to turn out by June remains in question.

- Research Schools - I drove down to USC, asked all the schools about their policies on expirations on old completed requirements (I have yet to post about that actually), listened to a presentation by the Phi Delta Chi pledgeclass from UCSF, and took a closer look at GPA requirements and prerequisites.  I could have done more sure, but that can always be said.  I think I've done pretty good in this area.

- Lose Weight - I've somewhat done this. From the beginning of January until now, the total weight loss has only been a slight loss.  (I gained a couple pounds two of the past three weeks.) But I've still been maintaining a slow but steady weight loss.  As long as that continues, it is never horrible.  It would be better, but it's still loss. I've lived with my weight for years, and in the end the time it'll take to lose it all with be nothing compared to that.

Reevaluating Old Goals and Setting New Ones

- Graduate... with A's - I don't just want to graduate. I want to get A's in both my classes. That's something I should be able to do.  It's within my grasp.  I do have to work for it, but it's there.

- Become a Pharmacy Technician... or Just Get Work. - I have to downgrade this goal.  I had my schedule open to get full time work for this time period, but that's now coming to a close. With the semester that I'm planning to have for the Fall, if I can just get part time work that will fit in with my schedule, that will be enough for me.

- Research Schools... Both In and Outside of California - I'm doing decent with the schools inside of California, but by the end of six months, I better know something about the school outside of California.

- Lose Weight... and Reach 190 Pounds - I should be able to lose more than that, but maybe not. The weight loss is steady, but it is slow. I want to keep it up, and outdo it if possible, but at least keep it up.  It feels good to feel good about yourself.

- Study for the PCAT - New goal. I bought the book. I haven't be using it. It's time to change that. I don't need to take the test in the near future, but I will need to take it. It's time to get started with that. Something I really need to do during the Summer months before my 19 unit semester starts.

Goal Setting - January to June 2010

This lull is... just a tiny bit... driving me crazy.  I'm expecting my license to arrive at any time now.  (If I filled out something wrong and is delayed/rejected... would I get some kind of reply?)  When it comes to being self-motivated, momentum is a useful tool.

I think the easiest way to maintain momentum is to have have multiple goals, so if one starts to simmer a bit, another one can be focused on.  That's where I've failed at, at this current moment.  Over this Christmas holiday,  pretty much all of my sub-goals, have all be set to the side at the same time.

Well... this post is something that I wanted to do, but I didn't want to make it on January 1st.  To symbolically represent that it is not a New Year's resolution.  (January 1st isn't a special day when goals should be set and when people should evaluate themselves and look for ways to improve their lives.  No one day should be reserved for changing their lives.  When the time comes, when the thought strikes, that's when the idea should be embraced.)

I'll be listing down the goals I want to reach in the next six months.  And in three months, I'll list the goals that I want to reach in the six months after that point in time.  So once I get to the April post, I'll actually be revising the goals that I set through June, then adding on to those goals up to the end of August.  There will always be some overlap to review and revise, and then looking further ahead to the future.

The main goal is of course, to have a career in pharmacy.  But I'm setting goals within goals (and so on), because seeing that progression is helpful to maintain momentum in being self motivated, and thinking about these goals will help to keep me organized.

So, from January to June what are my goals?

-----

- Graduate 

The largest goal that will be taking up my time that I can foresee for the next six months is the need to graduate and finally move on from being an undergrad.  This will finally be my last semester at San Francisco State.  In fact, I have no choice.  I received this email last week:

Your hold has been removed for the spring 2010 semester.   The spring 2010 will be the last semester that you are permitted to attend San Francisco State University.  Please apply to graduate by the third Friday in February 2010.

- Become a Pharmacy Technician

I want to work.  I'm waiting for my license to arrive so I can apply.  I'm sure another wave of excitement will hit me once I finally reach that step.  It will be a massive learning experience (and of course provide lots more to write about. =P)

- Research Schools

A never ending goal.  Some more specific goals however, will be to attend the Info Session at USC on January 15th, and if there is no conflict in my calendar, go to the Western U Info Session on April 12th.  (If not April 12th, there's always July 26th.)

- Lose Weight

Managing my weight will always be a struggle.  At least that's how I've always known it.  But as of now, I want to reach 185 pounds by April 27th.  It will be a birthday present to myself.  Then from that point on, keep on maintaining a regular schedule in weighing myself so my weight never gets out of control ever again.  It's time to fully take control of my weight.

----

I think that's about it.  Four nice and solid goals to keep me busy for the next six months.  Next Goal Setting update on April 1st.