setting goals

Re: setting goals

Mike Schwing from Md.

>Geez, this could be a little personal for a bunch of folks. I'm hesitant, too, but I like the discussion and am willing to try to help get it started.

I don't think I can limit my goal setting conversation to woodworking, because they are all intertwined with one another.

Goal setting can be absolute or flexible, or both! An absolute goal could be one like perhaps..make a million dollars by age 30. But the method of doing so is flexible. A flexible goal would be to "be a little less selfish with my time". A truly absolute goal would be "win the Boston marathon".

Some people are goal setters, others are not. Both can find success. If you asked me 20 years ago to describe what I thought I'd be doing today at 39, what I would have said would in no way resemble what they actually are, now that I'm 39. To borrow a phrase from another club of mine, my life is now "beyond my wildest dreams", because in my wildest dreams NONE of my current life existed.

I wouldn't be happy if I set a goal for everything I did. My job, for example; its just where I go to make money to buy tools, take vacations, and afford the lifestyle I want when I'm not at my job. I have no work related goals other than that. But in other areas I have huge goals. Past goals have included "finish an Ironman triathlon" (3 times now), "compete at water ski nationals" (never made it), "win my age group in a triathlon" (not yet), "shoot a perfect round of skeet" (done it many times). "become a politician" (changed my mind). "start a woodturning club" (done). Last year my goal was to learn to ride my bike with roadies, as opposed to triathletes, and to not get dropped from the pack. It got me hooked on riding like that, and a new goal was to get on a bike racing team.

Thats another issue - multiple goals in multiple areas compete with each other. I can't train for an Ironman and race bicycles effectively at the same time - different disciplines. Training time is also time I can't spend woodworking. When I see the opportunity to excel at one goal at the expense of another, it is a difficult, conscious decision to choose, but it must be made. Trying to do both produces mediocrity.

I find goal setting to be hazardous, because I often get bored with a subject after I reach that goal. There's always another on the horizon, but it is usually in a totally different arena.

I don't really consider small things goals, just steps along the way. Example "learn to turn a bowl", thats a fine goal, but I never considered it one. It was just something I wanted to do. A recent one was "learn to use an airbrush" - not a goal for me just a necessary step to finish a recent project.

I have some very, very big goals for my woodturning addiction. You and I discuss them privately all of the time, and I'm not sure I'm willing to bear my soul for all to see. The current one, and I've got the CD burned and entry form, filled out right in front of me, is to have my brain/bug accepted into the Oz exhibit in KC this July. A lot of follow on goals are based on that, but I'm not going to divulge my biggie, and am going to hold onto it as if it is a "small treasure".

OK, I need a cup of coffee. I took a risk here, hope others will be encouraged to as well.

Re: setting goals

Barry Irby

>Back in High School I set some goals. Go to college, start my own business, marry and have kids, send them to college (kids, not wife). Both of my kids are about to graduate. Did better than my Dad, paid for the college and did not leave them with college loans to pay. Told this to a friend of mine and he blurted out "Well, you're finished!". That's the problem.

Failed miserably !

Fred in NC

>My goal a year ago was to retire last December, and it did not happen. Maybe this Summer . . .

Other goals, which mostly hinged on my retirement:

1. Going back to school. Based on my retirement plans, I signed up for a couple shop classes at the nearby college. It worked out, since these are evening classes.

2. Doing a lot more of what I like. This includes turning, and other shop activities.

3. Enjoying life a lot more !!!

Not a problem

MikeinCapeMay

>You went to college, that's finished. I assume that you're still married and still have the business and you're obviously still a parent...........you're far from finished, especially if you set some goals.

Re: setting goals

MikeinCapeMay

>I'll try and not bore you. Like some of the others I've achieved some goals but I'm also at a different place in life and have become a different person. Life evolves and hopefully individuals do as well.

I wanted to find someone special to spend my life with. I got lucky and that happened and continues to happen. We raised a son along the way. I wanted to be retired by age 50 and that happened. I wanted to move from Pittsburgh (actually a very nice small city) to a shore area and that happened, I live near Cape May NJ. I wanted to spend a lot of time fishing and much to my surprise, I spend only about 10% of the time that I thought that I would. But that's okay because as I said, people and their way of living and interests change.

I've worked with my hands and wood all of my life but, not for a living. Years ago I looked forward to retiring and working for myself, full time in woodworking and pictured it as having a shop and doing furniture and cabinet work. Well that happened, yes and no. I have a shop adjacent to my home and I'm in there every day but I spend 90% of my time on the lathe. I do a few shows and I'm in a few shops. So, I realized my dream but way back in the day, I didn't realize that it would be wood turning.

My dream now is to continue turning and get better at it, continue to do shows and sell in some shops and make a few bucks, enough to continue to fund this passion.

While I hope to improve my skills, if I do I never want to be referred to as an artist.....woodturner suits me just fine.

Thanks for listening.

Mike

Things changed *LINK*

Roger Smith

>Goal setting wasn't as important after hearing the doctor say I had congesive heart failure 5 years ago.

I have only two goals now. I want to be able to say "it was a good day" as I lay down to sleep. I want to be able to say "it is a good day to live or die" the following morning.

I have a lot of options open to me each day that I do not have to work. I can watch my 14 year old grandson develop (and help him acheive) his skills that will allow him to play with the Braves one day. I can make sawdust if I want and that is good. The day is good if I can make an 80MPH WOT prop only run across the lake to a fishing hole. It is still OK if I sit on the hole all day and never feel the first bite (I still have the WOT run back to the launching ramp). They are good days that I spend catching up on a never-ending list of "honey do's".

Please do not take this as a critical reply to your post. It is not. There were times in my life that goals were important. Most people will not succeed without goals. I just feel that I have acheive all of the important goals in my life. All that is left is to enjoy life. Maybe that is my goal.


My Site

In my house, we call it a Life List...

steve antonucci

>Started as a 'game' with the 10 things to do or see before you die.

Nice thing about it is that it has morphed to any number we want, and things get replaced when others come off (by getting "done").

Here's a small sample:

1.) See a redwood forest (Yosemite, Muir, Sequoia NP).

2.) See the Grand Canyon. Took a helicopter trip from Las Vegas in September, taking another in a week. (Updated: Hike down to Phantom Ranch- sleep in the canyon)

3.) Hike to the top of Half Dome (I like to walk...)

4.) Dunk a basketball- in a game. Had a chance in a pickup game, pulled back my hand because the ball was on the cylinder and I didn't want to be called for basket interference. 20 guys calling me names for the rest of the day... Too old, slow, and fat to get near the hoop these days. (off my list)

5.) Ride across the USA on my bicycle- can't see doing this anymore

6.) Make my first million before I was 40 (done- over 16 years of working) (Updated: have a net worth of million by 40- ha ha ha! Married with two kids, that even made me laugh!)

7.) Feel like I was 20 again. When I was 20, I raced bicycles (resting pulse 42), and had nothing but time (no money)- This is one I will do.

and the list goes on...

Schwing hit it on the head when he talked about priorities. Could I be a better turner? Sure, at the expense of being a worse Daddy. Not worth it.

Steve

Goals and what to do with them.

Bob Hackett

>Mike has pretty well covered the driven aspect of of the topic.I`d like to touch upon afew things which I feel strongly about.

I think it`s very important to not become so married to your goals(either short or long term)that you lose sight of yourself while you`re chasing them.There are paths and opportunities you will inevitably miss if you have those blinders on.

It can also be devastating to not be able to reach those goals if they become your sole focus.How will you deal with recovery from an injury that leaves you permanently disabled,for example.

While many people in our society today are VERY goal oriented and plan every step of the way,there are those of us who are on the fringes of what Mike might think of as the flexible goal group.We see life in different terms.

The important thing is not so much achieving goals as constantly moving toward an idea and exploring the options and crossroads along the way.It`s not so much about arriving at the place you want to be as it is about thinking about what you learned during the trip and how you can apply what you`ve learned to improve both your life and the lives of those around you.

For me one of the most wonderous feelings is to realize that I`m doing something I`m good at and enjoy and have absolutely no idea how I got there.Sometimes it`s just overhelmingly fine to feel the it flow through you and just be content to be a small piece in the big plan.

I think more in terms of creating and recognizing opportunities than of setting and attaining goals.

Mainely,Bob

Re: setting goals

Mark Kauder, Phenix City, AL

>Setting Goals: Some Pointers -

In my prior life, I was in the Army and was a hobby shooter. I wanted to be on the Army shooting team. It took ten years, but I did that. Once on the Army Team I wanted to make the National Team. Once on the national team, I wanted to make the Olympic team - missed there. You have to be in the top two in an Olympic year, and I was number seven. When you get to the national or international level of competition, everyone's technical skill levels are about equal. The difference is Mental. Goal setting is huge part of the mental preparation.

Number One of Goal Setting is: It must be realistic. If it is not realistic in your mind, even you know it, it is just a wish, and the possibility of you accomplishing that goal is greatly deminished. Than does not mean you cannot eventually get there, but you must set intermediate goals that will get you to where the ultimate goal is realistic and achievable.

Number Two: Never, Ever share your goal with someone who does not believe in your goal and can help. The reason - if they down play your ability to achieve that goal to you, it deminishes your conviction in your mind. Now posting your goal here normally would not be a problem, because you probalby will not get a negative response from anyone.

Number Three: Never ever achieve a goal without having set another to work toward. I have a friend that won the Silver metal in Smallbore Rifle shooting in the 1968 Olympics. He spent 4 years appologizing for being the second best in the world!! But in 1972 he won the Gold. He says it was the worst day in his life. He had spent his entire life from early teens until he was 30 working toward his goal - he got there and did not have a clue what he was going to do with his life. Once he recovered he became a teacher/public speaker on Mental Management/Goal Setting.

OK, I could blather on all day about Mental Management but that is not why you are looking at a Woodturning Forum.

My goals in Woodturning:

1) Always enjoy the work I am doing - soon as it becomes a job, I am out of here.

2) Develop a recognizable style.

3) Make enough off my woodturning to pay for my woodturning.

4) Continue to learn about different aspects of Woodturning - even if I will never actively use that knowledge. You are either Green and Growing, or you are dying.

Thanks for letting me drone on.

Mark

Re: setting goals

Greg Mitchell

>Kieth every year I set one major goal to improve my turning. I will have fun turning and do different prodjects, but during that year I will focus on somthing major to improve on.last year it was turning skills , this year it is design.

thanks, GREG.

Re: setting goals

Ron in Drums PA

>I have many goals, some short term and easy attainable. Some long term that change and mature over time.

I have goals for my life

I have goals for my family

I have goals for my business

and

I have goals for my hobby - working with wood

Goals for my hobby are.

Short Term: Try something different as often as possible. I like to experiment.

Long Term: I'd like to be recognized one day for my work.

Hmmm...

Barbara Gill, Remlik VA

>Enjoy the experience of turning whenever I can. Be happy with doing my best but try to improve with each turning experience. Take advantage of as many opportunities to grow as a turner as I can.

Re: setting goals

Raymond Overman in SC

>About a year ago I made a decision to remove one of my hobbies because I found that it was detracting from my woodturning. At the time I was interested in electronic music. The kind that makes older folks say, "Boy, what's that junk your listening too." I had quite a bit of equipment which I sold and invested in my woodturning. Since that time, I've learned a lot and have really been able to concentrate on something I feel I can eventually excel in. The music, though enjoyable, was becoming stagnant for me since I didn't have a support group/friends in the area that had the same interest.

My general goals are to continue my woodturning and improve my techniques, produce more artistic pieces and less utilitarian, enjoy my woodturning as a hobby and artistic outlet rather than a job (which I already have enough of), to be recognized in my community as an artist, and produce enough revenue to support my woodturning habit.

I'm actively maintaining some of those goals, some are on going, and still others will come in time. I hope to have enough time to reach them all.

A by product of my focus on woodturning instead of the music is the ability to share a common interest with my father. We do a show in May together and essentially get to spend the whole weekend with each other. Those days are some of the most enjoyable I have all year because we are able to sit down and do something together without thinking about both of our busy schedules. We're not rushed because something else is going on. We just sit and talk and sell a few of our pieces. It's like tomorrow actually gets here.

Re: setting goals

pete (Stafford, VA)

>My three kids are 7, 4, and 10 months. One of my goals is to spend as much time as I possible can with them before I become dumb old dad when they hit those magic teen age years.

As far as my hobby related goals, I need to first concentrate on improving my sharpening skills. Then I'd like to shift my focus from pens and ornaments to bowls for a while. I'm also going to try and start attending more of the CAW (Capital Area Woodturnings) meetings, instead of just talking about it!!

Pete

Re: setting goals

Mike Schwing from Md.

>"A by product of my focus on woodturning instead of the music is the ability to share a common interest with my father. We do a show in May together and essentially get to spend the whole weekend with each other. Those days are some of the most enjoyable I have all year because we are able to sit down and do something together without thinking about both of our busy schedules. We're not rushed because something else is going on. We just sit and talk and sell a few of our pieces. It's like tomorrow actually gets here. "

Raymond, you are one of the luckiest men I know. Those days are the ones worth living for.

Re: setting goals

Raymond Overman in SC

>Those aren't the only days worth living. My wife and daughter that occupy my time outside of all the work I do is time well spent too. I just figured I'd keep the goals and comments focused on woodturning. In that vein, another goal is to involve my daughter (and hopefully another child one day) in my woodturning as well. It would be great if she shared the interest with me.

Re: setting goals

Wally Dickerman at Green Valley, Az.

>I've never been really strong on setting goals, but there have been a few.

I really wanted to make the starting lineup on my high school football team. I did that. (130 lb. running back)

During WWII I went through some tough action (2 Purple Hearts) and my goal was to suvive and make it home to my wife and daughter. I saw my daughter when she was 5 months old, before I went overseas. She was 2 1/2 years old when I got home, but I made it.

I got quite involved in golf and really wanted to win my club championship. I guess that my desire wasn't strong enough, because I never made it. In recent years I wanted to shoot my age or better. I did that several times. Now, after a surgery on my left hand, I don't play any more. Even though I live next to a golf course, I don't really miss it. I tell myself that 50 years of golf was enough.

Back in the eighties I really wanted to be a well known turner. I did a lot of demontrating. Got invited to Provo and AAW symposiums. Became friends with some big name turners, but then I backed off. I've twice turned down more recent invitations to demonstrate at Provo and AAW.

My wife and I were into boating for several years. We had a goal live on our boat and spend our time on the water. To the amazement of friends and family, after retirement we sold our home and moved aboard our boat. A 45 foot power cruiser. For several years we spent our summers cruising the inside passage to Alaska. Finally sold the boat and moved to Arizona.

My father wanted to live to be 100. He made it to 98. My goal right now is to make it 100 plus. I'm 84, so I have a few years to go.

Wally

Sharpening skills

Bob Hackett

>If I could make a suggestion aimed at improving your sharpening skills.Look to someone who can explain more of the "why" rather than how to sharpen.

One of the milestones of sharpening for me was when I finally understood why and how a tool works.It allowed me to stop producing a tool that was just exactly like what I was shown and start producing and consistently sharpening a tool that would fit ME and allow me to turn the way I want to turn.

I`ve lost track of the times I`ve asked someone why they sharpen a tool the way they do and the only answer they could come up with was "That`s the way(fill in the blank)showed me to do it".

Do you want to turn just like ------,or do you want to do the things you`ve envisioned at the lathe?If you want to do the latter then understanding how and why a tool cuts the way it does is the key to opening that door,getting maximum use out of all the tools in your rack(and making that rack smaller),and spending less of that quality time at the grinder instead of the lathe.

Mainely,Bob

Thanks

MikeinCapeMay

>For your service in WW II !

Re: setting goals

MikeinCapeMay

>After those magic teen years, you become smart Dad again.........trust me.

Re: setting goals

Steve Mushinski

>I would say to also met the �Big Time Turner� goal. I know I for one do many things to my work because Wally does it that way. I believe in not reinventing the wheel every time I try and do something. Your talent and ability is highly recognized and respected among us turning want a bees. Hats of to you and I look forward to see you demo on your 101th.

Re: setting goals

Arch

>Keith, for me it has always been the journey not the destination. Achieved goals can be disappointments, temptations to seek no further or just plain meaningless due to a changing world or my view of it.

To get down to day to day reality; at various times in a long life, among many other goals I have set out to become expert at timber cruising, carburators, plug casting, amateur radio and analog computers. I think I did pretty well, but when I got there I found lasers, fuel injection, fly casting, internet communication and digital computers.

Disappointed? Regrets? Sense of failure or futility? No! Not at all. I thoroughly enjoyed planning and making the trips. Same thing with my turning life, but I do try to remember that there is a larger life outside it. I don't want to ride a hobby or drive a trade, but there are many satisfactions in the goals of expanding my turning.

The help and camraderie of turners like you and so many others here, adds much to the journey.Thanks. I hope these comments are pertinent. :)

Turn to Safety, Arch

Re: setting goals

Wally Dickerman at Green Valley, Az.

>Thanks Steve. A great compliment!

Wally

Re: setting goals

pete (Stafford, VA)

>Thanks Mike - that is encouraging to hear!!