Goals

Evidence shows that goals which are written, and--better yet--shared, are more likely to be achieved than non-written goals.

As such, Matt and I felt excited to discuss and document some of our goals.

We tried to focus our goals in 4 areas: Personal, Professional, Financial, & Family. As an organizational strategy, we made short-term goals (one year), mid-term goals (six years, to coincide with the end of my residency training), and long-term goals.

We tried to keep our goals manageable and not write too many...our thought is, it's better to write a small number of goals and achieve them, then write more even-bigger goals, rather than pick too many right away and become discouraged.

Setting long-terms goals was a particular challenge to us, since we don't really know what we're doing with our lives...I don't know what kind of Urology I want to practice, or even whether I want to stay in academic medicine versus go into private practice...and Matt feels similarly about his law career. So, our long-term goals are sparse now, but we are looking forward to filling them in as our future becomes more clear.

GOALS (2010-2011)

One Year Goals

• PERSONAL:
• Jessica: Exercise at least twice per week throughout intern year
• Matt: Form new band
• Matt: Workout 2+ times per week
• Both: Take Mitchell to dog park at least twice/month
  
• FINANCIAL:
• Both: Save at least $XXX every month (aim for $XXXX)
  
• PROFESSIONAL:
• Jessica: Read educational material for at least 12 minutes per day, 5x/week
• Matt: Have a trial of my own
• Matt: Have my own client
  
• FAMILY:
• Jessica: Walk Mitchell or eat dinner with Matt at least 2x/week
• Matt: Devise and implement floral landscaping plan for our house
  
• Both: Learn to play tennis
  

Six Year Goals

• PERSONAL:
• Jessica: Run 2nd marathon during research year
• Matt: Record an album of original music in a recording studio
• Matt: Assemble a custom bass guitar
  
• FINANCIAL:
• Jessica: Finish residency with at least $XXk in savings
• Matt: Have at least $XXk in dedicated retirement savings
• Matt: Earn raises equal to at least $XXk above starting salary
• PROFESSIONAL:
• Jessica: Read and study strategically to pass the American Board of Urology licensing exam
• Jessica: Publish 5 articles during residency
• Matt: Be on the 'partner track'
  
• FAMILY:
• Both: Renovate/update kitchen and both bathrooms
• Both: Host get-together at our home at least once per month
• Both: Plan big vacation to celebrate the end of residency
  

Long-term Goals

• PERSONAL:
• Both: Have decent furniture and establish an appealing design aesthetic
  
• FINANCIAL:
• Jessica: be financially able to retire by age 55
• Matt: pay off student loans by age 36
  
• PROFESSIONAL:
• Jessica: become an attending physician
• FAMILY:
• Both: Budget for and find a professional housekeeper/cleaner
  
• Both: Acquire a papillon. Name it 'Shoelace'