The Law School Transplant - If you don't find me helpful, hopefully you'll find me at least mildly entertaining.

For me, the end of the year is a good time to reflect on everything that has happened over the past twelve months. It’s not because I’m particularly nostalgic this time of year, but rather because I’m a goal-oriented person, and having a pre-determined (albeit arbitrary) start and end date for evaluating my progress seems convenient.

This year has been a busy and interesting one for me, and I look back on it with a sense of accomplishment, but also with a mind toward the goals that I want to achieve in the coming year.

A New Career

The other day I realized it’s officially been a year since I took a sojourn from practicing law. At the time, I didn’t know if it would be a temporary break or a permanent one. In all honesty, I still don’t know, but what I do know is that – at least for the time being – I’m perfectly content being a non-practicing lawyer.

My new endeavor working for a non-profit organization has been both challenging and rewarding. It has been stressful, no doubt, but in a different way than practicing law. I have been pushed out of my comfort zone more times than I care to count and have had the opportunity to work with people and develop skills I otherwise wouldn’t have if I were still a slave to the billable hour. Among them: delegation, financial and budget management, and public speaking, just to name a few. I try to remain mindful of the many areas in which I need to improve.

A Fit Year

I have written a lot about cycling this year. I’ve come to love it in a way that I previously didn’t comprehend, and now need it like I need water or sleep (and I do need lots of sleep).

Although modest by most standards, I’m proud of the progress I’ve made this year. I learned to love my stocky, muscly legs, funky tan line and all. I was ecstatic when I was finally able to hang with the guys, and even more so when I was able to drop some of them. I realized I could pedal for four straight hours and then some – something I never dreamed I’d be able to accomplish. To date this year, I have ridden:

• Over 1,200 miles since I got my new bike in April
• 1 half century
• 2 metric centuries, including the 3 State 3 Mountain Challenge
• Several 100+ mile weeks

I know that doesn’t seem like a lot to you hardcore riders, but for me it’s been a pretty darn good year.

I pledged to keep riding throughout the winter, and I have been out a time or two. However, I’m finding it harder to get motivated to go outside when the temperature is less than ideal, and instead retreat to spin studio at the gym. I try not to descend into a wretched spiral of self-loathing, and instead focus on the things that I am able to accomplish to maintain my fitness over the winter.

Getting Personal

Because this year has been full of newness and change, I’ve spent a lot of time really trying to get to know myself – my strengths, weaknesses, motivations, and goals. I’ve found this can be an uncomfortable process, full of less-than-fabulous revelations about myself. But, it’s also been empowering and enlightening as well.

I have tried to make a conscious effort to be a better girlfriend, daughter, sister and friend this year. I have endeavored to be less selfish, and to take into account the feelings and perspectives of other people before I speak or act. I’ve also tried to get more organized in all aspects of my life (with mixed success – my car and closet: good; my home office: not so good). And finally, I’ve tried to be more productive, putting my mind to work on creative and useful things, rather than blowing my time idly (the pull of the Internet is hard to resist, my friends). I know that I have a long way to go before I’m the person I would like to be with the habits I’d like to have, but I do take comfort in knowing that we are all works in progress.

Looking Ahead

Because I’m a goal-oriented person by nature, I feel the need to set benchmarks for myself at the beginning of the year (some people call them “resolutions”; I prefer “goals”). In order to make my goals – both personal and professional – meaningful I try to adhere to the SMART goal concept: Specific, Measureable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-based.

This year, I’ve decided to put some of my goals for 2011 in writing in order to hold myself accountable for making meaningful progress. Though I haven’t yet made each and every one of them “SMART” yet, I think this is a good start to what is sure to be a great year:

• Become spin instructor-certified. Even if I don’t end up teaching regularly, this is something I’ve wanted to pursue for a while. At the very least, it will help me craft better and more effective workouts for myself.
• Complete 6 public speaking events. Public speaking has always been one of my fears and weaknesses – complete with the flushed face, clammy hands, and halting brain. I will actively seek out opportunities to improve my public speaking skills.
• Finish a century. I did two metric centuries this year, and with the right training, I am confident I can do a full century in the coming year.
• Create more savings. I know I haven’t put a dollar amount on this yet, mostly because I don’t know what is realistic, but I do know that I need to start planning more effectively for both my future, in both the long- and short-term.
• Learn to say “no.” I tend to take on too much, and I know that I need to learn when and how to graciously decline taking on even more obligations. I also need to lighten my current load and find more balance in my life (though I have come a long way).
• Be more intentional with my words and actions. I often shoot my mouth off, or act impulsively, and later regret it. Though this is a fairly nebulous aspiration, I will seek to be more mindful and thoughtful.
• Learn to knit, and complete at least one project. I have wanted to learn to knit for some time, and my gracious friend Victoria has taught me the very basics. My goal is to really become comfortable with it in the coming year. More than anything, this is an exercise in patience for me.

I am sure that I will formulate more goals as the year progresses, and I know that I need to pay specific attention to setting some professional goals for myself. But, I think this is a good start, and hope that you all will hold me accountable for my progress in the coming months.

Now It’s Your Turn

So, now it’s your turn: What are your goals for 2011? Have you made them Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time-based?

Wishing all of you a safe, happy, and productive 2011!