I’m a big believer in setting goals. Without them, continuous improvement and positive change – while possible – is less likely. Goals need to be realistic and attainable. One problem most of us have is in the process of making “realistic” goals we set them too low. If we truly are determined and motivated most goals can be easily achieved. It takes massive action to achieve a true goal, which requires massive effort.
So – for 2018 I am sharing a few of my goals:
Preparedness:
I feel pretty good at where I’m at and do not plan anything major in my preparedness efforts. There are a few specific tasks that I need to do. Here we go:
- BUG OUT BAGS – I have my own Get Home Bag but need to build three separate BOB’s. This would be for family members, friends – whomever. My view is a GHB and a BOB are two very different things.
- FOOD STORAGE – I want to add at least 100 pounds of rice in buckets as well as more beans, salt and sugar. An additional supply of canned foods will be put back. Specific numbers have not been factored but several cases each of corn, potatoes, baked beans, fruits, and soap.
- DEFENSE – Sitting well overall in this area as well. I want to add a new S&W M&P9 2.0 to the mix and possibly another 9mm pistol. I like the Taurus PT-92. Super reliable and inexpensive. Really the M&P is the only firearm I want to be added to the battery. Ammunition and additional magazines would round everything out. My round count of 45ACP is too low. Would like a couple thousand rounds by year end.
- EMP – I need to finish my EMP kit which I have started in a galvanized trash can.
May not seem like much but as stated I feel pretty good where my preps are.
Financial:
- Debt reduction is the main goal with increasing savings the second. Had a few things happen in 2017 that caused my savings to drain. Need to get it back right while reducing debt.
- To go along with the above tightening the reins on spending is necessary. Reducing needless spending based on convenience must go.
These are my most difficult measurable goals to achieve.
Personal:
- While this may sound selfish my goal on 2018 is to focus on ME and MY HAPPINESS. That should trickle down from there.
- Health and fitness are paramount. I need to drop 20 pounds and increase my cardio. In process now.
- Experience more adventure. Weekend trips and doing things that get the adrenaline going are examples.
This is my most important area I am focussed on for 2018.
Nothing is written in stone and life has a way of throwing curveballs. Adaptation is always at the ready.
Anyone care to share theirs?
Well sir since you asked! Here are mine
1. Food…this is a big one…have 3 months for 14 people(i.e. sons, spouses, grandchildren etc) want to get it to 6 months
2. Health and fitness..yup this is a big one for me…I need to drop 40 pounds and also work on my cardio…pushing 60 so really need work on staying fit
3. Stay disciplined in my spending this year…I tend to be a bit of an impulse buyer so I need to stay focused on only buying what I really need. I can make my retirement fund goal this year if I stay focused.
4. Get right with God…I need to hit my knees more in 2018
5. Bought a 40 acre property and need to get out and enjoy it more…doing some deer and turkey hunting this year come hell or highwater
Awesome. Perfect timing. I apologize, but I don’t have a list. Seeing your lists on here tells me I need to get one created to help me stay focused. Not just a pretty goals list that I’ve had for decoration/inspiration in the past. A real one that I mark off as I work on them daily.
In fact today, I pulled everything out of the prep closet that is technology. I will go through and slowly put stuff together, get it working, or get rid of it. I will keep only a few parts this time. Like 2 or 3 components extra. Otherwise, it’s going in the trash and if I need a similar part in the future and don’t have it. Well, I will just have to go buy it or decide to go without. It’s been several years since I purged my inventory. That last time I threw away, (sadly) 60 Cisco switches, several high end servers, lot’s of desktops, and tons of odd crap. That’s tough for a techie, much less a prepper.
Next is a complete re-organization of preps and proper labeling so everything is in place. Not just stacked neatly, in the same area, with like products, as they sit now.
I agree and commend those that are working on physical fitness to the best of their limitations. If you don’t use it, you will, lose it. I ‘m going to the gym today to get a replacement ID card so I can go to the gym tomorrow morning. Speaking of which, I wonder of PTSD ever…goes away, meh.
Without explanations or order of importance…..
debt reduction
food storage
water storage
weight lose
improve health
land purchase
ammo purchase
range time
ham license
preps inventory
have some fun
build GHBs and BOBs
I’m doing about the same ..
I’ll add that Solar, another barn and some additional livestock. ( cows and goats I think .. (fencing UGH!)
I want to do two 4 inch wells rather than the originally planned 8 inch (two 4’s being way cheaper and on two locations.. . rather than lots of pipes and pumping.
Upgrade hot house..
Adding Chicory to crops this year.. and play with that.. and MAYBE bamboo barrier stock plants.. to start anyway.. may take a year or two to mature.
upgrade birds .. and add some new ones in spring..
cold vs warm weather dictates the activity maybe ..
I may get a tractor for the “farm” deductible .. we’ll see .. If so it’ll have a front loader and a backhoe … and a drill ..
GG58
Reason Number 1 to homeschool:
The Children’s Story by Clavell
This 1961 short story was broadcast “…without commercial interruption…” in 1982 on televisionprogramming.
It’s available to watch on the Internet.
A caveat… during the introduction, the actor clearly calls it ‘programming’.
Our only goal now and forever is closing government schools.
What do you hold most precious? Let’s say you cherish your AR-15. Would you put your rifle on a government bus each morning, wave goodbye to it, expecting the government agents to give it back in better condition in a few hours?
Without children, the rest of it is worth nothing.
Boy oh boy….I like that Taurus. Have to add that to the wish list.
Goals??
Food Storage goals are the same as yours JR.
Defense: Add one Taurus and plenty of 9mm ammo.
Finances: Reduce the extraneous spending. Gotta get control of that.
I have one “can” already made up for EMP. I have another I’m working.
Health: Now that’s a problem. At 71 years old I feel that in the last 6 months things have started to stop working, falling off, and the old memory gets worse by the day. Not to mention my hearing, which really makes conversations around here interesting. For instance. The wife told me to go pick up some throat spray. I thought she told me roach spray. Gotta start wearing the hearing aids.
I have to get organized. We’ve added 2 extra people to our preps this year. One is elderly, and one is lame, so their needs are going to be a little different. Dealing with a half-empty nest, I’ve been able to add to our stores more than in past years, but everything is just scattered. A friend has offered to store our nonessential junk, so it’s just a matter of hauling things over there and then organizing the essentials in the newly-emptied space. The daughter’s old bedroom is going to become my new pantry!