So my last post had a few things I wanted to achieve over the foreseeable future. It's just over one month since that post, not even a full month into the new year, and I have already achieved much more than I had thought!
- A better balance between personal and work life - Last year, while finishing up one project, I was doing regular 12-15 hour days because the work needed to get done and I wanted to make sure it got done so I did it myself instead of delegating some tasks to others. So far this year, while working on a new project, I have already begun to get into the normal 8 hour day. The thing will be holding to this once I get that momentum going.
- Be a better motivator and coach rather than a boss - Already this year I am working with a number of individuals to bring some best practices to my department. This last week we rolled out some new formats of documentation for the company to follow, and after my current project ends I am hoping to begin working with the team on individual improvements, provide them resources to take their careers to the next level, and bring out some better habits around the organization. (Can you tell I am a manager?)
- Speak more - Like I said before, I was accepted to speak at DevTeach. I am presenting at the Winnipeg Code Camp. I have submitted several abstracts to the first Prairie Developers Conference. All in all, looking up in this regard... but lots of preparation work! However this is definitely making me more knowledgeable in the areas I have chosen to speak on so it only helps me grow in this regard.
- Become more proficient in new technologies - I am working on this piece by piece. There is a lot out there to choose from and that makes it difficult. I have always been interested in UI and UX so a lot of my focus is going there. Not necessarily the backend technologies, but the experience the user needs. This is where a lot of my focus is.
- Read more “inspirational” books - Since that last post, I have read a few on both leadership and company profiles. I love reading the books on individuals who build up a successful company and/or brand. My reviews of a few will probably be up in the next little bit, so definitely keep your eyes tuned.
So, those were my 5 goals. I am already working on them. Unlike previous years where I did nothing, because I set myself some unreachable goals due to my circumstances, I think these ones are reasonable. And, once I begin to move forward with them and bring them on as a standard way of me doing things, I will add more. This is not going to be a "make a list once a year" type of thing; this will be something that will grow over time, be expanded upon, and as items are completed removed from the list to be replaced with new ones.
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