Goals (and no, this isn't about Russell Brand)

Mr. RK was sweet enough to go out and get me Japanese food. I've been a bit under the weather - you know how it is, when the one thing you want isn't in your house?

Mr. RK: "Well, hopefully you don't feel that way about me. I mean, I'd hate for you to be sick and only want Russell Brand."

(Someone has been reading too many of my blog comments...)

Anyhow, this post has nothing to do with my celebrity crush. It has to do with goals.

Many people have posted about goals for 2013, and Charles Gramlich wrote a really interesting post about how we have the psychological need to start afresh, and how that makes us hopeful in the new year.

I agree. I couldn't put that into words, so I'm glad he did.

On the flip side, I've seen so many "news" articles - or shall I say pop psych articles - saying we shouldn't set the bar too high, lest we let ourselves down, etc., etc.

To that I say: bullshit! Why not aim high? As Mr. RK told me when I was first learning to cook, and always had "Plan B" in case I burned down the kitchen, "Don't plan for failure!"

Two of my writer friends, including blog buddy GB Miller, had their novels accepted for publication in 2012, which I believe beat their expectations (following a lot of hard work, of course.)

A new year brings hope and renewal, and why not? Why shouldn't we think positively and try our best? Will we meet every far-reaching goal? Perhaps not. But why set the bar low? Would you feel better coming close to accomplishing - or flat-out accomplishing - something to make you proud, or something you could do in your sleep? (Please note: if you can juggle or work out new laws of physics in your sleep, ignore that last bit.)

I hope I don't sound too hunky-dory here because I have many moments of self-doubt even when I accomplish goals, or beat them. Like, I have a children's book that I wrote a few years ago and haven't submitted anywhere in forever. And another one I haven't finished writing. That is going to change this year. (I have already picked up the second one, by the way.)

Because I was reminded the other day of something that happened right after I graduated from college. It was a few months out and I had no prospects. My dad had basically come to my rescue and set me up in a new apartment, and taken me shopping for "work" clothes (even though I didn't have a job yet.) He and I were in a gift shop on a road trip back home from Disneyland. He found a clock depicting desk with a stack of newspapers on it and said, "How about I get this for you, and you can put it on your desk when you're a reporter?"

I mumbled something about that not happening anytime soon and I believe he gave me some kind of positive thinking lecture, and bought me the clock.

Less than six months later, it was on my desk at my first newspaper job. It has followed me to every job since. He encouraged me then, and he still encourages me now.

So here's to all of you reaching your goals this year. A little encouragement from someone else, as I've learned, never hurts.