Concentration

Today I got to play some chess with a mate of mine. When we first started playing together I could not beat him. Every time we would play he would out smart me. We both stopped playing as regularly, chess in those days were a good distraction from our lives. Recently we have both had the chance to rekindle our friendly competitive spirit.

No more do I loose every game. Recently my friend would have to admit that I have held the upper hand. Today in our opening game I even managed to capture him in 'Fool's Mate' a move where you are able to win the game in 4 moves if the other player doesn't notice. It was a trick that he had used on me many times in 'the old days' and so I was pleased that it came off.

As we played our games drew into extended battles. A number of times I found myself with the upper hand. I had taken a number of his pieces and was in the stronger position. Yet I failed to capitalise. I took my eye off the pieces, I failed to concentrate and I stopped looking ahead. Funnily enough I lost.

It has reinforced to me the importance, in both chess and life, of concentration. If we take our eye off the board we will get bitten. If we loose our focus on the road ahead we will end up in the ditch. When life is going easy it is not difficult to loose concentration. Why bother planning ahead when everything is going well? The same is true of when times are tough. We are so caught up in the next move we loose the bigger picture and find ourselves chasing our tail.

Its funny how chess and life are so similar.

101 Goals in 1001 days

So I have decided that I am going to take part in the 101 goals in 1001 days challenge. Now that I have decided that I am going to have to put some thought into what goals I want to achieve. I also need to plan some categories for my goals, to make sure that I get a fair cross section. Currently I am thinking of the following categories:

1) Personal(/Selfish)

2) Personal Development

3) Community Development

4) Faith/Mission/Spirituality

5) Outdoors/Hiking/Travel

6) Relationships

7) Fitness/Healthy Living

If you can think of any more categories, or have some suggestions for some goals then leave them in the comments section.

I think effective goal setting is a useful exercise for everyone, no matter your personality type. Obviously goal orientated people are more naturally inclined towards setting goals but they aren't the only ones who will benefit from them. Goals keep us accountable to what matters in our life and achieving things that are going to have lasting impact. I see plenty of people who are extremely busy, but yet achieve very little. They don't achieve much because their action is not directed and is blown here and there by other people's situations, needs and desires.

I came across a good question while researching for 101 goals in 1001 days. It was simply, "will this matter in five years time?" If it will matter, then it is worth investing time and energy into. If it won't matter, then don't worry about it and instead find something that will matter.

So who wants to join me on a 101 goals in 1001 days journey? If we start on the 4th of April then we will finish our journey on the 31st December 2011.

What I read today:

101 goals in 1001 days

Will all of this matter in five years time?