For the past 15 or 20 years I like to put my goals and objectives down in “ink.” I wish I had the inclination to find them all in the way back machine (maybe that could be a job for this year). Notwithstanding, every year, I like to think about an overarching theme that I then apply to specific parts of my life. Last year was trying to tame procrastination. I think I did an okay job with it, not great, but just okay. However, the fact that I didn’t go insane is a win.

This year’s theme is going to be something I use from time to time, and that is get back to basics. I know it will sound boring, but I want to hit a ton of singles and doubles this year, which will compound through 2026 and the rest of the decade. As I break down my life into various parts, I will keep the theme in mind. After the constant cluster fuck that I experienced last year, I want to get back to consistently getting a bit better every month.

I like to categorize certain parts of my life, so that I can create specific and actionable goals that are measurable at the end of the year. It doesn’t have to be quantifiable in terms of dollars and cents, but rather, do I have a feeling of success or failure?

  1. Personal Life & Family
  2. Personal Finances
  3. Professional Law
  4. Investments
  5. Real Estate

Family & Personal Life

Everything I do for the rest of this post is done for the betterment of my family. If my only goal was to make more money, it would be at the cost of time with the family, and right now, I am just not interested in that trde off

Family

My first two goals have been on the list for quite some time, and I think they continue to be important.

  1. Continue to work with both kids on their homework. After years of being actively involved, I know this helps them academically, but I believe there is more than just that. It provides us with a set time to work through problems together.
  2. Plan a trip for my wife and I without the kids. For the past few years The Wife and I were able to get away for a quick get away without
  3. Organize something once a week within the house. I think this would compound over the full year. Even if it is a meaningless drawer or half a closet, just something to make the house a little bit neater and more efficient over time. Last year I put this one under health – but I am moving it to Family because I think it may actually help around the house more than my mindset.

Health

  1. Keep up with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu – I have been going to BJJ since about halfway through the year. My goal is to keep it up this year – aiming for at least 2 classes per week, with maybe 3 if possible.
  2. Figure out a Mobility Plan – Today, I was building a vanity for my daughter, and sitting on the floor was hurting way more than it should. Not working out, that’s fine, but just sitting on the freaking floor. I am thinking 2 to 3 times a week with an actual mobility/stretching/yoga program.

I have written down “get more sleep” for as long as I can remember, and have yet to do it, so I am not going to put it down but I am hoping it comes naturally out of the first two things.

Personal Finances

I consider the basics of personal finances a little different then investing (which I go over below).

  1. Review and audit all regular monthly payments – I used to be so much better at being efficient, but with more income this became less important. I am thinking I need a better handle (and I’ll share here) on all those debits that are occurring regularly out of my checking account.
  2. Redo my life insurance. The Wife and I should have more insurance along with starting to build a long term care pot as we get a bit older.

Professional Life

  1. Read More – I had this same goal last year, and I failed miserably. This year, I want to calendar time to simply read and share with my firm new information.
  2. Get my Certifications in Order – I found out one of my licenses lapsed. I have to take care of that ASAP. In addition, I’d like to start studying for another license or two. They aren’t needed for my in house position, but why not!
  3. Increase my Fees – I need to up the minimum I am willing to accept in terms of a retainer. I am way too busy not to. The problem I have is that they are all referrals so turning them away is always a problem.
  4. Create a better system for actually working on outside cases.

Investments

Retirement Accounts

  1. I want to increase my 401(k) Contributions. I have bitched and moaned about my 401(k), but the ease of the contributions, along with the deductibility, it is just simply necessary to lower my tax burden.

Non-Retirement Accounts

Naked Put / Dividend Growth Account

  1. For 2026 I want to create a new split on the naked put income. This should include purchases instead of just debt repayment. I am thinking something along the lines of 70% towards debt, 10% to cash equivalent ETF, 10% to dividend etf and 10% for an actual position purchase. I will explore it later this week so I can implement by January 5.
  2. Figure out my Gold situation! I need to get money back from Acre (this debacle of a company deserves it own post – but if you are thinking about getting involved with them, don’t.) Notwithstanding, I want to continue to build my gold asset class.

Real Estate

  1. At some point in 2026, I will have enough cash reserves that I feel comfortable allocating excess. My goal is to come up with a system when this happens. I am thinking paying down the debt, and non regular distributions to myself and my partners. Either way, this will only happen once I have enough reserves that I can comfortably handle most emergencies for the property.

Conclusion

I am really excited to get out of 2025 and into 2026. I am looking forward to just being consistently better than the month before, but you know the old saying, “Man Plans, God Laughs.”

Goals and Objectives

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