When I sat down to contemplate what goals I'd set for the 2009 calendar year, I realised that I'd been going with the goal setting thing for two years now. I've read that when you are setting goals, well balanced goals equal a well balanced life. Where as in previous years I've spread my focus across a few web projects, this year I'm going to set some 'life' goals as well. By the same token I'm going to try and keep things a lot simpler!

Goal Number One: Develop Swollen Pickles into a website that can generate $350US per month.

I'm keeping this goal on the list, as it's one I did not manage to achieve last year, but one that I think is within reach. I have to say, that after 2007, I had high hopes for SwollenPickles.com. In many respects though, 2008 turned out to be a disappointment. While I got close to averaging 30,000 a month, SwollenPickles.com did not generate nearly as much revenue as I would have hoped, or expected, given the traffic numbers.

Goal Number Two: Develop Swollen Pickles into a website that receives 35,000 unique visits per month.

I'm increasing the target by an additional 5,000. To achieve goal number one that'd mean the site would have an eCPM of $10, which is perhaps a little optimistic, but I like to aim high.

Goal Number Three: Exercise a minimum of three times per week (30 plus minutes per session).

While I generally walk most places on a daily basis, I wouldn't describe it as strenuous exercise. In order to achieve goal number four, I'm going to have to step it up. With my other commitments, three sessions a week is achievable, if I can maintain the motivation.

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Goal Number Four: Achieve a Body Mass Index (BMI) within the "Normal" range (from 18.5 to 25).

Rather than just focus on weight this year, I'm going to focus on my BMI. As an indication though, and although I have accurately measured myself, I've just roughly calculated my current BMI as being 29.

Goal Number Five: Reduce my waist measurement to below 94cm.

Based on what I've read, there seems to be some disagreement as to what is more important in terms of good health, BMI or waist measurement. Just to cover both bases, I'm going to set my goal waste measurement to be below 94cm. I have no idea what my current measurement is, so I'm going to need to buy a tape measure.

If you're interested, here's some information from Taste.com.au:

The risk of health problems is increased if the waist measurement (taken at the belly button) is more than 94cm for men and 80cm for women, and substantially increased if it's more than 102cm for men and 88cm for women.

So there are my goals for 2009.