I know I'm a little late to the game (one month actually), but since Justice tagged me here are some of the things I've got planned for the next 6 months.
Keep Current
In order to keep my career focused and moving forward, I need to stay current with technologies that are important to me and stay up to date with what is new. The challenge of this goal is to filter out the noise as much a possible. In order to achieve this goal, I’ll keep refining the blogs that I read to help filter out the noise. When new technologies come out that don’t currently affect me – but will in the future (ie. VS 2008), I need to seek out those blog entries that detail what’s new.
Goal: Read blogs at least 5 days a week
Tools
Utilities are huge time savers! I need to stay up to date and keep re-evaluating the utilities I use and watching out for new versions. I also need to take a look at Scott Hanselman’s list again (it has been a while) and keep watching the blogs for any other good utilities that I could use.
Goal: Find at least 1 new utility a month and learn how to use it
PowerShell
Straight out of The Pragmatic Programmer - #61 “Don’t Use Manual Procedures”. Currently I automate tasks using mostly cmd files, but I want to start moving to PowerShell in order to utilize .Net libraries in my scripts. I need to be more disciplined in automating things that I constantly find myself doing. In order to make this goal a reality, I will start keeping a list of scripts to write and when I have some time I’ll really start digging into PowerShell.
Goal: Create a list of at least 10 scripts I want to write and write them in PowerShell in the next 6 months.
Side Projects
I have a small list of side projects that I have started and really need to finish. These projects range from Reflector add-ins to rebuilding my web site in ASP 2.0. to finishing my disassembler (Debris). I should also organize my side project ideas better, maybe start keeping a list on my website of ideas I have.
Goal: Finish at least 2 side projects in next 6 months
Speaking
I believe if you want to go anywhere in any career, the ability to clearly communicate your ideas is very important. With my communication skills sometimes lacking, I think committing to some talks will help push me to improve.
Goal: Give 2 talks in the next 6 months at user groups or code camps.
Writing
Following the speaking goal, written communication is also very important. Writing is skill that I know needs improved. In order to improve, I need to write more. Dumping a list of links in my blog doesn’t count as writing.
Goal: Create 4 original content blog entries a month for the next 6 months
Classes
One of my personal goals is to get a master degree in Software Engineering. In order to achieve that goal, I need to sign up for some classes.
Goal: Take 2 classes at Seattle University this fall quarter
Schedule Down time
This is going to be the easiest goal. Regular time off and adventure is necessary if I am going to stay motivated (and creative - something that needs help right now). The real challenge is making myself do it. This goal is about downtime with no computer and downtime to think and reflect – both are equally important to keep my batteries charged.
Goal: Take a week off to ‘think and motivate’, take at least 4 weekend trips in the next 6 months.
People I would like to tag to see career goals for the next 6 months (originally better developer but I broadened the scope a bit):
- Robert Hurlbut
- Greg McKinley
- Sam Gentile
- Jim Holmes
- Dave Burke