In short, my life this year was all over the place. It was the year of big changes and major impacts in my life. I made a lot of new friends and family. I lost my dad. I have a son. I started Graduate school. I had my first anniversary with my wife. I competed like almost every other week in grappling tournaments.

I learned a lot. There was a lot of pain the process from being injured for most of the year. I endured some of the worst moments of my life from losing my father. I enjoyed the experiences. There were some of the best moments of my life from becoming a father.

There were no regrets. I live that type of life. This year, I made it my own. To be the best that I can be in everything I do. Whether I was successful or not, I tried.

Next year, I’m making it a bigger and better year with my family and friends. Regardless in where I’m at right now, I can only go up from here.

1. Become CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional)

In order to further my career as a Network Professional. I need to show proof of my ever growing skill sets. Getting certified shows good proof. This is a goal that has been rolled over, so I’m still committed to this goal. I will need to study for at least 120 hours before I take each exam. I need to pass all three (SWITCH, ROUTE, TSHOOT), in order to be certified.

2. Become a BJJ World Champion

This is my main goal when I compete in BJJ. I’m mainly competing at the major tournaments this year. I learned a lot last year about the competition and myself. I have another crack at the big tournaments as a Blue Belt, so I have to take advantage of my strength and experience. Once again, this is goal that is rolled over, because I’m committed to getting there. I will train at least 4 days a week, which will be a combination of BJJ, Judo, Wrestling, and drilling on the grappling dummy. The powerlifting training will be cross training, and strength and conditioning for the tournaments.

3. Become a BJJ Purple Belt

This is totally based on my instructor grading me on this. I’m up to three stripes now, so I’m getting close. At this point, I just have to stay committed and be consistent. I will need to show up to class at least 2-3 times a week to show commitment and consistency.


4. Become a Powerlifting World Champion

I plan on doing at least two powerlifting competitions at the USPA meets. It looks like the California State Championships in March and then if I qualify, the IPL Worlds in November. I checked out the numbers for me to get to and I feel that they are verify doable at my current strength levels. I’m only doing RAW meets at 275lbs. I will be training at least 4 days a week. I will squat at least twice a week, deadlift once again, and bench once a week. Also, I will be doing plyometrics for at least twice a week.

5. Drop to 275lbs

This brings up to this goal. If I want to compete at 275lbs, I have to drop weight. I have less than 18lbs to go and I have 12 weeks to make this happen. This will be the first goal that I have to reach within the year. I need to lose at least 1.5lbs (Burn 5250 Calories) per week. Pretty much I will work on my eating habits and being more active.

6. Break a World Record in Powerlifting

If I’m going for the World Championship, then I must also break some records along the way. So far, I think I can break the Total and Squat record for the 275lbs Open Raw Division in the IPL.

7. Improve Upon My Takedowns

In 2013, I pulled guard in about 95% of my matches. The other 5%, my opponents pulled guard. I almost got my first takedown of the year at the SJJIF Worlds, but my head was out of position and I got guillotined. I’m committed to doing Judo and/or Wrestling, once or twice a week. To commit to remembering and practicing the moves, I will compete at least one or two Judo tournaments.


8. Write An Article Once A Month

I think it’s important for me to share knowledge and I would like to branch out my website by doing this.


9. Take Videos of My Training and/or Competition Once A Month

I would like to see myself in training and competition to see exactly what I’m doing right and wrong. It wouldn’t hurt to get some criticism from others, if anyone has something to say about my technique.

10. Host One Charity Event Within The Year

I hosted three Charity events in 2013, two of which was to help out my family and myself and the other for the victims of the typhoon in the Philippines. In 2014, I would like to host one to raise money and food for the homeless in LA. I would like to help out the people in need domestically and I think that’s a good start right there.

Conclusion:

Once again, the goals are set pretty high. I have a better baseline and attainable goals this time around. Also, my plan and course of action is improved upon based on the success and failures of 2013. I will integrate the SMART goals method into my goals for 2014, so I can have a better chance at achieving my goals. 2014 will be the year of the Big Filipino!!!

Given below is a link about a small article about studies being done on MBA students from Harvard Business School about goal setting.

http://www.lifemastering.com/en/harvard_school.html

1. Pass the Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Switch Exam - Fail

I’ve been in school the entire year and I had a lot of distractions from my father passing away to my first child being born. I’ll be rolling over this goal for next year. I have this goal set for myself at work, so it’s a goal that I have to get done no matter what next year.

2. Become a BJJ World Champion - Fail

I pretty much competed at all the World Championships this year and my best bets were at the IBJJF NoGi Worlds and the SJJIF Worlds Tournament. I came up short twice at the SJJIF Worlds Tournament and that was at my healthiest too. I’m looking to work on my takedowns and open up my game for next year. I’m definitely rolling over this goal as well.

3. Become a BJJ Purple Belt - Fail

This is totally based on my instructor grading me on this. I’m up to three stripes now, so I’m getting there. Hopefully, I get to this goal next year. This goal is getting rolled over.

4. Raw Bench 425lbs, Raw Squat 725lbs, and Raw Deadlift 725lbs – Partially Successful

I was successful in getting to my goal in the squat, but I hurt my shoulder for some parts of the year, so I couldn’t get there on the bench and my deadlift has improved, but I set the goal too high this year for that. I plan on competing next year at the USPA California State Championships and at the IPL Worlds. I want to International Elite total at the IPL Worlds next year. I’m hoping that my shoulder holds up for the bench.

5. Drop to 275lbs - Fail

I’m at 290lbs right now. I’ve gained weight, because of the holiday season. I’m rolling over this goal next year, since I want to compete at the 275lb weight class at the powerlifting meets.

6. Work on my Judo and Wrestling Takedowns – Partially Successful

I put this as partially successful, because I did take some Judo classes and worked on some takedowns during several Jiu Jitsu classes this year. I stopped taking Judo in the most part, because of my rib and shoulder injuries. I’m looking to get back into it next year and maybe do a couple of Judo Tournaments as well.

7. Improve my Data Center Networking skills - Successful

My skills and experience have improved a lot. I worked on a lot of implementations and troubleshooting issues this year at the Data Center at work. I got to work with a super computer, several IBM chassis, monitoring tools, and high level switches. I put a lot of work into growing my skill set and experience at the Data Center. The hard work is paying off.

8. Finish reading one book once a month - Successful

I have averaged two books a month. The books ranged from BJJ Books to IT Books to Self Help Books. This goal was important to me, because I want to further my knowledge and education, whether I’m in school or not.

9. Write a blog of my training for the entire year - Successful

I’m successful here. It took some work, but I got it done.

10. Improve my Tagalog - Fail

I’ve completely failed on this goal again for the past couple of years. This was the last in my priority list, since I have not made plans for this goal. I’m cancelled this goal earlier this year, since I had a lot on my plate.

Conclusion:

I understand that my goals were set pretty high, but I still believe that I have the talent, dedication, and blue print to get these goals done. I try to be well rounded as a person that I can be. I want to set a high standard for my son. Also, I want to set an example for people to show that if you set your goals high and you reach them, anything is possible.

Half the goals that failed were attainable, but that just means that I have to work harder and smarter next year for those that I’m rolling over. I learned a lot this year from all the competitions, reading books, school, and the experience through this process. It’s mainly possible to get to your goals, once you write it down, set a plan, and work on them consistently. 

Next year is going to be another big year. On the high note, I did place 13 times this year and I competed more than I ever thought possible. I made a lot of friends and enjoyed the experience in competing in BJJ.

Given below is a link about a small article about studies being done on MBA students from Harvard Business School about goal setting.

http://www.lifemastering.com/en/harvard_school.html