Out with the old, in with the new (year).

[Robert Calise]

2008 was a really interesting year for me. I had the opportunity to experience living in a new city (Boston - which is amazing!), became an Infusionsoft Certified Marketing Automation Coach, built some really cool things, started writing my first book, made some wonderful new friends, and I believe laid the foundation for an amazing 2009. There were some rough spots, such as my niece Corinna undergoing spinal surgery and my great uncle Clement Micarelli passing away, but in the grand scheme of things, it was a good year with a lot of positives.

Inspired by Perry Belcher's recent YouTube videos, I'm going to strive in 2009 to be more open and transparent, and to help and communicate with as many people as I possibly can. With that in mind, I'd like to start 2009 off by putting up my major goals for the year here, on my website, for all to see. Notice, I didn't use the word "resolution." I broke all of my resolutions last year (well, except that one about getting an iPhone) but I always seem to reach my goals.

1. That book? Finish the thing already! Every writer I've ever known has told me, "Sure, it's always hard to write a book - but the first one is always the hardest." Time to break down the brick wall staring me in the face and make it happen.
2. Those new websites? Launch 'em. 2008 saw me start building some really cool stuff, and 2009 is the time to get them finished. InfusionForge is at the top of my list, but there are a few others that I haven't told anyone about yet - and I'm SO excited to share them with the world.
3. You know how you love to go places? Well, go! I didn't get to travel as much as I wanted to in 2008. I already have two definite trips planned in 2009 - heading to Scottsdale, AZ in March for InfusionCon, and Disney with my niece (and the rest of the family) sometime this spring.
4. Get that new place you've been looking at. Those who know me well will tell you how much I love city life. Well, right now, I'm out in the suburbs - so this year, I plan to settle down in a new city. Think I should move to a city near you? Tell me why!
5. Connect with (more) amazing people. Through Twitter, Under30CEO and others, I've had the chance to meet an abundance of people. I look forward to continuing to learn from and exchange ideas with these folks, and plan to grow my personal network even more.
6. Help more people. I've grown up in a family that has taught me that true generosity comes in all forms, and is one of the most wonderful values a person can hold dear. I plan on growing my business like crazy this year, and I'm excited to be able to leverage my own successes to help make the world a better place however I can.

Invariably, people will look at these goals and go, "Bob, what the crap! You'll never reach them!" And they'd be right, if these were actually my goals. In fact, I thought the very same thing. So for each one of these major goals, I've developed smaller, actionable steps to ensure they happen. If you have lofty goals like I do, I suggest you do too. But more importantly, enlist the help of the people around you - they are your most valuable resource in the world.

Can I help you achieve your own goals in 2009?

I want you to share your own goals with me - by leaving a comment, sending me an e-mail, or DM'ing me on Twitter - and let me know if you think I can help you reach your goals this year. I'd love to work with you, or introduce you to people or organizations that might be able to help. And if you think you're someone I should know, or have contacts you want to connect with me, I would greatly appreciate it.

Here we are, 2009. I'm glad you're here, because I have so many plans for you!

[Catherine Sorich]

Bob, I think its great that you are sharing your goals with the world. I share your passion for seeing the world so traveling is a major 2009 goal for me. As for what city, we all know its a clear choice...Chicago. There no better time than in your 20s to pack up and move to the great windy city. There is so much life and diversity its hard for me to ever want to live anywhere else (which of course I will because Boston, China and Australia is on the top places for me to be in the next 5 years).

[Matt Wilson]

Hey Bob, a lot of good goals on here; I'll be thinking of a good city for you to set up shop in.

Thanks for inviting us to let you in on our goals--it's a great way for you to get to know your readers/friends better. I've got a bunch of goals for the new year including growing under30ceo, but the one I want to focus most on is helping other people get to where they want to be in life/business. Hold me to it Bob.

Anyway I can help anyone, tweet me at @MattWilsontv on twitter

[Jared O'Toole]

I think 1 of my biggest goals for 2009 (besides moving under30ceo forward in every way possible) is to enjoy what I'm doing more. '08 ended with tons of ideas and lots of small foundations around those ideas. All of that came with some stress and inactivity because I have felt pressured to get things done. Well now I feel I have some good direction and I want to start having more fun while I build everything. Traveling, socializing and just changing up my routine are at the top of my list of things to do that I think will only benefit my business ventures.