As I was studying in my childhood bedroom, my eyes fell on several pieces of paper taped atop my old study table.

I felt nostalgic.

Goodness knows how old I was when I first wrote those little notes. Specifically, they listed down my goals on various phases of my student life. Believe I’ve read somewhere that writing down your
goals is the first step in making them happen.

Even then, I was slightly more ambitious than most. It wasn’t the winning that motivated me, as much as the fear of losing. I had a real fear of being left behind, and would often look around me to see that no matter what, I maintained the status of being “above average,” and for the most part, I think I’ve succeeded.

For example, when I was a junior in university and part of a Management Honors program, I wrote the following:

1. Get at least a B+ on all management subjects (opman, finance, marketing) and an A for all of core subjects.
2. Finish all papers at least one day before.
3. Submit all projects on time.
4. Be XXXXXXX president and win election (I was extremely active in extra-curricular activities back in college).
   
5. Sleep by 1:00 am, 12:00 am on Saturday.
6. No baths after 9:30 pm.
7. Stay in BMH (Business Management Honors Program).
8. CONCENTRATE! Focus! Study with discipline!
9. XXXXXXX Week (my organization’s largest project) <– very successful.
10. Be close to all XXXXXXX officers and all members.

It was a worthwhile goal, and I finished my degree decently. Though I didn’t get a B+ on the difficult management subjects, believe that I got an almost perfect 4.0 GPA average on two of the semesters after I left the program. They weren’t kidding when they said it was the Honors Program… all I thought were the professors were pretty stingy in giving high grades. Negative reinforcement if you asked me, and it worked!

Being the fastidious student as I was, goals #2 and 3 were a breeze and we’ve never submitted a project late. Of course, that also meant that goal # 5 (sleeping early) was meant to be broken. It was a silly goal, and I remembered not sleeping for a few days straight on my junior year.

Ultimately, I had a C+ on my Finance class and had to bow down from the program, where I finished my senior year with flourish. That also meant that I was bored given the less challenging classes, but at least, my last university year pulled up my GPA and gave me time to spend with my organization, the presidential election of which I won.

Extra-curricular wise, I was considered a success, being voted as the Best Officer and one of the Best Student Leaders in my university. Nevertheless, it was a difficult path.

Sure, I had to make over 250 calls and campaign hard despite a huge 5-person coalition against me, but it was a landslide victory and I diplomatically made my opponent my next in command. In addition, given the super competitive campaign, I also befriended most of the members and became one of the only leaders who knew every member by name, and were so close to what the organization needed.

After I graduated, I wrote another list — they were as follows:

1. Graduate from a masters school with honors (AIM/abroad)
2. Marry a wonderful man. Have smart kids.
3. Travel all 7 continents; have enough money to buy anything I want.
4. Have at least 10 loyal friends whom I trust with my life.
5. Set up top 5,000 company.
6. Read at least 3 books every month.

This list makes me smile.

At present, 5 years afters after coming up with this list, at least, I can say that I’ve been working towards the attainment of these goals.

I’ve allocated 2008 as the year where I apply for B-School, and currently studying for the GMAT. Hopefully, I can take it by May this year and then apply by October. Whether or not I can get in the schools I want is another story, and we’ll just have to see.

The second goal is a bit more difficult. I don’t have a boyfriend yet, and at present, have no plans to have kids to continue my legacy. But who knows?

So far, 5 really good friends, 3 continents travelled in, but hey, I still have the rest of my life to finish

And finally, my short-term goals for 2008:

1. Get at least a 700 for my GMAT, and apply to the schools I want by October.
2. Smoothly and successfully plan and execute my organization’s biggest event in 2007.
3. Start studying for the CFA Level 2 after July 2008, to prepare myself in taking it in June 2009 (One year baby! My life is officially over).

So it doesn’t seem too hard, right? Sometimes however, I ask myself whether I should just take it easy and go with the flow, just like most people.

Why give myself pressure if I can just enjoy life?

But then again, this is me — someone with a hectic soul who wants to live her life extraordinarily, and hopes that with blood, sweat and tears, can live a life anybody can be proud of.

Gotta study! Have fun and happy Chinese new year!