Tips for Setting Goals and Staying Persistent Until Success

 

Goal Setting

If you want to get things done in the future, you need goals. It doesn’t matter whether you’re thinking about today, a year from now, or ten years ahead—human behavior is naturally goal-oriented. Formalizing those goals can help you navigate daily life and steer your actions toward success—or away from it. The biggest factors in achieving success are learning and persistent grit. It doesn’t matter what your goal is or where you start; those two traits are essential.

Let’s discuss goal setting, daily persistence, and learning. These concepts apply whether you’re pursuing personal goals, working toward graduation and a career, or starting a new business after military service. The principles are universal.

Goal Setting

You need a target to aim for, which means clearly defining what you want to achieve. Some people use SMART goals or other frameworks, but the key is clarity and achievability. Make sure your goals are specific enough to guide your actions and realistic enough to sustain your motivation.

Daily Persistence

Each day you wake up is another opportunity to move closer to your goals. Your daily and weekly actions should align with what you want to accomplish. If you start each day without direction or purpose, you’ll waste valuable time on unproductive activities. Consistency—showing up every day with intent—is what turns goals into results.

Learning

Sometimes the goal itself isn’t the most important outcome. The process of pursuing a goal often teaches you new skills, insights, and ways of thinking. In many cases, the learning journey is what truly transforms you. It’s not just about the destination—it’s about who you become along the way.

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Interestingly, some research explores how the brain functions when working toward goals. Cognitive engagement—the active mental focus and effort you invest—is essential for achieving any meaningful objective. Sometimes, reading and learning more about how our minds work can open new pathways to understanding and upward growth.👆

The Neuroscience of Goals and Behavior Change

Social Exchange, Gift Giving and My Almond-Banana Bread

Not bad!
A little more sweet 
would be better.
Almond-Banana Bread

One thing you can do on cold evenings is cook. I often make food and share it with friends and people I know. Folks around here are friendly—if someone gives me apples, I might bake them an apple pie in return. The earliest forms of commerce were based on barter and exchange, and in a way, sharing and trading like this are modern versions of that. They’re small social exchanges that help bond neighbors and communities together. History of Gift-Giving

Tonight’s project is a made-from-scratch almond-banana bread. I’ll slice it up and share some with my neighbor and a friend—mostly so they can tell me what I did wrong. Yep, I'm not the world's best cook but I'm ok. Mostly it is about the connection so take the criticism with a kind smile (You made it to your liking.)

It wasn’t particularly hard to make: flour, eggs, baking powder, mashed bananas, almonds, brown sugar, white sugar, and some spices all mixed in a bowl and poured into a bread pan. Bake it at about 350°F, and you’ll end up with something that looks like this—hopefully even better.

When we share
we exchange and 
create connections.

In case your interested in a similar type receipe. Banana Bread Recipe

The concept of social exchange is one in which people share knowledge, gifts, and other. It is a normal process of connecting. Science always seems to get very formal but social exchanges are woven into our species as we are by nature communal and herd oriented. Understanding these social exchanges also understands how people interact. Social Exchange Theory

Morning Fishing Chronicles: Episode “The Fish Still Win”

The morning was a bit nippy—around 30 degrees—but that’s not nearly enough to stop me from fishing. I bundled up in my trusty snow pants and those heavy Thinsulate winter boots I scored half off at Mel’s Feed Store in Escanaba last year. (Best impulse buy since the 2-for-1 bait bucket sale.)

Armed with two new lures I picked up at Meijer for a few bucks each, I headed to the mouth of the river. My logic is simple: if I keep trying new lures long enough, eventually the fish will stop laughing and start biting.

I didn’t catch anything this morning—but that’s not really the point. The point is being outdoors, reading my Kindle, and occasionally envisioning I might catch dinner. Plus, if I keep exploring, one of these days I’ll stumble across a secret fishing spot and snag a great photo.

The worm thing
I bought.

This morning’s picture isn’t exactly award-winning, but hey—neither was my casting. Still, I figured I’d share it anyway.

Fishing Escanaba

Fishing Seasons

Paths Through The Dark Forest: Confronting Corruption and Hate through Moral Courage and Conscious

We often discuss the benefits of improving systems to serve as many people as possible. Corruption, however, remains a problem in nearly every society. When it occurs, it can be devastating to those who depend on others to make fair and ethical decisions. That is why I’m using this hypothetical, philosophical thought experiment about a “justice default” and how it affects the social and economic
development of society.

"The obstacle in the path becomes the path.
Never forget, within every obstacle is
an opportunity to improve." — Marcus Aurelius

This story is really about how people perceive the purpose of laws and the outcomes of institutions. It explores deep philosophical questions about right and wrong, as well as the responsibilities we share as a society to correct injustice when it occurs. It also considers those who—intentionally or not—protect, encourage, or even benefit from corruption and hate. Exploring these ideas gives us the opportunity to recalibrate our moral compass toward true north.

In this example, some individuals sought personal gain through unethical means. They spread hateful rumors, belittled others, endangered the young and the elderly, and exploited their relationships for personal or group advantage. Because corruption and hate already existed, they became convenient tools to pull out for manipulation and control.

Those who reported such behavior often found themselves targeted or secretly placed on lists meant to harm or discredit them. The in-group members protected corruption and hate, the more victims they created—and the longer the waves of consequence extended. Some perpetrators were involved in wrongdoing across multiple areas, forming patterns of coordinated aggression. More than a hint of connection by some members to even more sinister misbehaviors in other places. The moral collapse within these circles became a continuing risk to both community and society.

Yet, this is also a story of triumph. Good men and women within law enforcement chose to do what was right. Community members began to report wrongdoing despite the risks. They were tired of the unwritten rules of the network and good people being harmed. The hateful narratives started to unravel, and in turn the guiding light of justice began to shine again—illuminating the responsibilities we all share to one another and to the universal values that bind us together. While some stood to protect corruption and hate, others stood courageously for truth and integrity.

How we view these issues often depends on our personal values, our understanding of the oaths we take, and our beliefs about the purpose and importance of strong, ethical institutions. The following piece examines Kantian morality and the broader moral implications of confronting wrongdoing, preventing future harm, protecting institutional integrity, and ensuring that justice systems correct their own mistakes. In our learning example, the people sensed a deeper responsibility and made their needs known to those who began to serve a different value system and undermine the health of their community.

Though somewhat academic in tone, this piece invites personal reflection. Each of us contributes to the world around us. When you witness wrongdoing and report it, you are helping create the information and awareness necessary to prevent corruption and hate from spreading further. In doing so, you are fulfilling your moral obligation to society, to your neighbors, childrend or grand children, and community. 

We are one people—indivisible. The best and brightest from the young generation are best prepared to find a path to mutual prosperity.

Law and Morality: Kantian Style

Understanding News Information Bias: Navigating Modern Media Landscapes

Outdoors Tip: Crumple
up fake newspaper and use it to light
your fireplace/woodstove on 
cold nights. It can also be used in the outhouse
during a toilet paper shortage.
 I think it is
going to snow a little tonight
in the UP. 
Outhouses are cold in the winter!
brrr
P.S. we still race outhouses around here.

Information shapes how we think, the decisions we make, and ultimately the outcomes we experience. It’s natural to seek information — whether by watching the news or talking with friends. However, trust in traditional news outlets has declined in recent years. One reason may be that tuning into one channel gives you one perspective, while another offers the exact opposite. Few outlets seem to weigh and balance information in a way that allows consumers to draw their own conclusions. There are plenty of agendas, but not enough open, free-thinking discussions.

This may explain why many younger people are turning toward alternative forms of media. Traditional outlets often carry messages shaped by political or financial interests, given increasing consolidation. Yet, alternative sources come with their own risks — particularly when information is intentionally false, misleading, or incomplete. That’s why today’s media environment is sometimes described as an “information war,” where competing narratives aim to influence group perspectives and outcomes. 

(A false narrative will have a broken logic in it that can't be bridged when the factors change thereby making its truth contingent on an assumption. It is complex, it is windy, sounds easy enough, it twists like speghetti but it is still based on an assumption. Sometimes this is by accident and sometimes by intention.)

Anyone can fall prey to misinformation or confirmation bias — the tendency to favor information that supports pre-existing beliefs. A possible reason why some channels exist and why people tune into them. This creates risks when trying to solve complex problems, because people often fail to see the full structure of an argument. Many potential solutions go undiscussed simply because they aren’t popular or don’t fit neatly within the dominant media narrative. 

The best advice I can offer is to approach all information with a critical eye. Read widely from different sources. Consider the intent behind the message, the depth of the discussion, its balance, and whether alternative perspectives are acknowledged. Balanced discussion vets multiple sides of arguments. Evaluate the genuineness and credibility of the source.

Below are a few recommended readings and research pieces:

1.The Change in Trust of News – exploring the growing skepticism toward traditional media.

2. Media Consolidation and Its Impacts – analyzing how ownership affects information diversity.

3. Critical Thinking and Fake News – discussing practical strategies for identifying misinformation.

4. 20 Questions on News - questions that help you think about the news.

The fourth piece is particularly useful, as it suggests that simply asking yourself a few thoughtful questions can increase your awareness of a story’s purpose and intent. Always question what you read — no matter who the writer is, including me. Everyone communicates with some goal or intention. Sometimes those intentions are noble and constructive; other times, they’re self-serving or misleading.

Young People and Their Needs-Concerns of the Next Generation

 

The power of hope.

Young people today are living in a time of great uncertainty. New technologies are transforming what we once understood about work, communication, and society. The job market is changing, political polarization, and the cost of living continues to climb while wages grow seemingly slow and wealth becomes increasingly concentrated. A few things to think about.

These challenges are significant — but not insurmountable. This generation is among the most creative, motivated, and socially conscious in history. Where there are challenges, there are also opportunities for leadership. Empowering young leaders from within this generation can help guide us all through these changing times.

I empathize deeply with this younger generation. In many ways, the challenges they face will be harder than those faced by my generation or the one before us, which collectively accumulated much of today’s wealth. The generation before the Baby Boomers endured great hardship, yet they built the America we know today — earning them the title “The Greatest Generation.”

No one can truly claim to be an expert in understanding or connecting with younger generations. Everyone has an opinion, and some make more sense than others. To me, understanding this generation’s needs and aspirations is essential for shaping the policies and choices that will position them — and all of us — for a stronger future.

If each generation keeps the next in mind, we can find countless paths to progress. By focusing on our shared goals and the deeper purposes behind them, we preserve the values that sustain us across time. Many have sacrificed for those values in prior and current generations to give these kids a chance. Despite this they will face their own challenges for their time.

I found this reflection inspiring, and it made me think about how we might give this younger generation more voice and influence to set some of their own course. In some of my more philosophical moments, I’ve imagined ideas like a hypothetical “Feather Party” — a symbolic way of lightening and greasing the decision-making process. But perhaps they might have their own fresh ideas.

As you reflect on these thoughts, consider how the next generation might view them. Hearts and prayers to those who will lead us forward — soon to be another Grand Generation. We have high hopes for you.

The American dream feels impossible for many young voters, who see no political fix

Make Your Own Protein and Fiber Bars: Fitness is related to what you eat!

One missing!

If you like to work out, you probably know that about 70% of the battle comes down to what you eat versus how much you lift or how far you run. Health-conscious people who want to stay fit tend to focus on wholesome foods — grains, fiber, nuts, berries, vegetables, and clean sources of protein.

The problem with many store-bought protein bars is that they’re packed with ingredients you don’t recognize (or necessarily want). So, I decided to make my own.

They were actually pretty simple to put together. As much as I’d love to gather my own granola, berries, and oats, I don’t have that kind of time — so my local grocery store had to do.

I started with a fiber and granola cereal as the base, then added oats and a bit of protein flour. To bind it all together for baking, I used vegetable shortening and olive oil. I also included baking soda, a little butter, both white and brown sugar, and some peanut butter powder.

Once everything was mixed into a consistent blend, I spread it in a baking pan and baked it at about 350°F until the top turned lightly golden. After letting it cool, it firmed up nicely and was easy to cut into bars.

Each bar comes out to around 200 calories and contains about 12–15 grams of protein — and best of all, none of the extra junk you find in commercial bars.

If you’re curious, you can easily find specific recipes and variations online.

I also have a fitness trainer and yoga trainer license (two different), so if you’re looking for guidance on achieving the health and fitness level you want, feel free to reach out. Because I’m active in the outdoors, firefighting, sports, and the arts, maintaining good fitness is essential for me — and I’d be happy to help you reach your goals too.

Good luck!

Here is something you might want to read, 

Dietary Protein Quantity, Quality, and Exercise Are Key to Healthy Living: A Muscle-Centric Perspective Across the Lifespan