2023 Summary and New Year Outlook

The meaning of the New Year lies in artificially segmenting the continuous linear time, which gives us the opportunity to pause, reflect on the gains and losses of the past year, and outline a blueprint for the coming year.

I have always been someone without long-term plans. When I was in college, I could still stick to my hobbies like running, playing ball, and reading, but after entering graduate school, the endless internal strife of research has made me more fragmented. I only use a to-do list to record what I need to do in the recent days, and I can't talk about any long-term plans.

But this is not good; without goals, how can one talk about effort? Recently, I came across two articles that use the OKR concept to make long-term plans from the perspective of the flower of life, which inspired me greatly. I will also use this to plan and see how it goes.

If I feel lost in the coming year, I can look back at this to give myself some strength; I can also make modifications at any time.

ORK#

OKR (Objectives and Key Results) is the Objectives and Key Results Method

Objectives (hereinafter referred to as "O") are goals that answer the question "What do I want to achieve?" They are the goals and tasks for a certain period.
Key Results (hereinafter referred to as "KR") are a series of measurable key results that answer the question "How do I know if I have achieved my goals?"
KRs are derived from Os and support the achievement of O. Ideally, when all KRs are completed, O is achieved.

A Good OKR#

High-quality Os need at least the following three points:

Moderate "Granularity," not too vague or too detailed: O should be a specific explanation of the achieved state. Compared to highly quantifiable KRs, O can be a bit more "vague," but it should still be meaningful. For example, "getting a partner" can be an O, but "having a happy love life" is not suitable.
Long-term value: O should be valuable for personal long-term development, rather than focusing on short-term gains and losses.
Control the number of Os, ideally 3-5, while distinguishing certain priorities.

Formulating KRs:

Measurability: KRs are specific results and states and should not be ambiguous. They should use objective, externally observable expressions that allow for quick judgment of achievement and scoring.
Achievable yet challenging: KRs should be relatively ambitious goals, with a confidence level of 75%, not 100%.
❌ Do not write KRs as a To-Do List: To-Dos are means to achieve KRs, not KRs themselves.

The Relationship Between To-Do and OKR#

When numerous KRs are laid out, how to proceed in an orderly manner is key to whether OKR can be achieved. It is necessary to use checklist tools to aid memory.

KRs without To-Do support can actually increase anxiety

Tool Selection#

I have only consistently used two software tools: TickTick and Mubu. I am actually someone who enjoys exploring new tools; I have played around with Notion and Feishu, but I couldn't stick with them, perhaps because I didn't get used to them. I can explore them again when I have the energy. I highly agree with three attributes written by a blogger:

Multi-platform synchronization: I don't always have the opportunity to use a computer, so tools that synchronize across platforms ensure that I can track OKR progress anytime, anywhere.
Affordable cost: Free is preferable; for paid services, I hope the cost is not too high, as OKR is a long-term project, and the cumulative cost can be significant.
Habit priority: It is best to integrate with existing workflows for quick onboarding, reducing the cost of learning and data migration.

Ultimately, following the blogger's choice, I usually use TickTick for recording and Notion for reviews.

OKR, To-Do, and Habit Tracking: TickTick
Review and Reflection: Notion

Goal Setting and Execution Breakdown#

The Flower of Life#

The so-called flower of life consists of eight parts: career development, financial status, personal health, entertainment and leisure, family life, friends and others, personal growth, and self-actualization. These eight parts encompass all dimensions of personal summary that I care about.

My OKR#

Considering that I will graduate next year and face the dual pressure of job hunting and academics this year, I will add a master's study goal and combine family and friends into one item. Each O will have 2-3 KRs, and each KR will have several To-Dos, with an overall span of one year. Below is the plan.

O1 Academics: Publish a small paper, find a graduation topic#

KR1: Publish a small paper#

I will graduate in June 2024, and currently, the most important thing is to successfully publish a small paper. I submitted it on the 11th; I have never submitted before. The teacher thinks this paper is quite impressive, but I know how messy it is, so I'm not sure how long it will take in the end. Based on the submission experiences of those around me, it should be a long tug-of-war, so I won't make detailed arrangements here. I'll set three goals for myself:

If rejected, modify the format, make minimal changes to the content, and quickly submit a new one;
If revisions are required, assess the feedback, set aside other tasks, revise quickly, and submit it without letting it linger too long;
Aim to have it out within six months; if late, by the end of this year, just to meet graduation requirements, and don't waste energy.

KR2: Find a new topic to get started#

According to my advisor's style, after submitting the paper, he will definitely not let me rest and will urge me to find a new direction or do miscellaneous tasks. In the new semester, I need to clarify my goals, avoid internal conflict, and not be influenced by the research group. The next topic will be my graduation topic, so I have plenty of time. I will take my time to research and not deliberately produce poor work; I have enough time to do a good job, and I shouldn't compare myself with others. I'll set three goals for myself:

Maintain an attitude; spend no more than two days a week on so-called research, avoid getting too emotional over meaningless research, and report weekly as required while in school, so I don't become a thorn in the side;
Go to the lab frequently; the dorm environment is not good, and the lab is more efficient; leaving early and returning late is not a wrong choice;
Spend less energy on the research group and consult more with classmates and seniors about job hunting to gain resources.

KR3: Interacting with the advisor#

My relationship with my advisor will be completely different in the future. Based on past experience, he will not provide any employment help or resources, only repeatedly discussing academics. So in the later interactions:

Speak less and appear less, be an invisible person, report more during group meetings to accumulate points;
When I need an internship, I must fight for it, even if it leads to arguments;
For new topics, read more papers myself and listen less to innovative guidance. Reproducing a high-quality result on my own is meaningful.

O2 Employment: Two internships in the first half of the year, find a satisfactory job in the second half#

In terms of current preparation, there is still a lot to do, mainly due to my lazy attitude, which is related to my inconsistent efforts. The past time should not be regretted; I need to seize the present. When I am in a chaotic and indulgent state, I should think about the gap after everyone has found jobs in the second half of the year. Job hunting for fresh graduates is cruel, and there is no second chance.

KR1: Find an internship after the New Year (1-5)#

This is the most urgent task for this month. There is actually a lot of information on Maimai, but I always feel unprepared and lacking many things, so what I need most at this stage is preparation, and I can start applying after the New Year. I can use Notion to create a clear and organized resume submission system.

The first internship is mainly to accumulate experience for the summer internship. At this stage, I don't have too many salary requirements and will choose a well-known company within a selective range.

Prepare for common interview questions, familiarize myself with the three-piece suit, computer networks, browser principles, performance optimization, frequently asked Vue topics, and coding by hand. These are the contents I need to memorize and practice.
Practice coding regularly with 50 wheels to maintain my coding skills.
Brush questions on LeetCode, following along with coding practice.
The basic content of my resume should remain unchanged, but I need to memorize it well. However, when applying to different companies, I should reposition my strengths and competitiveness according to the job characteristics and adjust the resume content accordingly, avoiding sending the same resume to multiple companies.

KR2: Find a summer internship and prepare for civil service exams (4-8)#

One major reason for finding an internship after the New Year is the fierce competition for summer internships and the tight timeline. Many things will be overwhelming at that time, so I need to accumulate experience in advance. I prefer to find internships related to my major.

First, let's focus on getting through the spring internship.

KR3: Job hunting (9-12)#

I've heard that it's best to talk about choices when you have options. So during this period, I need to focus entirely on employment information and try everything I can.

O3 Consumption: Clarify income and expenditure, cultivate financial awareness#

I bought a fund in 2020, and the market was very good at that time. I only invested 800 yuan and casually made over a thousand yuan. Starting in 2021, the fund market turned green, but fortunately, I withdrew all my money at the end of 2020 due to platform changes. Later, I invested a little in Alipay and lost about 200 yuan.

Overall, I still made a little profit. However, I remain a novice in financial management.

Currently, I don't have much money, which means I can experience significant emotional value through relatively small losses. Even if I can't gain anything and even incur losses, spending a thousand yuan is still a form of learning.

Believing that "only professionals can benefit from financial management, while ordinary people are just being cut" is a cognitive bias. Investing and managing finances does not mean one needs to master all kinds of complex techniques. My goal is neither to achieve financial freedom and retire at 30 like Guo Yu nor to become a high-quality son-in-law in Shanghai through financial skills. It is simply to keep pace with inflation, protect the hard-earned money, and slow down its depreciation.

KR 1: Regularly record income and expenditure#

This year, I used MOZE to record daily expenses, and I persisted for more than half a year before it ended without results because keeping a detailed account was too tedious, and the energy consumed did not match the actual results.

Following the blogger's example, I will abandon daily detailed accounts and switch to recording income and expenditure weekly. I will establish my own wish list: before buying something, I will ask myself three questions.

Is the purchase a waste?
What is the reason for wanting it?
What are the reasons for not buying it?

After completing this, I will evaluate the purchasing behavior. In fact, I am not a shopping fanatic; I shop infrequently, but I need to make necessary purchases (to improve dressing aesthetics, quality of life, etc.) while keeping my budget in check.

TODO: TickTick check-in, once a week#

KR 2: Cultivate financial awareness, make regular small investments#

The fund market was not good last year, but it has clearly rebounded since December, so I can continue to invest in funds monthly. I will separate my regular spending funds and place them on platforms with high annualized rates.

O4 Personal Health: Healthy routines, healthy diet#

Looking back at 2022, besides COVID-19 causing me discomfort for a while, I didn't have other ailments. This year, I also had fewer breakouts than before, but the decrease in exercise frequency has led to a noticeable decline in physical fitness, and my routine has long been poor. I often waste a lot of time in the mornings, which is quite regrettable. In 2023, my goal is to develop good living habits.

KR1: TickTick: Breakfast completion rate six times a week, weight to 135#

Sometimes when I wake up late, I choose to wait a bit longer to have brunch. The waiting time is unproductive and harms my health, which is truly an unwise choice. Therefore, even if I wake up late in the future, I will still have breakfast, and after breakfast, I will go to the lab to work. Lunch can be flexibly pushed to after one o'clock.

My weight is slightly underweight, and in the new year, I can gain a little weight, which will also look better in clothes.

KR2: Sleep on time five times a week, each time for 7.5 hours#

I am a deep night owl and often stay up late due to various reasons. Ultimately, it boils down to a lack of self-discipline. In the new year, I hope to have high-quality sleep and engage in high-quality activities. Based on a 1.5-hour sleep cycle, I aim to sleep for 7.5 hours each day. If I stay up late, I will set an appropriate alarm and not let myself oversleep. Additionally, I will adopt the following methods to help develop good habits:

Do calming activities half an hour before bed; no gaming!! Go to bed at 12, and I can watch a video or read a novel until it's time to sleep.
Ensure a half-hour nap at school every day, setting an alarm.

KR3: Maintain basic exercise daily, run or play ball when possible#

I don't want to specifically record my exercise; I just hope to maintain basic physical activity, such as taking walks after meals or playing ball when I have time. This will also be checked off daily on TickTick.

O5 Leisure and Entertainment#

KR 1: Watch at least 2 movies a month, output movie reviews#

In the past year, I gradually developed the habit of writing movie reviews on Douban and syncing them to my blog, link attached. This way, looking back, I can know which movies I have watched and my emotions at that time. Although I may not write profound reviews, this record brings me peace of mind.

In the new year, I hope to continue this habit and increase my reading volume.

KR 2: Visit different places#

During my graduate studies, facing the repetitive life of commuting between two points, I often felt suffocated and bored. In 2022, I traveled to Changsha and Shenzhen. Although it was just a few hurried days, it made me feel much lighter at that time. I cherish the remaining time on campus and hope to go out more during breaks and holidays, taking more photos.

I don't favor novelty; what truly excites me is leaving behind a repetitive life.

KR 3: Try new things#

In the new year, I hope to make some interesting attempts, such as attending a stand-up comedy show.

I will pay attention to interesting activities around me to add some fun to my mundane life.

O6 Interpersonal Relationships#

Although I am not far from Wuhan, I don't go home often. This year, due to job hunting, I may go home even less. The original plan was to call my family every two weeks, which felt too forced, like a task. Instead, I will share more daily life in the family group.

KR 2: Meet friends every two weeks#

Although I don't like the current environment, maintaining social connections is necessary. Communicating with different people will yield some gains, and at the very least, it is an emotional supplement. This includes seniors, college classmates, and high school friends.

KR 3: Maintain interaction with online friends#

Having a few good friends is not easy; relationships are cultivated. I will communicate more in group chats with friends and share more. One of my friends will be going abroad for work after the New Year, and it may be two or three years before they return, so I need to maintain that relationship well.

KR 4: Self-cultivation#

My relationship with my girlfriend is quite good, but there are two points I need to pay special attention to in the new year. First, I need to control my temper, think twice before speaking, and take a step back to see the bigger picture. Second, I need to find a good job to instill confidence in both families.

O7 Self-Organization:#

KR 1: Input a quantifiable amount of effective information#

I will not be a slave to the information age. I am a heavy user of Bilibili, but this is meaningless. This year, I started using RSS and the web version of Inoreader, which has allowed me to see more effective information.

In future usage, I will systematically incorporate useful information rather than just interesting information, and canceling Bilibili subscriptions has saved me a lot of time.

KR 2: Establish norms and make more records#

A lot of wasted time is unconscious, such as scrolling through Bilibili, playing games, or reading a few chapters of a new novel and then abandoning it. Time passes without gaining anything but fatigue.

I hope to improve my self-discipline, leaving fragmentation for entertainment rather than dedicating my whole emotional state to it.

I will establish some norms, such as using TickTick to spend some time daily making records.

KR 3: Improve appearance#

A good image is very important.

TODO:#

Take care of my skin. Compared to before, I have fewer breakouts this year, and there is less redness. However, there is still much room for improvement. Overall, in the new year, I hope to have fewer blemishes on my face and look fresher.
Improve my clothing style. I bought a down jacket for the New Year, which is quite nice. In the new year, I want to watch more outfit videos, try different styles, and actively buy clothes. If something doesn't fit, I should return or exchange it; I shouldn't be too lazy.
Maintain fresh breath. After waking up and after meals, my breath is often not fresh. I need to keep breath fresheners handy.

O8 Self-Actualization#

KR 1: Improve photography skills#

I bought a Canon M50 Mark II camera last summer. Six months have passed, and I have taken many photos in Wuhan, Changsha, and Shenzhen. I have some good works, but most of the results are average.

There are no issues with using the camera, but I still lack some aesthetic sense, especially in photographing people (mainly my partner), where there is still much room for improvement.

I have tried photo editing but have not found an efficient workflow, so most of my photos are in their original state. In 2023, I need to put effort into photography; otherwise, I will keep getting criticized by my partner.

TODO:#

Bring the camera along whenever possible to take photos; practice makes perfect.
Pay more attention to some photography experts, watch less gaming content, and only by seeing beauty can I capture it.
When funds allow, buy a new lens.
Consider publishing on new media platforms.

KR 2: Write one blog post of any topic each week#

In 2022, the most notable achievement was putting effort into my blog. I have progressed from a complete novice who could only follow tutorials to someone who has invested a lot of energy into this.

Writing these articles has made me realize that clearly expressing an idea from my mind is not easy. After some time, I may find my expression naive and need to refine it.

Overall, the blog has provided me with a space to freely record and express myself. The process of typing helps me think more clearly. In the new year, I hope to maintain a frequency of at least one post per week, regardless of the topic.

KR 3: Say goodbye to low-quality entertainment#

Low-quality entertainment refers to poorly written novels and meaningless videos that waste time. Sometimes, I can engage in higher-quality activities, such as finding a good novel to read before bed instead of low-quality stories or browsing for books late at night only to abandon them after a while. I can save some favorite videos from interesting bloggers to watch later.

I hope to produce more. Looking back at 2022, the words I typed in my blog have been a significant comfort to me, alleviating my anxiety and confusion. In the new year, let's keep pushing forward!