A lot of us feel like we’re adrift in the world - we work hard and spend time, but don’t seem to be getting anywhere worthwhile. While setting goals for yourself might seem like a distant dream, it is an important aspect to make your life smooth sailing.
Whether you've set your heart on climbing a mountain, excelling in your career, or starting a business venture, nothing is impossible with the right mindset. Here’s how you can begin setting attainable life goals for yourself.
Whether you've set your heart on climbing a mountain, excelling in your career, or starting a business venture, nothing is impossible with the right mindset. Here’s how you can begin setting attainable life goals for yourself.
Make a List of Goals That Inspire You
When you start making the list, write down goals that are not only personal to you but inspire you to keep doing better. Set your sights on aspirations that you’re genuinely passionate about, so that you find a sense of purpose. Following the crowd or mimicking the ambitions of your peers will not keep you motivated in the long run.
Set a Time Frame for Each Goal
Figure out which of your goals are short-term, and which ones are long-term. You can break down your list into monthly, one-year, five-year, and ten-year segments to create a structured plan of how you’ll achieve the life goals you’ve set.
Some goals may have a “shelf-life” based on your age, health, and other variables. Once you’re done setting time frames, you can create a daily list of things to do which will help you inch towards your long-term goals.
Some goals may have a “shelf-life” based on your age, health, and other variables. Once you’re done setting time frames, you can create a daily list of things to do which will help you inch towards your long-term goals.
Stay on Course!
Once you’ve got your initial draft ready, regularly review and edit your list to keep them at par with your changing priorities, experiences, or preferences. Remember your list of goals isn’t set in stone; don’t force yourself to follow a goal if it no longer inspires you. At the same time, don’t keep changing your aspirations too often.
Set SMART Goals
One of the best ways to begin setting goals is to try leveraging the mnemonic SMART. While there are plenty of variations regarding its expansion, it typically stands for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and trackable.
For example, instead of having “launch a business” as your goal, you can use the SMART concept and change it to “launch a successful business by December 31st, 2025. Of course, this will take a lot of smaller, short-term goals to complete, so list them too.
For example, instead of having “launch a business” as your goal, you can use the SMART concept and change it to “launch a successful business by December 31st, 2025. Of course, this will take a lot of smaller, short-term goals to complete, so list them too.
Focus on Performance Goals
While making a list of life goals, try to focus on performance-oriented ones, as opposed to those that are outcome-oriented, as much as possible. This way you’ll have maximum control over what can be achieved and intangible variables like weather, health, friends, or luck won’t affect your life goals too much. It can also be quite disheartening to not achieve a personal goal, whereas a performance goal will help you draw a sense of accomplishment on their completion.
Precise and Positive Goal Framing
While framing your goal statement, try to be as precise as you can, by including quantifiable measures like dates or amounts. This way, you will know when exactly you completed your life goal and revel in the pleasure.
Another tip is to frame your goals positively, to inculcate a system of positive reinforcement and motivation. For example, “execute the technique well” is more positive than “don’t make mistakes” and keeps you in good spirits.
In conclusion: Losing sight of your end result or not setting firm goals in the first place, will give you room to steer off course. Making a list of goals with the tips given above will set you on the right track to achieving everything you dreamed of!
While framing your goal statement, try to be as precise as you can, by including quantifiable measures like dates or amounts. This way, you will know when exactly you completed your life goal and revel in the pleasure.
Another tip is to frame your goals positively, to inculcate a system of positive reinforcement and motivation. For example, “execute the technique well” is more positive than “don’t make mistakes” and keeps you in good spirits.
In conclusion: Losing sight of your end result or not setting firm goals in the first place, will give you room to steer off course. Making a list of goals with the tips given above will set you on the right track to achieving everything you dreamed of!