What are your life goals? This is a difficult question for many people.
Is it OK not to have any life goals?
Short Answer – No!
It is not only not OK, but it is humanly impossible to have no goals in life. You cannot, not have a goal.
Sure, some people say they do not have any goals at all. However, if you ask deeper this is not at all the case. If you just want to enjoy life. Well, this is a goal. Or, if you just want to watch TV the whole day. This is your active decision and it is kind of a goal. Even if you just want to survive the next day, this is a goal.
Sure, this is a bit quibbling over words. Nevertheless, it is important to notice. It is perfectly fine if you just want to enjoy life. You can consider goals to be a tool to live the life you want and to have no regrets later on your deathbed.
Why Are Life Goal so Hard?
People fall into certain categories when it comes to life goals:
- People that never thought about life goals
- People that thought about life goals but do not know theirs
- People that have life goals but do not know how to achieve them
- People that have life goals, have a plan but do not take action
- People that hit walls
- People that are on track with their life goals
- And dead people
If you never thought about your goals in life, you are probably not reading this right now. Unless you do not fall into the last category, you still have a chance.
Good Life Goals
Do you know your life goals? Answering this question is not that easy for most people. You can try out yourself at the next party. Oh, and if there are any kids at the party, ask them too. Generally, they tend to have quick answers, like becoming an astronaut or a princess. Teenagers might have the goal to become rich and famous. However, many adults seem to have forgotten about their life dreams.
Why? Maybe because they are too busy with their daily routines or maybe a life goal sounds just too big and scary. The main reason, however, is that a goal for your entire life is too far away. It is easier to work on the tasks at hand, your work projects, getting a new car or, yes, watching TV.
Not good. You should rather put your big goals first. If you know your life’s vision, it will be much easier to prioritize your smaller goals. Goals are a tool. They work as a compass and help you to stay on track.
The big advantage of life goals is that they allow you to take control of your life.
If you do not take control of your life, someone else will and you will then basically work for the (life) goals of others.
Therefore, if you have any kind of goal that is true to yourself this is good and you can go from there.
Action Points
The simple (simplified) process looks as follows. You can iterate back and forth through the steps as needed.
1. Find Your Goals
If you are not clear about your goals in life, get some clarity here first. A good starting point is to find out what your core values are. Also, the VidaGoals app can help you. Once you know your goals, you should write them down. Take a sheet of paper, write down what you would like to achieve in life and put it on your fridge or somewhere where you can see it every day.
Life goals might change of course. So, do not contemplate too much about if this is really it. Just take what you have right now. If circumstances change, you can adapt any time.
2. Make a Plan
Now that you know your goals, you should make a plan on how you achieve them. Keep it simple. Also, in this case the VidaGoals app can help you. You might also refer to the article about reaching life goals.
If you have a sheet of paper with seven bullet points or milestones this is a perfect start and you are already better than most people are.
3. Take Action
This is the hardest part. It is hard although the overall ideas is simple.
Take the first step, keep going into the right direction and you will inevitably reach your goal.
Take the first step! No matter how small it is, this is essential. Then, always plan for the next step. Simply write down what you need to do next and when. Put it into your calendar. This gives your life goal, which seems so far away, a sense of urgency. As we know, we are much more likely to work on urgent tasks.
If you face obstacles or get stuck, ask for help. Find some friends that want you to succeed and they will be happy to support you.
4. Review
Last but not least, set a fixed date and time when you will review your progress, plan the next steps and contemplate if you are still on track. If you need to adapt your goal this is fine too. Ask yourself why you would like to achieve your goal. A strong “why” is important and motivating.
Review your goals at least every two weeks.
Happy goal setting. Oh, by the way, the best time to start with the above is now.