The Future is Coming
We all have goals, whether we express them outwardly or not. Sometimes these fall into the categories of things you’ve always wanted to do or things you wish would improve in your life. Time moves forward, and whether or not we accomplish our desires often comes down to whether or not we plan to accomplish our desires. There are some things you can do to be more proactive about your future, here’s how to get started.
Reflect
First, consider your past:
- If you haven’t set goals before, think about what has gone well for you and what you would like to improve in the future.
- If you set goals for yourself this year, consider your progress towards those goals. Are they still valuable goals for you? If so, you still have time to work on them.
- If you failed to meet a goal you set in the past, take some time to reflect and ask yourself why.
- If you succeeded in a goal, identify what you did that was successful.
Brainstorm
Now the fun begins … think about the goals you would like to set for next year. Initially, create a list and include anything and everything that you would like to do in the next year. I recommend carrying this list with you so that you can add new ideas whenever inspiration strikes. Goals can be personal, professional, health-related, financial, intellectual, or just plain fun. Use your imagination; nothing is off limits in this stage.
Desire
Finally, let the list sit for a week or so, then narrow the list down to the top 2 or 3 things you would like to achieve. The most important question you can ask yourself during this stage of the process is whether or not you truly desire the goals in front of you. If you have too many targets or do not have strong motivation, you will struggle with accomplishing your goals.
This blog will continue with this topic in a couple of weeks when we’ll delve into refining your goals and planning to achieve them. Stay tuned!