So what if you don’t know your goals?

I've always had a philosophy that action cures fear - you just need to get started.?

So what if you don’t know your goals right now?

By the end of this newsletter, you definitely will.?

Jump right in now to discover how I have learned to push things forward and action things by setting goals that actually excite me:?

Diving head first into self-reflection

OK. There’s a bit of a catch. Before you can set any goals that actually energise you, you need to do some introspection.

A lot of people don't know their true goals - likely because they haven't engaged in this type of structured self-reflection before.?

As such, a lot of us lack mental clarity - the type that can only come from digesting our thoughts, feelings and ideas.?

I see it all the time working with my mentees. With some of the most common reasons for lack of this mental clarity coming from one or either a mix of:

1. Career stagnation: Feeling unfulfilled or trapped in a job.
2. Relationship challenges: Uncertain about personal or professional relationships.
3. Financial pressures: Coming from debt or financial instability.

How to set goals that truly excite you

I created this framework for myself and my mentees to set goals that truly excite you by being deeply introspective. Give it a go now and see how much clearer your perspective becomes:

1. Make a yearly map of events

Open your camera roll and scroll through the last year.?

Pick your most memorable moments, and create a month-by-month map. You could easily do this in a Google Doc. Or if you’re design-minded, you can put this into a proper timeline with Photoshop, Illustrator, Canva, etc.?

While great for nostalgia, this exercise helps you identify moments that bring joy, excitement, and energy to your life.?

It’s a really great way to visually track and pinpoint what has been significant and impactful over the year.?

2. Reflect on how they make you feel

Next, assign each photo an emotion.?

Why? Because understanding your emotional responses to different activities and moments is essential.?

This reflection helps in identifying what drives and drains you, guiding you towards setting more aligned goals.?

3. Identify when you felt energetic

That split-second butterfly feeling in the pit of your stomach. That’s what you’re after; that’s your focus for setting exciting goals that spur you on. Reflect on how each event made you feel. Write down your emotions and thoughts associated with these experiences.

By recognising these moments, you can better understand what activities or interactions fuel your energy and passion.

4. Use these reflections to inform your goals

Long-term goals have to be sustainable and achievable.?

So consider not what you have to do on a daily, weekly, quarterly or yearly basis -? but what activities and experiences that brought you the most joy and energy.?

Here’s an example:

It would be good to suggest some audience-related examples that help inspire their thinking. Maybe an experience with a recent mentee? Or perhaps makes them consider the need for professional guidance in some way…

Knowing yourself is knowing your goals

Remember, the key to feeling truly alive and hungry to do more lies in understanding yourself, setting intentions, and taking deliberate actions.?

Without them, you’re unlikely to be aligned with your true intentions and purpose and will only further feel stuck. But if you start integrating these practices into your daily routine, you’ll be well on your way to unlocking your full potential and leading a more meaningful and satisfying life.

So what are you waiting for??

Use the rest of this summer period to become unstuck, set new directions, and prepare yourself for the exciting journey ahead with my reflection frameworks.

Whether seeking to revitalise your career, improve your relationships, or achieve financial stability, deep self reflection can help you harness the energy and clarity needed to pursue your ambitions with confidence and enthusiasm.

With over 20 years in the tech and med tech industries, I'm now paying forward my practical advice in a weekly newsletter to help you succeed.?

So, if you found my advice on setting exciting goals helpful, subscribe now so you don’t miss any advice:

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