The process for achieving a stable life in this modern world is simple, with just three steps actually.
You go to school for education, then land yourself into your dream job for finances and lastly settle down with your own family. But what would happen if you reverse this route?
Let’s see. Your parents sent you to school for education but so happened you got overly excited – entered an intimate relationship that led you to bear a child and raise a family without finishing your degree. Of course, you need to find a job for them and so you look for one. But in this highly competitive world we are living in right now, most companies are qualifying only those who have finished degrees. And so you try to study again with your family in mind. It’s like a wheel spinning round and round, going back to the first step all over again.
The simple equation became complex because of lack in planning and lack of conviction to stick with the plan. That is why it is important to set life goals. As for myself, I was able to read a book about goal setting of which I found very helpful and would like to share the basics to you now.
What is Setting Life Goals?
It is a mind tool that allows us to examine ourselves and consider what we want to achieve in life in a specified time. But first, we need to set goals in the following categories:
- Artistic – Are there talents that you want to foster and improve on? Like musical, visual, theatrical and others? We always have that child inside of us who loves to explore and create things. So go back to your dreams as a child and you might realize what you have always wanted to be: a singer, a painter or an actress perhaps?
- Attitude – Is there any behavior that upsets you? Like being unkind, mean, rude, tardy and dishonest? What are the mindsets that are holding you back in achieving success and balance in life? You may want to break pessimism and start to think and act positively towards life.
- Career – What job position would you want to land in what company, at what age?
- Education – Is there any knowledge you want to acquire? Like additional language you’ve always wanted to learn. Or are you considering a master’s degree or doctorate? Learning doesn’t stop at the time you get your diploma, you are always free to learn in so many ways.
- Family – Do you really want to be a parent? Well then, at what age? How will you become a responsible parent?
- Financial – How much do you want to earn at what age? Would you like to have a house of your own, a car and other properties?
- Physical – Are there any athletic goals you’d like to achieve? Would you like to be healthy up to the old age?
- Pleasure – Of course you need to enjoy yourself! You need to plan how to, is it by travelling, shopping, or lavishing yourself with hobbies and collections?
- Public Service – How do you want to help the humanity? Is there a certain sector in the community you’d like to extend your hands into? You need to work on your advocacy of making the world a better place.
After you realize these, start setting actions which you believe would help in addressing your concerns.
Next is, start setting goals per age. Example, at 25 you ought to be working in the biggest company in town with a credible position. At 30, you ought to have travelled at least 10 countries up to that lifetime. At 35, you must have settled down, etc.
Setting life goals is very imperative in helping you drive your life in the right direction. You’ll realize that there is no rush of getting into intimate relationships as you haven’t fully developed yourself as an individual yet. And most importantly, it will help you focus on things one step at a time.
