Setting your life goals

Now that you understand what motivates you (from the previous post 'How to get Motivated' go to BLOG ARCHIVES in right sidebar if you want to read this first) you can now use this information to help plan out your goals. You will need to categorise them into:

• 3 month goals
• 2 year goals
• 5 year goals

When writing these you can start by writing down all your short and long term goals together based upon what motivates you. As mentioned in the previous post you can use the below graphic  to help prompt you.

 

Below I have listed some examples to help inspire you to create a list of long and short term goals

Security and Physiological needs

These are your basic needs, food, water, shelter, job, safety etc. In order to provide yourself this you need to set a goal that provides you ongoing money and shelter.

• If you’re young starting out your goal may be ‘To get a fulltime job, in a particular industry by a certain <date>.
•  If you already have the income stream to provide the basics, your goal may be more focused on the needs of your family eg. ‘To obtain a job with a $? Income to pay for a 4 bedroom house by <date>’.
• If you are living in a unhealthy or unsafe environment. Your goal might be ‘To have secured an income to be able to move to a safe or healthy home by <date>.
• If you are looking to move or purchase a home your goal may be ‘By <date> I will have purchased my (first, new, dream) home’.

Social needs

These are your needs to have affection, belonging, and nurturing  relationships.

Some examples of goals that would help you fulfil these may be:

• To join a reputable online dating site and go on at least 1 date per month by <date, in 3 months>
• To have joined 2 new social clubs (community house groups, club, group, gardening, sport) by <date>.
• To have made 2 new friends by  <date>.
• To have established a relationship by <date>.
• By <date> I will have my first child.

Esteem needs

Generally your self esteem comes from a sense of satisfaction, achievement and contentment. The best way to address this important life goal is to simply state in your goals. HOW YOU WANT TO FEEL AND BY WHEN. I can assure you from personal experience clearly documenting in your goals how you want to feel is an amazing measuring tool of the success of your goal setting. Some example might be.

• By <date> I will to feel satisfied with my job choice.
• By <date> I will feel content and satisfied with my living situation.
• By <date> I will be respected by my <family, colleagues, community>
• By <date> I will have established myself as reputable in my field.

Self Actualisation needs

These needs are about your desire to improve yourself, develop and grow your skills and reach your full potential.

They might include:

• By <date> I will have commenced a Diploma/course degree in ?
• By <date> I will have read ?
• By <date> I will have been to <country>.
• By <date> I will have commence classes in <painting, yoga, language, sewing, cooking>.
• By <date> I will have attended a retreat on ?

Self Transcendence needs

Goals based on this need is for those that have achieved their goals and therefore want to help others achieve their goals.

Goals might be:

• Become a mentor for a youth program by <date>.
• Do volunteer work for a community group one a week by <date>.
• Commence teaching a ? class by <date>.

Documenting your 3 month, 2 & 5 year goals.

Now that you have some good ideas about what your goals should be you can start recording them into a document that you can refer to when needed. Put it on your fridge, in your locker, on your desk or in your purse or bag. You need to look at it frequently and remind yourself of the steps you need to take to achieve these goals.

Include pictures of the things that you desire or the people you love to motivate you.

This format for presenting life goals was shared with me by an amazing gentleman that I had the privilege of working with at RMIT University. The unique and critical aspect of this is it includes some goals for your daily life and words that inspire you. 

On this page you can include:

• Some important motivational quotes, extracts from poems or passages
• Some Daily expectation and goals
• What is Important to you

Here is an example of how to present this part of your goals.

These daily goals can help you to change your daily life immediately by reminding yourself what sort of person you want to be. What sort of people you want in your life. Most importantly what your values and ethics are and how to eliminate anything from your life that does not fit with or support this lifestyle. It is a very basic tool but incredibly powerful.

I look forward to your emails about how your goal setting is progressing. Have fun and enjoy having the life you always wanted!!!

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