We live in a goal-oriented world. We all have personal, financial, educational, career, and relationship goals based on our needs and desires. Unfortunately, we often find that some of our goals no longer apply to our needs or desires. Some goals are simply unrealistic or unattainable. Sometimes, goals can hold us back from reaching our full potential. To begin evaluating your goals and their relevancy to your life, the first step is to know what your goals are.
Identify Your Goals
It is important that you identify which goals that no longer apply to your life, are relevant for your life, and which one no longer serve you. To begin this process, make sure you have a written set of categories for your goals in each important area of your life. These areas may be your career, finances, education, health, hobbies, or any other category that matters to you. Each category may have one goal or several, and these goals can be both long-term and short-term. Write everything down. If you need help collecting your thoughts about your goals, this article from The Muse can help you clarify your thinking.
Set aside a significant amount of time to list all the goals you have. Also, set aside enough time to review these goals. This is not a futile, time-wasting chore. In fact, this exercise will help you to realize your true needs and desires, saving you time and energy in the future. The results of this exercise will allow you to wake up one day soon and realize you are in control and on-track to achieving what you want in life.
Examine Your Goals
Next, look at the goals under each category. Consider each item carefully and thoughtfully. Answer the following two questions:
1. Is this goal something that you truly want or need in your life? If it is not, mark it off the list. Do not allow what other people may think to dictate your personal wants and needs, unless those people are dependent on you in a significant way. If the goal has been dictated to you by other people, or even by certain circumstances, carefully consider removing it from the list. Sometimes a goal that is bad for you can become a good habit. You may want to remove it from your list of goals, but you don’t have to do away with it entirely. You can transform your discarded goal into a change in your lifestyle. Read more about how at Business.com.
2. Is this goal realistic and attainable? Use caution here. In terms of being attainable, do not confuse “difficult” with “unattainable.” Carefully consider how realistic a goal is. For example, you may want to become a millionaire within the next year, but you work a minimum wage job. This is not a realistic goal. Before you remove unrealistic or unattainable goals, consider whether the goal can be altered in a way that will make it realistic or attainable. Perhaps you could work towards becoming a millionaire within the next ten years.
Set Your Priorities
Once you have an amended set of goals, make sure to categorize them if you have not already done so. For each category, assign a number. This number should indicate where each category stands in terms of importance to you, personally. Do the same for each goal listed under a category.
Do not make this order of importance based on what other people may think, or on what society may dictate. For example, if you asked ten people whether family goals are more important than career goals to them, it is highly likely that all ten would say yes. Unfortunately, they will not all be telling the truth. Make your priority list based on how you truly feel and think. Live Your Legend has collected some advice from Warren Buffet on prioritization which you may find helpful when putting your goals in order.
Now you have a list of goals that are more suitable for you, personally. This will allow you to wake up in the morning with a new perspective on your life and your future. Make a plan to achieve each goal and get to work!