Goals for a Better Life
Navigating through life can sometimes feel suffocating. You put your heart and soul into something, only to feel crushed and discouraged by the harsh reality of life. But even those who are at their lowest point still want to do something great with their lives. Goals, as we like to call them, give us the opportunity to try new things and create fresh habits to start anew.
As humans, it is in our nature to aspire to become a better version of ourselves. We strive to satisfy every aspect of our lives in the best way possible. But goal-setting isn’t as simple as it seems, nor is the process of achieving these goals. It’s important for every person to figure out who they want to be and how they could get there by properly defining their work goals.
The Importance of Goal-Setting in Life
While the future will always remain uncertain, living a life with no plans at all is a mistake you’ll regret sooner or later. Setting goals can help you shape your life the way you want it to be. It influences your decisions, allowing you to choose smarter options for a better life. But keep in mind that plans don’t always work out the way you want them to, which is why it’s important to stay as flexible as possible.
Goal-setting is a vital step in creating a path for yourself, whether these are life goals or career goals. You see, you can never truly become successful unless you act upon it. Every single choice you make will eventually cause a chain reaction, so what you do now may affect future happenings one way or another.
However, consider the fact that change is constant. You may encounter events that will completely change your perspective towards your dreams and ambitions, making the goals you set way back seem less important than they were six months ago. But even then, we must learn to accept life for what it is. Though you didn’t get the happy ending you dreamed of having, the journey you’ve been through to reach those goals is what matters the most. The obstacles, mistakes, and life lessons are all part of the adventure that made you who you are today. Do not define success by the amount of money in your bank account nor judge it by the list of places you’ve traveled to in your lifetime because success can mean differently for everyone. If your life goal is to live a genuinely happy life, then forget what everyone else is doing and do you. You may also see financial goals.
The Difference between Short-Term Goals and Long-Term Goals
Goals are typically classified into different categories, specifically short-term goals and long-term goals. Some people think that setting these goals is a waste of time because of how things don’t always work out the way we hoped they would. But leaving things unplanned will often lead to chaos. Goals are known to be the roadmap that leads us to a fulfilling life, so it’s important to set smart goals for yourself every now and then.
1.What Are Short-Term Goals?
Short-term goals are those that you wish to achieve in the near future. The near future could mean later today, tomorrow, this week, next month, or even a year from now. For instance, one of your academic goals could be to pass a class you’ve been dreading to take for months. This is considered to be a short-term goal since you’re likely to accomplish it in a span of five months. These goals are usually made to complete a bigger piece of the puzzle. Without such, you’re bound to lose motivation and direction on your journey towards something great.
2.Why Set Long-Term Goals?
Maybe you aspire to be a doctor one day. It’s been a dream of yours since you wear a kid, and all those medical TV shows and inspiring talks with your parents have definitely kept you motivated. But to become a professional in the said practice, it requires patience, commitment, and years of emotional and mental breakdowns caused by the stress of surviving college and medical school. Then again, nothing in life comes easy. A long-term goal is a kind of goal that consists of several short-term goals to fulfill. This is not something you can meet at the end of a day or week, as it demands time and planning examples to pursue.
Goals for Your Personal Growth
We all have our own fair share of busy schedules to follow. And sometimes, we tend to get so caught up in our responsibilities that we forget to give ourselves the chance to breathe. For the sake of your well-being, take a break. Allow yourself to grow by spending your spare time fulfilling these personal development goals:
- Stay offline at least once a week. In average, how much time do you spend each week facing a computer or phone screen? Apart from gradually destroying your vision, being online 24/7 can turn you into a real-life robot. It’s important to take the time off every now and then to focus on reality. Spend time with friends. Take a walk in the park. It’s time to breathe in the fresh air and see life through your own two eyes. At the end of the day, you’ll come to realize that pictures and pixels can never compare to what your senses can experience in real time.
- Read a new book every month. When we say “book”, we mean an actual book that you could touch and browse through with your fingers. While e-books may seem like a cheaper and more convenient alternative, physical books give you a whole other experience that digital journals fail to provide. You can start small by reading pocketbooks with interesting plots. It doesn’t have to be some Paulo Coehlo or Dan Brown masterpiece, as you can’t force yourself to read books of genres you aren’t too fond of. The whole point of reading a book is to bring your mind to another dimension. This allows your imagination to run wild with thoughts and ideas that fascinate you. You may also see department goals.
- Keep a journal. There’s something nostalgic about keeping a journal like it serves as a reminder of your “Dear Diary” phase as a kid. But oftentimes, journals can be your best friend whenever you feel like you have no one else to talk to. It helps clear your mind from thoughts that have been filling your head. You can assess situations carefully and make better decisions. Even though being sappy and emotional isn’t who you are as an individual, you’d be surprised with what happens when your pen touches that paper.
- Wake up to your alarm. What’s the point of setting an alarm if you end up snoozing it off every five minutes? This is a bad habit that you need to break. Challenge yourself everyday to get up right when your alarm starts ringing. An extra minute or two in bed may seem tempting, but if you want to get to work on time then you need to discipline your mind and body. Who knows, if you stay committed to your goal, you may not need an alarm clock anymore. You may also see marketing goals.
- Limit screen time. A lot of us have jobs that require us to stay in front of a computer screen for the entire day. This can be very draining, both physically and mentally. So try switching it up a little by spending the rest of your day doing other things. There are many ways to relax after work without having to spend the whole night watching Netflix. If you’re up for it, maybe you can start reading that book you’ve been keeping for weeks now.
Goals for Your Physical Health
We all know how important it is to exercise, yet we never seem to find the time and energy to actually do it. But maybe what you really need is a plan to follow. That being said, here are some goals that will help keep your body nourished:
- Take a walk every morning. Instead of laying in bed doing nothing productive, go and take a walk. You don’t have to go very far, as a walk around the block is enough to give your mind the clarity it needs. A healthy dose of fresh air will give you the energy to seize another stressful day. Also, a nice mile walk will definitely help shed those extra pounds you just gained from the night before. You may also see communication goals.
- Drink tea instead of sodas or coffee. The only refreshment your body ever needs to get through the day is water. But if you’re guilty of having more than a cup of coffee everyday then you may want to change your lifestyle. For most individuals, it’s much easier to avoid soda than to cut down on the caffeine, especially if it’s a significant part of your everyday life. If you feel like the daily intake of coffee or soda is beginning to take a toll in your physical health, then you may want to switch it up for a cup of warm tea. Not only is it a healthier option, but it can also be much cheaper than regular caffeinated drinks.
- Develop an exercise routine. Your busy schedule should never be a reason to skip a workout. While you may not have the time and energy (or motivation) to hit the gym, there are other ways to keep the blood flowing. All you need is a 10-minute workout that may be executed at any time and place. You’re more likely to complete a workout if you start small, so make sure it’s doable. Over time, you can go beyond your regular routine as long as you stay committed. You may also see strategic goals.
- Experiment with meal prepping. Skip the McDonald’s run. A fat, juicy burger may sound really good at the moment, but it’s definitely not a good choice to make. Meal prepping is the perfect option for a healthier mind and body in more ways than one. Not only can this save you time and money, but it also helps you control your food intake. This allows you to make healthier options and ensures you don’t end up skipping any important meals for the day.
- Eat healthier. If fruits and vegetables aren’t a part of your everyday meals, then you may want to change your ways. You can find a lot of recipes online that incorporate fruits or veggies into their dishes, so you don’t have to worry about eating a plain bowl of salad for dinner everyday. Create a meal plan if you must. This ensures you reach your daily quota for fruits and vegetables at all times.
Goals for Your Career
Being an adult is more than just paying the bills and working an 8-hour shift. If you want to be successful in your career, you need to work hard for it. This proves how you can be an asset to a company you are working with or applying for. Since most companies evaluate their employees through their performance, productivity, and effectiveness, it’s important to set annual goals that can help you improve your work ethics in the best way possible.
Here are some examples of career goals to inspire you:
- Get a job. The first step to launching a career is to land a good job. Finding a decent job is quite a struggle in today’s economy, so don’t expect your first job to pay as big as you hoped it would. You may not even obtain the job role you’ve been dreaming to get. There will always be other applicants who may seem more confident and more capable than you, but that shouldn’t slow you down. Nevertheless, patience is a virtue. It’s a long wait, but it’s also a rewarding experience to go through.
- Get promoted. It’s a good feeling to get promoted. As an employee, it is the product of your hard work, commitment, and determination. But with great power also comes great responsibility. You may have to take on bigger tasks, work longer hours, and face more critical projects. But these professional goals also serve as a reminder that the best things in life are never handed to us. With that in mind, consider that promotion as a long-term goal you need to aim for.
- Land a managerial position. After you’ve been working for the same company for a while, stepping up your game to advance your position will help give your career direction. Most individuals have to wait years for this to happen, depending on the field you are in along with the effort you exert. But remember, it can get very competitive in the workplace, especially when it comes down to who deserves it the most. So make sure you build a good name for yourself before you even consider landing a managerial or executive position in the company.
- Start a business. If you ever consider venturing out into the world of business, choose something you are most passionate about. Fashion designers are also successful entrepreneurs because they do what they love the most. Imagine where you want to be in a couple of years and what you hope to be doing. A business can only prosper if it’s being run with a vision and mission in mind. For a better outcome, you may want to think about making a separate list of business goals to meet.
- Earn a certificate or degree. Most careers require a level of knowledge and understanding in certain fields, especially if you wish to go further along your profession. Earning a degree or special certificate is a great way to jumpstart your journey. Even if you have already graduated from college, you can still take a few classes here and there to gain more knowledge on a given subject. Simple award certificates and the like can also add color to your resume.
Smart Tips for Setting Achievable Goals
If you want something, then you’d do anything to get it, right? But before you go on a quest to reach your goals, you must first understand what you’re getting yourself into. Goals are merely dreams unless you work to make them your reality. But it’s easier to define a goal than to actually achieve it. To ensure you don’t end up wasting your time and effort chasing a pointless ambition, consider the following tips in goal-setting: You may also see investment goals.
- Identify your strengths and weaknesses. Know what you are capable of. While goals are simply dreams you wish to accomplish, you still need to be practical about it. You can’t build expectations over something you don’t have the resources or skills needed to acquire it. Consider the areas that you excel in and work on those that you wish to improve on. If you want to meet your goals, you must learn to become a better version of yourself first.
- Know your purpose for each goal. Ask yourself questions that are in line with your goals. Where do you see yourself in a couple of years? Is this really want you want for yourself? Your overall goal will give you an idea of where you’re headed and how this may influence the decisions you make. Without a clear purpose, you’ll feel just as lost as a tourist in a foreign country. You may also see internship goals.
- Determine the steps to attaining your goal. Now that you know where you want to be, identify the steps needed to get there. Remember to consider the roadblocks that may come along and think about what you could do to overcome them. There will always be trials that would slow you down somehow, but never let this get in the way of what you want to achieve.
- Measure your progress. Short-term objectives make the long-term goals seem more bearable. Every mini-milestone attained will give you a sense of pride and accomplishment to keep you on your feet. Regardless of its scale, it’s always good to reward yourself in any way you can. This will keep you motivated to continue on on your journey.
- Plan accordingly. Having a plan is the perfect way to stay organized. There will come a point where you’ll feel lost with no direction but with a plan at hand, you’ll know exactly how to bounce back. This can help you assess every situation properly and think of possible solutions to weigh down. It would also be best to write your goals down rather than to keep them to yourself, as what’s written in print can sometimes appear more real.
Goal-setting is one of the most important steps to living a fulfilling life. Whether it’s to finish a semester with good grades or to build a career as a graphic designer, your goals are a reflection of who you are and where you want to be. In life, you’re likely to encounter trials and hardships that will affect the way you see your goals. And at some point, you may just consider giving it all up for nothing. But despite the ups and downs that life brings, your goals serve as a reminder of your strength and ability to keep pushing forward. You may also see leadership goals.