Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom. Aristotle
If you woke up tomorrow morning and could be doing whatever you wanted, what would that be? What are you doing? What are others doing? How do you feel? Are you motivated and excited or anxious and doubtful?
Most of us know what we don’t want but have difficulty defining what we do want.
Before making new goals for our future, it is important to reflect on what we want and why. What is meaningful and valuable and worth pursuing.
Here are 3 important words to consider as you begin this process:
Why – What – How
Why
- Why do I want to set this goal?
- Why have I not made it before?
- Why is it important now? Does it fit with my values?
- Why do I hesitate if I say I want it?
- Why are other things more important than reaching my goal?
What
- What specifically do I want to do, to have, to attain?
- What keeps me from doing it? (Past attempts, past failures, lack of commitment, etc.)
- What obstacles, restrictions, setbacks do I face (financial, age, lack of support, determination, fear, unsure, etc.)
- What interferences are there? (demanding job, family concerns overcommitted in other areas, home to keep up, etc.)
- What would happen if I didn’t make a decision and get started?
How
- How will I maintain my other important and necessary commitments (job, family, church, etc.)
- How will I get past discouraging moments?
- How will I keep myself motivated when I am tired and alternate diversions become more compelling?
- How will I define my goal specifically enough so I know exactly how to structure my plan of action and keep on track?
- How will I know when I have reached my goal and am ready for the next one?
When we can define what is important to us in our values and wants, we will be able to make our goals more specific and precise with step by step plans of actions.
Are you ready to take that next step?
Marlene Anderson
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