For the past several years I've made a list of goals for each year. These are always things like "fly in a private jet", "take my wife on a vacation to Hawaii", or "sell to 10 new clients." Each of these goals are very, very specific. Last year was no different. Although I knew my previous method wasn't working, I only changed my process by saying, "I'll just have less this year."
In the middle of July, I ripped the goals off of my wall and threw them away. My method wasn't working.
I wasn't sure I was going to set goals for 2021. The current outlook makes it look like 2021 won't be that much better than 2020, so what's the point of putting big goals out there. Until I thought of a more simple solution. What if my goals weren't task-based? What if my goals where more about changing who I am than dictating what I do.
With that, I came up with four very simple questions:
- What is one thing I want to DO in 2021?
- What is one thing I want to LEARN in 2021?
- What is one thing I want to ACCOMPLISH in 2021?
- What is one way I want to HELP someone else in 2021?
These four things really summarize the whole picture of my 2021 goals. They are big picture goals and are not really deadline-driven.
I took these four questions and looked at the goals I failed at in 2020. I thought, how can I make these 2020 goals fit within this bigger-picture thought process. What I came up with was an introspective set of goals:
- Love Myself More
- Enjoy my Family More
- Be a Better Boss
- Experience More
- Go There More
- Challenge Yourself
- Build Your Own Soundtrack
- Worry Less About Money
- Waste Less Time
- Change The World
- Give More
Each of those headings has general goals under them like "Develop a routine" and "create a habit of healthy eating" are under "Love Myself More."
I hope that you can take some time today and work on some goals for yourself this year. It's going to be another hard year, so give yourself some grace.
Remember, wherever life takes you, Love The Journey.