We are now one month in to 2021, and you may be thinking, “This feels eerily similar to the dumpster fire that was 2020.” If this is you, please review the January issue before proceeding. The only control we all have is our control over ourselves and our mindset. Once you have begun the practice of getting into the right mindset every day, I would encourage you to begin to set small, specific goals in each of the categories below.
Our categories must be in congruence with a well-balanced life. How many people do you know that have millions of dollars but still seem miserable? Have the perfect body but have insecurities? Have great friend relationships but struggle financially? Have a dream career and no one to come home too? We all know them; you may even be one of them. Are you even aware?
Faith – The foundation of your life should be built on spiritual faith. Practicing your faith can be built into a daily goal. How often do you pray? How much do you study your faith? Maybe you are not of a traditional religion. But do you find time for your spirit each day?
Family – Your family is the next layer of goals, no matter how old you are, married, single parent, or a child of elderly parents. There are goals to be set if you want to continue to strengthen and build your relationships Date night 2x a month, dinner as a family 3x a week, limited technology time (maybe that one is for you, mom and dad, just as much as it is for your teen).
Fitness – You must take care of your physical health. Period. No excuses here. I don’t care your age or your level of health – beginner or expert. You have no excuse not to move your body. These goals are NOT about being an ideal weight; this is about being your best self and creating the energy needed to achieve the rest of the goals on this page. They can be simple but must be daily. It’s as simple as 30 minutes of movement or stretching. Maybe it’s walking with the family, lowering your cholesterol, or squatting 225lbs.
Career – Your work is one of the largest parts of your day. You spend 8 primary hours, at least, working. Whatever your role may be, there is a way to set a goal to continue to grow and improve your skill set. If you are not in the role you want to be, then you better be setting the right goals to make a move. What are you studying each week in your industry to grow? How many calls are you making a day?
Friends– Remember friends? Remember when you could call a friend and meet for dinner and drinks for hours? We’re crunched for time, and the priorities of family, work, and life are plentiful. This is why we must set friend goals. How many social gatherings will you host per month – in personal or virtual? An annual trip with your best friends? Maybe it’s just a Zoom call with wine. Whatever it may be, you must be intentional about setting the goals and making it a priority.
Fun – Yes, I am that lame that I must set a goal for fun. We all have the best of intentions to have fun as we grow older, right? We still feel fun. Guess what? You’re likely not that fun anymore. Each year, evaluate the things that you find fun and interesting. If it’s reading, how many books do you want to read this year? If you like adventure, when will you go skydiving? (Side note – this one is so worth it!) Don’t wait, because time will pass anyway, and you don’t want to be old and gray saying, “I wish I would have…”
Finance– This one is last for a reason. 1. It is my favorite (the financial advisor in me squeals). 2. This one must be set because everything above this line requires financial backing in some form. You do not need to set a financial goal to be a multi-millionaire. This is about setting the right and realistic goal that will support the lifestyle you’ve described above. If you are living your ideal life according to the goals and vision you’ve described above, then you will need to diligently track and control your finances. Don’t be afraid of the numbers. Get to know your spending, your savings, and your benefits. In this day and age, there is no excuse for not understanding your finances and, therefore, setting goals for what you should target in savings each year, what you want to earn in income, or how much you plan to pay off in debt. What could you do daily to better track? Maybe you could pack a lunch three days instead of ordering out?
Goals are often mistaken for BHAG (big, hairy, audacious goals) or SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timed). I have fallen prey to these teachings year after year. The problem is not the concepts; it is that I didn’t understand how to set goals that felt like they were truly important to me. If I set a goal and worked to achieve it, I often felt like the rest of my world was a bit off balance. Have you ever been so focused on one area of your life that you let others drop? I have. That certainly can take away from the glory of a goal, and it can even damage relationships in the process. Be mindful that your life has little to do with the goals you achieve but much more about the person you become and the impact you make on the journey.
