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Have you thought about where you want to be in 5 years?
We often get stuck in the daily grind of life, and we forget to zoom out and focus on the bigger picture. Sometimes we watch an inspirational movie that sparks a light within us, reminding us of that passion to achieve something big. And it is possible.
<QuoteBlock text={"The problem is when we don’t set the right type of long-term goals."} />
One way to get clear about what goals you want to set is to visualize the version of you at the end of your life. Write a letter to the 80-year old version of yourself.
<List title={"Considering the following questions"} items={[ "What goals did you achieve?", "What are you most proud of accomplishing in your lifetime?", "What goals were worth the time and energy?", ]} />
According to research, you are much more likely to achieve goals that are based on your values and hence intrinsically motivate you.
First, identify your core values. Then, set long-term goals that will help you live according to your personal values.
For example, if you value “learning”, you might set a long-term goal to get a PhD.
It’s vital to be specific about your goals. It’s not enough to just say “I want to be rich”. What your definitions of “rich” might change over time. In order to set goals you can achieve, think about the exact amount of money that you will have in your bank account or what your lifestyle will look like. For example, you might say “I will be able to afford my own 4-bedroom house and drive a Ferrari”.
Often we begin chasing after things that we don’t really want. With social media, we are often surrounded with an overload of information as to what other people have. But it isn’t necessary that we want those things too. For example, you may be told by people around you that it is good to own a big house. However, you actually want to travel.
When setting goals, it’s crucial to ensure that you are setting goals that you truly are passionate about, rather than what you think you are passionate about.
One technique to identify this is the “Why Method”.
Ask yourself “why do I want this” 5 times. Start with what you want.
<List title={"For example, it might be “owning a house”."} items={[ "“Why do I want this?” Because you want somewhere nice to live.", "“Why do I want this?” So that you can invite your friends and family over.", "“Why do I want this?” So that they feel proud of you.", "“Why do I want this?” So that they stop pressuring you.", "“Why do I want this?” So that you can finally do what you want, which is travel.", ]} />
At this point you have gotten to your authentic why, the one that will keep you focused. So the real goal here might be to identify how you can travel, rather than how you can own a house.
Once you have set your goals, you can congratulate yourself for taking the first step! Now, it’s time to persist towards achieving them. Use these science-backed tips to help you focus on your goals after you set them.