The Minimalist Guide to Goal Setting

There is something magical about having a clean slate (in this case, calendar) to create a better life that serves You and your Life’s Goals.   The concept that you do create your own life may be new to you.

We’ve been taught that life happens to us, not that we are the director, producer, and star.

Living an authentic, conscious life means more happiness and a sense of deep fulfillment.

It also means taking responsibility for all your actions.  Not drifting easily along, complaining about your circumstances and blaming others.

Possibilities

Just for a moment, believe you can consciously create what your life looks like.  What would you be doing?  How would you be living in the world?  Who would you be serving?  What would your surroundings look like?  How would you feel?

If you believe your dreams are worthy only of the vocabulary of cash flow, I would advise you to reexamine your visions and give them more majesty.

What you love to do, you do well.  What you do well will earn you money.  If there is not a formal occupation that honors your vision, then I would say it’s about time you took your creative power and designed a job for yourself.  Is this fanciful?  Not at all.  Look back in history.  Those who amassed great fortunes did not follow in the footsteps of structure.  They moved with their own creativity.  What brings you joy will bring you abundance.”   From Emmanuel’s Book II: The Choice for Love

Steps

Find a quiet time; get a piece of paper or your journal (writing goals down makes them much more real).

For now, just list without limiting yourself to what you think is possible.  Be as clear as you can.

1. List 5 “things” you want to bring into your life for the next year.   They may be physical items, or more conceptual, such as “own my own business” or “do creative work”.
2. For each item in #1, create another column opposite of “Why do I want it?”  Really explore each item here from a loving place.  Do you really want the item for yourself, or is this someone else’s goal for you?  How do you feel when you think about this item?  Does it speak to your heart, or does it create a “dead” feeling inside?  Are there things you know you want, but are afraid to say out loud?
3. Circle the main themes you see in the “Why do I want it?” column.  These are the themes in your life.  What inhabits your conscious mind.  What really drives you. Do they serve you and you happiness?
4. Optional Step: List 5 things you DON’T want in your life next year.  This can sometimes be easier since what we don’t want often comes with a stronger emotional charge.  Again, don’t judge the answers as “right” or “wrong”.   Simply look at them objectively as you can.  Creating a “Why” column may help here as well.  Say one of the items you don’t want in your life is a certain boss you hate.  In the Why column you explore what is really going on.  Is the jerk boss representing a job that doesn’t speak to your heart?  Is it the confinement of the position?  Is what you’re really after freedom?  Or is the root really just a jerk boss?!
5. Break down each of the 5 items in your original “Want” column.  What would it look/feel like to have that item in your life?  What elements would be there?

Real Life

Here’s an example from my own list.  At the top of my “What do I want?” list I have:

A life that is fulfilling

For Step 5, I break down”A life that is fulfilling” to it’s elements.  What would that look like for me?

Try not to over think this part.  Just write down elements that come to your mind quickly for that particular item.  Some of the elements that came to my mind were:

• Respect among my peers
• Have a conduit/outlet for my creativity
• Be a good mom to my daughter
• Learn new things on a regular basis
• Go to Europe once a year

If what you want is a physical item, or say, a certain job or business, what are its characteristics?  How would you recognize it when you had it?  What does it look like?  What does it feel like?  What does it smell like?  Use all your senses here.  Write these characteristics down, making them as clear as possible.

Where the rubber hits the road

Now we leave the realm of thought, and bring what you want to you.  Yes, you heard me correctly.  You DO have the ability to bring things into your life.

We all do it all the time, just not consciously or deliberately.  Everything you have in your life right now, “good” and “bad” was created by you.  Listen again to Episode 10 to see this concept in action for Ali Davies.  And while you’re at it check out her killer blog post about being accountable to yourself.

Is it easy?  No.

Is it worth it?  Ask Ali Davies.  Or ask the question this way: Do you want to drift along, putting up with whatever comes along?  Or create a life you really want and have chosen for yourself?

In later posts we’ll discuss steps to make your list real and really happen.

Let us know in the comments below if this method of goal setting has worked for you.  What do you want to bring into your life this coming year?