Sit quietly for at least ten minutes and write, without stopping or editing, any goals that appeal to you. Let your imagination run wild and consider all possibilities for your future. If you have trouble coming up with goals, ask yourself the following questions: What would you do if you knew you could not fail? What would you do if you won a $20 million lottery? Write goals for all aspects of your life: health and wellness, relationships, career and community involvement.
Wait a few days before reviewing your list. First, eliminate or modify any far-fetched goals that cannot be realistically achieved within the next ten years. For example, a 45-year old woman with no athletic training cannot become an Olympic athlete. However, she could take swimming lessons, join a fitness center or running club and improve her fitness level.
Classify each goal as short-term or long-term. Use the long-term goals to create a "big picture" of what you want to do with your life. If you plan to retire at age 55, you probably value freedom and leisure pursuits. In the short term, you may want to get your finances in order, acquire more hobbies and work on achieving a work-life balance. If you want to lose weight, focus on wellness and make lifestyle changes, such as improving your eating habits and exercising on a daily basis.
Trim down the list of short-term goals to two or three for each major area of your life. You can easily become overwhelmed if you consider too many goals at one time. For example, if you want to apply for a leadership position in your firm, set a few short-term goals for the next six to twelve months. You could take an online business course, volunteer for an extra work project or find a mentor.
Review your goals on a regular basis. At the end of each month, sit down and write about each of your short-term goals. As you examine your feelings, ask yourself the following questions: Are you enjoying the process? Do you wake up excited each morning or do you dread the day? Although you cannot expect to have all good days, you should take note if you are having more bad days than good days. Do not be afraid to modify or change your goals. For example, if you do not enjoy attending the meetings of an environmental group, join another volunteer organization.