Are You Working Toward Your Goals or Someone Else's?
In attempt to figure this out, you first need to identify what your goals are. Here are mine:
My Goals: 101
I should really have these down on paper and in front of my face when I get up every morning, but I don't. Perhaps I'll get motivated to do that here soon. My best attempt at listing them for now is to be done here:I Want No More Anxiety, Ever - This is first and foremost because I'm an anxious person, and frankly, I'm real sick of being anxious. As a Christian, all I have to do is look right there in the Gospel in Matthew 6:25, which says "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?" It gets me fired up and I don't want to worry anymore. I'm sick of it.
I Want to Have a Family - It's not in my control as it takes two to start a family, but I can get myself ready for it, and that's what I'm doing.
I Want Financial Security & Eventually Financial Independence - First off, I want to achieve financial security in which, I don't have to be worried (see above) to lose my job or lose income. I want to be calm and comfortable knowing I will be provided for (or be able to provide for myself) always. Fifteen or twenty years down the road, my goal is to be financially independent in that, I won't have to ever worry about money again. I don't want this so I can buy fancy things, but so that I can enjoy life without stress or anxiety, knowing that I'll be able to have shelter over my head and food in my stomach no matter the circumstances.
I Want To Do What I Love - This one's huge. I want to do what's important to me. I want to travel. I want to capture a whole bunch of this world's breathtaking scenery, nature and wonders of the world with my camera and maybe even write about it. I want to blog (that's something I've never said before until now), I want to share my experiences (good and bad) with people, I want to be in business for myself, I want to learn, help people accomplish their goals and make the world a better place.
So Am I Working Toward My Goals?
Well.. kind of. I've been doing a lot to move myself forward on many of these fronts. I started this blog last December (which gets me somewhere on the Do What I Love List), I got my broke butt out of debt and stopped spending like a maniac. I also have worked hard to learn about business and the world of online marketing, which should help me have better chances of success as an entrepreneur when I decide to finally make the jump. I have also stopped many of my unhealthy habits and replaced them with better ones, which are a good thing for my anxiety levels and for stress. Preparing for a family? Well, I'm doing my best in a lot of ways. Financially would be one of them. Getting my act together would be another one. Setting goals and working toward a successful professional future is another, I would say.
So am I working toward MY goals, or someone else's? I'd have to say, I'm preparing myself to be completely on board with my goals, but for now I am still laying the foundation for it to happen in the future. I have high hopes that I can make it happen.
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13 Comments
- Modest Money says:March 9, 2012 at 12:10 AM
Interesting topic Kraig. I like that you've been very open with your personal goals. I admit that some of my previous goals were more about what I thought other people wanted me to pursue. Instead of focusing on my own personal wants and needs, I was worried about impressing other people. Regarding your anxiety, that isn't something that is always easy to control. Some people develop a chemical imbalance that leads them to stress out about things a lot.
- March 10, 2012 at 7:41 PM
Thanks for the positive feedback and for stopping by!
- Marie says:March 9, 2012 at 7:56 AM
Great post. I'm glad you found your goals and are working your way towards them. I remember when all of my goals came from family, and friends. Now they are my own. I added a date/year onto my goals to keep me motivated during the rough times. I'm ecstatic to hear you're sick of your anxiety. When I found myself in that position I did whatever it took to change my life. I sometimes forget I had a problem with my anxiety, but it took two years to get to this point. I wish you well on your journey.
- March 10, 2012 at 7:40 PM
Marie, Thanks for the kind words. I'm also glad to hear that your goals are your own!
- Daisy says:March 9, 2012 at 8:42 AM
I probably have a little of both in the mix. Sometimes, when I hear somebody else's goals, I think "oh, cool, I want to do that too!" and add it to my list, but as far as what people expect of me? Kind of. With school, I know my mom wanted me to go to college, so I did. But now I'm so glad I did!
- March 10, 2012 at 7:38 PM
I definitely have a little of both in the mix so you're not alone. Yeah, sometimes it's good to just listen to your parents and mentors. They usually know better than we do.
- bogofdebt says:March 9, 2012 at 9:14 AM
Excellent post and question. I think that I'm doing a mixture--I'm striving to get out of debt and bring myself some breathing space in my finances. By doing that, I do think that I've picked up some goals from family and friends, but I've also made them mine. (For an example: we've been told we need a new car--I'm willing to get a slightly used one but do not want to have a car payment so I'll save to get that car)
- March 10, 2012 at 7:39 PM
Sounds like you're doing a great job. Good luck continuing on your path toward getting out of debt!
- WorkSaveLive says:March 10, 2012 at 6:07 AM
This is a challenging question for a lot of people. It took me a few years to figure it out, but I'm definitely working towards my goals now. Out of college (and even prior) there is a lot of pressure from parents to play sports (their goals) and pursue a job THEY'RE interested in. It's nice to be on your own and live by your own desires.
- March 10, 2012 at 7:33 PM
Yeah, I would say parents/family members and employers are the two sets of people you have to be careful about. It's easy to become more focused on their goals than yours.
- Economically Humble says:March 10, 2012 at 3:49 PM
This kinda reminds me of marx and the whole work but don't own the fruits of your labor, thing. Am I working towards my goals.. yes, Im finishing an advanced doctorate.... but I still make time to do things like start a blog, garden, enjoy the outdoors.
- March 10, 2012 at 7:32 PM
Glad to hear you're working toward your goals. Good luck with the doctorate!
- Bridget says:March 12, 2012 at 1:02 PM
No more anxiety ever? Come on Kraig, the universe won't let you get away that easy ;) haha But pretty good goals nonetheless. I also would like a family (actually just a daughter lol) and financial security.
