True Goals

This is the time of year when people actually give goal setting a chance. However, as we know from the experiences of those around or, perhaps, ourselves, most do it via the New Year's Resolution route. Unlike true goals, this is where someone has a wish for something to happen in the New Year coupled with a mediocre commitment to achieve it. This is where most fail before they ever get started. Instead of committing to the ends fully, they mentally give a half-hearted effort.

True Goals

Goal setting experts will tell you that a goal must be a few things to be effective. To start, it must be measurable (more is not quantifiable). It also needs to be a stretch outside your present level of comfort. It must be in the positive and it must have an end day.

For example losing more weight is not a goal since dropping 1 pound over 5 years would equate to success. If this is your intention from the start, I believe your standards are way too low. Goals should be something that motivates you to excel.

At the same time, we all know the saying that 'you do not see a UHaul behind a hearse'. Another way people phrase this is that 'you can't take it with you'. In other words we leave this world with what we entered it with: NOTHING. Accumulating all the toys, trinkets, and assets in the world will not change anything when we are dead. Everything anyone ever amassed was left behind.

Therefore, perhaps it is time to set some True Goals. Instead of concentrating on the amount of money you can earn, or the number of cars to own, maybe it is time to focus on experiences. It is a novel concept to many but this is in keeping with the minimalist thinking. Anyone who looked at this particular path knows that experiences are held dearer than things. Therefore, it is best to create some goals of this nature as opposed to the typical 'thing-based' goals.

The Ultimate List

John Goddard is a world famous adventures. Years ago he set out a list of 127 goals that are a bit different from the average list people put together. Follow the link to his site and take a look at what he put down. Notice how owning a ferrari, waterski, or condo in the mountains is nowhere on the list. In fact, there is nothing material on the list; it is all experiences.

To me, this is the ultimate goal list. I am reworking my list to model this somewhat. Now that I have altered my thinking, I realize what I focused upon all those years was not very fulfilling. My aim now is to be free to experience all that I can in life. Having a 'blueprint' is a terrific way to get started. How can one know where he or she is going if there is no plan of action? A goal list is a plan of action that one can follow.

Thus, in your time of reflection, start to think about what you can experience in the New Year as opposed to what you can get. Too often people write that they want to make X number of dollars. That is terrific if one knows the reasoning for that money. If it is just to sit in a bank and make one feel good about oneself, then it isn't very worthy. However, if this goal is to provide the resources to move one closer to a lifestyle of freedom by providing the basis of investment income, then that is something that will motivate someone.

Remember, in the end we all leave with nothing. Therefore, create a list of true goals that are rich in experiences. This is what we all should concentrate on in 2011.