“If we all did the things we are capable of, we would astound ourselves.” – Thomas Edison.
When setting personal goals, we should first take stock of where we already are. Perhaps you have done quite well financially, but your personal relationships are severely lacking. Maybe your marriage is secure and amicable, but in the area of romance the fire has long dimmed. We need to take an honest assessment of where we have succeeded and where we have failed. Then we can determine how to proceed forward. With this in mind, here are 7 areas of life to focus on for the next 10 years of your life plan.
1. Marriage and Family Harmony
Maintaining and growing, as well as restoring and healing in this area, should absolutely be a top priority in your personal goals. Pinpoint the relationships in the direst condition. It could be that your marriage is in severe trouble. Does a relationship with your ex create great pain in your entire family? Perhaps it’s effective communication issues with your children. Wherever the danger points are, the goal is to determine them and devise a plan on resolving the issues. Be sure to highlight where you have succeeded as well, and how you might grow those seeds elsewhere. The goal is a family living in peace and harmony.
2. Proper Mindset and Balance
What is your attitude like? Are you overly aggressive and abrasive? Timid and self-defeating? Your mindset needs to be in proper balance. Too much or too little of any one particular ingredient can send you in the wrong direction. Personal growth occurs as we begin to learn exactly who we are—our strengths and our weaknesses.
3. Career Passion and Personal Satisfaction
When people set goals, they almost always look towards their careers first. That is a mistake. That’s not to say your career isn’t important, because it certainly is, but are you a workaholic? On the flip side, are you lazy and uninspired? Make sure you keep work in a proper perspective. Your goal here should be to passionately enjoy your chosen profession while maintaining an excellent home life.
4. Financial Stability
At every turn, you hear talk about financial discipline or lack thereof. In Washington, in state government, in local government, and in your own home, financial matters are important. Getting your “financial house” in order is an essential priority in your 10 year planning. Strive to dramatically lower or eliminate your debt. Increase your savings and build on your family security. Check out All Pro Dad friend Dave Ramsey for great advice in this area.
5. Service and Social Responsibility
Despite our issues, America is still the wealthiest nation on Earth. We have a duty and responsibility to do good works with our blessings. For instance, Coach Tony Dungy places a high priority on mentoring. Do a little research and think of an area of need that ignites your passions. Create a plan to become permanently active in the needs of your community, and include your entire family.
6. Leisure Time
We have talked about healing family relationships, moving ahead in your career, straightening out your finances, serving others, but how about a little “you” time? Stress is a killer. It is of utmost importance that time is set aside to relax and just enjoy life. However you see fit to do so is up to you. Just make sure that in your planning, leisure is included.
7. Expanding and Growing Faith
Faith is the most important item on this list. Without faith, the rest of this list is pretty pointless. Start and finish your 10 year planning based on growing your faith and becoming the man or woman God created you to be.
Have you ever written a life plan? If so, what are some of the goals you included?
