WEEKEND GOAL: MAKE A LIFE LIST.

Posted by Alanna Fincke

It may seem gimmicky, but writing down your major life goals, dreams, desires, or intentions can help motivate you to actually accomplish them. This weekend, take some time to make your own “life list,” using the tips here. Then think about what you need to do to put your dreams into action.

Think Like a Seven-Year-Old
Get back to that place you were in as a child, when "limitations" was a word uttered only by grown-ups. When you think like a child, you expose your limits as mirages. What did you want to be when you were young? Make a list of your early ambitions. What can you do now to bring those dreams back to life?

When the List Feels Done, Keep Going
Give yourself half an hour to write down 100 goals. Turn off your filter and keep the pen going. When you're done, look the list over. Did you uncover any long-concealed aspirations? Any surprises?

Climb Out of Your Sinkhole
When you feel down, don't wallow. Get out a pen instead. Think about something you're not doing now that could make you happy, and jot it down. Then commit to bringing that idea closer to reality.

Cast a Wide Net
Share your list, anonymously, at one of the Web sites devoted to life lists, like 43things.com, your100things.com, or 2dobeforeIdie.com. Make it known if you're looking for support and motivation. Then find someone else with a worthy goal and cheer them on.

Break It Into Pieces
A life list isn't a sworn oath, so make changes whenever you like and divvy it up in any way you please. Pick one big-picture goal and take a small step to bring it closer. If your list says, "Live in Paris," subscribe to a Parisian newspaper, join Alliance Francaise, or research international job sites. These forays into the neighborhood of your dream will give you the know-how to make the larger idea a reality.

Learn more about plotting life goals click here.
(You can even download Life List Worksheets!)

Question: Have you made a life list? What on it have you already accomplished?

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Comments

[BJ Robinson]

Hello, again, Alanna Fincke. Your posts are wonderful! Thank you. I am definitely going to save the Life List Worksheets, not only for myself but also for my students. Just last night, at an end of the semester party with my Creative Writing class, I asked the students to write down their goals for the next five years! I hope to stay in touch with them by sending them job listings and calls for creative writing submissions, when appropriate. Their goals were a moving mixture of professional and personal hopes ie publishing and marrying! One of my students asked me what were my goals for the next five years (your posts really are uncannily dead on in terms of connecting with people's lives). That question took me aback because I hadn't really developed any goals, not consciously, anyway. So, I will take this Body and Soul Weekend Goal very seriously. Thank you! Take care. B. J.

[Body + Soul Editors]

Hello BJ,

Thank you for your kind words. I just wanted to let you know that I applaud your continued dedication to the Body + Soul Challenge. Your comments are inspirational and the fact that you are helping future generations foster healthy outlooks is truly amazing. Your honesty and ability to share your personal limitations has helped encourage readers and touched countless lives.

Good luck on your continued journey to healthy living!
Alanna Fincke
Editor - Body + Soul