Goal Setting Exercise

I want to share my goal-setting exercise that you can do on your own or with a Coach. It touches on all the key aspects of setting (and committing) to goals that will get you to where you want to be in life. Enjoy the exercise!

In this exercise you will reflect on your vision for life, your core values and passion. You will explore different types of goals, brainstorm from a place of possibilities, prioritize your goals, and set timelines.

Let’s begin:

1) Define your vision for your life. This will help you set the direction and give you a place to check whether you are heading in the right general direction. Click on the link to download the visioning exercise worksheet: Defining Your Vision

2) Connect to your core values and what is most important to you. When you have a challenging decision to make, you will feel best when your decisions align with your core values. Click on the link to download the core values exercise. Read the instructions carefully and be honest! Core Values Exercise

3) Find your passion in life. What’s the point of having goals if you aren’t passionate about attaining them? Click on the link to download 50 questions. You don’t have to answer all of the questions but it is helpful to attempt them all in order until something clear begins to emerge. Be honest and stick with the process! 50 Questions for Finding Your Passion and Purpose in Life

4) Explore different types of goals, so that our life experience is a well-rounded one and not just focused in one area. Click on the link to explore the meaning of short, medium and long term goal-setting: Different Types of Goals

5) Brainstorm and create lists of goals of all types that represent everything you could possibly want in life, without putting limitations on your desires or judging them. If there were no obstacles and you were dreaming bigger than ever before, what would appear on your list? Small things count too, as well as wanting things for others.

6) Create a Timeframe. Now label each item as being long term to achieve (6-10 years), medium term (2-5 years) or short term (up to 1 year).

7) Put it all together. Using your insights from steps 1-4, reduce the number of long term, medium term and short term goals to about 10-15 for each timeframe, which will represent your top priorities. Now you have your refined list of goals according to the vision for your life, that you will be passionate about and that represent your values and what is important to you.