goal setting template

Below is a template that includes eight main areas for goal setting consideration to encourage balance in your life. Another format is called treasure mapping which is a visual collage of words and pictures of the life you want to create. Treasure mapping is covered in more detail in the next section. Regardless of how you do it, it should be invigorating and fun. I like to do both a goal list and then I set it to pictures displayed where I see them every day. A cork board works well as a vision board. 

This is your life. Create the life you want!

To encourage a balanced life, the areas you should consider when setting goals are:

  1. Health & Well-Being – spiritual, fitness, nutrition

  2. Education & Hobbies – be a lifelong learner!

  3. Character – personal honor code

  4. Financial – savings, goals, debt reduction

  5. Home & Relationships – romance, family, friends, home

  6. Volunteer & Mentoring – share your talents

  7. Career – changes, promotions, professional associations

  8. Travel & Adventure

The emphasis in each of the areas will change over time. When you are young, education and career will take priority over other areas. Later on, financial and family goals may be front and center. It is still important not to let any one area get too out of balance. For what is career success without someone to share it with or the loss of your health!

You must believe with your heart and soul that you can create the life you desire, not just casually hope, and then get back to careless mindless ways of getting through each day. The use of visualization can help. Each morning upon waking, start by verbalizing all those things in your life that you are grateful for and set the tone for the day. I guarantee this process will set a positive tone for your day. If you think positively your outcome will be positive. If you think negatively your outcome will be negative. So fight against negative thoughts. Avoid people who are negative or who are not supportive of who you are becoming. Then see yourself in your mind’s eye already achieving those goals that you have set for yourself. Believe it!  Feel it!  You will become it! And each and every day take action to achieve your goals.