I know a lot of us have made mental, or physical, check lists for what we have to have done and when we have to have it done. While our bigger goals may come after 30, we have all probably planned so much to do before then. The problem here is not your goals, but your time frame.
There is so much that we do not have control over and need to leave up to the time keeper. Marriage, children, c-suite career, white picket fence and your American dream is all attainable, but not on your clock. It is best to set smaller and more realistic goals. Who’s to say when you will find the right one? Who’s to say that you will end up in the c-suite straight from college? Who’s to say that your first house will actually come before 30? Let’s think about getting a nice sized apartment and building up your credit instead. Focus on lifestyle changes or adventures versus kids and marriage. I know this is easier said than done, but I will not give advice that I haven’t or wouldn’t try. Reevaluating your goals and setting new ones allow for the bigger ones to come more easily. Your love will come while you are enjoying life. That promotion will come when you are so focused at outperforming your current position. Your house will come more easily when your credit score is high enough and your current landlord can vouch for you.
While I am saying that you should reevaluate and reset you goals, I also think it would be smart to have a backup plan. Don’t bank on only one thing or one way of accomplishing goals. Backup plans aren’t preparing you for failure, but preparing you for life. There is no guarantee that life will go as YOU plan, so it’s good to have a “just in case” agenda going on as well. Plan B ain’t never hurt anybody!
This advice may work for you, but if this is not your speed then ditch the plans altogether. Goals help push you more, but you can become successful in life without breaking down your 10 year plan. Enjoy life and live it as it comes, but don't neglect what will not only make you happy now, but happy down the line as well. Don't become so carefree that you end up out on your tail, dead broke without a quarter to call home or a shoulder to cry on.
It's important to know that not meeting your deadlines on goals isn't an end-all, it just means that it wasn't time yet. And whose to say that what you want at 20 is what you want at 30? Take a step back, breath and live life happily.
With love, SP
RSS Feed