Setting big goals and imagining the outcomes can feel exciting and inspiring, but not everyone knows what they want. This can be a major problem for many people. If you find yourself aspiring to set goals but struggling to gain clarity on what you truly want, these goal-setting hacks are for you.
In this blog post, you will be guided on how to set goals even when you feel uncertain about your desires. It’s okay to feel pressure. It’s okay to worry about what your future may hold. But that confusion is about to end now with these goal-setting hacks you’re about to know.
Before you delve in, be reassured that it is perfectly normal to not know what you want in life. It’s okay to be uncertain. Nobody promised that you would have everything figured out all at once. So, let go of that unnecessary pressure and embrace the possibilities.
5 Goal-Setting Hacks When You Don’t Know What You Want
#Hack 1: Focus on a Time Frame That Makes You Comfortable
For some, thinking about what they want in the next five years can feel overwhelming and may even prevent them from achieving anything. If contemplating the next five years causes you stress, embrace a time frame that feels more manageable.
Focus on what aligns with you now. If thinking about the next five years feels like a nightmare, then zero in on the next six months or even the next 30 days. If a week feels more certain to you, concentrate on that.
Remember, everyone is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to setting goals. Do what makes you comfortable; you don’t have to have all the answers right now.
#Hack 2: Write Down the Things You Don’t Like in Your Life
To understand what you want, it’s crucial to first identify what you don’t want.
Ask yourself:
- What are the things I don’t like? Maybe your job is draining and consumes your time. Consider what aspects of your free time you don’t enjoy.
- Are there friends who bring negativity into your life?
- What habits would you like to quit?
Once you’ve written those down, the next step is to outline what you want. To change the aspects of your life that you dislike, you need to replace them with actionable steps toward what you desire. For instance, if a toxic friendship is weighing you down, consider letting go of that friend and surrounding yourself with more positive influences.
#Hack 3: Write Down the Things You Want in Your Life Right Now
This will help you gain clarity on what you truly desire. List who you enjoy spending time with, what you love about your job, the positive habits you’d like to maintain, and how you prefer to spend your free time. These questions will provide clarity on what to focus on for productivity. Once you’ve compiled your list, ask yourself some empowering questions:
- What do I want out of life?
- What brings me the most joy and satisfaction?
- How can I create time for the things that matter to me?
These empowering questions will guide you in the right direction.
#Hack 4: What Achievements Do You Secretly Admire in Others?
Perhaps you saw a 25-year-old woman on LinkedIn who just got a new Mercedes C300 4Matic coupe and thought, “I wish I could have that.” It’s natural to admire what others are achieving.
Ask yourself:
- What does this admiration tell me?
- What do I want to achieve this year?
- What changes do I need to make in my life?
- What steps do I need to take to travel the world and speak to people?
Your aspirations can provide clues to your goals and the vision you have for your life.
#Hack 5: Ask Yourself Empowering Questions
If anything were possible, what would you choose? Many people allow their fears of the unknown to hold them back from achieving their goals. But that doesn’t have to be you. By reflecting on the questions above, you will gain a clearer understanding of what you want in life.
Now, consider these questions:
- If anything were possible, what would you choose?
- What goal would you pursue?
- How would you feel when you finally achieve that goal?
Exciting, isn’t it? You have all the potential within you and the goal-setting hacks you need; use it to create the life you want.
