Set Some Goals!
Just do it. Goal setting doesn’t have to be stressful. There’s no right or wrong way to do it. The only way to go wrong is to not do it at all. Goals give us something to look forward to, something to aim for, and a way to focus efforts in our day to day lives.
Ideas
Stumped? Here are a few common goal categories followed by a couple goal ideas, free for the adopting!
But First, What to Avoid
Generally speaking, goals to quit doing something, stop consuming something, or otherwise withholding something do not have long term success. It is easier to reach toward something, to learn to adopt a habit rather than to withhold a habit. Think of a dog being told to sit and wait while a treat is 4 feet in front of them. Even if they are able to wait, all they are thinking about is that treat. Then think of that same dog who sees the treat on the ground but is working on rolling over or fetching a ball. The treat is still there, but rather than simply working on not taking it, the dog is working on something that involves a new action and fulfillment, and is no longer or minimally aware of the tempting treat.
Ideas for Goals
Work Life
New job (if you do this one, be specific and set mini-goals within this big goal such as “fill out application,” and “write new resume”)
Get to know a new person you work with
Arrive to work 5 minutes earlier each day.
Recreation
Start a new hobby (ideas include sports, crafts, collecting, and more)
Exercise at least 20 minutes 5 days a week
Spend 1 hour less each day watching television (first figure out about how much you view daily)
Education
What major educational step would be next for you? Set a goal.
If you are in an educational institution already, how can you improve? Should you work on being organized? If so, set an actionable goal such as getting a new binder and setting it up with classes, tabs, and so forth.
Increase self-advocacy
Improve attendance
Work on homework for ______minutes each night before doing fun activities
Social Life
Talk to one new person each day, even if it means just asking how their day is going
Join one new online social media forum (twitter is my big goal!)
Develop one friendship more deeply (take an existing friend/acquaintance and think about how to get to know them better)
Ask an elderly neighbor if they need help with anything such as yard work or walking a dog
Interact with neighbors (take them a treat, say hi before going inside, etc.)
Focus on one social skill you’d like to improve. For example, one of mine (I have many) is not interrupting the person I’m talking to. Others might include remembering to ask others questions rather than only talking about yourself, listening more intently so you remember what someone said, or omitting unnecessary details from stories.
Self Care
Make that dentist or doctor appointment you’ve been putting off
Get a haircut
Floss twice a day. Ok, maybe at least once if you’re not doing it at all yet (let’s be realistic)
Eat a vegetable at every meal
If you have junk food habits, choose one to improve but be precise for yourself
Home and Daily Living
Develop a new cleaning routine for your living quarters
Clean out cupboards
Create a budget (and stick to it)
Wash carpets (or) curtains (or) blinds
Organize clothes, donate any you haven’t worn in a year that aren’t special
Purge items you do not need - donate, donate, donate. Throw away unusable items.
Yard work - if you don’t have a yard, maybe help a parent or grandparent
Final Note
At the risk of sounding dramatic, I can honestly say goals saved me from myself in early adulthood. If I didn’t have a goal of becoming a teacher I have no idea where I would be. It made me make healthier choices in order to get to classes, develop social skills required to speak to instructors when needed, organize my life in order to get to work and classes while managing homework, and so much more. You don’t have to know exactly what you want to do with your life, but thinking hard about some things you want either long and/or short term will change your trajectory if you focus on what you want. You are in control of your future and you get to make choices to get out of or into positions you desire.
Start as big or small as you want. Just don’t make the mistake of never starting.
Take risks, live your life, ask questions, and find your fun!