Do you see yourself as more of a “trader” or a “hero?” Learn about these two distinct mindsets, and understand how balancing moral duty and economic ambition can lead to a more harmonious and sustainable future for humanity.
The hero mindset vs. the trader mindset are two distinct ways people see their roles and responsibilities in a healthy society.
Each one focuses on different values and priorities, but a balance of both is often needed for a society to function and flourish.
Here’s an outline of what defines each mindset.
Trader Mindset
The trader mindset dominates our current culture. It places emphasis on individualism, material gain, and personal freedom. This mentality often asks, “What can life give me?” and is driven by the pursuit of happiness, pleasure, and profit.
It’s especially characteristic of American life and contemporary Western thinking, where people tend to see their value only in terms of economic or material output: “What do you do for a living? How much money do you make? How big is your house?”
Key attributes of the trader mindset include:
Rights-Oriented: The trader mindset focuses on personal rights and freedoms, operating on the principle of doing what one wants as long as it doesn’t harm others.
Materialism: The trader mindset is materialistic and money-driven, placing a high value on comfort, pleasure, and luxury.
Individualism: The trader mindset is competitive, individualistic, and often sees life as a series of transactions aimed at maximizing personal advantage rather than collective well-being.
Utilitarian Approach: They adopt a business-minded and utilitarian perspective, often focusing on what is pragmatic and realistic, rater than engaging in abstract and idealistic goals.
Status Climbing: Traders often strive for increased status, wealth, or power, engaging in frequent social comparison, and viewing most aspects of life as a social ladder to climb.
The trader mindset is a product of liberal and Enlightenment philosophy, reflecting the values of individual rights and free market capitalism. It promotes a “mind your own business” attitude which emphasizes personal freedom and the pursuit of happiness, but can also lack a sense of social duty.
In excess, the trader mindset can lead to negative behaviors such as excessive swindling, grifting, corruption, and fraudulent schemes. People become willing to seek material gain at any moral cost, believing that everyone is inherently greedy and selfish, thus creating a “dog eat dog” world.
Hero Mindset
The hero mindset is less common and in many ways it’s more needed in our current society.
The heroic mindset is characterized by a focus on duty, sacrifice, and the greater good. Those with this mentality often ask, “What can I give to life?” rather than “What can life give me?” This approach emphasizes responsibilities over rights and prioritizes the well-being of others over personal gain.
Key attributes of the hero mindset include:
Duties-Oriented: Heroes feel a strong sense of duty and responsibility toward others and society. They ask themselves how they can best serve their family, community, nation, or humanity as a whole.
Idealism: The hero mindset seeks higher ideals than just status or wealth, such as honor, loyalty, and devotion to a higher purpose, striving to do what is right at all costs, even if it means facing death.
Collectivism: The hero mindset is communitarian-minded, often emerging in contexts like the military, team sports, or tight-knit organizations where serving a greater whole is paramount.
Warrior Spirit: Heroes embrace challenges and are willing to sacrifice their comfort and security for the common good, embodying a warrior mindset that values moral and spiritual achievements over material ones. The hero isn’t afraid to ask, “What am I willing to die for?”
Leadership and Accountability: Heroes are willing to stand up and take charge when no one else will. This means assuming leadership roles and taking risks, as well as accepting blame and responsibility when things go wrong.
In essence, the heroic mindset is about fighting for something greater than oneself.
Heroes can take many different forms. It’s not only about sacrificing yourself on a battlefield or saving a child from a burning house. Being a hero can also mean dedicating your life to a social cause, being a leader in your local community, taking care of your family, or creating more beauty in the world through art or music.
While the heroic mindset can lead to noble actions, in excess it can also result in zealotry, self-destructive martyrdom, or an inflexible approach to moral issues. Extreme idealism might push individuals to pursue their goals without considering practical consequences, potentially leading to conflict and alienation.
Balancing the Mindsets
Ultimately, both the hero and trader mindsets offer valuable insights into different motivations behind our behaviors and life choices. While the heroic mindset emphasizes sacrifice, duty, and the greater good, the trader mindset focuses on personal gain, freedom, and material success.
A healthy and sustainable society needs both traders and heroes. A society run solely by traders may prioritize profit over moral values, leading to widespread corruption and a lack of social responsibility. On the other hand, a society with only a heroic mindset might struggle with practicality and flexibility, leading to social conflicts and unrest.
Striking a balance between these mindsets can help us achieve a harmonious approach to personal fulfillment and social responsibility, creating a society that values both individual rights and communal well-being.
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Are you looking for enlightenment?
For centuries, philosophers, therapists, spiritual leaders, and nowadays motivational speakers have grappled with the age-old question: “What on earth am I here for?” Whether you’re a seasoned self-help enthusiast or on the cusp of your personal growth journey, the path to understanding life’s purpose can be as perplexing as it is rewarding.
In this specially curated list of 13 profound books, we plunge into the depths of human experience to bring you a selection of wisdom-laden guides, each promising to shed light on the elusive quest for meaning.
From Viktor E. Frankl’s poignant reflections on human resilience in “Man’s Search for Meaning” to the nuanced exploration of blissful existence with Ken Mogi’s “The Little Book of Ikigai Way,” these works are more than mere pages; they are a compass for your soul.
Get ready to flex your mental muscles and venture into the literary realms that challenge, uplift, and inspire—to find not just any purpose but one that resonates with the core of who you are.
Whether it’s unlocking the secrets of a joyous life with “Ikigai” or discovering your unique ‘why’ through Simon Sinek’s thoughtful exercises, these 13 books are set to guide you on an unforgettable odyssey towards the fulfillment of your life’s potential.
Join us as we reveal the best books for connecting with your ultimate calling, and perhaps, find the answers woven into your very being.
The Advantages of Knowing Your Purpose in Life
The following are some of the benefits you’ll enjoy when you’re aware of your life’s purpose:
Man’s Search for Meaning explores the author’s experiences as a Holocaust survivor, offering profound insights into the human capacity for resilience, meaning, and purpose in the face of extreme suffering.
The book delves into the concept of finding meaning in life, highlighting the transformative power of maintaining a sense of purpose and hope even in the most dire and challenging circumstances.
It emphasizes the importance of embracing personal responsibility and choice, guiding readers to recognize the freedom to choose one’s attitude and response to life’s inevitable hardships.
Man’s Search for Meaning underscores the value of finding meaning in suffering, providing a thought-provoking perspective on how individuals can transcend adversity and find purpose in their experiences.
The author shares profound philosophical and psychological reflections, offering valuable insights on the human spirit, resilience, and the pursuit of meaning in the midst of profound suffering and uncertainty.
Written from the perspective of a Holocaust survivor, Man’s Search for Meaning is one of the most inspiring books about how to find meaning amidst a life filled with suffering.
Born in 1905, Frankl was an Austrian psychiatrist and neurologist. He was known for his breakthrough work in logotherapy.
When WWII broke out, he and his family (who were Jews) were sent to concentration camps. Most of his family did not survive this experience.
Frankl was able to make it, and wrote this book to chronicle his personal experiences in four different concentration camps.
The book shares the following insights:
Our ultimate challenge, as human beings, is to find meaning in our lives.
No matter what situation we are in, we have the power to find meaning in our lives.
The way we react to suffering has an impact on how we find meaning.
Holding on to a sense of purpose is equivalent to having the will to live.
2. The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? By Rick Warren
The Purpose Driven Life emphasizes the significance of discovering and living out one’s divine purpose, providing a spiritual framework for understanding and fulfilling one’s role in the world.
The book delves into the concept of living intentionally and aligning one’s life with God’s purposes, offering insights on how to cultivate a deeper spiritual connection and find meaning in everyday existence.
It explores the importance of serving others and making a positive impact, guiding readers to embrace a life of purpose, fulfillment, and contribution to the well-being of others.
The Purpose Driven Life underscores the value of spiritual growth and personal transformation, providing practical guidance on deepening one’s faith, living with gratitude, and finding joy in serving others.
The author shares actionable insights and spiritual principles for discovering and living out one’s divine purpose, offering valuable perspectives on faith, fulfillment, and a life guided by spiritual meaning and significance.
Think Like a Monk offers insights into cultivating a more mindful and purposeful mindset, drawing from the author’s experiences as a monk and providing practical guidance for integrating monk-like wisdom into everyday life.
The book delves into the concept of self-discovery and personal growth, offering actionable strategies for developing greater self-awareness, resilience, and inner peace through mindfulness practices.
It explores the significance of aligning one’s thoughts and actions with personal values and purpose, guiding readers to lead a more intentional and fulfilling life rooted in compassion, gratitude, and service to others.
Think Like a Monk underscores the value of cultivating a positive and resilient mindset, providing insights on overcoming challenges, managing stress, and nurturing a sense of inner peace and purpose. The author shares actionable insights and practical wisdom for integrating mindfulness and purpose-driven principles into daily life, offering valuable perspectives on personal growth, fulfillment, and living with greater intention and compassion.
In this book, Shetty discusses complicated issues such as the search for self-identity,fear andnegativity, and living with intention.
In this book, you’ll find a lot of ancient wisdom, as well as anecdotes of Shetty’s personal experiences as a monk. It encourages readers to find where their true passions lie in order to start living life with purpose.
4. Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life: How to Finally, Really Grow Up by James Hollis
Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life explores the psychological and spiritual dimensions of personal growth and fulfillment in the later stages of life, offering insights on embracing the challenges and opportunities of aging.
The book delves into the concept of self-examination and self-discovery, guiding readers to confront existential questions, reevaluate priorities, and cultivate a deeper sense of meaning and purpose in the second half of life.
It explores the significance of embracing change and transitions, providing perspectives on how to navigate the complexities of midlife and beyond, and find deeper fulfillment and authenticity.
Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life underscores the value of introspection and inner work, offering insights on how to confront fears, confront the shadow self, and embark on a journey of self-actualization and personal transformation.
The author shares actionable insights and psychological perspectives for navigating the challenges and opportunities of the second half of life, offering valuable guidance on finding meaning, fulfillment, and personal growth as individuals mature and transition into new life stages.
Some people view mid-life as the point where you’ve got most things figured out. However, other people experience mid-life as a time of major changes, disappointments, and a deeper evaluation of what life truly means.
These significant upheavals are addressed in this book by James Hollis
It is a refreshing alternative to the usual viewpoint that mid-life is the time for material success and public recognition.
The War of Art explores the challenges of creative work and the resistance that often impedes artistic endeavors, providing insights on overcoming self-doubt, procrastination, and other obstacles to creative expression.
The book delves into the concept of “resistance” as a formidable adversary to creativity, offering practical strategies for identifying and confronting the internal and external forces that hinder creative pursuits.
It explores the significance of discipline and perseverance in creative endeavors, guiding readers to cultivate a mindset of professionalism, dedication, and relentless pursuit of their artistic goals.
The War of Art underscores the value of embracing the creative process and committing to the daily practice of art, providing insights on how to overcome self-sabotage and achieve creative breakthroughs.
The author shares actionable insights and strategies for combating resistance and unlocking creative potential, offering valuable perspectives on cultivating resilience, discipline, and the courage to pursue artistic endeavors with unwavering determination.
The book delves into the Japanese concept of “Ikigai,” which represents the intersection of one’s passion, mission, vocation, and profession, offering insights on finding purpose and fulfillment in everyday life.
The book emphasizes the importance of living with intention and finding joy in simple pleasures, guiding readers to cultivate a sense of purpose, satisfaction, and longevity through meaningful daily activities.
It explores the significance of balance and harmony in life, providing perspectives on how to integrate work, leisure, and social connections to nurture a fulfilling and purpose-driven existence.
Ikigai underscores the value of self-discovery and lifelong learning, offering insights on how to align one’s daily pursuits with personal values and aspirations to lead a more meaningful and contented life.
The authors share actionable insights and practical wisdom for embracing the principles of ikigai, offering valuable perspectives on finding purpose, joy, and a sense of fulfillment in the pursuit of a long and happy life.
The concept of ikigai can be described as the place where your passion, vocation, profession, and personal mission intersect. It is loosely translated as “one’s reason for living.”
Garcia and Miralles share the results of their interviews with the long-living residents of a village in Okinawa, Japan, inspiring readers to embrace the things that truly make them happy.
The Untethered Soul explores the nature of consciousness and the path to spiritual growth, offering insights on transcending the limitations of the ego and embracing a more expansive and liberated state of being.
The book delves into the concept of inner exploration and mindfulness, providing practical guidance on releasing habitual thought patterns, emotional reactivity, and inner resistance to experience greater peace and freedom.
It explores the significance of surrender and letting go, guiding readers to cultivate a deeper sense of inner peace, acceptance, and connection to the present moment.
The Untethered Soul underscores the value of self-awareness and inner inquiry, offering insights on how to navigate the depths of consciousness and unlock the transformative power of mindfulness and introspection.
The author shares actionable insights and spiritual principles for achieving greater freedom and inner harmony, offering valuable perspectives on embracing the journey beyond the self and experiencing a more liberated and authentic way of living.
Here are some of the insights to be gained through the book:
Change is here to stay and is a constant part of life. The only way to cope with change is to accept it and realize that it helps bring forth personal growth.
To gain freedom, we need to accept the presence of pain rather than avoid it.
True happiness comes to us when we decide to be happy.
You hear the voice in your mind, but this voice is not you.
By realizing these and other insights, the reader can move away from their attachments to ego and start living more authentically, in keeping with their true purpose in life.
8. A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose by Eckhart Tolle
A New Earth delves into the nature of human consciousness and the awakening to a higher state of being, offering insights on transcending ego-driven patterns and embracing a more enlightened way of living.
The book explores the concept of present moment awareness and the transformative power of living in the now, providing practical guidance on releasing attachment to the past and future to experience greater peace and fulfillment.
It emphasizes the significance of transcending the egoic mind and embracing a deeper sense of interconnectedness and compassion, guiding readers to shift from self-centered thinking to a more expansive and inclusive perspective.
A New Earth underscores the value of inner transformation and spiritual awakening, offering insights on how to cultivate a greater sense of presence, purpose, and alignment with the unfolding evolution of consciousness.
The author shares actionable insights and spiritual principles for achieving personal and collective awakening, offering valuable perspectives on embracing a new level of consciousness and living in harmony with the greater purpose of life.
A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose is one of the most highly respected resources on finding your purpose. In it, Eckhart Tolle reveals how our ego-based state of existence creates our pain and suffering.
Tolle also offers a new way of being that involves going beyond the ego’s promptings and finally living an authentic and fulfilled life.
There are 10 chapters in the book, including:
The Flowering of Human Consciousness
Ego: The Current State of Humanity
The Core of Ego
Role-Playing: The Many Faces of the Ego
The Pain-Body
Breaking Free
Finding Who You Truly Are
9. Sacred Contracts: Awakening Your Divine Potential by Caroline Myss
Sacred Contractsdelves into the concept of archetypes and their influence on personal and spiritual development, offering insights into identifying and understanding the symbolic patterns that shape one’s life.
The book emphasizes the significance of recognizing and fulfilling one’s divine purpose, guiding readers to explore the archetypal forces at play in their lives and align with their higher calling.
It explores the importance of self-examination and introspection, providing practical guidance on how to identify and embrace the archetypal patterns that influence personal choices, relationships, and life experiences.
Sacred Contracts underscores the value of embracing the journey of self-discovery and personal transformation, offering insights on how to navigate the complexities of archetypal influences and live in alignment with one’s divine potential.
The author shares actionable insights and spiritual principles for uncovering and embodying one’s sacred contracts, offering valuable perspectives on embracing a life of purpose, meaning, and spiritual fulfillment.
The author, Caroline Myss, is a medical intuitive. Through her work with clients, she has discovered that mental disorders such asdepression and anxiety, as well as physical illnesses, manifest when people do not know what their purpose is in life.
Through this book, readers are introduced to the concept of archetypes and their role in helping us develop a sense of fulfillment by living life in keeping with our purpose.
The book emphasizes the importance of understanding the impact of past experiences on present behavior, guiding readers to explore their patterns and develop tools for healing and self-discovery.
It explores the significance of integrating mind-body practices and holistic approaches to well-being, providing practical guidance on nurturing mental, emotional, and physical health.
How to Do the Work underscores the value of self-reflection and inner work, offering insights on how to cultivate self-awareness, release limiting patterns, and create a more authentic and empowered sense of self.
The author shares actionable insights and holistic strategies for personal transformation, offering valuable perspectives on recognizing patterns, healing from past experiences, and fostering greater self-awareness and well-being.
11. Find Your Why by Simon Sinek, David Mead, and Peter Docker
The book delves into the concept of the “Golden Circle” and the significance of understanding the “why” behind one’s actions, providing actionable guidance on clarifying personal and organizational purpose.
It explores the importance of authenticity and values-driven leadership, offering insights on how to create a culture of purpose and inspire meaningful contributions within a team or organization.
Find Your Why underscores the value of fostering a sense of belonging and fulfillment, providing perspectives on how individuals and teams can leverage their purpose to drive engagement, innovation, and success.
The authors share actionable insights and practical exercises for uncovering and articulating one’s “why,” offering valuable perspectives on aligning personal and professional endeavors with a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment.
The book emphasizes the importance of self-discovery and aligning with one’s innate gifts and passions, providing practical guidance on embracing one’s dharma to lead a more fulfilling and purpose-driven life.
It explores the significance of understanding one’s unique traits and tendencies, guiding readers to identify their dharma archetypes and leverage them to make meaningful contributions to the world.
Discover Your Dharma underscores the value of embracing personal growth and self-realization, offering insights on how to live authentically and in alignment with one’s dharma for greater fulfillment and impact.
The author shares actionable insights and Vedic wisdom for discovering and embodying one’s Dharma, offering valuable perspectives on living with purpose, authenticity, and a sense of deep fulfillment.
Cultivate a positive mindset and appreciate the simple pleasures in life, such as spending time in nature and enjoying good food.
Prioritize building strong social connections and nurturing relationships with family, friends, and community members.
Practice mindfulness and live in the present moment, finding joy in everyday activities and experiences.
Strive for a balanced lifestyle that includes regular physical activity, healthy eating, and adequate rest to promote overall well-being.
Final Thoughts on Books On Purpose
In this exploration of literature on finding life’s purpose, we’ve traversed a landscape rich with wisdom and inspiration. Each book on our list has served as a beacon, illuminating the path to a more purposeful and fulfilling existence. From Viktor E. Frankl’s profound experiences to the cultural insights of Ikigai, these authors have offered us keys to unlock greater meaning in our lives.
The takeaways are clear and compelling – leading a life driven by purpose is not merely a lofty ideal; it has tangible benefits. Those who anchor their actions to meaningful goals tend to lead longer lives, enjoy better heart health, and possess a stronger immune system. The correlation between a clear purpose and a reduced risk of dementia is a testament to the profound effect a driven mindset can have on our mental longevity.
But the advantages don’t end with health; a purposeful life manifests joy and satisfaction, contributing to a happier disposition. It even extends to the practicalities of financial well-being, with a purpose-driven approach being linked to the ability to earn more.
Through the narratives and lessons of books like Man’s Search for Meaning, The Purpose Driven Life, and The Untethered Soul, we find diverse perspectives that converge on a singular truth — finding and pursuing our purpose is one of life’s most rewarding journeys. Whether we’re navigating the second half of our life with the guidance of James Hollis or uncovering our creative battles with Steven Pressfield, the message resonates with clarity and urgency.
Our list has introduced a symphony of voices, each contributing a unique note to the melody of purpose. While Find Your Why offers pragmatic strategies, Discover Your Dharma and The Little Book of Ikigai guide us through introspection and personal realization.
In closing, these 13 texts offer more than just pages filled with advice; they serve as companions and catalysts for change. They encourage us to question, to dream, and to act with intention. Whether you are at the outset of seeking your purpose or looking to deepen your understanding, these books stand ready to assist in your personal evolution.
Armed with the knowledge gleaned from thought leaders and experts, may you stride forward with confidence and courage on your purposeful path. May your quest be vigorous, your transformations be profound, and your life be a reflection of the very best version of yourself that your purpose defines
If you enjoyed this article and are interested in more resources about finding your purpose, the following articles are also worth checking out:
There might be affiliate links on this page, which means we get a small commission of anything you buy. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Please do your own research before making any online purchase.
“Stick to the process, and the results will follow.”
This is something that the CEO of my company reminds us of in nearly every morning leadership meeting.
If you take the appropriate steps that you’ve been trained to do, it will lead to positive outcomes for the business. Everyone’s work will accumulate over time and lead to success.
But think about how this applies in your personal life, too.
But let’s revisit what positive outcomes look like to you. What do you want your results to be? A high income? Entrepreneurial status?
Success, in its traditional sense, has been known to leave people wanting more. People get addicted to the “stuff” that comes along with success. You get a nice car with your bonus, and a few months later, you want a nicer one.
Getting new things produces a temporary high that people constantly chase after. As soon as the excitement wears off and feelings of emptiness and dissatisfaction seep in, the cycle starts over.
But fulfillment is getting the things that you actually wanted in the first place. Fulfillment is sustainable, while happiness is fleeting. People just assume success and having the finer things in life precipitate a sense of fulfillment, when in fact, it leads us away from it.
In his book, The 4-Hour Workweek, Tim Ferriss focuses on designing your life to increase efficiency and maximize your time so you can focus on things that make your life significant and worthwhile, which ultimately leads to fulfillment.
If you’re among the 80% of people who aren’t passionate about your work or how you’re spending the majority of your days, it may be time to reevaluate how you can make better use of your time.
Through lifestyle design, you can build a life surrounded by meaningful activities so you can garner the sense of purpose you need to feel satisfied with your life. Of course this will be different for everyone based on your values and long-term goals, which is where the dreamlining exercise comes in.
Similar to lifestyle design, dreamlining is about coming up with how you can make progress toward living your dream life.
So in this article, we will review 6 steps you can take to complete the dreamlining exercise and get on the right path toward living a more fulfilling life that you’re passionate about.
But first, let’s take a deeper look at this exercise that Tim Ferriss introduced in The 4-Hour Workweek.
What Is Dreamlining?
Dreamlining is a goal-setting technique used to support achieving one’s personal dreams that involves applying time and cost calculations with written goals.
Dreamlining is a system that you can use to help actualize your dreams by figuring out what the required characteristics and costs associated with that life would be.
Completing this exercise helps you apply a timeline to your dreams, hence the name. The results of this exercise are a systematic step-by-step process to follow to ultimately live the life that you want.
Dreamlining removes any boundaries or barriers that you think you face– including the risk of failure.
Hint: Think big.
How would you fill your time if money was removed from the factors of life? What processes would you need to undergo now in order to live your dream life in the future?
The purpose of the dreamlining exercise is to define the following without any judgment:
What you want to have
What you want to be
What you want to do
This exercise will help you determine what your highest aspirations are, how much time, money, and resources it will cost you to get there, and what you need to eliminate from your life that isn’t helping you achieve your goals.
Once the exercise is complete, you will know what you’re working toward and what you need to do in the short-, mid-, and long-term to get there.
The validity of this exercise may seem a bit out there, but think back to Parkinson’s Law: “Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.”
If you want to learn more, watch the video below for a quick overview of Parkinson’s Law and how to use it to your advantage.
As this theory shows, just writing down your dreams on a calendar and creating a timeline will push you to achieve them sooner than if they’re floating aimlessly around in your head.
So let’s get started. Here is a step-by-step guide to completing your dreamlining exercise.
6 Steps to Complete the Dreamlining Exercise
1. Get Set Up
Set yourself up to create a short-term and long-term dreamline. Start with two of these dreamlining spreadsheets, which will help you make the outline of your dreamlines and determine the costs associated with each component.
To start the process of realizing your dreams, assign a fixed amount of time to reaching your goals. For your short-term dreamline, apply between three and six months, and for the long-term one, apply between six and twelve months. Simply notate this on your dreamline.
Write everything down that you can think of during your brainstorming session that you dream of having, being, and doing during your lifetime.
3. Write
After your brainstorming session, fill in your spreadsheet by writing down 5 things you want to have, 5 things you want to be, and 5 things you want to do.
Initially, you may think along the lines of: I want to have a million dollars, I want to be an Olympic athlete, and I want to travel the world. But there are other angles you could take on this.
Consider this: I want to have a loving partner, I want to be fluent in Chinese, and I want to rebuild a lost relationship.
The point of step #2 is to really individualize your list, so think past the obvious or the things that you assume makes everyone happy. Make sure your top 15 aren’t generic by attaching a reason to each of them (even if it’s just in your head).
4. Make Cuts
From the 15 goals that you have written down, pick out the four most life-changing options. These will be the goals that you will move forward with at this time.
Picking your top four will help you narrow your focus to the goals that are the most meaningful to you right now and prevent you from spending time on things that won’t help you make progress toward reaching your goals.
From the goals that you have written down, pick out the four most life-changing options.
5. Determine the Cost
Now you want to do some research to figure out the cost of each of your selected four dreamlines. But instead of concentrating on the final amounts, think in terms of monthly costs and your money in vs. money out, and then see how you can make it work for you.
For example, if your long-term goal is to own a fancy car but you don’t have $200,000 to spend right now, look into how much it might cost to lease the car of your dreams.
Leasing a car monthly would cost a fraction of buying one, and it would allow you to live out your dream much sooner. Saving up to buy a car may take years, but saving to lease one could be reachable within a few months.
Or, if taking a cross-country trip is a goal, budget out your daily costs (and don’t forget to add in any one-time costs associated with your trip, like camping gear). This way, you can figure out how much money you will need for the length of time you want your trip to be.
Once you have these figures, you can calculate your Target Monthly Income (TMI), which is how much money you will need to be bringing in to maintain your dream life.
First, add up all fixed and variable costs of your dreamlines (and keep in mind, some may not have costs associated with them).
Then add in the monthly expenses (using this monthly expense calculator) that you’ll incur once your dreamlines have been realized (multiplied by 1.3, which will give you a 30% safety net).
Your current monthly expenses are your baseline. Figuring out your TMI will help you see how much more money you need to bring in each month to live your dreamlines.
6. Start Now
Now that you know what you’re working toward, you can get to work. For each of your four dreamlines, write down the first three things you need to do to get started.
Get started with the first step today and plan on doing steps two and three tomorrow and the next day. Each step needs to be something simple that you can do pretty quickly–like emailing an inquiry or signing up for a lesson.
It may help if you start by working backward. Think about what you need to accomplish within the first month to move closer toward achieving your goal. Then break that smaller goal down into weekly objectives, which can be further broken down into daily tasks. What can you do today to make progress?
And there you have it– you’ve completed your dreamline and you’ve started working toward living the life of your dreams.
One unique tip about dreamlines is that it’s best to keep them to yourself. And, I know what you’re thinking, “But what about accountability?”
That’s true, we do like to share our goals to help keep us accountable for achieving them. But
studies have also shown that keeping your goals to yourself can increase your likelihood of achieving them.
So, which is it?
I think it depends on the goal.
The studies found that people who kept their intentions to themselves were more likely to achieve their goals than people who had their goals acknowledged by other people, with the idea being that once you’ve told people what you’re planning to achieve, it satisfies a premature sense of completeness.
Your self-identity has already been affected through talking, which can allow your brain to neglect the need to take action.
It may be possible that having accountability for short-term goals when your momentum is only needed for a limited amount of time is helpful, but it’s better to keep your longer-term goals to yourself.
With this in mind, perhaps keeping the end goal of your dreamlines to yourself while sharing what you’re trying to get accomplished this week could be effective in helping you be successful.
I also believe that creating goals with the intention of keeping them to yourself will help ensure the goals are authentic to what you want to get out of life and not catered toward what other people want for you.
Final Thoughts on Dreamlining
This exercise is powerful because it can help you live out your dreams quicker than you thought was possible. Now that you’re ready to get started, check out this sample of a completed dreamline (and a blank copy for you to use as well).
And if you’re looking for other goal setting techniques and such, be sure to check out these articles:
Connie Mathers is a professional editor and freelance writer. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and a Master’s Degree in Social Work. When she is not writing, Connie is either spending time with her daughter and two dogs, running, or working at her full-time job as a social worker in Richmond, VA.
There might be affiliate links on this page, which means we get a small commission of anything you buy. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Please do your own research before making any online purchase.
I’ve taken two career aptitude tests in my life.
I took one of them about seven years ago, which said I should be an anthropologist.
Like, fossils and stuff?
I took the second one about three months ago. It turns out the first test was valid–this one also said I should be an anthropologist.
I did take an introductory course to anthropology in college to fulfill a credit. But I remember dreading the class because it was so dull and I had absolutely no interest in the subject matter.
So how in the world can my answers to these career aptitude tests result in this conclusion? I can hardly sit through a 50-minute lecture on the topic, much less devote my life to it!
I’ve now spent 14 years in the professional arena– nine years in marketing and five years in social work. Am I supposed to start over?
After doing a little research, it turns out the answer to that is no. I’m actually already on the right track with my career.
How?
Because while these tests do give you one answer to the question, “What should my career be?” You should really be focusing on the why of the result the test gives you.
When taking these tests, a lot of people are looking for a short-cut to find the perfect career in which they will naturally excel and discover their passion.
And, yes, these tests can offer ideas of possible careers that might align with your strengths–but that is what the test is measuring–your strengths.
It’s not always informative about what you should do, but after reading a job description, you will likely understand why you were matched with the profession.
The results of these tests can get you to consider how your strengths align with a certain career path and where in the professional world your skills are valued.
All this to say, you need to know what your strengths are to accurately match them with your life’s purpose and long-term goals.
In this article, we are going to look at 5 steps you can take to help find your strengths in life, which will certainly help you correct your path if you feel like your everyday tasks are continuously a struggle to complete.
But first, let’s take a quick look at why it’s important to know your strengths.
Why Do You Need to Know Your Strengths?
Understanding your strengths means you can identify how you can uniquely benefit a team and engage in activities that allow you to feel capable, secure, and motivated.
Studies have shown that the more often Americans use their strengths every day, the less likely they are to experience negative feelings such as worry, anger, sadness–and even physical pain.
What’s more, about two-thirds of American adults don’t know what their natural talents are. Knowing your strengths gives you a sense of self-awareness that helps you appreciate personal traits that you may otherwise undervalue.
Take a few minutes to watch the video below to learn about the 5 self awareness activities that will help you be more self aware and know yourself better.
When you know your strengths, you’re less likely to compare yourself to others because you recognize that each person has something different to offer, so while one person may be better at doing something than you are, you’re confident that you have traits that make you a valuable part of a team as well.
Once you know your strong suits, you can appropriately align your goals, which increases productivity, motivation, success, and engagement, which will help you continue to thrive.
Let’s take a look at 5 steps you can take to find your strengths in life.
5 Steps to Find Your Strengths in Life
1. Take a Strengths Test
Just like there are career aptitude tests you can take, there are many assessments that can help you find your strengths. These assessments are typically quantitative and are often used by mental health professionals to evaluate someone’s strong suits.
There are a growing number of strengths tests, especially given the ease of accessibility with the internet. But this also means that it can be challenging to determine which strengths tests are reliable and valid–and therefore worth your time. Here are a few of the most popular options:
The VIA Character Strengths Survey is a 15-minute assessment that measures 24 possible character strengths–each of which falls under six categories: wisdom/knowledge, courage, humanity, justice, temperance, and transcendence. This assessment consists of 240 statements for users to reply to on a 5-point scale, where 1 means ‘very much like me,’ and 5 means ‘very much unlike me.’
The DiSC personality assessment tool measures four behavioral profiles: Dominance, influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness. The assessment contains 80 statements that users respond to on a 5-point scale, where 1 equals ‘strongly disagree,’ and 5 equals ‘strongly agree.’ This tool determines what unique blend you have of the four personality traits listed and then explains the meaning of your results.
The CliftonStrengths Assessment is a 30-minute, 177-statement tool where you’re asked to choose the statement that best describes you. Your responses to these statements help identify your strengths by assessing 34 themes (such as intellection, strategic, positivity, and focus), with each of these belonging to one of four domains: influencing, executing, strategic thinking, and relationship building. As soon as you complete the assessment, you will be shown your top five Clifton Strengths themes.
Hopefully, this brief breakdown of three of the most popular strengths tests helps you identify at least one that you will try. But if none of these are convincing…
2. Take a Personality Test
16 Personalities is a free personality test that will help you learn how your personality affects your life.
Like the strengths tests, you will respond on a seven-point Likert scale depending upon how much you agree to statements such as, “Seeing other people cry can easily make you feel like you want to cry too” and “At social events, you rarely try to introduce yourself to new people and mostly talk to the ones you already know.”
At the end, your test results will reveal which one of the following 16 personalities your answers represent the most:
Each of the five letters you’re given after completing the test (INTJ-A, ESTJ-T, etc.) correlates to a certain trait, and each combination represents one specific type group.
Your results can tell you how people who have a specific personality type commonly behave–however, there is not one measured personality type that definitely acts in only a certain manner (i.e. there can be a big difference between two iNTJs).
The information gathered in this test is meant to be a guide to help you understand yourself and potentially evoke some type of growth.
3. Ask People
Ask for feedback from the people that you trust–your friends, family, co-workers, mentors, etc. about what they think your strengths are.
Other people might recognize some of your strengths that you haven’t noticed that you have. Perhaps there is something you’re good at doing that you assume everyone is good at doing so you didn’t know it was a strength.
For example, let’s say you’re a great writer, but you work in an industry where writing is a big part of your job and everyone you work with is a talented writer.
Therefore, you assume you’re an average writer. But what you may not realize is that, when comparing your skills with a group of everyday people, you’re a fantastic writer. Others who don’t have this skill may be able to remind you of this.
Always pay close attention to how long it takes you to complete each thing on your to-do list.
You can also benefit from an outside perspective because many of us think of our strengths strictly in “professional” terms. You may recognize you’re great with time management or prioritizing your tasks–but don’t forget that your strengths aren’t limited to your career.
A close friend might note that you’re brave or resilient, or they’ve always admired your ability to find just the right thing to say when someone is upset. These are things that may not surface when you’re at work.
Asking other people about your strengths is a qualitative technique you can use to discover some of your niche talents that don’t show up in a structured environment. Your loved ones may be able to identify some subjective strengths that are only displayed under specific circumstances.
Talking to other people may end up surprising you when you learn that one of your personal qualities is remarkable.
Someone may refer to your dependability or generosity after recalling an incident where you dropped what you were doing to help them in an emergency. While this strength may not be highlighted on an average day, that doesn’t mean it’s not a significant part of who you are.
4. Pay Attention
In addition to paying attention to what you enjoy doing, be mindful of times during the day where whatever task you’re doing comes naturally to you. Every time this happens, think about the broad skills that you’re using at that time to complete whatever is at hand and notice any recurring themes.
And, with some natural talent in any area, you can grow your strengths in time. Being familiar with some of your natural talents can help you recognize where you’re willing to work just a bit harder to become an expert.
For example, if you enjoy writing, you may find that you have a lot of creativity, you’re good at paying attention to detail, and you can communicate in unique–yet effective–ways.
These are universal strengths that can be used in any area of your life– both personal and professional–so it would be beneficial to apply these realized strengths to your other tasks.
In this case, if you’re creative and have good attention to detail, you may find that you’re really good at graphic design or another type of creative work that requires a refined sense of imagination that can also showcase these strengths. Knowing your strengths can help you find new activities that you enjoy.
Throughout the day, also pay close attention to how long it takes you to complete each thing on your to-do list, which can clue you in on your levels of focus and productivity as well.
Think back on your day to determine times when you were concentrating and engaged and look for common motivators in those situations.
On the other hand, make a list of the tasks that felt like they dragged on and on and depleted your energy. Then you can either try to avoid being in these situations or you can work on those skills. Either way, you will know these activities aren’t where your natural strengths lie.
5. Try New Things
Wouldn’t it be a waste if your greatest strength was doing something that you rarely or never do? Gaining self-awareness about your strengths really depends on your life experiences, so you need to try as many new tasks, hobbies, and activities as you can.
Seek out opportunities for both personal and professional development and be proactive in asking to work on things that are outside of your typical skill set.
Take classes, find a hobby, shadow your coworkers, learn new skills, and get involved with new roles. Again, you might be surprised at the strengths you discover by taking risks and trying new things.
And if there is something you don’t like…stop. Or if someone asks you to do something that doesn’t take advantage of your strengths, politely decline.
Of course, there are some things in life that you have to do, but don’t feel guilty about stopping an elective task or activity. Think about some things you want to give up right now and create a plan to let those activities go.
Final Thoughts on Finding Your Strengths in Life
After discovering your strengths, you may be inclined to push them aside, thinking, “I’ve mastered that!” and move on to trying to improve your weaknesses.
But the truth is, while it’s good to work on improving areas that could use some development, focusing on fine-tuning your strengths should always take priority.
Make it a goal to spend some quality time on the tasks and activities that you do well. This is where your potential lies, so this is where your time and effort can be spent to produce great outcomes for the future.
And if you’re looking for more resources to help you find discover your strengths and weaknesses, these articles might help:
Connie Mathers is a professional editor and freelance writer. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and a Master’s Degree in Social Work. When she is not writing, Connie is either spending time with her daughter and two dogs, running, or working at her full-time job as a social worker in Richmond, VA.
There might be affiliate links on this page, which means we get a small commission of anything you buy. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Please do your own research before making any online purchase.
Your bigger life goals can feel overwhelming without breaking them down into manageable pieces–which can cause you to lose momentum and possibly give up because the payoff feels so far away.
But, it’s also challenging to divide a long-term goal into so many short-term goals without having something in the middle.
In this article, we will start by looking at what intermediate goals are and how they can be your stepping stones to reach your ultimate vision. Then we will review 15 examples of intermediate goals so you can see how you can apply them to your life.
But first, let’s start by looking at a definition of an intermediate goal.
You have to know where (or in what state) you want to end up in to have goals. What does your destination look like? To keep your goals manageable, it helps to break them down into short-term, intermediate, and long-term goals.
Everyone has intermediate goals, but most of us don’t track them as much as we do our short- and long-term goals. But this mistake can cause us to get derailed.
Here is a breakdown of each type of goal and their unique value:
Short-Term Goals
A short-term goal is one that you plan to achieve in the next 12 months. They’re focused on the immediate future, so you can get started today! You can create simple milestones to break these goals down such as daily goals and weekly goals.
Value: You can do these right away, which helps you feel productive and in control.
Intermediate Goals
These are goals that you can accomplish in about one year. They require quite a bit of planning, but they ultimately make your long-term goals feel more achievable.
These strategic markers lie between your starting point and finish line, and signify that you’re going in the right direction to reach your ultimate outcome.
Value: Intermediate goals provide you with the breaks that you need to take on your way to reaching your long-term goals that allow you to assess your situation and reevaluate your plans to move forward as needed.
Intermediate goals allow you to reflect on your achievements to date and get ready for any upcoming challenges.
Long-Term Goals
Long-term goals are goals that you’re aiming to complete several years in the future. Your short-term and intermediate goals will help you achieve these.
Value: These goals give you a sense of purpose. Achieving your long-term goals fundamentally improves your life.
The downside of long-term goals is that their payoff is so far away from the present moment that working on them can feel daunting instead of exciting. However, achieving your intermediate goals helps you feel like you’re making progress toward these bigger milestones.
Since it’s easy to lose motivation or get mentally fatigued when working toward your long-term goals, having intermediate goals will help encourage you to keep your momentum going.
As a bridge between your short- and long-term goals, you should be able to make noticeable progress on your intermediate goals every few months or so.
They should align with your long term goals in a way that whenever you accomplish an intermediate goal, you will be one step closer to reaching your long-term goal, which means achieving these goals deserves a reward!
Learning how to create SMART goals is an important first step in accomplishing your long term goals. The video below provides a quick overview of SMARTS goals and shows several examples.
Let’s take a look at 15 examples of intermediate goals that you can expect to achieve in the next year or so.
1. Pay Off Debt
SMART Goal: To help me reach my goal of becoming completely debt-free, I will pay off my car loan within the next year.
Living debt-free is a great long-term financial goal, but you have to take the necessary steps to get there.
Whether it’s a car loan or some significant debt you’ve accrued on a credit card, paying off a loan in its entirety is a productive intermediate goal to set to help you make progress toward your larger financial goals.
2. Hold a Leadership Position
SMART Goal: I will secure a leadership position of some sort at work by the end of this year to increase my chances of getting promoted in the future.
This may look like a lot of different things depending upon your profession, but if you can be proactive in taking on a leadership role for a new project or even offering to be a mentor to new hires, you can demonstrate to your higher-ups that you have the necessary skills to lead a group to success.
3. Write a Book
SMART Goal: To reach my goal of establishing myself as an expert in my field, I will have my first book published within the next 12 months to demonstrate my knowledge.
A big part of becoming an expert is getting your name out there for others to see, and having your name on a published book is a good way for people to regard you as an authority on a topic.
While social media makes it relatively easy to create and market a personal brand, it still takes a decent amount of time and effort to get people to recognize your name.
As an emerging expert, take pride in sharing your knowledge and skills with others. Offer your unique ideas to spark conversation or inspire people to think differently about the topic at hand.
Don’t be afraid to draw attention to your point-of-view–people will appreciate what you have to say if it makes them think in new ways.
4. Early Retirement
SMART Goal: To help meet my goal of retiring by the time I’m 45, I will put 50% of my income into a retirement account for the next year.
Many people want to retire before the conventional age of 65 in order to travel, spend time with family, and do more of the activities that they enjoy. While your goal numbers may vary as you see fit, it’s important to have intermediate goals when you’re aiming to achieve a long-term goal of retiring early.
5. Learn a Skill
SMART Goal: By this time next year, I will be fluent in Spanish so I can diversify my employable skills and stay competitive in the job market, which will ultimately help me land my dream job working abroad.
Many companies serve a global market these days, which means they prefer to hire employees who can speak more than one language. The more people you can communicate with, the better of an asset you become to the team.
If a position comes down to two prospective employees with equal education and experience, but only one who is bilingual–that applicant will likely get the job offer.
SMART Goal: I will improve my credit score by 100 points by this time next year to increase my chance of securing a loan for a $350,000 mortgage at a lower interest rate than I could with my current credit score.
Having good credit can impact several areas of your everyday life.
Your credit score helps determine whether or not you qualify for loans and credit cards, which can allow (or prevent) you from financing large purchases with relatively low interest rates. If you have bad credit, it can impact some of life’s necessities, such as:
Housing applications
Insurance premiums/security deposits
Loan availability
Interest rates
The average credit score in America is 711, which is measured in a range of 300 to 850. The higher your credit scores, the easier (and less expensive) it will be to do things like secure a mortgage loan.
7. Grow Your Personal Business
SMART Goal: In order to grow my business, I will develop a new product or service to offer my customers within the next year.
This is a great intermediate goal for small business owners to avoid becoming stagnant. If you continue to offer the same products or services every single year, you’re allowing your more innovative competitors to have a huge advantage.
But before developing something new, you will need to do research on how you can better serve your target market without straying from your company’s core purpose or values.
This requires developing a well-written value proposition that communicates the value of the new product/feature/service to consumers in a crystal clear way.
8. Do Well in School
SMART Goal: I will finish this academic year with a 4.0 GPA to help increase my chances of getting hired directly out of college.
If you have a dream job in mind for your long-term goal, one big step you would have to take to get there would be to get a high-quality education. Showing potential employers that you’re a hard worker and have achieved positive outcomes in school can give you an advantage over the competition.
Having a high-quality education and showing your future employers that you’re a hard worker can give you an advantage over the competition.
Employers often look for unique traits that differentiate candidates from one another, and having a 4.0 GPA can certainly help you stand out from other excellent candidates.
Declaring that you will make a conscious effort to meet people and go on dates for the next 12 months is a reasonable step to take if your long-term goal is to have a family in the next five years.
While this isn’t something that you necessarily have full control over, you can control your actions related to opening yourself up to the opportunity to fall in love.
10. Family Goals
SMART Goal: In an effort to build healthy, sustainable relationships within the family and create family traditions, I will plan a family vacation that everyone will enjoy by the end of the year.
Taking family vacations will help you create lifelong memories, and if you don’t take that first trip while your family is young, you may settle into a routine that never takes you out of your hometown.
If you have a long-term goal of preserving a close bond with your family, cut out some time to plan a vacation so your family can have some time to open your minds together to new places, experiences, and cultures.
11. Go Back to School
SMART Goal: With the intention of changing careers, by this time next year, I will be accepted into a degree program that more closely aligns with my passions.
Studies have found that about one-third of Americans completely change fields at some point in their career. This isn’t too surprising, considering it’s tough to know exactly what you want to do for the rest of your life at the age of 18 when you’re thinking about your first college major.
The tough part is not becoming complacent in a field you’re not passionate about and taking the scary step of giving up your income for a few years to accrue some student loan debt. Planning this out, both financially and logistically, is a significant goal in itself.
12. Earn a Certification
SMART Goal: Within the next year, I will earn a professional certification that is related to my career on Coursera or a similar online platform to enhance my employability.
Companies promote and hire employees based on their relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Specific certifications encourage employees to define their niche within their profession, enhance their competence with up-to-date practices, and show their willingness to continue to grow within their field.
Getting a certification will help you achieve better results and advance your organization’s success. Plus, with more certifications, you can continuously build upon your resume, which will help you stand out from the other applicants for any given professional position.
SMART Goal: In order to qualify for and ultimately run the Boston Marathon, I will complete two marathons this year, finishing the first in under three hours and forty minutes and the second in under 3 hours and 30 minutes.
The Boston Marathon is unlike others in that it has very competitive qualifying times. To qualify for this race, one has to show that they’ve completed a marathon in under a set time for their demographic.
Running two marathons would offer enough information for you to adjust your training schedule to help you meet the qualifying time.
To achieve this, one would need to gradually increase their running speed through practice. Running two marathons would offer enough information for you to adjust your training schedule to help you meet the qualifying time.
14. Buy a House
SMART Goal: I will save $10,000 within the next year to be able to put a down payment on my first home.
Figure out how much money you’ll need to put aside after your bills are paid each month to reach your target savings goal.
The good news is, there are a lot of resources out there that can help with this type of intermediate goal.
15. Monetize Your Hobby
SMART Goal: I will turn my hobby into a side business by the end of next year so I can work toward turning my passion into my full-time career.
If you want to step away from the everyday 9-5 corporate culture, you’ll need to start somewhere. Side hustles are common for those who want to attain financial independence, and if you’re going to put something else on your plate, might as well do something that you’re intrinsically motivated to do.
Whether you use your creativity to make art that you can sell online or you are especially talented at graphic design and you want to offer personalized services, most people have some kind of hobby that offers a good opportunity to make money.
Ultimately, whether or not you succeed when working toward a goal comes down to why you want to accomplish the goal. Your reason behind creating the goal in the first place must be strong enough to keep pulling you towards that next step.
If your reasons are meaningful enough to you, you will be able to use your short-term, intermediate, and long-term goals to be successful. Consider the examples laid out in this article and see how you can apply them to your own life and vision.
And if you’re looking for more resources to help you accomplish your goals, be sure to read these articles:
Connie Mathers is a professional editor and freelance writer. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and a Master’s Degree in Social Work. When she is not writing, Connie is either spending time with her daughter and two dogs, running, or working at her full-time job as a social worker in Richmond, VA.
There might be affiliate links on this page, which means we get a small commission of anything you buy. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Please do your own research before making any online purchase.
Do you ever wonder how to achieve the life you truly want?
Today, we’re featuring a collection of the best Law of Attraction books that will show you how to use your thoughts and imagination to help you achieve:
Lasting happiness
Health
Well-being
Wealth
Success
Prosperity
The Law of Attraction is an ancient concept that states that we are the designers and creators of our lives.
The books featured in this post provide their own techniques for tapping into your imagination in order to access your full potential and achieve what you’ve dreamed of.
Some of the authors drew inspiration from the spiritual realm. Others wrote from the standpoint of psychology, while still others took a more scientific approach.
Read on for the best titles that can help bring you closer to a perfect future.
1. Ask and It Is Given by Esther Hicks and Jerry Hicks
The book states that, although desire is a natural and good force within each of us, we often have difficulty identifying what we want and asking for it.
This book provides insights into the state of our relationships, finances, health, well-being, and other areas, and how the universal Law of Attraction influences these aspects of our lives.
The channeled messages from Abraham also provide the key for how to let life flow more positively.
The Secret was written based on a 2006 film of the same name. It caused quite a stir when it was first published, introducing the Law of Attraction and how readers can use it to achieve what they want.
It suggests that, by focusing on the things readers want in life and believing and envisioning that they’ve already received them, these things can be manifested.
In addition, it also states that by focusing on things that they don’t want, readers inadvertently attract those things.
The book is packed with information about the Law of Attraction, actionable tips on using it in your life, and anecdotes that show how this concept has worked in the lives of others.
If you need a step-by-step guide to using the Law of Attraction in your life, this book is worth picking up.
One of the ways to make the Law of Attraction work in your life is to use visualization techniques.
One technique is creating and using vision boards, where a collage of images is placed on a board. These images are the visual representation of the things you want to manifest in your life.
Furthermore, it provides exercises, meditation, affirmations, and special techniques that readers can use to fully utilize their imaginations to discover their higher purpose and craft their lives into works of art.
James Allen wrote his “pamphlet” in 1903 with the intention of drawing readers’ attention to how thoughts have a huge impact on their quality of life.
In As a Man Thinketh, Allen discussed how people’s circumstances are influenced by their thoughts, and not the other way around. He encouraged readers to work on cultivating positive thoughts in order to invite more favorable circumstances into their lives.
Allen’s work is only 52 pages long, but his work remains significant to this day.
Final Thoughts on the Best Law of Attraction Books
There you have it—seven of the best Law of Attraction books to help you manifest the life you desire.
Visualizing the life you want does not mean resting on your laurels and expecting what you want to just appear out of thin air.
Your actions are still essential in manifesting your perfect future.
A vision board is one of the best tools for activating the Law of Attraction in your life. You might want to check out the following posts for vision board ideas:
There might be affiliate links on this page, which means we get a small commission of anything you buy. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Please do your own research before making any online purchase.
Officially, the dictionary definition of a “passion project” is an activity or enterprise that you decide to take on – usually in your spare time – in order to benefit or validate yourself in some way.
But, I like to think of it as a collection of steps we take towards filling a void in our life.
Life is too short to live with regrets. Or to ask yourself, “what could have been?”.
Each of us has the power to change our course.
Quiet your mind and picture what matters most to you… who or what inspires you.
And then commit to it.
That is where your passion project begins.
There are many benefits to starting a passion project. Among them are:
In this article, I will offer 15 passion project ideas that are meant to inspire you… and potentially change your life.
There’s something for everyone. So keep reading until you find the one that will set you on your way to unlocking your full potential and realizing your dreams!
But before we proceed, if you’re not up to doing a passion project and are simply looking for something to do to pass time, take a few minutes to watch this video:
1. Start a volunteer group, charity or nonprofit.
At one time or another, most people have suffered some kind of emotional or physical hardship in their life.
Perhaps it was a family member diagnosed with cancer.
Or a car accident that left you disabled and unable to continue working.
Maybe you grew up in a family where your parents needed to turn to a church or food pantry for help feeding you.
And if you were fortunate enough to escape challenges like these, maybe you are an avid reader and follow the news… sickened by the injustices going on in the world against people of different cultures, races, religions and genders.
There is a cause that speaks to every one of us… and charities that are doing their best to raise money and awareness. But there is also room for more.
Starting a volunteer group can be as easy as creating a page on social media.
A charity or nonprofit is a bit more involved, but is completely doable. You just need to do your research and devise a clear course of action.
Much like starting a business, you need to have a proposal of sorts. A plan.
Thirteen years ago, I formed a volunteer group. I posted on social media and community interest pages, which allowed me to gauge interest in the group.
My goal was to seek out all types of volunteer opportunities in our area and post them in one place, saving people the time of having to search multiple websites. We helped foster children, homeless, food banks and soup kitchens, planted gardens, held premature babies in the hospital.
In fact, I meant my husband at one of these events.
As we grew, we applied for nonprofit status. Registering your nonprofit for 501c3 status is a first step.
My advice… find what moves you and create a page. Then take it from there!
2. Train for a marathon.
Training for a marathon is as much about being mentally prepared, as it is physically.
Whether you’ve been running 5K’s for a while, or just starting out on your journey… there are mental barriers associated with 26.2 miles that can seem quite daunting.
But there is also a great feeling of accomplishment to gain, once you’ve achieved your goal.
If you want to make a marathon one of your passion projects, you should start by paying a visit to your primary doctor. Get checked out and make sure everything is good to go from that standpoint.
Next, try joining a local group or finding a running partner. Someone to make you accountable every step of the way. To help get you out the door when you feel like taking a day off.
Finally, you’ll need to engage support from family and friends. Start a social media campaign or blog and chronicle your journey from the beginning to race day.
If you’re running for a cause, share your fundraising page online.
A support system is so important… especially on days when your mind starts to doubt your body’s potential.
3. Write something.
It seems like anybody and everybody is an authority on something these days.
Whether they are grandstanding on their social media pages or commenting on blogs… most people have something to say. And everyone has an opinion.
But not everybody writes something worth reading.
If you are passionate about something, or feel you have great advice or wisdom to share with the world… consider writing as one of your passion projects.
There are many avenues to explore when trying to become a writer:
You can start your own blog about whatever interests you
Submit pitches to websites and magazines that are appropriate
Some opportunities may turn into a satisfying freelance career, to supplement your regular income.
Others could turn you into a best selling author or television and film sensation.
You may eventually land a full-time job writing for a major publication.
Or, at the very least, your voice may be heard by people who matter… and can put your words into action in government.
Yes, writing can be a wonderful passion project on so many levels… whether you want to make it your living or not.
Writing is cathartic and powerful.
4. Start taking pictures.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words.
And it’s true.
Chronicling your life through photos can be an extremely healing experience.
Your pictures can also touch others in ways they’d never imagine… as your photos speak to something within them they didn’t know was there.
Whether you’d like to turn photography into a career, or a lifelong hobby, taking pictures of what moves you will give you a glimpse inside yourself.
Start by getting yourself a good camera and maybe some books on the topic. You can also take an online course.
You should also research professional photographers and study the work of those you feel inspired by.
Next, start shooting.
Take pictures of nature, people, places, objects, moments. If you feel moved by something, photograph it.
Upload them to a cloud storage service… but also be sure to have a physical photo album (or two) on hand to print and showcase your best work.
Start a portfolio.
Even if you don’t become a world class photographer, you’ll have something to look back on later in life… and relive those experiences that helped mold you.
5. Complete a home renovation project.
Home renovations can be extremely costly.
You can also make good money doing them for others… which is why some people choose to be contractors, landscapers, painters and interior designers for a living.
Not all success is attached to a college degree. Sometimes it just takes hard work and a drive to succeed.
Undertaking a home renovation as your passion project could result in the start of a new career path… or simply turn into one of those great accomplishments in life you can tell your kids about.
You can start by renovating a room or two in your house. If it requires plumbing or electrical work, you may want to consult with a professional, family member or friend who’s knowledgeable on this… if you’re a true novice.
Making home renovation as your passion project could result in the start of a new career path.
Sure, you could watch a YouTube video… but electrical and plumbing mishaps are no joke if you’re not careful.
Painting, reupholstering furniture, laying tile or flooring… these are all good places to start when you want to try your hand at a DIY project.
Eventually, you may become quite the expert and realize your dream to purchase an old fixer upper… to either live in yourself or flip.
From there, the sky’s the limit!
6. Fix up an old car or motorcycle.
Remember those old movies with “greasers” under their hoods… changing oil and fixing carburetors? Those guys looked so cool.
And what about the motorcycle riders? Wind in their face… nothing but the open road and possibility ahead.
Buying and fixing up an old car or motorcycle is one of the coolest passion projects… and one you can even share with your child.
Talk about bonding!
Start by sifting through the classifieds or online ads and pick your dream car.
Then, study up on the basics by watching videos or reading books.
Talk to a mechanic at your local shop and clue them into what you’re working on… they may actually be interested in lending you a hand, or offering some guidance, in exchange for you buying some of the parts from them.
Most people innately want to help others, so never be afraid to ask for it. The worst they can say is “no”.
And, at the end of the day, your finished product won’t only be a blast to take out on the road… but something you can tell your kids about.
Improvement in brain stimulation and memory function
Better social skills
More job opportunities
Increased attention span
Provides greater multitasking skills
Enhances your creative thinking
Travel
Let’s face it. Most of the world speaks English, either as a first or second language.
Next is Mandarin Chinese, according to most research.
Hindi, Spanish and French round out the top 5 list… but English is the clear winner.
Regardless of what language you’re interested in learning, there are opportunities to be had.
Whether you want to change careers, boost your resume, travel to a foreign country, increase your cognitive function or simply become more interesting to other people… becoming fluent in a second language is a passion project worth embarking on.
You can try an online course or app. Or sign up for a class at a local language school or community college.
8. Launch a YouTube channel.
If you have kids over age 5… there is a good chance they are obsessed with YouTube. I know mine are.
They will spend hours watching other kids play Minecraft and Roblox.
I don’t get it.
But what I do get is that the demand is there.
There is a YouTube Channel for almost anything and everything… and you can subscribe to it.
Long gone is the notion of celebrities being made on television. Today, celebrities now take the shape of internet sensations.
Whether you’re looking to be famous, or just heard, launching a YouTube Channel may just get you there.
Before getting started, just remember that you need to have a clear vision for what you want to broadcast.
This may involve writing scripts and purchasing the proper camera and sound equipment.
This passion project is a reflection of you… so you don’t want it to be second rate.
9. Start a podcast.
Podcasters are this generation’s radio disk jockeys.
The big difference is you don’t need to be hired by a station, or resort to pirate radio, to be heard.
Anybody can start a podcast… and say almost anything they want. I’m also pretty sure they aren’t censored the same way public broadcast stations are because they aren’t governed by the FCC.
And while the FTC does have rules podcasters should abide by, certain things most definitely fall through the cracks. Most of the laws have to do with you disclosing your partnership with affiliates or advertisers.
The potential of starting a podcast by yourself is limitless and can give you a lot of opportunities.
But for the most part, anything goes with podcasts.
While there is some research you’ll need to do, the basics to getting going are these:
Identify your message, content and target audience
Decide on a format
Invest in the right sound equipment
Record and edit your first episode
Find a hosting site
Launch your podcast
If your podcast attracts a good number of followers, you can look into host services that allow you to solicit paid subscribers. Not all hosts, such as iTunes, allow you to charge listeners.
If you’re happy to offer your words free of charge, you may still attract enough fans to gain word of mouth with some of the “big guys” who may eventually hire you to broadcast on their behalf.
The potential is limitless.
So start by gaining a following on social media and go from there.
Wondering what podcasts are already out there? Check out our roundups:
10. Open an online or brick and mortar store.
Ever dream of being your own boss?
Or have an idea or vision worthy of being sold in your own store?
It doesn’t have to be all theoretical.
It can become reality if you commit to this passion project, which is easier than ever today with the ability to do it online.
Obviously, you need to start by doing some market research to make sure there is a need for your particular service or product.
Next, consult with your accountant on which type of business structure makes the most sense for you financially. Your business structure affects how much you pay in taxes, your ability to raise money, the paperwork you need to file, and your personal liability.
You’ll need to choose a business structure before you register your business with the state. Most businesses will also need to get a tax ID number and file for the appropriate licenses and permits.
Once you’ve done this, you can decide if you want to start out with an online business or physical location.
If online is the way you want to go, you’ll need to make sure you have a few things lined up before you can get started. Things like:
There is also the option of partnering with companies such as Amazon or WalMart to become an authorized seller.
A brick and mortar store requires rent or a mortgage to get yourself started; however, it may be worth the investment to have items that your customers can touch, see and feel.
It honestly depends on what it is you are selling.
And you’ll still need a website or social media page, at least.
Finally, you’ll need to figure out how much money you’ll need to get things going… and sustain your business until you start turning a profit. If you don’t have the means, you’ll need to seek investors or consider a small business loan.
Your accountant can likely help with this as well, if you aren’t financially savvy.
11. Film a documentary.
Whether you are looking to make a difference in the world, or are simply interested in something or someone, documentaries are a great way to share your message with others.
All you need to get started is a dSLR camera, editing software and subject matter.
You may want to consider taking an online course to walk you through the basics.
You’ll also need to check for any copyright issues and have people you’ll be shooting sign consent forms.
If you are planning to interview people, you’ll likely need to prepare some questions ahead of time.
And you’ll eventually need to write a script for any voiceover content after filming is done.
Documentary filmmaking can be an extremely rewarding experience… and is also a passion project that can be done in your spare time, like after work or on weekends.
12. Get certified to teach something.
Many people have considered teaching as a profession at one time or another in life.
Some types of teaching, however, don’t take place in a traditional classroom… and do not require a college degree.
Depending on the subject matter, getting certified to teach is a passion project that doesn’t have to be terribly time consuming or require going back to school.
Many times, it can be done online. Or within a certain number of hours in-person.
Getting certified to teach is a passion project that doesn’t have to be terribly time consuming or require going back to school.
For instance, if you enjoy yoga so much that you think you may like to teach others… you can find guidance for becoming certified online.
Start by assessing your hobbies and interests… and decide if teaching any of them would make you happy. If so, start researching!
It’s honestly that simple.
13. Take up art – sculpt, paint, draw.
Art is healing or the soul.
It’s a perfect form of self-expression and there is no “wrong” way to create it.
It’s subjective and will be viewed differently by everyone.
Including yourself.
If you’ve ever wondered if you could be, or are, an artist… why not give it a try?
Cue up some inspirational music and start doodling, sketching, exploring with paints and clay at home.
If you’re enjoying yourself, consider taking a class.
You can sign up for an art class at a local studio or take one online if you aren’t quite brave enough to express yourself around others just yet.
Some are free, some paid.
Either way it’s a small price to pay for a slice of happiness.
14. Run for local government.
“Be the change you wish to see in the world”.
It’s a pretty famous quote, interpreted from something Mahatma Gandhi said, designed to encourage people not to complain about what others are doing… but instead fight for what they believe in.
Fight to make a difference.
And making the decision to run for local government can be just the passion project to get things done!
Local government positions take many forms.
Offices are typically broken up into two tiers, counties (or boroughs) and municipalities (or townships). Within these tears are different positions.
Generally speaking, county positions require an election and include:
Mayor
City council members
Municipal positions include:
Parks and recreation
Police and fire department
Housing services
Emergency medical services
Municipal courts
Transportation
Public works (streets, sewers, snow removal, signage, etc…)
These are all good places to start if you’re considering a side gig, or possible career, in politics.
Even if that isn’t the case, running for local office is still a great way to speak up for those who can’t or won’t.
15. Become self-sustainable – garden, solar, wind.
History has taught us that nothing is forever, nor is it set in stone.
Inflation, deflation… crop and water shortages.
Power outages.
Cyber attacks.
These things are often out of our control, especially if we have to rely on others.
Learning to become self-sustainable is a passion project that can let you literally reap the rewards that you sew.
You can start small and go as big as you’d like!
Plant a garden.
Compost.
Get chickens for eggs or meat.
Invest in solar panels and wind turbines.
Learning to become more self-sustainable can be fun for the whole family… not to mention a way to teach your kids not to take everyday luxuries for granted, such as having food on the table.
Final Thoughts on Passion Projects that Can Inspire
Not all passion projects have to be big to be life changing.
We’ve covered a variety of ideas here… each designed to make your quality of life better in some way.
At the end of the day, being happy with where you are in life is really what living is all about.
If something no longer makes you feel content… change your situation.
It’s in your hands.
Now, if you feel like you need to do some more soul-searching before diving into passion projects, these articles might help:
Nicole Krause has been writing both personally and professionally for over 20 years. She holds a dual B.A. in English and Film Studies. Her work has appeared in some of the country’s top publications, major news outlets, online publications, and blogs. As a happily married (and extremely busy) mother of four… her articles primarily focus on parenting, marriage, family, finance, organization, and product reviews.
There might be affiliate links on this page, which means we get a small commission of anything you buy. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Please do your own research before making any online purchase.
When you think five, ten, or fifteen years into the future, what do you hope will be significantly different than it is today?
Your income? Your health? Your relationships?
We all have visions for the future, and whatever yours may be, setting effective goals can help you get there by keeping you motivated, helping you feel confident, and making sure you stay focused.
You may be able to recognize goals from your past that were unattainable because they were vague, lofty, or not planned out very well, which probably felt discouraging.
Trying to follow through with nonchalant goals often leads to failure, which will prevent you from achieving any significant growth.
The key to being successful in any area of your life is to be intentional about your goal-setting by creating the right kind of goal and sticking to it.
Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
Each element of this goal-setting framework plays a part in making a clearly planned path to achieving your objectives and tracking your progress along the way. This will give your goals a strong foundation that will increase your chances of realizing your vision.
Here’s a breakdown of each letter:
S: Specific
Specific goals answer your six “W” questions: who, what, where, when, which, and why.
Answering these questions will define your goal and eliminate ambiguity.
Who is involved?
What do you want to accomplish?
Where will you work toward your goal?
When do you want to reach it?
Which requirements and constraints might get in your way?
Why are you doing it? (This will also tie into the R).
The more specific your goal is, the more clearly you will be able to define the steps you need to take to get there.
M: Measurable
How will you know you’re making progress toward your goal? Measurable goals are defined with precise times, amounts, or other units that will clearly define how far you’ve come and how far you have left to go.
Measurable goals will help you keep track of your pace along the way and give you a chance to re-evaluate and shift direction as needed.
A measurable goal will typically answer questions such as how much or how many.
A: Attainable
Attainable goals are challenging, yet realistic.
When you’re creating an attainable goal, you can expect to encounter obstacles along the way, but even if you fail, you’ll still make significant progress in some area of your life.
Time-bound goals have specific deadlines, which will help you prioritize and stay motivated. The deadline for your goal may be days or decades away, you just have to check back with the “Realistic” component to determine this.
To set a reasonable deadline, try working backward from your designated finish line and develop appropriate habits. Watch the video below to learn about the five-step process for turning your goals into simple habits.
And, because your goals are specific, when your deadline approaches, you will know whether or not you’ve achieved your goal.
Let’s look at some examples of SMART goals for all areas of your life. We will go over both process and outcome goals to give you a variety that will help explain this concept in a more comprehensive way.
SMART Goals Examples for Your Career
Being goal-oriented is an important part of having a successful career and preventing yourself from staying stagnant in the same position for years on end.
Whether you have a professional skill that you want to refine or you want to own a worldwide corporation, you need to have goals that will challenge you to push beyond what you believe to be your limits.
Here are five examples of SMART career goals:
Acquire new clients: “I will acquire five new projects for my Web design consultancy through referrals, networking, and social media marketing campaigns within two months.”
Improve job performance: “I will redo my company’s website design by May 1st. This will be done by finding the right graphic designer and Web programmer, then using their skills to create a dynamic visual presentation.”
Increase profits: “I will increase profits by 20 percent this year by acquiring two new clients each week, finishing projects 10 percent faster than I have in the past, and cutting $1,000 per month in expenditures.”
Start your own business: “I will start my own business within five years so I can incorporate innovative ideas into my industry to fill unmet needs. I will start by researching how to start a business, current business trends, and funding resources.”
Get hired: “I will find a job in the next 6 months that is in line with my knowledge, skills, and abilities. I will do this by applying to at least three jobs and speaking to at least one professional contact each week.”
Check out these other examples to help you set SMART goals for your career:
SMART Financial Goals Examples
Whether you’re aiming to save for retirement, buy your dream home, plan a vacation, or simply get out of debt, setting SMART financial goals will ensure your success.
Here are five SMART finance goals you can set:
Regular savings: “For the next year, I will save 20 percent of every paycheck and invest it in index funds through my 401k.”
Living within a budget: “I will create a budget of $4,000 every month. Then I’ll use the envelope budgeting system to track every expense and make sure I’m spending less than this amount.”
Eliminate credit card debt: “I will pay the outstanding balance of $5,000 on my credit cards in installments and become totally debt-free in three years. This will be done by asking each credit card company to reduce my APR. Then I’ll systematically pay off the cards with the highest interest rates down to the lowest interest rates.”
Buy a house: “I will buy a house around $400,000 within two years with a 20% down payment. I will do this by increasing the money I set aside from each paycheck to $300 by reducing all unnecessary spending.”
Retire early: In order to retire early, I will read at least three books on saving for retirement within the next six months in addition to investing at least $10,000 into my retirement accounts each year for the next ten years.”
SMART Goals Examples for Your Health
Setting SMART health goals will help you stay committed and accountable in an area of life that can quickly become a slippery slope.
When creating a healthy lifestyle, your goals might involve eating a clean diet, losing weight, or becoming more physically active.
Here are five SMART health goals you can set:
Eat more vegetables and fruits: “I will eat a minimum of five servings of fruits and vegetables daily by March 31 by mapping out my meals each week, going shopping twice a week, and eating one to two servings per meal.”
Get regular exercise: “I will work out a minimum of 30 minutes per day, three days per week by December 31.”
Healthy habit: “By June 15, I will drink 64 ounces (or 2 liters) of water at work every day. I will do this by setting a reminder at night to fill up my bottles and take them with me when I leave for work in the morning.”
Build muscle: “I will be able to do six consecutive pull-ups in the next three months to help increase my muscle mass. I will do this by strength training on my own at the gym twice a week in addition to meeting with a personal trainer once per week.”
Relationships and goals often go hand in hand, whether you’re focusing on your relationships with family, friends, colleagues, or even your relationship with yourself.
These goals could focus on your relationship with one person or an entire group of people.
Here are five SMART relationship goals you can set:
Express love to my spouse: “I will identify three things I really love about my partner and tell her about them on Friday night. This will be done by scheduling a 30-minute block on Tuesday so I can reminisce about all the good times we’ve shared together.”
Spend quality time with your family: “I will strengthen my bond with my family by taking them for a vacation at least once in the next six months. This will be accomplished by setting aside an hour each month during my weekly review session and planning out future trip ideas.”
Strengthen friendships: “Each month, I will plan and coordinate one activity with my closest friends. This task will also be completed during my weekly review session.”
Improve communication: “I will spend 15 uninterrupted minutes at least four nights per week touching base with my partner regarding things going on in our everyday lives and our plans for the upcoming days to eliminate miscommunication.”
Don’t mistake ‘leisure time’ as a free pass to sit around doing nothing. Instead, optimize this time by catching up on unfinished tasks or developing new skills.
Stay productive by focusing on activities that can benefit you either personally or professionally, such as travelling, engaging in hobbies, or relaxing your body.
Here are five SMART leisure goals you can set:
Family fun: “I will enjoy the Maid of the Mist boat ride in Niagara Falls with my family on August 31st. On Saturday (March 1), I will spend two hours planning this trip and making all the necessary reservations.”
Learn new skills: “I will learn rock climbing this summer and climb a simple Class 4 at Yosemite. This will be accomplished by joining the local climbing class that meets on Saturdays during the wintertime. Then I’ll join a week-long course in the summer to exponentially develop my climbing skills.”
Outdoor activities: “I will spend at least one hour outdoors every day tending my garden, jogging or power walking. This will be done by blocking out an hour for each day during my weekly review and setting a daily reminder to get outdoors.”
See friends: “I will go out to lunch at least once a month with a friend that I don’t often see to help myself disconnect from everyday life and maintain interaction with people who are outside of my close circle.”
Learn a language: “I will attain fluency in French in the next 18 months in preparation for travelling through France at the end of next year. I will do this by practicing speaking French for at least 45 minutes per day and reading at least one book that’s written in French per month.”
SMART Goals Examples for Your Personal Growth
We all want to increase our quality of life, achieve more, and be the best version of ourselves that we can. Setting personal development goals will help you be successful in these areas by helping you get a little better every day.
Here are five SMART personal growth goals you can set:
Self-Education: “I will read one book every two weeks for the entire calendar year. Some of this reading will be accomplished during my morning routine.”
Getting Up Early: “For the next 3 months, I will wake up 30 minutes early, so I can build a morning routine.”
Self-care: “I will engage in self-care for one hour at least three times per week to increase my ability to be resilient in the face of adversity and improve my capacity to help others by helping myself first.”
Prioritize: “I will spend at least one hour per week analyzing my personal well-being, including reviewing my work/life balance, addressing my limiting beliefs, and internalizing a mindset that encourages my actions to align with my goals.”
SMART Spirituality Goals Examples
For many people, spiritual well-being is as important as their physical or mental health. Your spiritual goals should be designed to help you connect to your inner beliefs, which has a different meaning for everybody.
This could include activities like meditation, prayer, yoga, or anything else that helps you experience peace of mind and connect with something bigger than yourself.
Here are five SMART spirituality goals you can set:
Meditate regularly: “I will meditate for 10 minutes each morning. This habit will be developed by setting an alert for 7:20 a.m. using the alarm app on my phone.”
Being thankful: “I will take five minutes each day to give thanks for everything that’s good in my life. I will develop this habit by setting aside time right before my lunch to remember what’s important.”
Prayer: “I will set aside 10 minutes each day and pray to God. This habit will be added to my nighttime routine — right before I go to sleep.”
Self-reflection: “I will do one hour of self-reflection every Sunday to make sure my daily actions align with my values and beliefs. This will help me remain on the right spiritual path and stay true to myself.”
Create peace: “I will promote peace in my life by pinpointing sources of conflict that can be addressed and setting boundaries on what I will and will not tolerate. I will spend 30 minutes problem-solving each week to ease tensions and cultivate peace and spiritual growth.”
Final Thoughts on SMART Goals Examples
Despite which area of your life you’re focusing on, if you aim at nothing… you will probably accomplish nothing. The SMART goals listed in this article are meant to provide you with a foundation to identify what you want to improve in your life and how you plan on doing that.
Choose some goals from this article that you can relate to (and alter any numbers as needed) and let the SMART goal-setting method do the work for you.
You’ll likely find that you can achieve more than you originally believed and, with a strong sense of direction, you will know exactly where you want to go next after you achieve each goal.
If you need more help setting and accomplishing your SMART goals, be sure to check out these blog posts:
Connie Mathers is a professional editor and freelance writer. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and a Master’s Degree in Social Work. When she is not writing, Connie is either spending time with her daughter and two dogs, running, or working at her full-time job as a social worker in Richmond, VA.
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