A mix of literature in the past couple days has me thinking about… life goals. Should you have them? What are they? Are they achievable? How easy should you give up hope? And so on. I have yet to think through this, so join me on my non-epic journey into the forest of my mind.

Welcome ladies and gentlemen. I’m glad you could join us on this mystical evening ride through the dark red forests of “my mind.” On the left you will see Bucket List, a 2007 movie about two dying men pursuing life goals that change their lives. On the right you’ll see a book called Getting Things Done, David Allen talks about how to organize your life to be more productive and reach your goals, at least from this point that’s what it looks like, we might see more later in the tour. Ahh, and on the right we see Enchanted, also made in 2007 it’s a fairy tale meets New York and a couple finding happiness.

I know, it’s a short tour, but not much there, at least not on this trip. So let’s dive into a few questions.

What are life goals?

Wow, I feel like I’m interviewing myself, though I’m not sure I’m qualified to talk on this topic at my new age of 21. But, what are life goals? Yes, question has been asked… move on.

Life Goals are… wow, it’s a definition. Life Goals: (adjective) (1) the things in life which one pursues in order to find happiness or contentment (2) one’s ambition which drives him/her to get through the “small stuff” in order to achieve this goal in the end (3) something that one would like to do or become during their life.

How big should life goals be?

I ask this to myself simply because I think there are levels of goals and purpose to them. By definition 1, my life goal is a very small and simple one: to live a life pleasing to God. But it is that goal that drives other goals in life (good grades, family, ect). I value one above the others, as it is the root of the others, but they are all life goals. So for myself, my life goals range in sizes. But it’s the small one that drives me (def 2).

Should one have them?

Why have something if your going to be disappointed by not archiving it? Well if you are not going to pursue it, then yes, don’t have one, it is pointless. But then my question would be, what is your purpose in life? Chances are you already have a goal. Even if it’s just to know how to book ends. (for those on the ride, the “book” is referring to life)

Achievable?

Oh so many factors. Is it legal, is it probabilistic, are you willing to work for it, are you physically able (though I’m not sure that should stop you), are you supported in doing it, do you have enough time. So many questions, but in the end, when setting them, don’t rule something out too fast. I would say never rule it out. If it is something you want to do, write it down. You just might have to get creative and plan hard in order to achieve it, but if you willing to set it as a goal and if it’s something you’re willing to work for… you’ll find out a way.

Should you give up hope?

Why would you want to? Yes, childhood dreams change. As you grow older you’re priorities change, so your set of goals might also. But don’t rule something out simply because you think it’s not able to be be done. Again, be creative, find a way, stretch your mind. If it’s something you want to do still… find a way.

What now?

Get a pad of paper or open up a new document. Start figuring out what you want to do with you’re life. Do you want to race Mustangs, sky dive, visit exotic places, or find true love? Set the goals, find the methods of achieving those goals (might want to put a reason next to it, to give you an extra boost of motivation when you feel like you don’t think you’ll ever do it), and make connections. It’s amazing what kind of connections can lead to marking a goal off your list.

Find the way.