Database of Personal Goals (260 Entries)

Personal goals are plans that you make for the future. This can include end-goals that are desired outcomes and process goals that focus on what you will do.

All (263)

Life (19)

Career (46)

Academic Goals (42)

Financial (14)

Personal Development (54)

Lifestyle (31)

Adventure (14)

Social Goals (22)

Family (17)

Creative (10)

Be more open to invitations.	Be more productive.
Become a leader.	Become a problem solver.
Become more visible at work.	Become someone others can rely upon.
Begin a creative writing project.	Build a library.
Build a professional reputation.	Build an emergency fund.
Build and sustain wealth.	Build stronger relationships.
Buy a home.	Buy used items.
Care for a pet.	Challenge your own assumptions.
Change your career.	Collaborate with classmates.
Complete a DIY project.	Complete a thesis.
Complete assignments early.	Complete summer internships.
Compose music.	Connect across departments.
Connect with neighbors.	Conquer a fear.
Continuously improve your work.	Cook healthy meals.
Create art.	Cultivate academic curiosity and passion.
Cultivate character strengths.	Cut subscription services.
Daily personal reflection.	Daily running.
Declutter your home.	Design things.
Develop a professional portfolio.	Develop a study schedule.
Develop an online presence.	Develop industry relationships.
Develop more social confidence.	Develop research projects.
Develop spiritually.	Develop supportive relationships.
Discover new music.	Do good things for others.
Dress well.	Eat breakfast together.
Eliminate debt.	Engage in community life.
Engage in religious life.	Engage more at work.
Engage with online communities.	Engage with professors.
Engage with school life.	Establish a profession.
Establish and follow family rules.	Establish daily exercise routines.
Establish family traditions.	Establish personal principles.
Establish productive routines.	Explore career opportunities.
Explore local attractions.	Explore mutual interests with others.
Face difficulties to cultivate resilience and grit.	Family dinners together.
Find better productivity tools.	Find more interesting work.
Find work that is more rewarding and fulfilling.	Focus on those things that are within your power to change.
Focus on truly understanding course materials.	Foster meaningful relationships.
Gain international work experience.	Gain management experience.
Gain public speaking experience.	Gain recognition in your field.
Gain social experiences.	Gain visibility in your organization and industry.
Gain work experience.	Get a job.
Get a promotion.	Get a raise.
Get an advanced degree.	Get an education.
Get into a college.	Get more sleep.
Get more value from spending.	Get out more.
Get research published.	Give others the benefit of doubt.
Go camping.	Go stargazing.
Go to all your classes.	Go to concerts.
Go to cultural events such as festivals.	Go to guest lectures.
Go to more social events.	Go to museums.
Go to the theatre.	Have family meetings.
Home improvement projects.	Host a family reunion.
Host a party.	Identify core values.
Improve decision making skills.	Improve digital literacy.
Improve environmental responsibility.	Improve planning and prioritization.
Improve presentation skills.	Improve study focus.
Improve your grades.	Improve your performance in a sport.
Improve your performance reviews.	Improve your writing.
Increase your income.	Join a club.
Join a sports team.	Join academic competitions.
Join community groups.	Join fitness classes.
Join forces with others more often.	Join study groups.
Keep in touch with people.	Keep skills up-to-date.
Keep to a study schedule.	Lead group work.
Lead teams and projects.	Learn a craft or art.
Learn a language.	Learn a martial art.
Learn a musical instrument.	Learn about advanced technologies.
Learn to avoid distractions.	Learn to be happy for others when they do well.
Learn to code.	Learn to forgive others and move on.
Limit screen time.	Listen with intent to understand.
Live a cultured life.	Live in the present.
Maintain a healthy diet.	Make a life decision.
Make better use of time.	Make friends.
Make reasonable decisions.	Master a talent.
Master new skills.	Meet more people.
Mentor someone.	Negotiate a high salary.
Network to build professional connections.	Nightlife pursuits.
Obtain bonuses or commissions.	Obtain professional certification.
Open up to others.	Organize family activities.
Organize social events.	Overcome past grievances.
Overcome regret.	Participate in academic conferences.
Participate in career fairs.	Participate in class discussions.
Participate in extracurricular activities.	Participate in industry events.
Participate in work events.	Participate in workshops.
Pay bills on-time.	Plan family vacations.
Plan tasks more effectively.	Play more stimulating and challenging video games.
Practice a skill.	Practice gratitude.
Prepare for tests and exams early.	Prioritize quality time.
Publish expressive and creative works.	Publish industry articles.
Pursue a hobby.	Pursue a passion.
Pursue additional education.	Pursue leadership roles.
Pursue lifelong learning.	Pursue recreation.
Pursue your sense of personal style.	Quit a bad habit.
Read more books.	Read together nightly.
Reduce environmental footprint.	Reduce stress levels.
Reduce work stress.	Reflect on failures.
Research industry trends.	Research new topics.
Resolve a workplace conflict.	Reuse things more often.
Review all financial statements each month.	Run a marathon.
Save for child's future.	Save for retirement.
Save money.	Seek challenging work assignments.
Seek feedback from others.	Seek meaning and purpose in life.
Seek new experiences.	Seek research funding.
Seek support, help or advice.	Set personal deadlines.
Share household chores.	Simplify your possessions.
Solve a problem.	Solve work problems.
Spend less.	Spend time outdoors.
Spiritual or meditation practices.	Start a business.
Start a family.	Start a journal.
Start a music band.	Start a podcast.
Start a side hustle.	Start a vlog.
Start more conversations.	Starting hiking.
Stick to a budget.	Strengthen family bonds.
Strengthen your resume.	Study a new subject.
Take a class.	Take a road trip.
Take a sabbatical.	Take art classes.
Take better notes.	Take calculated risks.
Take challenging courses.	Take dance classes.
Take family photos.	Take initiative at work.
Take long walks.	Take professional training.
Take up gardening.	Track personal progress.
Transition to remote work.	Travel solo.
Travel the world.	Try an adventure sport.
Try new activities.	Try new foods.
Try to be flexible and open to change.	Try to be less judgemental.
Try to be on time.	Try to be open to the ideas and suggestions of others.
Try to see others in a positive light.	Use analysis and data to solve problems.
Use time more effectively.	Visit relatives.
Volunteer abroad.	Wake up earlier.
Watch good movies together.	Watch sports together.
Weekly family nights.	Work abroad.
Work less overtime.	Work to be more accepting and chill.
Write a book.

Goals vs SMART Goals

Goals are desired or planned future states. SMART goals are a specific methodology for defining goals that emerged as a corporate framework to measure the performance of employees beginning in the 1980s. This is based on the criteria that goals be specific, measurable, actionable, relevant and time-bound.

You can design personal goals to be SMART. However, you are also free to define goals that are open-ended, not measurable or not timebound. You're not a corporation that has to measure everything that you do and you can judge your goals qualitatively if you like.

End-Goals vs Process Goals

End-goals are targets for future outcomes such as becoming wealthy. Process goals are targets for your behavior such as working hard.

Generally speaking, process goals are more effective than end-goals because they are fully within your control. By focusing on what you will do as opposed to what you want, you are perhaps more likely to achieve things.

Goals vs Intentions

Intentions are essentially another word for process goals whereby they focus on your thinking and behavior over outcomes.

Open Goals vs Silent Goals

Convention has it that you should openly communicate your goals and that by telling other people about your goals you will become more bound to deliver them.

A competing theory known as silent goals states that you are more likely to achieve goals if you keep them to yourself.

This has to do social feedback from others whereby telling people all the great things you will do tends to be satisfying. If you tell people you're going to eat more healthy, they may say -- that's great. This is the social validation you were seeking and after getting it, you may simply discontinue the goal.

If you start working on a goal and never tell anyone, if you just do it for yourself without seeking validation from others, you may be more likely to continue.

Long-term Goals vs Objectives

Long-term goals are future goals that aren't immediately obtainable. Setting long-term goals may have little effect unless you immediately start taking action towards them.

Objectives are these actions. They aren't necessarily the goals that you are seeking but they are meaningful steps towards these goals. For example, if you have a long-term goal to get into a good college an objective might be to study for your math test tomorrow. A single goal may map to thousands of objectives.

Achievable Goals vs Aspirational Goals

One of the drawbacks of SMART goals is that it can encourage mediocrity with the criteria that goals always be achievable.

SMART goals were designed for company performance reviews and in this context, fully achievable goals totally make sense. However, when you are setting goals at the level of the strategy of a company or the strategy for your life, it can be a good idea to set goals that serve as a big vision.

These are known as aspirational goals -- your big dreams that need not be completely achievable. Even if you never fully realize an aspirational goal it may motivate you in the right direction and serve to transform your life in unexpected ways.

Summary

Personal goals are targets that you establish for your future including life, career, academic, financial, personal development, lifestyle and family goals.