21DJC Day 12 – What Are Your Biggest Goals for the Next Few Years?

This is Day 12 of the 21-Day Journaling Challenge (21DJC) for Nov 2011. View list of tasks: 21DJC Overview.

Hi everyone – Welcome to Day 12 of 21DJC! :)

Yesterday’s question was: “Out of Your 5 Senses, Which is the Most Important to You, and Why?“. (Read the responses.)

The intention of yesterday’s question is to make us appreciate our 5 senses. Which is the most important sense to us? What would happen if we lose that sense? How would our experience of life change?

The reason why I asked yesterday’s question is because one of my teachers posed the question to the class when I was in primary school.

I remember feeling struck when I first heard the question. “What would happen if I were to lose one of my senses?“, I thought. I would be devastated, for sure. These 5 senses, which I had taken for granted, have been monumental in creating my life experience. Without any of them, I couldn’t imagine how life would be like.

There is no right or wrong answer – each answer depicts what is the most important sense to you. Interesting, your answer suggests whether you’re more of a visual person, an audio person, a sensorial person, a person who values smells, or a person who values taste.

Hopefully, from answering the question, you became aware of the importance of all your 5 senses, and the role they play in your life. From reading your answers, and how many of you expressed gratitude for the senses that you often take for granted, it would definitely seem that has been achieved.

For me, the most important sense to me… I would say it’s sight. I can’t imagine living a life of darkness. I’m a visual person – it’s what I notice at the beginning; it’s the first thing I remember about events and scenes.

That said, the sense of smell is important to me too, as is the sense of hearing, taste, or touch. It’s definitely a challenge having to pick one sense over another, so let’s make sure we never run into the situation where we have to do that, shall we? Let’s treasure our 5 senses and care for them duly.

Let’s protect our eyesight by only reading when the room is well lit, taking a quick break every once in a while when using the computer, and not forcing ourselves to wear contact lens when our eyes are tired (for contact lens users).

Let’s protect our hearing by not blasting our music at full volume and listening to it at a moderate level. Let’s also protect it by staying away from places with noise pollution, such as booming clubs, places with loud traffic, and so on.

Let’s care for our nose by not picking at it constantly, not sniffing at uninviting smells, not blowing it hard when we have the flu, and not stuffing things up our nostrils.

Let’s care for our skin by washing it regularly, not coming into contact with extreme temperatures (hot or cold), using mittens when removing items from the microwave/oven, using gloves when doing dish washing, wearing gloves and socks when we feel cold, and keep ourselves well covered during the winter times.

Let’s care for our taste buds by not taking spices we are not accustomed to, not smoking, not consuming food that has expired or gone bad, and not consuming food high in preservatives, because they may well desensitize our taste buds.

With that said, let’s now move to today’s question!

21DJC Day 12

Today’s question is sort of a precursor to our highly anticipated, upcoming Live a Better Life in 30 Days Challenge for Dec 2011. Today’s question is:

What Are Your Biggest Goals for the Next Few Years?

What Are Your Biggest Goals for the Next Few Years?

What do you envision achieving in the next few years? What do you most want to see happen? What are the goals and dreams you want to see unfold?

We will be working on our ideal life, our life goals, life map and vision board in detail during 30DLBL next month, so take this as a preliminary outlet to think over your goals in the next few years.

(Today’s question can be found in #28 of 101 Important Questions To Ask Yourself In Life.)

Put on your reflection cap and let your thoughts flow. Below is an empty form which you can use to write your answers to the question. Treat it as your private 21DJC journaling “room”, if you will. You will be seeing this form every day, for the 21 days of the challenge. There’s a button for you to keep track of your word count too, if you’re interested.

(Note you will not see the form below if you’re viewing this in your email client. Visit the actual post online to see the form.)

What Are Your Biggest Goals for the Next Few Years?

[include_HTML: http://personalexcellence.co/challenges/21djc/wordcount.php]

Your Task Today:

  1. Reflect and answer today’s question. There’s no word limit – whether minimum or maximum. Write as few or as many words as you want. It’s all up to what you want to express!
  2. Share your answer. After you are done writing, copy and paste your answer in the comments area and post it there.
  3. Check out other participants’ answers. Other participants will be sharing their answers too, so feel free to read and reply to their answers. This is a group course, so let’s support each other in these 21 days.
Look forward to reading your answers! :D



« 21DJC Day 11 – Out of Your 5 Senses, Which is the Most Important to You, and Why?

21DJC Day 13 – What Do You Fear Most? »




146 Responses | Share Your Thoughts

  1. Jess says:

    This at the moment is a fairly difficult question for me, I’m at a point where I keep questioning my decisions and continually look at the options that are possible in respect to studying and working.

    So I know this answer is fairly run-of-the-mill, but in the next few years, I want to set a more ‘concrete’ direction for my life, choose exactly what career pathway I wish to take for the foreseeable future, I wish to have started my studying/training for what ever pathway I have chosen. I would also like to explore the opportunities that are presented to me in my current job.

    I wish to have embraced any relationships that may happen, and while I don’t set timeline on my personal affairs (dating, marriage, children etc), I would like to think that I’ll make the most of my relationships.

    I would like to have discovered more about myself and be happy with who I am, and from that, be more in tune to the other people around me.

    Like: Thumb up +2

  2. Mark says:

    Fortunately, at 30 years of age, I am now in a position where I know exactly where I want to go and be over the next few years.

    The main goal both my fiance and I share is to conceive our first child. We have already been trying for 18 months, and on Wednesday, after already having had a few tests (mine less favourable than the other half’s), we have our first meeting at the fertility clinic. The next twelve months could well be challenging for us, but I do believe that with a positive attitude and believing in the best we will get what we want.

    Beyond that, I want to make a huge step from our current house which is at the bottom of the market, up to my (our?) dream home. My better half would rather take a middle step before then, possibly, but I would rather make just one move.

    In order to facilitate the above two, my aim is to save as much money as possible over the next 5 years – fortunately I am in a well paid job which will allow me to do this. First I must repay odd bits of outstanding debt (1 year max). Then I’ll have four years of serious saving – not too serious though, I’ll still enjoy my money as we only live once and who knows what will happen tomorrow!? But the surplus funds will be put to one side for a house move one day, but also to pay for private fertility treatment if it is required (but NHS should cover it for where we live).

    Looking forward to the journey :-)

    Like: Thumb up +3

  3. Laurel says:

    My very biggest goal for the next few years is to finish my two-year associate degree. Completing this degree is important to me not only to help with employment, but to reach that milestone after having dropped out of school for a year and a half. I only have two more semesters to go, so I hope to graduate sometime next year.

    Another goal I have for next year is to start riding my younger horse Iris. Iris, the foal of my other horse Belle, is going to be 4 next year, and since I’ve had Belle since she was 2 months pregnant, I’ve been looking forward to this for quite some time! Iris is going to be very happy too, because she always wants to go on rides with the other horses, and now she’ll finally be able to.

    Besides those two goals, I have some other goals that are not clearly defined yet. After I graduate I hope to find some sort of employment, but I’m not sure whether I would want to work for someone else or start my own business. I’m waiting to progress with my schooling before I narrow that path down more. I’m also hoping to build a house on my families land someday and move out to the country, but that is more of a long term goal.

    Like: Thumb up +1

  4. Ivona says:

    Celes is there going to be a public run for 30DLBL? I would be so excited if it does! I did the first one, half-heartedly, but even that way it was useful. I would be trilled to commit to the next one!

    Okay…goals,goals,goals. It’s got to be the most mentioned word in personal development world. And writing them down the is the first and most emphasized advice. Ironically enough, I don’t have them written down :(
    I was wishing for a task like this to appear,but I thought it was too general, too known of and that it wouldn’t be appearing. Glad it did.

    My goals for the next three years:
    1. get good grades. Very good grades. Above 8.5 GPA (10 is max). So I am good enough for scholarships and good enough to be accepted if I want to get a PhD education

    2. not only lose 30lbs, but be FIT. I want to complete Insanity training program. I want to run in a half marathon. I want to be able to do a split and I wan’t push ups to be a breeze. That is the only way I have a chance to get into personal trainer career, and the health industry in general. And that is my dream. A big dream that I’ve never confessed to anybody. I think I would be made fun of, because I myself was never a big athletic person. And I’ve been overweight for the last 3-4 years. But I’m 19 and I think I still have a shot, if I work hard enough for it.

    3. grow. In every sense. Learn new and improve existing skills. Have more self confidence. Learn another foreign language. Meet myself better. Learn. Become a better person in every way I can.

    4. have a more exciting social and love life. During high school I had low self confidence, not enough self-appreciation, I was 50lbs overweight at one time, and all that made me isolate myself from the crowd. I just started University and I’m hungry to have fun with people, go out, make new friends, have new relationships.

    5: And last if I can (financialy) – travel. I’m from Europe. And Europe is beautiful, there is so much to see! I want to see Amsterdam, Portugal, Spain again, the UK, northern countries, Switzerland….everything!
    Of course, the rest of the world is beautiful too, but Europe is most accessible now, and cheapest for me. The world will have to wait until I get my paycheck!

    So those are not some grand, super-ambitious goals. But I’m young and I want to enjoy it while still setting the stage for later, by growing and education :) And of course fueling my batteries with great experiences! :)

    Like: Thumb up +3

    • shyla says:

      You can do it! I did my first half marathon this year and Shaun T’s Insanity program as well (got 6 weeks through, didn’t finish it unfortunately). It’s tough, but it’s so worth it! Good luck :)

      Like: Thumb up 0

    • Celes says:

      Hi Ivona! All 30DLBLs are for members only (i.e. those who bought the 30DLBL program).

      It’s a definite must-have for all Personal Excellence readers if you ask me, plus it’s an invaluable investment since getting the program gives life-time access to all 30DLBL runs. Beats all the personal development courses out there that cost hundreds to thousands of dollars but can only deliver a fraction of what 30DLBL gives. Hope that helps!

      Like: Thumb up +1

      • Amanda says:

        I’ll also be thrilled about a public one but I know what you mean. Looks like I have to wait for my own credit card then. :p

        Anyway, Ivona – I love your 3rd goal the most – grow. ‘In every sense.’ make it even more challenging, although it has much more value now.

        Good luck (on your goals and your dream)! :clap: I’m sure you’ll achieve it. :D

        Like: Thumb up +1

        • Celes says:

          For anyone who still have questions about 30DLBL and plans for public runs, there are no plans for any public runs for 30DLBL in the long-term cause it wouldn’t be fair to the members who purchased the program prior to that. Secondly, the guidebook/workbook, online resources and time taken to run the course comes with a cost (all other challenges at PE have been run free all this while). The revenue from 30DLBL sales, even if it’s priced ridiculously low, allows me to continue my work at PE.

          With the books, resources, and support that come with the purchase, it’s really a miniscule investment. So if there’s anyone hesitating to get the program, hope this helps with your decision somewhat. Thank you!

          Like: Thumb up +1

  5. Bonnie Jo says:

    As a senior in college, I am at a point in my life where there are many new goals and opportunities. In the next few years, I want to be financially independent, and to have a job that I love teaching math. I do not know where I want to live, or what grade I would like to teach, but I know that I want to be a “real person” as we say in college.

    I would also like to be married, or at least have fallen in love in the next few years. This is a much more difficult goal because there is so much chance and circumstance involved.

    I also want to place in the top three in a swing dance contest. I have been dancing for 3 years, and have still not competed, but that is mostly because I’m too scared. I hope to eventually be a good enough dancer to really do well in a competition.

    All of this could very well change though, as this is a major period of transition in anyone’s life.

    Like: Thumb up +1

  6. lotusbleu says:

    Embark on a spiritual journey.
    Run my 1st marathon.
    Achieve financial freedom.
    Learn to play the electronic keyboard.

    Like: Thumb up +1

  7. May says:

    Study hard, get good grades, hopefully sort out some private personal life matters, go to college (then transfer to an university). Do well in that, get a stable job that I have interest in, and enjoy life to the max. Oh, and I guess finding a partner wouldn’t be bad either ;)

    I have been looking at a few universities here and there, but the problem is I have such a broad range of subjects that interests me, from fashion to interior design, singing to cooking. Hopefully I can major in something that I can stick to for the rest of my life. If not, I’ll just take classes and keep learning even when I’m an old lady.

    Like: Thumb up +1

  8. Asni says:

    1. Take up a counselling course. I have some life experiences that I can bring to the table. There’s a shortage of counselors in my ethnic group in Singapore and I wish to contribute my services to the people. In school here where I work, I see many kids who are “lost,” and they are increasing in numbers yearly. Perhaps, this is a niche I can go into.

    2. Write better, more interesting, articles for my blog. There are numerous possibilities. As I am still new at this (just started middle of this year) I am still trying to find my niche. I want to share something inspiring, that will make people think and, perhaps, if they can learn something from what I wrote, it would be awesome. :dance:

    3. Write a book. This sounds big, no, huge! But, I know that this is what I would want to eventually do. I will not ask why, what, when, where or how — I just know that it will happen and every time I write on my blog, it is a practice towards improving my writing to reach this goal. There are many platforms in the blogosphere for aspiring writers such as NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) which organizes novel writing challenges in November annually, RedWritingHood or Magpie Tales which has link-ups for writing prompts weekly, etc. These are the few that I know of currently. I am sure there are many more and they will all come to me as my dream becomes too loud for me to ignore. In the short term, I intend to enter the NaNoWriMo challenge In November 2012.

    4. Make a pilgrimage to Mecca. This is a religious pilgrimage according to my faith and I have in fact booked a place for 2014. Provided my health is good, enough money can be saved (at least SIN$10,000) and everything else in my personal life goes smoothly, I will be there in 2014.

    Like: Thumb up +2

  9. Peggy says:

    Don’t really have any big goals. I’d like to have a grandchild, but I guess I don’t really have any control of that. I’d like to get a plan in place for retirement. I’d like to have a sense of financial security in our retirement years. I’d like to see my children settled and happy (again not really in my control). I’d like to get solar water heating (already have solar electricity). Lose 25 lbs would be good. That’s something I think I can do.

    Like: Thumb up 0

  10. Pat Fuller says:

    Number one goal is to stay healthy. I will do this by conscious healthy choices. I will eat fresh, mostly raw foods. I will exercise regularly. I will avoid known carcinogens. I will exercise safe practices.

    Number two goal is to work on relationships. I will continue to work on my relationship with my husband of 41 years. As we both grow and change, we are always learning better ways to accept each other. As my children and their partners grow and change, we all strive to improve the ways that we relate to each other.

    Number three goal is to work on improving my world and leaving it a better place than when I arrived on the scene in 1949.

    Like: Thumb up +3

  11. Borjana says:

    First of all mu biggest goal in life and i will achieve it in next few years, is to write and publish a book that will help others grow and go through some rough patches. So i am working on that and i will do everything to achieve that goal as soon as possible but also to be the quality that i want. And i hope to start motivational speaking in my and other countries.

    I have a goal to go on a spiritual and growth journey where i will travel in to deep layers of myself.

    Second i would like to go into couching and motivation. So i can help others grow and grow along side them. I want to attend coaching, EFT, NLP and other inspirational seminars that will give me teachings that will help me grow and help others grow.

    My goal is also to finish my last year of Public Relations University and get some work and practice in that area. I also want to get a job that will fulfill me, inspire and support my lifestyle financially.

    I have a goal to travel a lot in next few years and to visit as many .different countries and cultures as possible. I would set as goal to visit Rome,Milan,Venice and Florence in Italy. I would try out diverse cuisines learn new growth techniques of different people.

    My goal also is to settle with my ideal partner whether it is my current partner of someone new, i would like to have someone to share my experiences for life.

    I will learn to cook some new and excited dishes.

    I will improve my physical endurance and shape to the maximum of health and vitality.

    And i will spend quality time with my family and friends.

    Those are biggest goals but i have many more that i will do everything to complete in few years to come.

    Like: Thumb up 0

  12. Taffi says:

    Thank you for this question. Thoughts about this have been rolling in my mind for the past few days. I would like to break the goals in to
    1- Spiritual
    2- Relational
    3-Intellectual
    4-Physical
    5-Financial
    6- Creative side

    All of these are super important and must be handled with care.

    1- Spiritual
    -I want to
    Become spiritually sound and continually grow
    Become a helper in this, along with a helped
    Read the entire bible, and get some depth in understanding
    Become/Remain faithful
    Get depth in character and a tranquility in soul

    2-Relational
    -I want to
    Have a solid relationship with God…thats gonna be tough
    Be the kind of friend i aspire to be
    Find someone i can love and care for…someone special…and then love and care for her
    Learn to love properly
    Remove the negative energy sucking relationships from my life

    3- Intellectual
    -I want to
    Gain in heavenly and worldy wisdom
    Learn another language
    Develop professionally.
    Learn skills to actually benifit the world…and then do it

    4- Physical
    I want to
    Donate a kidney
    Loose some weight
    Gain fitness
    Run a marathon

    5- Financial
    I want to
    Be financially bolder and more carefree
    Make intelligent decisions
    Get more of a comfort cushion, to be able to just leave this rat race

    6- Creative side
    Learn how to play an instrument
    Work on my poetry skills. And actually have the confidence to demonstate it to the world

    Like: Thumb up 0

  13. Jacquie says:

    My biggest goal is to move to the Maritimes with my husband, & enjoy our retirement while we are both still young enough and in good enough health to enjoy it.

    This will mean tightening our belts now, paying off all our debts and watching that we spend money on the ‘needs’ more than the ‘wants’.

    Along with that move, more travelling is another big goal, both in Canada and back to Europe.

    Like: Thumb up 0

  14. cloudio says:

    In order of importance, the following are my biggest goals for the next 5 to 10 years:

    1) Increase the mutual love and respect with my family and friends
    2) Become a father and keep a supporting relation, no matter what, with the mother of my baby. Donate my sperm
    3) Improve my physical and psychical shape
    4) Have a steady source of income from a business, socially useful and fun for me
    5) Publish a book which is read and appreciated by at least 1000 people
    6) Visit at least 100 countries (I’m actually around 50)
    7) Become fluent in Japanese and in another language

    Like: Thumb up 0

  15. J says:

    To have my son testing 2+ grades ahead in all areas of school (through my help and hiring of tutors if need be). I’m quantifying this, but I’ll be happy giving him any meaningful advantage at his age.

    To be working fully for myself, and on track to be working solely because I want to in 5-7 years.

    To have identified the next major pursuit in my life (physics, charity, neuroscience, religion or philosophy, etc.)

    To add 5+ high-impact friends to my live capable of providing “positive” peer pressure and interaction in the key areas of my life (business, intellect, philosophy, parenting, body/health, overall mastery etc.)

    To have either launched and delivered the non-profit I’m contemplating now, or to have made what I deep a similar contribution in an existing entity. [This one is squishy, I know.]

    To be regularly attending church with my wife and son, as a family.

    Like: Thumb up 0

 


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