35 Personal Goals Everyone Should Set For a Happy Successful Life
When you think about personal goals, what comes to mind for you? Is it changing your eating habits or maybe incorporating more exercise into your daily routine? Whatever it is for you, we will share 35 examples of personal goals you should implement today for a happier, healthier, and overall better life. There are 4 categories here-health, work, life, and personal development goals.
I think one important thing to keep in mind is that personal growth is an ongoing thing. You never stop growing or learning. And as you grow and learn, good things happen. You’ll see!
Goals for Health
First and foremost, your health should always be your top priority. Without good health, you have nothing. It’s important to take care of yourself inside and out, physically and mentally.
Reducing Sugar Intake
We all already know sugar is bad for us (sorry), so why not aim to reduce the amount of sugar you consume daily? A wee less in your coffee and/or maybe ease up on candies and chocolate bars.
Walk More
Try to walk at least 30 minutes (15 if you can) 5 days a week. We all know the benefits of walking already! Why not hook yourself up with a FitBit to motivate you even more!? Or call up a friend and walk together!
Eat Less Bad Carbs
Why not look at replacing your bad carbs with good carbs? I know there’s no good replacement for pizza (seriously), but we don’t have to eat it three times a week, either. Also, bad carbs can cause brain fog, depression, low energy, and other serious health conditions.
Start a Fitness Regime
I get that not everyone can afford to go to a gym, but you don’t have to! There are so many amazing YouTube videos for exercising and a lot of no equipment needed videos too!
You might like this article I wrote recently about the 20 best bodyweight exercises you can do at home.
Drink More Water-Reduce Pop or Juice
I totally get that plain water is just boring and icky. Trust me, I know. We want flavour, dammit. Why not try adding some lemon, ginger, mint, cucumber, or whatever tickles your fancy? The sugar content for pop and juice is higher than you think. Look at the nutrition label next time. You might be shocked.
Water is not only very hydrating but it absolutely mandatory for our joints, oxygen, energy and so much more!
Eliminate Late-night Snacking
I know you just groaned. Sorry. I’m the worst at this because I work until 10 pm some nights and I want snacks! If you eat a nice big healthy meal at dinner time, you’ll be less apt to reach for those Doritos at 9 pm.
Substitute Donuts for Healthier Treats
Ok I know you already hate me (right after the no more pizza, reduce sugar and stop late-night snacking), but do you need to have a donut daily? I think not. Stopping at that drive-thru coffee place for coffee is fine. But no more donuts. Why not try the yogurt berry bowl instead? Still sweet but way better for you.
Try Yoga or Pilates
If you already exercise at home, why not try something new? Yoga is a fabulous way to stretch out that body, it’s great for posture and balance too. You can still get an amazing workout in with Yoga or Pilates.
Goals For Work
Work Smarter
Plan out your day more efficiently. The Pomodoro technique is amazing at helping you knock off tasks without getting sidetracked. Aim for 60 to 90 minutes on and 15 minutes off, which usually works great for me. Don’t burn yourself out or it will show in the level of quality of your work.
This technique is also really good for helping you overcome procrastination!
Turn Off Social Media
Close Facebook, Instagram, or whatever social media weapon of mass destruction you have playing in the background. You’ll get a poop ton more work done. Trust me. Put your phone away and take it out only during break time.
And here’s the funny thing about social media-you’re scrolling: you see something that makes you angry, and then suddenly, you can’t focus on work anymore. Do yourself a favour; turn it off during work hours.
Work on Public Speaking
If you are afraid of public speaking or have a hard time using your voice, why not work on that and build your confidence simultaneously? Many of us are too shy or afraid to speak in fear that others will be mad or hate us. It’s time to drop that limited mindset and learn how to use your voice.
Learn More Things
If you are a freelance writer (blogging), why not learn how to become a copywriter? Or learn how to read charts and analyze data to enhance your work skills further. You’ll become more valuable as an employee (or more sought after for freelance work)
Improve Your Listening Skills
Many of us listen to reply back. Why not listen to learn new things and not interfere when someone at work is talking? Open your ears more and your mouth less (ouch, ok that was kinda rude but you get the point).
I used to be notorious for that, close ears, open mouth, but I’ve come an awful long way. Now I listen to learn.
Know When to Turn Work Off
Do you work 10-12 hours a day at home and don’t know when to stop? Yup, me too. But I’ve also learned to take time away from the computer to chill out and stop my work brain. “Me time” is so important.
We’re not machines. You are human and need to take care of your health and that means stepping away from work and doing something nice just for you.
Manage Stress Better
Stress is a life sucker. If you are easily stressed out at work or while you’re working from home, why not learn some stress management techniques? Deep breathing is a really good one! Stress can lead to physical ailments, including insomnia, headaches, and shoulder and back aches.
Learn some techniques to get that under control.
Grow Your Network
Get out and meet new people in your niche. Make connections online with other entrepreneurs. Reach out to successful people who do what you already do to learn more and meet even more awesome peeps. You need to surround yourself with successful people in order to learn and grow.
Goals For Life
It’s just as important to have life goals. This is the only life we get, and it’s up to us to make it the best life ever. No one can do that for us. Set some practical goals for life and watch how things change.
Practice Patience
Are you one of those who fly off the handle too quickly? Learn how to take a step back and assess the situation to prevent you from losing your patience.
Remember, patience obtains all things. We don’t know why someone is running late or things aren’t working properly. Learn to be patient and always trust that everything will always work out in the end.
Work on Your Weakness
Make a list of some of your weaknesses and find out how to eliminate them and become mentally strong. Discover where your weakness stems from and maybe work on healing that too.
Many of our weaknesses come from limiting beliefs or trauma we may have suffered growing up. Whatever the case may be, work on them, like today!
Make More Time For Yourself
Spend more time alone away from people, family, friends, and electronic devices. Learn how to be happy alone without needing distractions. You know that whole be here now stuff.
Self-care is so important. I can’t stress that enough. You are the most important person in the world. Not your kids, spouse, mother, etc, but you! Take care of yourself first!!
Learn to Meditate
Meditation is by far the one thing everyone on the planet should be doing. It helps us calm our minds and become more at peace. There are bazillions of guided meditations on YouTube and Insight Timer.
Find ones that resonate with you.
FYI you don’t have to meditate for hours each day. Even just 5-10 minutes is powerful and effective.
Chill Out More
Don’t take everything so seriously. Learn to let things roll off your back. Did you know that everything in life is temporary and the things you worry about today won’t even matter a year from now?
Learn to laugh more. Learn to let things slide more.
Dump the Toxic People in Your Life
Like, right now. Friends, family, neighbors, I don’t care who they are; either get rid of them or reduce the time you need to spend with them.
Toxic people are soul-sucking. You are not obligated to be around them. Ever. And you know who they are. There is no room in your life for a toxic person.
Forgive, Let Go, and Move On
Take the time to forgive everyone who has ever hurt you, let go of the past, stop holding grudges, and start moving on and forward with more inner peace. Holding on to anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.
It doesn’t work that way. You’re only hurting yourself.
Set Personal Boundaries
Start saying no to people more and yes to yourself. People pleasing doesn’t serve you anymore. Find and use your voice to let people know you won’t be walked all over anymore or treated like a doormat.
Let someone else say yes for a change.
Personal Development Goals
Strive To Be a Kinder, More Loving Human
I think this one is pretty important now more than ever as there is so much anger and violence, and hatred in the world today. It truly breaks my heart. Just be more loving.
It’s so easy for us to lash out at people who have hurt us or made us mad, but next time something like that happens, before you react, stop and breathe. In and out. Calm yourself down first, and then you will be better equipped to handle the situation.
Become a Better Person
I honestly think this is the best personal goal. Just be a better human being. You already know what your faults are. It’s up to you to fix, correct, improve, whatever you gotta do. Do it.
Maybe you need to be more patient or less judgemental. Or maybe you need to show and have a little more compassion and understanding empathy. Remember, the world needs more better people.
Work on Having a Positive Mindset
This will take a little bit of work if you are always negative and pessimistic, but it’s not impossible.
A fun little trick to try is this- next time you have a negative thought, stop it and immediately replace it with 3 positive thoughts, and watch how your life changes. It really works!
Daily Gratitude Journaling
I started doing this about 8 years ago, and I can’t even begin to tell you how much my life has improved because of it. I am now more grateful throughout the day for so many things I used to take for granted.
When we stop and remember all the things we have in our lives to be grateful for, well, more things show up in our lives to be grateful for. That’s how it works!
Set More Specific Goals
I love mind mapping. It’s a great way for me to write out specific goals, whether they be long-term goals, short-term goals, business goals, or career goals, no matter what type of goal it is, have a look at them, and cross them off as I achieve them.
I think it’s important to have a variety of achievable goals and realistic goals so that you can see what you want and work towards making them happen. Honestly, I think goal-setting is kinda fun and rewarding too!
Step Out of Your Comfort Zone
I think too many of us are afraid to learn new skills or change anything too drastic in our lives because we have this crazy fear of failure. We need to dump that.
I think it’s important to step out of your comfort zone and def try new things at least once a week. More if you can!
Do Something Nice For Someone Else
All the time. Not just once a year. Go volunteer at a homeless shelter or maybe even help out an organization that calls to your heart and needs more hands.
Volunteering is a great way to give back to the community and meet new people, not to mention it will explode your heart, too! Go help the little old lady who lives on your block or the single mom from the grocery store. Just do more nice things, every day.
Control Your Temper/Anger
This is super important. I know it’s kind of part of becoming a better person but not only that, it will help you be more physically and emotionally healthier too! Anger is toxic and can cause high blood pressure, headaches and so many other physical ailments.
Not only that, when you project your anger onto someone else, you are hurting them a lot. So work on anger management and have more calm in your life.
Stand Up For What You Believe In
Too many of us are letting injustices happen all around us. No matter how big or small, you can make a difference. Use your voice and your words, and stand up for what you believe in.
Even if you have to stand alone. That’s ok. It’s important to have a voice and integrity. In my opinion, anyway.
Wake Up a Little Earlier
Even 15 minutes earlier every morning is life-changing. In those 15 minutes, you can quietly spend some time alone, read, journal, meditate (all the things we talked about already!) do some yoga or pilates.
The possibilities are endless! You might even have time to make a healthy breakfast, too! 15 minutes can change your entire day and mood for the day.
Spend More Time With Aging Relatives or Friends
When did you last sit and have tea with lovely little Margaret from down the street?
You know she’s lonely, and I’m sure she’d love some company. Or what about friends you haven’t seen in a really long time? Call ’em up!! Go for tea or maybe even take a road trip together to go get ice cream or something fun!
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