When life calls for goal management

Well into my seventies, I find it extremely hard to select and then set goals to keep on “fueling” my life. Having goals is essential for motivating myself as it was during my younger years. I do realize a shift in goal-setting and motivation is understandable after retirement and that’s why I’ve been doing some research to get me out of that funk.

Here are some of the ideas I have found and liked the most. First, it’s true that retirement shouldn’t slow me down, on the contrary, I’ve got the gifts of free time and not having to work for a living. The first order of business is to set goals, I should make them SMART. This means they should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. 

They shouldn’t be generalities like "get healthier," but instead "walk 30 minutes 3 times a week for the next month." Big goals should also be broken into small parts that become more achievable steps that can be noticed when they’re reached and should be celebrated to keep the motivation flowing. All these ideas are a reasonable blueprint for getting started. 

Before picking my goals, it’s also essential to check what brings me joy and fulfillment, like helping others, learning something new, experiencing something new or creating anything I can be proud of. Goals aligned with my purpose are likely to be more meaningful. I just need to find something that keeps me engaged, motivated, and that I love doing. 

I’ll let you know how that project develops!