How to actually achieve your goals!

Goal Setting: 30 before 30

I made up a list of things that I wanted to accomplish before I turned 30. 

By no means do I expect to complete all of them, but I am such a goal oriented person that I need things to look forward to or work towards to feel happy. 

I like to call myself a spontaneous planner. By that I mean that I will come up with options or lists or plans for fun things to do as suggestions. 

I don’t make itineraries for trips. I create optional ideas because if I don’t know what’s around or activities that we could do, I’ll get overwhelmed by all of the unknown options. 

So, the 30 before 30 is basically my way of planning spontaneously. 

I wrote down 30 things that would be super fun or cool to do before I turn 30. And there’s no reason I couldn’t do them after I turn 30, but I like to have those lists and options to refer back to when I’m feeling stuck. 

If I don’t have goals or ambitious ideas then I won’t do anything. My life has been so wild and incredible because I’ve created lists of what I want to accomplish in life and then I went out and did them. 

Sometimes it’s just that simple. You write down what you want to do in life and then somehow you find a way to do it.

I never would’ve moved to Hawaii and worked at an animal sanctuary and gone surfing everyday if I didn’t write that down. No sane person just picks up their life and does that. 

Or when I started writing my book. I never would’ve done that had it not been on my 30 before 30 list. 

And graduate college. Go skydiving. Do meaningful work abroad. Go on a solo trip of self discovery. Travel to National Parks every year. Live somewhere else in the U.S. Give motivational speeches to crowds. 

I accomplished these things because they were in my brain. I wrote them down and gave myself the opportunity to see them written down, look at my life, and decide to make those things happen. 

So write a list and make a timeline. You don’t have to make them all happen but it’ll keep you engaged with your ideas for that allotted time. 

Maybe you’re already 30. Maybe you’re 60. But write down things you want to do in life or accomplish and remember those things because life doesn’t stop for any of us. 

There’s no secret pause button even though we all wish for it sometimes. So, think about the life you want to live because you only get one. And a long life isn’t guaranteed. Then keep those things in the back of your mind so when an opportunity arises. You take it. And you can look back on your life and say, “Wow. I can’t believe I really did that.” Or “My life has been so incredible, here are the things I’ve done.” 

Whatever it is. Be proud of what you do.

This is just a simple way that I’ve made my life more fun and interesting. As a spontaneous planner, this has set me up for success, adventure, and a fulfilling life.

I hope it can do the same for you.