I never really thought I’d be writing about goal setting. But the more I researched and wrote about time management and productivity, I kept coming back to one thing: Without knowing where you want to go, you won’t know what to prioritize. Without purpose and prioritization, no amount of speed is useful. You’ll be going nowhere, fast.
So here I am, writing about goals – something that has always been a part of my life in some way or another. Over the years, I’ve studied goal setting, read and listened to almost anything I could find on the topic, watched YouTube videos, and scanned Canva goal-setting and vision board templates. It just always piqued my interest, and I thought it was normal.
But what I know now is… it’s not that normal. (And that’s okay. People with unusual or odd obsessions are cool, so I’m fine being in that group.)
I always assumed that everyone has goals. I knew not everyone writes them down (because, let’s be honest, I’ve skipped that step too), but I figured at least everyone has them.
I was wrong.
Some people are just going wherever life takes them, usually nowhere. Without goals, there’s nothing pulling you forward. And without moving forward, you feel stuck. Only when you have a goal does that change.
If you’re at a point where you know there’s more to life than where you are now but you’re not sure where to go next, here are seven life-changing questions to ask yourself. Each one will help you uncover something that sparks your interest, fuels your passion, and makes you excited to work toward a goal.
Grab a pen and paper. Let’s go.
1. What’s in your YouTube history?
Is there a consistent topic that keeps popping up? This is a clue about what naturally draws your attention.
Example: You realize most of your videos are about traveling to Asian countries. That’s a clue.
2. Who do you (secretly) envy?
What does this person do, wear, or have that makes you a little (or a lot) jealous? Envy isn’t just about wanting what someone else has – it’s often a signal of what you truly desire.
Example: Your colleague went to Mauritius, and for a week after hearing about it, you couldn’t shake the thought of how good it must have been. That’s a clue.
3. If you got one wish right now, what would it be?
No overthinking, just your gut reaction.
Example: You’d wish for $42 million. That might be a sign that financial freedom is something you deeply desire.
4. What’s something that made you irrationally angry?
Sometimes, the things that make us furious highlight what we truly care about.
Example: You got so mad hearing about someone neglecting their child. That’s a clue – you deeply care about children’s well-being.
5. When was the last time you were genuinely happy?
Think about a moment when you felt pure joy. What were you doing? Who were you with?
Example: You were happiest spending a full day at the beach with your family. That’s a clue.
6. What’s something you wish you were good at?
We often admire skills we secretly want for ourselves.
Example: You’ve always wanted to read super-fast. That’s a clue.
7. What’s something people always ask you for help with?
If people consistently turn to you for advice on something, it’s often a sign of a natural talent or strength you may not even realize you have.
Example: Friends always ask you for career advice or how to stay organized. That’s a clue.
Connect the Dots.
Now, look at all the clues you’ve gathered. Do you see a pattern? Are there recurring themes that spark something inside you?
You don’t need to have it all figured out right now. Just choose one goal – something specific, measurable, and time-bound. Most importantly, pick something that excites you.
Set the goal. Take the first step. Then another.
It’s really that simple.