When he was 30, Tal Gur of Fully Lived set 100 goals that he wanted to achieve by the time he was 40. He achieved them. He’s not the only person to do this. It’s an internet phenomenon.
While many experts recommend writing down your goals to make them more likely to be accomplished, Gur suggests publicizing them. Sharing 100 life goals on a blog, website or social media might be the key to success.
Letting your loved ones know what you’re up to can help you stay accountable for taking action toward your goals. You might even get help from friends who can support you in a certain area. Some of your loved ones may want to join you in your goal-achieving adventures.
If setting 100 life goals seems daunting, start small. Once you begin dreaming, you may find it hard to stop.
Separating your list of goals into various categories lets you keep track of them. Plus, it’s easy to work on a financial goal while you take steps toward a personal and professional goal.
In this article, you’ll get 100 ideas for life goals that will make you think back and say, “Wow, what a life I have lived!” You can certainly have a perfectly content, happy existence without setting goals. But why not give yourself the chance to achieve everything that you’ve ever wanted?
Personal Development Life Goal Ideas
Personal development is a continual journey. Setting goals allows you to pause, celebrate and reflect as on what you have accomplished. But every time you reach one of these goals, you’ll likely add another because you never stop learning.
1. Learn to Be an Active Listener
Have you ever been in a conversation with someone who doesn’t stop talking or constantly turns the focus of the story to themselves? These types of people aren’t active listeners.
Active listeners give full attention to the speaker. They use all their senses to take in the information that’s presented to them. They use cues such as nodding, making eye contact and smiling to encourage the speaker to continue. Active listeners may also ask questions that show that they’re interested in the information and want to learn more.
2. Do One Thing that Scares You Every Day
Although fear can keep you out of harm’s way, many people obey it to the point where they limit their opportunities. Doing one thing that scares you every day helps you grow. It teaches you to be confident, and it helps you get comfortable with discomfort.
3. Improve Your Body Language
Your body language is largely driven by your subconscious. But paying attention to it and ditching poor habits can help you engage with people more effectively.
4. Communicate Honestly
It’s so easy to tell people what you think they want to hear to avoid confrontation. But in the long run, honest communication will open more doors than lies.
5. Meditate Regularly
There are several benefits of meditating, including:
- Reducing stress and anxiety
- Enhancing self-awareness
- Improving your focus
- Protecting against memory loss
- Generating kindness
- Combating addictions
- Helping you sleep
- Lowering blood pressure
If you don’t meditate regularly, consider making the practice a life goal. You don’t have to sit still for hours. You can try a walking meditation or another type of moving meditation. The ideal amount of time is the one that works for you. If you overdo it, you may never make meditation a habit.
6. Stop Procrastinating
Even if you think that you work well under pressure, procrastinating can induce anxiety. James Clear recommends telling yourself that you’ll do something for just two minutes if you’re avoiding it. That short timeframe prevents you from putting it off and often gives you the momentum to keep going.
7. Develop a Growth Mindset
A growth mindset is the idea that intelligence can be enhanced. Research shows that a growth mindset helps you embrace challenges and bounce back from failure more quickly.
8. Learn a New Language
You can tie this goal in with your adventure and travel goals by brushing up on a language you’ll need when it’s time to travel the world.
9. Make a List of Books You Want to Read (and Read Them)
Starting a book list is easy. Keep track of it on Pinterest or using a notes app on your phone. You can solidify this goal by committing to reading one chapter a night.
10. Increase Your Public Speaking Confidence
About 25 percent of people are afraid of public speaking. However, this is a handy skill to have to improve your chances of career and personal success. Hone your skills by practicing every chance you get, whether it’s giving a presentation at work or presenting to your child’s class.
11. Maximize Your Productivity
If you can improve your productivity, you can get more done in less time. You can use this to your advantage, shortening your work hours so that you have more time to spend on your life goals.
12. Learn Something They Don’t Teach You in School
Expand on your interests and give yourself something interesting to talk about at parties by learning something that you didn’t in school. Choose something that you’re passionate about so that you have fun in the process.
13. Define Your Core Values
When you know your personal core values, you know what you stand for. Understanding this can help you make decisions more easily and live with integrity.
14. Discover Your Limiting Beliefs
Although you may understand what drives you, you may be surprised that certain core limiting beliefs are holding you back. Identify them so that they don’t drive your subconscious and you can replace them with empowering beliefs.
15. Type 50 Words Per Minute
The average person types 38 to 40 words per minute. Become a more proficient typist to improve your productivity and enhance your resume.
Health and Fitness Life Goals
Why is it so hard to commit to your health? Verywell Fit says that there are a few reasons why we don’t reach our fitness goals, including:
- Your workouts are too hard
- You’re not doing enjoyable exercise
- You’re in pain
- Your workout routine isn’t balanced
Set life goals that take into account your overall wellness so that you can improve your health and live longer.
16. Do 30 Pushups
Between the ages of 50 and 59, men should be able to do 15 to 19 pushups, and women should be able to do 7 to 10 pushups. You can make it your goal to reach those numbers or surpass the average adult and do 30.
17. Do a Pull-up
To be a U.S. Marine, men have to be able to do at least three pull-ups. However, the average American adult might not be able to do any pull-ups. Make it your life goal to do at least one.
18. Run a 10-Minute Mile
Even if you’re not a regular jogger, being able to run can improve your cardiovascular fitness, help you play with your kids and allow you to flee from danger if necessary. Start by running a mile at your own pace. Once that feels easy, try to improve your speed.
19. Finish a Running or Cycling Race
Training for a marathon or race is a common life goal. Even if you don’t want to run that far, you might want to set a goal to finish a 5K. Your health will likely improve, and the funds often go to a good cause.
20. Hold a Handstand for 10 Seconds
Handstands help you build core strength, improve your circulation and improve your energy. Plus, you’ll gain a different perspective on the world and get to act like a kid again.
21. Master 5 Yoga Poses
There are hundreds of yoga poses. You don’t have to learn them all, but getting good at the following five can give you a good foundation in yoga and strengthen your body:
- Mountain pose
- Downward dog
- Plank
- Triangle
- Warrior 1
22. Eat Enough Vegetables
You should eat at least three to four servings of vegetables per day if you want to live longer. But if you eat more, you’ll get additional nutrition. That’s especially true if you swap veggies for junk food. Most veggies are low in calories, contain plenty of fiber and are packed with nutrition.
23. Choose Real Foods
Packaged foods may contain chemicals that are harmful to your health. Stick with fresh produce and meats. Limit your condiments. Food is medicine. You can often improve your health just by ditching the processed stuff and sticking to clean eating.
24. Drink Enough Water
Although there is some controversy about how much water you need to drink each day, you should consume it consistently and avoid getting thirsty.
25. Get Enough Sleep
If you’re a healthy adult, you should probably be getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night. If you’re not, make your sleep a priority.
26. Exercise Regularly
Most experts say that you should exercise for at least 30 minutes each day. This doesn’t mean that you have to hit the gym. However, you should get your heart pumping and your body moving.
27. Quit Smoking
There are no good reasons to smoke. When you quit, you improve your health in a number of ways. Reminding yourself of the benefits of quitting can help you stay strong.
List of Relationship Life Goals
Humans are social creatures. Even though you may have a great tribe of loved ones, make sure that you nurture your relationships so that they support you throughout your life.
28. Ask for Help Once a Day
It’s not easy to admit that you’re vulnerable. However, asking for help gives others a chance to be generous.
29. Offer Help Once a Day
Let your friends know that you care by helping them with their needs. Try to assist a loved one or a stranger once a day to keep your generosity strong.
30. Do Something for Yourself Every Day
It’s easy to neglect yourself when you’re busy focusing on family, your career and getting more done in less time. Make sure that you do one thing that you love every day, even if it’s just taking 15 minutes to sip your coffee in peace before the kids wake up.
31. Forgive Everyone You’re Holding a Grudge Against
Holding a grudge takes a lot of energy and doesn’t change the fact that someone hurt you. Learn to forgive them so that you can free yourself up to cultivate future relationships.
32. Spend Quality Time With Your Kids Every Day
If you have children, you should spend at least 10 uninterrupted minutes with each of them every day. When you spend one-on-one time with your children, you give them positive attention. It provides the emotional connection that they need. If children don’t get enough positive attention, they may seek it out in negative ways.
33. Find Your Life Partner
You don’t have to have a life partner. In fact, make it a goal to decide what you really want out of life. Although society tells us that we should be paired up forever, that’s not right for everyone. If you do want to find your soul mate, though, make it a goal so that you can take steps toward it, such as going on dates.
34. Learn More About Parenting
Your intuition probably gives you the best parenting tips. However, you can learn more about positive parenting by reading books or taking classes.
35. Establish a Family Tradition
Even if you live alone, consider establishing at least one annual tradition. It’s a great way to bring some consistency into your life and give yourself something to get excited about.
36. Have Regular Family Meetings
Whether you live with a partner, kids or roommates, schedule regular household meetings. Keeping everyone on the same page is important when you live together.
37. Write One Letter a Month to a Distant Friend or Relative
The art of letter writing has all but died. Make someone’s day by writing one letter by hand every month. It’s also a great way to reconnect with old friends.
Creative Life Goals List
Even if you don’t consider yourself artistic, tapping into your creativity helps you grow and think outside the box.
38. Write a Book or Short Story
If you have ideas, write them down. A short story or book can even help you work through your own life story and reflect on the memories of the past.
39. Journal Every Day for a Month
Keeping a daily journal can help you stay focused and reduce stress. Dumping the clutter from your mind allows you to think more clearly.
40. Make a Vision Board
Creating a visual representation of your goals makes them more likely to come true. As you build your vision board, imagine how it will feel to accomplish each item pictured.
41. Learn How to Knit or Crochet
Did you know that knitting is good for your health? It’s like meditating, except that you come out of it with something that you can use or give to someone.
42. Take a Visual Arts Class
Most people don’t believe that they’re artistic because they haven’t tried to be. Take a class, and stick with it. There are so many styles of art. Just because you can’t draw with photorealism, it doesn’t mean that you’re not a great artist.
43. Take a Dance Class for Adults
Adults are often limited in their capacity for physical expression. Learning to dance can bring out a whole new side of you that you’ve never experienced.
44. Learn to Play a Musical Instrument
Learning to play a musical instrument gives you a way to pass the time. It can also boost your confidence and give you a reason to get together with others and jam.
45. Spend 10 Minutes a Day on Your Hobby
When you’re busy, you might not feel like it’s productive to focus on something that you love. But it’s worth it. Devote 10 minutes a day to your hobby even if you don’t feel like you have the time.
Financial Life Goals
Setting financial goals can prevent you from worrying about how you’re going to fund your future. Here are some ideas for financial life goals.
46. Build an Emergency Fund
You may live comfortably after cashing each paycheck, but would you be able to deal with a financial emergency? Experts say that you should have at least three months of living expenses in an emergency fund.
47. Secure Life Insurance
Life insurance can protect your dependents if you pass away. It may also cover the costs of a funeral and prevent your loved ones from having to take on your debt.
48. Live Debt-Free
Speaking of debt, come up with a plan to get rid of yours. Once you do, make most of your payments with cash or a debit card.
49. Build Up a Retirement Account
It’s never too early to save for retirement. If you’re procrastinating, you’ll probably want to start by the time you’ve planned your adventure and travel life goals. You need a way to fund your retirement travels.
50. Invest
Learn more about investing, and start an account so that your money can work for you even while you’re sleeping.
51. Make a Will
If you don’t have a will yet, think about creating one. There are several benefits to making a will, including preventing family conflict.
52. Build a College Fund for Your Children
Take some pressure off of your kids by starting a college fund for them. Many allow you to add pre-tax income.
53. Create a Budgeting Habit
If you don’t pay attention to your money, it’s easy to spend more than you make. One of the easiest ways to save more is to become aware of your financial habits.
Career Life Goals
Many organizations work with their employees to set goals that benefit the company. You should also set goals that help you rise and succeed in your career.
54. Continue Your Education
You’ll enhance your resume and build your knowledge if you take continuing education classes. Consider learning something that gives you an edge in your industry.
55. Start Your Own Business
Not everyone is an entrepreneur. However, if you’re passionate about a particular field, you might be able to make a living off of it.
56. Create a Website
You can launch a website to promote your own business, support a side hustle or just share some personal information. Website knowledge can help you no matter what profession you’re in.
57. Learn Enough About a Topic to Teach a Class on It
When you’re an expert on a subject, you can earn an income and boost your career by teaching others about it.
58. Start a Side Hustle
Whether you blog, sell natural cosmetics or babysit, you can earn extra money and could end up changing the course of your career.
59. Become a Motivational Speaker
If you naturally inspire people, consider giving presentations to motivate others. It will be a valuable addition to your resume, and many companies would be thrilled to have you on their team.
60. Make $1 Million in One Year
Who doesn’t want to be a millionaire?
61. Appear on the Cover of a Magazine
If you’ve reached a point in your career where you are an inspiring mentor with plenty of experience and knowledge, you might want to become more visible. Share your strengths with the world.
Travel and Adventure Life Goals
What good is working if you don’t use your hard-earned cash to enhance your experience of life? These travel and adventure goals will help you stay excited about life.
62. Swim in Every Ocean
If you’ve never seen the ocean, perhaps you can make it your life goal to get to the coast.
63. Make a List of Countries You’d Like to Visit (and Travel to Them)
Start by writing down the countries you’d like to see. Once you do that, you can start figuring out how to make it there.
64. Take a Long Road Trip
Grab a map, your car and maybe a furry friend, and hit the road.
65. Go RVing
Move out. Pack your belongings in an RV and spend some time living in campgrounds. You won’t have to pay utility bills, and you’ll be able to pick up and go whenever you want.
66. Go on an Extended Camping or Backpacking Trip
Challenge yourself physically and mentally by immersing yourself in nature.
67. Hike a Long Trail
Hiking the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail became popular after Cheryl Strayed published her novel, “Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail.” You could also thru-hike the Appalachian Trail, which is 2,190 miles long.
68. Vacation at an Eco-Resort
Unplug and help protect the environment by traveling to an eco-friendly vacation spot.
69. Go on a Safari
Getting up close and personal with wild animals isn’t your everyday experience.
70. Become SCUBA Certified
You can explore the depths of the ocean with a SCUBA certification.
71. Learn to Surf
Hone your balance and learn how to catch the perfect wave. Surfing gives you a chance to relax out on the water and provides a community of like-minded folks.
72. Learn to Sail
Once you learn to sail, you may end up setting another goal to navigate to your next vacation spot by water.
73. Go Mountain Climbing
Whether you’re bouldering or heading to the top of one of the tallest mountains in the world, you’ll learn a lot about yourself when you’re hanging on the edge of a cliff face.
74. Go Bungee Jumping, Skydiving or Gliding
Many people want to feel the exhilaration of free falling at some point in their lives.
75. Visit the Tallest Buildings in the World
If you’re not sure what countries you’d like to visit, consider taking a tour of the tallest buildings in the world.
76. Go to the Olympics
Experience this global event in person instead of watching from your couch.
77. Visit Every Major Theme Park in the U.S.
If you love thrills, take a ride at every amusement park in your country.
Lifestyle Life Goals
The ideal lifestyle differs from person to person. Setting goals can help you live the best life for you.
78. Buy a House
Home ownership is no longer part of the American Dream, but you might want to invest in real estate.
79. Buy Your Dream Car
Have you always wanted to get behind the wheel of a luxury car? Perhaps you’d like something more rugged. Make it your life goal, and you’ll have a better chance of achieving it.
80. Attend Your 25th and 50th College Reunion
Connecting with your past is always interesting, especially when you can share that you’ve accomplished so many life goals.
81. Learn More About Your Genealogy
It’s easy to find out about your ancestors online with these top genealogy websites.
82. Redecorate Every Room in Your House
Many people decorate their house when they move in and never do much else. Make it a goal to transform every room into the sanctuary that you truly desire.
83. Master a Grilling Recipe
It’s not always easy to control your cooking on a barbecue grill, but if you do, you’ll probably make lots of people happy this summer.
84. Perfect Your Go-To Potluck Recipe
You’ll become known for your fabulous meatballs or quiche.
85. Learn Self-Defense
Self-defense can improve your physical and mental health. It also prepares you to handle unexpected threats.
86. Learn CPR and First Aid
Most cardiac arrests happen at home. Learn CPR and first aid so that you can help your loved ones in an emergency.
87. Go Dancing Regularly
Whether you take a salsa class, practice ecstatic dance or just go clubbing, you’ll burn calories, express yourself and have loads of fun.
88. Meet a Famous Person You Look Up To
Make a list of the influential people that you’d like to meet, and then read up on how to do it before you set your goal into action.
Service and Legacy Life Goals
Most people want to make a difference in the world. You don’t have to be rich or famous to leave a legacy.
89. Be a Mentor
Sharing your experiences with younger individuals gives them a role model to look up to.
90. Volunteer Regularly
Whether it’s once a year or once a week, consider giving some of your time to those in need.
91. Donate a Percentage of Your Income
The average person donates 3 to 5 percent of their income to charity. Set a goal to give back too.
92. Help Build a School or House
Join a group such as the Peace Corps or Habitat for Humanity to help build communities.
93. Protect the Environment
There are a number of micro-goals that you can set to protect the earth. Use less water, recycle and carpool, for starters.
94. Help Someone Learn to Read
About 781 people over the age of 15 don’t know how to read. Help them by volunteering for a literacy council in your community.
Spiritual Goals
You don’t have to be religious to have spiritual goals. These often help you define your purpose and find ultimate fulfillment in life.
95. Attend a Spiritual Retreat
You’ll be amazed at what you learn about yourself when you spend some time with others, setting intentional space for healing.
96. Learn More About Your Religion or a Spiritual Philosophy in Which You’re Interested
There are so many interesting concepts in every religion. Learn more about one that interests you.
97. Learn a Healing Technique
You can heal others and yourself with techniques such as Reiki, which will serve you well for your entire life.
98. Go on a Pilgrimage
People of any faith make pilgrimages for all kinds of reasons. Check out these 10 popular pilgrimage routes, and start planning yours.
99. Read a Great Religious Work
Sacred texts can be interpreted as literal or metaphorical. Add one or a few to your reading list.
100. Connect With Your Intuition
All of the answers that you seek are within you. Learn how to connect with your intuition, and make it a daily practice to bring more alignment into your life.