At this time of year (and, if I’m being honest, many more times throughout the year as well) I usually start writing out specific goals I have for the year.
I’ve tried a lot of different methods for this.
Sometimes I’ll write out the 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 year goals list ala Jim Rohn.
Sometimes I’ll do a Dream GPS (Goals, Process, Systems) method.
Sometimes I’ll do an approach separating things into BMS (Body, Mind, Spirit) categories. (or sometimes BMSS with the last “S” for Soul)
Recently I thought about adapting the traditional Chinese five elements (earth, fire, water, metal, air) to create a goal / lifestyle framework.
I have also read over the years about Warren Buffet’s idea of writing out all of your goals, and then reducing all but 3 of them. And then eliminating two more so you have only one to focus on.
All of this is to say that I haven’t really come up with a solid framework to follow. And, to be honest, I think which framework I pick isn’t nearly as important as just picking one and being consistent with it.
Consistency has always been my biggest challenge.
Any of these frameworks will work just fine.
But you have to pick one and actually use it to see any results.
If I were to look at the various methods of goal setting I’ve used over the years, I tend to gravitate towards a combination of the BMS(S) with the Dream GPS and the 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 timeframe.
Setting one goal each for my body, mind, and spirit (and soul). And then setting up a “Dream, Goal, Projects, Systems” approach for each, for the next 1, 2, 5, 10, and 20 years.
So, I guess right now a good start would be to identify my initial BMS(S) areas:
- Body: Complete gut health and autoimmune rehabilitation
- Mind: Debt elimination through side hustles
- Spirit: Minimalism / Essentialism in all areas
- Soul: Internalize religious studies with external expressions
I know some of that might not make any sense to a lot of you, but that’s okay. This is my personal list so they only really need to make sense for me.
But that is a start. And rather than go crazy and try to work out all the details right now, I think that is enough for today.
And next time I will expand a bit and look at step 2.
Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash