“There is one thing which gives radiance to everything. It is the idea of something around the corner.” -G.K. Chesterton
“What do you want to be?”
This is a question children get asked on a daily basis.
Most would say this inquiry demands a response detailing career aspirations, and most of the time that is the response given. But, another way this question can be viewed is, “Who do you want to become?”
It is a standard expectation for young people to have goals and plans on moving towards their future aspirations, but when was the last time you thought about your mother’s, father’s, grandmother’s aspirations?
Does it make sense to assume that adults have no hopes or plans for their future?
Recently I achieved a long-term goal; I got my Master’s degree and became a Physicians Assistant. One would think I was excited to have finally achieved a major goal, but I was actually deflated; “What next? There has to be more to my life than being a P.A….?” I couldn’t further my career as a P.A. once I had become a P.A.; school and working towards a career had always been my goals, so what was I supposed to do now?
Goals. I needed a new set of goals. My goals are always evolving, but the important thing is the direction and purpose that working towards these goals gives me.
As it turns out, I was engaging in a “happiness exercise” all along, goal setting.
Committing to goals adds life purpose, structure, sense of self, and self esteem.
Now for the scary part…where I publicly commit myself to my goals…
Short-term
Blog and continue these happiness and well being exercises. Continue to further my self education in Positive Psychology.
Become Fluent in French. Save and Travel to Paris in May 2013.
Lose 7-10lbs by October. (this sounds easier than it is)
Work on becoming an advice columnist. This will involve in building a website. The website will be built within the next 4-6 months. (this is a deadline I am setting for myself.)
Have unique experiences.
Find a satisfying relationship.
Long Term:
(pending)
