Episode 5: Parents

Setting Goals for Your Future

Social Psychologist, Dr Dina McMillan:
As soon as the time approaches for children to leave school they’re inundated with adults insisting, ‘set goals and plan for your future!’ You’ve probably advised your children to do the same thing. But when was the last time you did it for yourself? Now that your offspring are young adults, it’s the perfect opportunity to rethink where you’re headed.

Perhaps you’re certain you already know where you plan to go. Maybe it’s something you’ve been heading toward since you were a teenager. But is it still your dream? Does it fulfil your purpose in life? Does it make you excited? Are you really sure or are you just resigned to finishing the task?

Having adult children who are perhaps ready to leave home means everyone’s life is going through a significant transition. It’s a great opportunity for each of you to see where and what you want in six months, twelve months and five years.

This can be a multi-stage process. Perhaps it’s best to do one stage at a time, going from short-term goals to longer-term plans.

5 Goal Setting Tips to get you started

1. Think about what interests you. The purpose of this exercise is to see what you find enjoyable and satisfying. Is it meeting a wide variety of people? Is it working with numbers? Is it helping others?
    
2. In what area do you excel? What can you do better than most people? Think about the compliments people pay you and the praise you get from others. Then go further and ask people who know you well where you stand out from the crowd.
    
3. If someone could wave a magic wand and give you the job you want, what would it be? How close can you get to your dream job considering your present circumstance? Is there anything in life that you wished you pursued but never got around to it?
    
4. Same genie, different chore. Where do you want to live? After all, your children are adults now. This may be the time to consider moving to your dream spot, if you have one.
    
5. If you really don’t know where you want to go but you’re certain you want a new direction, consider hiring a life coach. These professionals are experienced in helping people tease out their interests and abilities, then make a realistic plan to achieve their goals. You can even pool your resources and hire the same coach for yourself and your adult children.
    

Setting goals and planning for the future are both things that everyone needs to do and redo. Our tastes alter, our priorities shift and our circumstances change on a regular basis. Once you see how helpful it is to rethink where you’re headed, you won’t hesitate to pull out pen and paper whenever the mood strikes you. It’s useful and it’s fun.