How to set your goals

 As a society, we need rules. Rules help to keep things in order; they keep people from harming others. Just as rules in society help to keep things in order, so do rules in our personal lives. These rules limit our wandering and responding to random stimuli and information with little or no impact on our long-term goals. These rules help to shape and guide our lives in a direction of meaning and purpose.

Overview

There are 6 rules that you should adopt in life:

  1. Invest heavily in yourself

  2. See yourself as a brand ( a special brand) 

  3. At the end of each year, evaluate - this is why journaling is helpful.

  4. Define your morals

  5. Before making any decision, engage your mental effort

  6. Accept the fact that you know nothing, and you want to know a lot more!

So, let’s dive in!

1.) Invest heavily in yourself

This is the key—our ticket to personal growth. Some call it 'selfishness,' but I see it as a personal investment. After all, we are our own best asset. 

Investing in ourselves isn't just about financial returns; it's a commitment of time and effort to become a better version of ourselves.

Here's the beauty of it: self-investment can significantly improve our lives without breaking the bank.



Boosting confidence, positively impacting self-esteem, acquiring new knowledge and skills—these are the returns on investing in oneself.

Ways to invest in you:

  • Explore Interests:

    • Take a course, watch documentaries, or listen to a podcast.

    • Dive into books that stretch your mind.

    • Google your interests and let the discovery begin.

  • Acquire Skills:

    • Develop social, communication, and interpersonal skills.

    • Consider formal training or workshops.

  • Prioritize Health:

    • Invest in healthier food choices.

    • Join a gym or work with a personal trainer.

  • Start a Side Hustle:

    • Supplement your income to pay off debts or save for the future.

    • Aim for financial independence and freedom.

Remember, the possibilities are vast. The critical part is understanding where you want to improve, why, and the direction that makes the most sense for you. 

It all begins with the belief that you deserve this investment in yourself. 

Time to grow and thrive!

2.) See yourself as a brand

We must see ourselves as a brand worthy of an excellent reputation, aiming for the respect enjoyed by iconic brands like Mercedes-Benz. But how do we earn this respect?

  • Create Confidence, Not Doubt:

    • Confidence is the key to performing our best under stress.

    • Breed confidence by facing daily fears, maintaining the right mindset, reflecting on memories, and adjusting internal messaging.

    • Project confidence without arrogance, setting an example for others.

  • Know When to Speak:

    • Silence attracts respect; it's powerful and improves relations.

    • Actions speak louder than words, and listening provides valuable knowledge.

    • Use silence strategically, be comfortable with it, and avoid unnecessary noise.

    • Speak only when it enhances silence.

  • Endure Criticism:

    • Criticism's power lies in our reaction to it.

    • Endure criticism without losing composure; it's an opportunity for growth.

    • Daily decisions: Let criticism outweigh the desire for success or let success overshadow the dents of criticism.

  • Avoid Drama:

    • Drama evaporates reputation; steer clear of it at all costs.

    • Refuse gossip, winning trust and respect by being someone who rises above drama.

In embracing these principles, we position ourselves as individuals deserving admiration, fostering trust and respect from those around us.



3.) At the end of each year, evaluate

Audits guide us in pinpointing areas for improvement and assessing our life's trajectory. Let's delve into key areas:

  • Health:

    • Are we dedicating time to mental and physical well-being?

    • Long-term success requires sustained effort.

    • Reflect on physical care routines—exercise, stretching, meditation.

    • Address emotions productively rather than burying them.

  • Finances:

    • Does financial standing align with happiness?

    • Understand spending habits and identify potential investments.

    • Avoid distractions; focus on proven financial strategies.

  • Personal Development:

    • Evaluate current skills and identify desired ones.

    • Explore methods for acquiring new skills and clarify their importance.

  • Relationships:

    • Assess your social circle and its impact.

    • Reflect on how time spent with certain individuals influences your feelings.

    • Rate your overall relationship with yourself and understand why.

  • Self-Care:

    • Do we prioritize self-care?

    • Identify activities that bring joy and assess if they're part of your routine.

    • Recognize obstacles preventing self-care.

  • Home Life:

    • Gauge quality time spent at home.

    • Ensure presentness and establish boundaries between personal and professional life.

    • Address factors hindering goal pursuit, such as excessive TV consumption.

Bonus Questions:

  • What changes would make the most significant impact on your life?

  • The key is non-judgmental recognition, summarization, and identifying opportunities.

Goal Setting:

  • Categorize goals into health, finances, personal development, relationships, self-care, and home life.

  • Ensure continual progress across all aspects of life.

This process is not about judgment but about self-awareness, summarizing findings, and identifying opportunities for growth.



4.) Define your morals

Our moral code is crafted from five vital W's—your what, who, where, why, and when.

These W's serve as our north stars, defining our name and character. They offer direction, purpose, and intentionality, shaping the unique makeup of each of us.

  • WHAT: It urges us to discern what we stand for, providing a solid footing. Being true to our principles grounds us.

WHO: Asks about our network, our circle. Our environment influences who we aspire to be, emphasizing the impact of those around us. Toxic influences can shift our reality, and our sculpture becomes insecure.


  • WHERE: Compels us to examine our actions in adversity. Do we run, or face challenges? For me I face them even if they are hard I confront them with courage. Our identity is tested when confronted with difficulties. These moments determine if we lift the weights or complain about their heaviness.

  • WHY: Encourages introspection on why we take a stand and why our actions matter. Our "why" is the key factor, allowing for greatness and adding significance to our endeavors.

  • WHEN: Raises the question of when we defend our stance, face risks, and confront fear. Timing is crucial in asserting our identity.

These five W's shape our identity, providing a spine—a rigid structure that allows flexibility when needed during our journey. 

Rigidity means having a solid foundation for decision-making, infused with reasons and purpose. They create the core values defining who we are.

Just as a business needs a mission and core values for success, individuals find clarity and success in these definitions. 

It enables us to articulate and adhere to our moral code, providing a framework for a purposeful and intentional life.

5.) Before making any decision, engage your mental effort

Our brains, the unparalleled powerhouses on this planet, possess the capability to process vast amounts of information swiftly. 

To put it in perspective, contemporary individuals process a staggering 74 GB of data daily, equivalent to watching 16 movies within a single day.

This processing prowess, while remarkable, can also pose challenges, especially when engaging in critical thinking.

Why, you might wonder?

  • Our brains, in their brilliance, tend to create shortcuts. 
  • These shortcuts served us well during primal times, aiding in our survival against threats like sabertooth cats. 
  • In the absence of such immediate dangers, these shortcuts can become stumbling blocks, especially in decisions of importance, such as voting or critical business choices.

The key to navigating this cognitive landscape is to become strong critical thinkers.

This involves acknowledging our cognitive biases and personal prejudices, understanding how they can influence what we perceive as "objective" decisions. 

Each of us is inherently wired with biases in our thinking, and the crucial point lies in becoming aware of them.

Awareness empowers us to embrace critical thinking, allowing us to move beyond the limitations of our cognitive shortcuts. 

It is this ability to question, and think beyond our ingrained biases that distinguishes us as conscious thinkers in a world inundated with information.

6.) Accept the fact that you know nothing, and you want to know a lot

Only a fool believes there's nothing left to know, while the wisest among us recognize that the journey of discovery is perpetual. Always

As a species, we grapple with unraveling fundamental truths about ourselves and the world, yet the mysteries persist.

We're still navigating the unknown forces that govern our universe, and the complexities of our own minds elude complete understanding.

Seeking truth is inherent to our nature.

  • Acknowledging our limited knowledge becomes the gateway to continuous learning, fostering a beginner's mind—a mindset reminiscent of the excitement and ease of initial learning experiences. 

  • To stay in this state is to embrace an ongoing journey of exploration, even within familiar subjects.

Continuous learning is a powerhouse not just for intellectual growth but also for brain health.

  • It serves as a shield against mental health challenges, Alzheimer's, and dementia. 

  • The mental stimulation derived from challenging ourselves with new skills counteracts the effects of aging on memory and cognition.

When we accept the notion that we know nothing, we embark on a life of endless discovery—a journey to unravel the mysteries that lie beyond our current understanding.

Conclusion

There you have it — 6 rules that you should adopt in life. I hope the examples and definitions in this guide act as a compass guiding you through life's complexities, leading you towards a future defined by authenticity, resilience, and a profound sense of purpose. 

I’d love to hear from you: 

  • Among the six rules discussed, which one resonates with you the most? 

  • How do you envision incorporating it into your daily life to enhance your overall well-being and personal growth?


    Check out this video! 



Thank for joining me on this blog! Check out other blogs related to this one. https://tranquilitynz.blogspot.com/2023/07/how-do-i-achieve-my-toughest-goals.html

https://tranquilitynz.blogspot.com/2022/02/smart-goals.html

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