Creating A Goal Map

Maybe you are very happy with where you are in your life right now and you have no intention of ever striving for anything more. Or maybe you’re content to simply accept what life offers you along the way.

If that’s the case then you need read no further.  However if there are definite goals you want to achieve, then one of the best things you can do for yourself is create a mental goal-map.

Write out the steps

Everyone knows you can’t get anywhere if you don’t know where you’re going. So write down your ultimate goal, the end point on your map.

Is that goal something that can be achieved in a single step? Like asking out that highly attractive person you see everyday in the coffee shop? Okay that’s pretty straightforward. Write down a few action steps you can take. For example: Get there a little early and buy them a coffee to give them when they come in as a conversation opener.

Or buy a coffee card for them and leave it with the barista with instructions to let them know it’s from you. Give yourself a deadline to put your action steps into action.

The bigger the goal the more action steps

Obviously a bigger goal is going to require way more action steps. It will necessitate smaller goals (or destinations on your map) before you can reach your final destination.

Look at each destination and write out the action steps you need to take to get there. Give yourself a timeline. When things don’t go as planned revise your map. Chart out a new course as necessary. Detours and backtracks are not a big deal. The key is to always be moving toward your immediate destination, while keeping the ultimate end point in mind.

As long as you’re moving you’ll get somewhere. Sometimes it won’t be your original destination. Sometimes it will be somewhere even better!