It seems to me that many people my age lose focus at a certain point and get very wrapped up in what is going on presently. I find this a little frustrating, since many are finally financially free enough to really achieve the goals they had when they were younger, but the once-goals have become more aligned with pipe-dreams, seemingly unachievable. I asked Joe yesterday what he wants next, now that we're back in NYC and in careers that we like. My goals are much different now that I'm in my mid 30s than they were even less than a decade ago. I fear becoming a person who is content, in fact, that may be my greatest fear in life. Hobbies often seem like "time-killers" but are they still worthwhile? I say yes. Joe and I share long term goals, which aids us in our happy marriage, certainly (get out of debt, own property). But I have some personal goals too. And when the untimely passing of a close relative (RIP, Joan) I tend to reexamine where I am in life and what I want out of the future.
Every few years, I like to put together a physical list of my goals, and I thought I'd share this one with you. These are listed in no particular order, since you can never say when an opportunity will arise.
1. Get a position in publishing with an actual career arc.
2. Apply to, be accepted to, and attend grad school and earn a Master's in Publishing.
3. Travel to Japan
4. Travel to Peru (Machu Picchu, precisely)
5. Train for and run a 5K
6. Return to pottery classes
7. Get out of debt, pay school loans off
8. Buy property, either in NYC or a weekend home near some water
There are other, more vague life goals that I don't list because they are not concrete enough, but I am working on them (be healthier, be cleaner, learn more about art, be a better person, etc). I know it's a cliche, especially when one is in mourning, but life really IS short. Someone told me once that they try to improve their life every single day. That sounds romantic, maybe even corny, but try to put it in practice. It's not that easy. Today, I will make my life better by learning a little more about those odious square roots in order to improve my score on the GRE, therefore improving my chances of getting into grad school, and getting one step closer to one of my goals.
What do you want and how will you get there?
