Setting Goals

With any journey it's generally best to have some idea of what your destination is. Minimalism, and voluntary simplicity in general, is the same way. While minimalism can be a goal in itself, for most there are a number of other life goals they wish to also achieve. Financial, educational, volunteering, spiritual, etc.  There are no bad goals. This post will use my goals as an example but I will show you my simple, straightforward system for setting up and achieving your own personal goals. This system can work for families of all sizes from 1 person on.

Step 1: have every member of the family (including children whom are capable of such structured thinking) sit down independently and write out three goals. One to be achieved in 6-12 months, one to be achieved in 3-5 years, and one to be achieved in 5-10 years. Schedule a family meeting for exactly one week later (step 2).

My own personal goals are: 1. Pay off all credit cards (6-12 months) 2. Pay off all debt (3-5 years) 3. So reduce my expenses that I can spend the majority of my time pursuing non-monetary pursuits such as volunteering and educational concerns.

Step 2: have the family meeting. This is a goals meeting. Compile everyone's three goals into a family master list, and include the kid's goals no matter how frivolous. In 5 years your kid may no longer want a pony, but if you don't include it now they will never want to participate in a goals meeting again (the same goes for your spouse's racer yacht). The goals should be achievable. While it's ok to dream big on the five year plan, it's self destructive to do so on the 6 month plan. Note: make snacks as this meeting will take a while.

Step 3: form a concrete action plan to achieve each goal. This should be very detailed (we will hold a yard sale in June and proceeds will be sent to MasterCard for those pricey priceless experiences). There needs to be an action plan for each goal. Make assignments for each family member.

Step 4: repeat steps 1-3 no less than once per quarter. Your goals will change. That is part of the human experience. You may additionally find that your goals were easier to accomplish than initially believed. Having regular goals meetings also keeps you on track to achieving them.

This is based largely on the work of Dave Ramsey. If you haven't checked him out yet, do so immediately. He will change your life.

Please share in the comments your steps to achieve your dreams.