How To Set Goals for Yourself That You’re Passionate About Accomplishing

Whether we set New Year’s resolutions at the beginning of a new year or any other point during the year, we often desire to challenge ourselves and set goals for personal growth and achievement. Unfortunately, goals are often established but then later abandoned.  How do we set goals that we are genuinely excited about pursuing and that motivate us to stay focused on reaching them?

Experience has shown me that there is an approach to setting goals that can be pursued more naturally. It involves applying a process that establishes personal goals aligned with the individual’s values.  If your goals are not aligned with your values, you will lose enthusiasm and likely abandon them.

The challenge is to determine what your values are, prioritize them, then develop a vision and mission statement and then set goals that align with your values and mission.   

Develop Your Personal Vision Statement

A vision statement is your ideal future—it describes who you want to be, what you want to accomplish, and the impact you want to have on the world. Here are some steps to writing a personal Vision statement.

Step 1: Reflect on Your Core Values

Ask yourself:

What principles guide my decisions? (Integrity, faith, service, creativity, etc.)
What truly matters to me in life?
What motivates me to get out of bed each morning?

Step 2: Imagine Your Ideal Future

Picture yourself 5, 10, or even 20 years from now:

What have I accomplished personally and professionally?
How do I feel about my life and the impact of my contributions?
What kind of relationships do I have?
What legacy do I want to leave behind?

Step 3: Define Your Purpose & Aspirations

Your vision should be bold and inspiring. Consider statements like:

“I want to inspire and empower people through education.”
“I envision myself leading a purpose-driven business that makes a positive impact.”
“I will live a life of faith, integrity, and generosity, serving others daily.”

Step 4: Write Your Statement in the Present Tense

Your vision should be written as if it is already confirmed, making it more powerful. Example:

“I am a leader who uplifts and inspires those around me. I create growth opportunities, build strong relationships, and leave a lasting positive impact on the world.

Step 5: Keep It Short & Meaningful

Aim for one to three sentences that capture your aspirations.

Develop your Personal Mission Statement

A mission statement defines how you will bring your vision to life daily. It serves as your action plan for fulfilling your purpose.

Step 1: Identify Your Strengths & Passions

Ask yourself:

What am I naturally good at?
What activities bring me joy and fulfillment?
How do I want to use my talents to serve others?

Step 2: Define Who You Want to Serve

Who benefits from my work and actions? (Family, community, business, clients, etc.)
What needs can I meet with my skills and knowledge?

Step 3: Describe How You Will Fulfill Your Purpose

Consider the actions and behaviors that align with your vision. Examples:

I will utilize my leadership skills to mentor and empower young professionals.
“I will create meaningful content that educates and inspires others.”
“I will serve others through kindness, generosity, and faith-based leadership.”

Step 4: Make It Action-Oriented & Clear

“My mission is to lead with integrity, inspire others to reach their full potential, and continually grow in faith and wisdom.” 

“I strive to build innovative businesses that solve real-world problems while creating a positive impact on my community.”

Step 5: Keep It Concise & Memorable

A strong mission statement is brief (1-2 sentences), actionable, and inspiring.

From there, establish S.M.A.R.T (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) goals that align with your stated values.