Get out a pen and paper.
I put together an exercise called the “quick list method” below and this entire exercise takes no more than five minutes and provides an accurate snapshot of your life. And we all have five minutes, as I guarantee most of you reading this are going to spend at least 15 minutes aimlessly browsing the internet today. What do you have to lose? Give it a try!
It’s one of my favorite goal setting exercises because of how time efficient and accurate it is. My good friend Josh’s mantra is “GPS in LAT.” Having the “Greatest Possible Significance in the Least Amount of Time” and I think this exercise fits his mantra to a tee.
I’m sharing this exercise in hopes at least one person reading this actually does the exercise and gets as much out of it as I have. My goal is to have this improve your life, not mine. At the very least, perhaps my kids will scan my blog many years from now wondering what “dad was like” and maybe they’ll give it a try. (For the record: today is November 16, 2010, I’m 29 years old, have no children, and am happily single)
Research has shown that when people have only 30 seconds to write down the three most important goals, the answers are as accurate as if you had 30 minutes or three hours. Crazy but true. The reason? The subconscious mind goes into a form of “hyperdrive” when pressed for time, and the three most important goals pop out of our heads, often to the surprise of the people doing the exercise.
Ok, we’re ready to go……Do you have a pen and paper out yet?
Just a reminder, each number should take no more than 30 seconds to come up with your answers and write down the first things that pops into your head to get the full benefits of this exercise.
Seriously, do you have that pen and paper out yet? (Yes I realize this is the third time I’ve mentioned it but repetition is the key to getting through to people – even me).
- Write down your three most important business/career goals
- Write down your three most important family relationship goals
- Write down your three most important financial goals
- Write down your three most important health goals
- Write down your three most important personal goals
- Write down your three most important social and community goals
- Write down your three biggest problems, concerns and challenges in life right now
- Write down three things you want to buy
- Write down three places you want to visit
- Write down three people you want to get back in touch with
- Write down three people you need to forgive
- Write down three things that make you happy that do not involve money
Any surprises?
It’s amazing how accurate this method is at creating a snapshot of our lives in just five minutes.
Hope this helped provide clarity on what’s going on in your life, it always does for me every time I do it! YES!!
And to my children reading this, know your father loves you.
“Live and work like you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.” (Jon Gordon)
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