In 1970, I was 8, and I watched the movie “Kelly’s Heroes” in the theater. I remember my favorite character was Donald Sutherland, as “Oddball”. Then and now, I admire his admonition…
Life requires a strategy. Having an idea of WHO I WANT TO BE, helps me construct that strategy. This is in contrast with WHAT I WANT TO DO, which is the execution of my life-strategy. “Being” is mostly theoretical, while “Doing” is mostly practical. They reinforce one another. I can make adjustments to my plan-for-being, as I find out what works practically. Likewise, I should adjust my goals for doing as I learn what it truly means to “be” who God always intended me to be. I want to invest my energies into being who I am now, and becoming who God intends me to become tomorrow. I want to become the best version of “me” that is possible. Here are 12 goals that will help me accomplish that:
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- Seeking Personal Growth – This means cultivating a mindset of continuous learning and improvement, while avoiding complacency. I can’t believe I have reached a point where further growth is unnecessary. I don’t want to settle into routines, avoid new challenges, and resist change, because stagnation leads to unfulfillment, boredom, and a sense of being stuck in life.
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- Cultivating Resilience – This means viewing challenges as opportunities for growth, maintaining a positive outlook, setting realistic goals, and celebrating successes. Life is filled with setbacks, failures, and unexpected challenges. However, the ability to bounce back from setbacks is critical for well-being.
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- Valuing Experiences Over Possessions – This means investing in travel, learning new skills, pursuing hobbies, and creating meaningful memories. By shifting my focus from material goods to enriching experiences, I can have a more profound sense of purpose and contentment.
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- Embracing Change And Adaptability – This means viewing life as an opportunity rather than a crisis. I must always maintain flexibility in my thinking and actions. I must assume that I can always adapt to change, and thrive in uncertainty.
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- Prioritizing My Health – This means adopting a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and managing stress. By investing in my health, men can enjoy increased energy, improved mood, and a greater capacity to tackle life’s challenges.
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- Investing In Meaningful Relationships – This means learning to value deep, genuine connections and be authentic and vulnerable with others. This involves actively listening, showing empathy, and being willing to share my struggles and aspirations.
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- Pursuing My Passions – This means realizing that my true passions are NOT beyond my reach. This involves taking risks, facing fears, and breaking free from limits.
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- Expanding My Emotional Intelligence – This means building the skill to understand and manage my own emotions and those of others. This requires a deeper understanding of myself and others, in order to deal with difficult people, myself included.
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- Embracing Vulnerability – This means being honest about my fears, insecurities, and struggles. I must be willing to ask for help, admit my mistakes, and open myself up to others.
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- Communicating Effectively – This means expressing my thoughts and emotions clearly, listening well, and navigating complicated conversations. I need to communicate assertively yet respectfully, by managing my emotions during interactions.
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- Practicing Financial Responsibility – This means being ruthless about living within my means, creating and sticking to a budget, and investing wisely. This is increasingly more difficult as my wage-earning years come to a close.
