Setting Goals When You Feel Lost: Goal Ideas + PDF Worksheet
Do you ever feel overwhelmed by all the directions you could go in life and don’t know what goals to set? I’ve been there too!
At times, it’s normal to feel indecisive when it comes to setting goals. Many people go through phases where they don’t know what they want out of life.
If this is you, please know you’re not lost; you’re smart for considering your options. And you won’t stay feeling lost forever.
Today, let’s talk about how to set goals when you don’t know what you want. Goals that matter to you, feel good when you think of them, and align with your brightest hopes and dreams.
There’s a big list of goal ideas to inspire you in this article, along with a cute and totally free printable goal-setting worksheet you can download!
Let’s go!
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How to Identify What Goals to Set
When it comes to setting goals, it’s important not to get distracted by outside influences- like what other people are doing, what society says you “should do,” what your family wants you to do, and so on.
Your goals should bring you happiness, positive life experiences, satisfaction, and abundance. So, start by defining what truly matters to you. I always recommend journaling to help with mental clarity. Here are a few questions you could ask yourself:
- What excites you the most in life?
- What inspires you each day?
- Who do you want to be? (Who is the best version of you that you can imagine?)
- What are your values?
- What kind of life do you want to create?
Self-discovery is a process, so don’t worry if you’re taking a minute to get clear with yourself on your goals. Make sure to keep exploring what interests you and try new things often. Don’t be afraid to look silly, don’t be afraid of what other people think, and most of all, don’t be afraid to fail!
Giant List of Goal Ideas
If you need inspiration for setting goals, I’ve got you covered. Here is a giant list of goal ideas!
Health
- Some sort of exercise daily- stretch, walk, strength training, etc.
- Drink 8+ glasses of water every day.
- Get 7-9 hours of sleep each night.
- Eat more whole foods and less processed foods.
- Focus on feeling peaceful and calm.
- Reduce stress through meditation, yoga, or deep breathing.
- Reduce screen time.
- Limit sugar intake and only eat real sugar when you do, (not high fructose corn syrup).
- Find ways to make your health habits easy to stick to. Use a planner, app, health affirmations– anything that helps.
- Get outside daily- get fresh air and sunbathe safely.
Mindset
- Focus on gratitude daily- gratitude journal prompts or affirmations can be helpful.
- Challenge negative self-talk and replace it with self-support.
- Be kind to yourself and embrace your progress and wins.
- Set boundaries- avoid negative people and drama.
- Learn to respond instead of react in stressful situations.
- Pray and or meditate daily.
- Cultivate a growth mindset and embrace challenges.
- Forgive your past mistakes. Let them go.
- Surround yourself with positive, uplifting influences.
- Focus on what you can do and not what you can’t do.
Money
- Create and stick to a monthly budget.
- Build an emergency fund of at least three months’ expenses.
- Pay off debt and avoid unnecessary new debt.
- Start a side hustle like a blog, Instagram page, or Etsy shop.
- Automate savings on your bank app.
- Shop at thrift stores and antique stores for higher quality lower cost items.
- Stop buying low-quality clothing, decor, and things that won’t last.
- Set a goal to buy an investment like gold, land, or a house, and start saving.
- Spend money on experiences that bring you joy.
- Donate or give back to a cause you care about.
Career
- Work on your career vision and long-term goals.
- Network and build relationships.
- Take on new challenges or leadership opportunities.
- Improve time management and productivity at work.
- Learn a new skill that excites you.
- Update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Ask for a raise or promotion.
- Find someone you can aspire to, career-wise.
- Maintain a work-life balance.
- Explore your passions and get inspired.
Relationships
- Make an effort to reach out to friends regularly.
- Surround yourself with supportive, positive people.
- Let go of toxic or one-sided relationships.
- Plan regular hangouts.
- Be a good listener.
- Appreciate the friends you have fully.
- Celebrate their wins without comparison or jealousy.
- Introduce friends to each other to build a stronger circle.
- Be honest and open in communication.
- Show appreciation with small gestures or words of kindness.
Family
- Spend more quality time with loved ones.
- Call or visit family members more often.
- Express gratitude for their love and support.
- Work on healing if there have been struggles.
- Start family traditions or revive old ones.
- Find better ways to handle disagreements. (Watch YouTube videos, and read books and blogs for advice.)
- Support family members in their goals and struggles alike.
- Create memories together often, even if you’re just sitting on the porch.
- Show appreciation through kind words and actions.
- Balance family obligations with personal boundaries.
Personal Growth
- Step outside your comfort zone regularly.
- Learn a new hobby or skill or research stuff that interests you.
- Set personal challenges to build confidence.
- Read self-development books or listen to podcasts.
- Reflect on personal values and try your best to live by them.
- Overcome fear by taking small, bold steps.
- Practice self-compassion and kindness.
- Develop greater emotional intelligence, maturity, and self-awareness.
- Embrace change, affirm the positive, and let go of fear.
- Journal your thoughts and feelings often.
Lifestyle
- Simplify and declutter your living space.
- Spend more time in nature and go outside every day.
- Prioritize experiences over material things.
- Travel to a new place at least once a year.
- Create a relaxing and joyful morning routine.
- Develop an evening routine to unwind.
- Reduce screen time and social media consumption.
- Focus on being present in everyday moments.
- Find ways to enjoy daily life the the absolute fullest.
- Reflect on your true desires and prioritize your dreams.
Daily Habits
- Wake up and go to bed at consistent times.
- Plan and prioritize each day- make to-do lists as necessary.
- Start the day with positive affirmations and prayer or meditation.
- Take plenty of short breaks during work or study sessions.
- Eat meals mindfully and with gratitude.
- Move your body often throughout the day.
- Avoid procrastination.
- Practice self-care and strengthen your self-love.
- Limit distractions so you can focus on what matters.
- Always be thankful, never take anything for granted.
Education
- Read at least one book per month. (Get books free at the library!)
- Take an online course on something that interests you or can help you make money.
- Listen to educational podcasts and videos.
- Listen to those around you and learn from them.
- Contemplate your past experiences and think about the lessons you’ve learned.
- Improve your communication skills.
- Write what you’ve learned (or write as you learn) to strengthen that knowledge.
- Share what you learn with others.
- Find a mentor or study group for motivation.
- Challenge yourself to think from other people’s perspectives.
I hope these ideas inspire you!
My goals lists are always evolving. I have daily goals, weekly goals, yearly goals, and life goals. I think it’s good to always have goals and a rough idea, at least, of what you’re trying to accomplish. (Not that there is anything wrong with having the mindset to “simply be,” as they say. )
Setting Goals Worksheet
Here’s a PDF printable goal-setting worksheet for all of your planning. Simply download and print off as many copies as you’d like.
PDF Printable Goals Setting Worksheet
How to Take Action Toward Your Goals
Taking action can feel intimidating when a goal seems big. The key is to break your goal into small, manageable tasks.
A great method to use is the micromovement method, invented by author Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy. She talks about it in her book Make Your Creative Dreams Real.
Start with just one small thing. For example, if your goal is to take a run, first get your workout clothing on. Then put on your shoes. And so on.
One step at a time is the way. Don’t let yourself get overwhelmed. Most importantly, be kind to yourself as you take action and work on your goals.
Final Thoughts
Setting goals helps you stay focused and motivated on the path to the life you want. By identifying what truly matters to you and taking actionable steps, you can make steady progress without feeling overwhelmed.
Stay open to adjusting your approach as you go, and remember that the journey itself holds just as much value as the destination. Trust yourself and keep pushing forward- your future self will thank you for it!
You may also enjoy:
How to Make a Goals Journal {+ Free Printable Journal Prompts}
10 BEST Personal Timeline Examples + PDFs
60 “I Am Enough” Quotes to Encourage Self-Love and Worthiness
25 Journal Prompts for Success and a Positive Growth Mindset
