How to set and achieve life goals (plus 9 examples to get you started)
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Chris Mosunic, PhD, RD, CDCES, MBA
Explore why it's important to set life goals across different areas of your life. Plus, 9 examples of long-term life goals and how to plan for them.
Whether you're thinking about where your career is headed, the relationships you want to deepen, or the kind of life you want to be living ten years from now, setting life goals is an important first step.
Life goals can help you identify what truly matters to you and channel your efforts toward turning those visions into reality. But they're also about the growth and experiences you gain along the way.
Understanding where you want to go in life and outlining the steps to get there can give you a sense of purpose and direction. It can also keep you motivated when you hit a roadblock, and give you a framework for making decisions that reflect who you actually want to be — across your career, relationships, finances, and beyond.
What exactly are life goals?
Life goals are long-term aspirations that you're working toward, and are usually bigger than everyday tasks and short-term objectives. They're meant to be holistic, touching on your personal and professional life, and of course, your life goals should reflect who you are.
Having clarity around your life goals can bring a sense of purpose, providing you with motivation even when you're facing challenges. They can also act as a guide, so you're more likely to make decisions that align with your long-term aspirations, and provide a framework for personal growth.
Life goals vs. personal goals
Life goals and personal goals are related but they're not the same thing, and it's worth knowing the difference.
Life goals are the big, multi-year aspirations that give shape to your life as a whole. They're holistic by nature, spanning career, relationships, finances, health, and more. They reflect the kind of life you want to build over years or even decades, and they act as a compass for the major decisions you make along the way.
Personal goals sit closer to the ground. They're about individual growth and self-improvement, the specific habits, skills, and changes you're actively working on right now. Think of them as the concrete steps that, over time, move you toward your bigger picture.
Types of life goals you can set
Whether you're into upping your skills, sorting your finances, or building relationships, you can set life goals around every aspect of your life. With so many avenues to explore, it can be hard to know where to begin. Start by thinking about these five key areas.
Family and social goals
This category revolves around strengthening familial, friendship, and community ties. Whether it's increasing quality time with your kids or planning a girls' night, these goals help you build and strengthen your social circle.
Nurture your close relationships: It's easy for friendships and family ties to slip down the priority list when life gets busy. Making it a long-term goal to invest in the relationships that matter most—whether that's scheduling regular catch-ups, being more present, or simply reaching out more often—can have a real impact on your wellbeing.
Create or participate in community: Feeling a part of a community is great for self-esteem, and overall mental health. For some people this might look like joining a community garden, belonging to a local library, visiting a farmer's market, visiting a local park, or spending time with people nearby who you care about. If you are eager to meet people in your community, you might make it a goal to look into local events in your area.
Financial goals
Financial goals are about smart money management. Whether you're dreaming of traveling the world or planning a comfortable retirement, it's important to set long-term goals around how you want to use your money. Setting aside a specific amount of money monthly, understanding how to invest, or becoming more financially savvy are good objectives as well.
Pay down existing debts (in ways that work for you): Strategizing and working toward living debt-free can be really empowering, but paying off debts can also be very stressful. Find ways to plan for this mindfully so that you can keep your mental health and overall wellbeing intact as you work towards your goals.
Start a business or project that you’re passionate about: There's no requirement to monetize your hobbies as they are meant to be enjoyed. With that said, sometimes there's an activity you love that you'd love to turn into your work. Other times having new projects to pursue gives even more enjoyment and purpose to your day to day life. Setting these kinds of goals can be both empowering and exciting.
Set up a monthly savings plan: Saving regularly for future goals like achieving financial freedom, buying a house, or going on vacation can be really fun and rewarding. Start small, setting aside what you can each month and then enjoy watching it grow.
💙 Financial planning can be stressful and overwhelming. Try our Financial Intentions for advice on prioritizing your money-related goals.
Personal development goals
From learning a new language to joining a pottery class, personal development goals feed your soul and expand your horizons.
Read for pleasure and curiosity: If you’ve been hoping to read more, make it a goal to pick up a new book. You can even choose a variety of genres to broaden your perspectives. If reading is tough, audiobooks can be a wonderful alternative.
Learn something you’ve always been curious about: Lifelong learning can be a fulfilling pursuit. If there’s something new you’re excited to learn, or curious about, enroll in that class or workshop.
Keep a journal: Document your thoughts, experiences, and self-discoveries regularly. Writing down how you feel day-to-day can also help you process tough feelings or experiences. Check out our journal prompts for anxiety.
Master a skill: Learning something new can be really exciting and empowering. It might be picking up an instrument you’ve always wanted to try, learning to cook, crafting, taking up woodshop, gardening, or maybe creating a photo album or scrapbook.
Plan a trip: Explore new cultures and create lifelong memories by traveling. Even budget travel and local travel can be enriching. If leaving your town or city isn’t an option, try exploring places, shops or restaurants in your town that you’ve never been to before.
Practice meditation: A regular meditation practice can help you stay grounded, build self-awareness, and support your mental health over the long term. Even a few minutes a day can make a real difference.
💙 Make meditation a daily habit by tuning into The Daily Calm, which offers a new 10-minute meditation each day.
Career goals
Career goals propel you forward professionally. So if you’re interested in climbing the corporate ladder or paving your entrepreneurial path, setting actionable steps can help get you there.
Network intentionally: If you’re looking to try something new for work, or move to a new job, try networking more. Attend events to meet professionals and explore collaborative opportunities.
Explore options for a promotion: Aiming for advancement in your current role through dedication and strategic planning can be empowering. And there’s nothing wrong with asking if there are other opportunities available to you at your current job.
Enhance your professional skills: Good workplace morale is all about offering value and feeling valued by your employers. If you want to uplevel yourself at work, identify and develop new, essential skills in your field.
Seek a mentor or coach: Find an experienced individual in your chosen career for guidance and advice. If finding a coach is out of your means, consider reaching out to those you respect or admire and ask whether they'd be willing to act as a mentor
💙 Reflect on your work-life balance with Calm’s Peak Performance Journal.
Health and wellbeing goals
Health goals can be as bold as running a marathon or climbing a mountain or as simple as a daily walk or weekly yoga practice. It’s about ensuring your physical and mental wellbeing are in harmony.
Start a regular movement practice: Movement is great for physical and mental health alike. While not everyone has the flexibility or time to run a marathon, there are many ways to incorporate movement into your day to day. Other options for movement might include enrolling in a dance class, practicing yoga, taking up qigong or tai chi, or even going for walks in your immediate area.
Grow your own vegetables: It can be a great goal to grow your own food at home if you have the means to do so. Cultivating a garden with fresh, home-grown produce can be a great way to try new veggies, or incorporate more of them to your diet. If you don’t have outdoor space, even growing herbs on a windowsill at home can be a worthy goal.
Set limits around screen time: Allocate specific times to unplug and experience life without digital distractions. Especially before bedtime, it’s important to unplug.
Work on your habits: The daily habits and rituals that make up your day can amount to significant changes in your life. If there are areas where you want to change, set small attainable goals.
Important things to remember when you’re trying to achieve life goals
Achieving life goals requires dedication, adaptability, and a clear understanding of what you want. As you pursue your goals, there are several important things to keep in mind to stay on track and maintain a healthy perspective:
Personal significance: Your goals should hold meaning and align with your values to help you stay motivated and committed to achieving them.
Flexibility and adaptability: Life is unpredictable, and circumstances can change. Be prepared to change your goals as needed.
Balance and wellness: Avoid becoming so obsessed with one goal that you neglect other important areas of your life. It’s important to maintain a sense of balance.
Patience and perseverance: Understand that progress can take time and that setbacks are a natural part of the journey.
Support: Friends, family, mentors, and professionals can provide valuable guidance, encouragement, and accountability. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Break big goals into smaller steps: Big, multi-year goals can feel overwhelming if you're only focused on the end point. Identifying a few manageable actions along the way makes it easier to get started and keep going.
Milestones: Recognize and celebrate your progress along the way. Even the smallest win is worth noting.
Learning from failures: Stay resilient in the face of challenges. Analyze what went wrong, adjust your approach, and try again.
Realistic expectations: Unrealistic goals can lead to disappointment and demotivation. Be honest with yourself about your resources, constraints, and time.
Continuous re-evaluation: Regularly review your goals to ensure they still align with your priorities.
Integrating goals into daily life: Integrate your goals into your daily routine by setting aside specific times for productive activities or habits.
How to set life goals: 9 examples
Setting life goals requires a strategy. SMART goals—those that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound—can help you create a structured approach. A few common goals you might want to consider include:
1. Learn continually
Be specific about what you want to learn. Is this the year you finally become fluent in French or pick up the guitar? No matter what you decide, set measurable targets— like completing a course in six months or reading a set number of books each year.
2. Expand self-knowledge and care
Personal growth is a critical aspect of life goals and can contribute to your overall wellbeing. Set measurable goals around activities that enhance self-awareness, such as journaling, meditation, or therapy.
💙 A meditation practice is a great tool for self-awareness. Learn how to build your practice in the Meditation for Beginners series.
3. Buy a home or car
First, ensure this goal is attainable with your financial situation and aligns with your long-term plans. If it is, start by researching the costs involved in this common financial goal, then set a specific savings target each month.
4. Grow your family
Consider this from every angle, including financial and personal readiness. If you decide that children are in your future, create a timeline that feels comfortable and attainable.
5. Give back to others
Set a goal to contribute to your community or support causes you care about. Perhaps you could volunteer a few hours every month, or get involved in a community project.
💙 You can also explore giving your time and presence to others, making them feel truly heard by practicing Supportive Listening.
6. Embark on a significant creative endeavor
When starting any creative project, set clear, attainable milestones. A few examples include posting regularly on a blog, taking a weekly pottery class, or setting aside 15 minutes a day to practice a musical instrument.
7. Practice mindfulness daily
Adding a mindfulness practice can significantly impact your mental health and overall wellbeing. Tools like meditation, grounding techniques, and breathwork can all help you build a more mindful day-to-day routine.
💙 New to mindfulness? Check out Mindfulness For Beginners with Jeff Warren.
8. Work toward your career aspirations
Define what success looks like in your career — maybe a certain job title, salary, or type of work — and figure out how to attain it, step by step. Getting granular helps; consider gaining new qualifications every quarter or networking with professionals in your field monthly.
9. Take more risks
Encourage personal growth by setting a goal to step out of your comfort zone more often. You could try new activities, travel to unfamiliar places, or take on stretch projects at work. But whatever you decide to do, be realistic and ensure that each new activity aligns with your life goals.
💙 Explore the importance of stepping outside of your comfort zone in this meditation on Risk from the Relationship with Self series.
Life goals FAQs
What are the 4 main goals in life?
Happiness: Often the most sought-after goal, this involves finding joy and contentment in small moments and major events.
Success: For some, this might mean career advancement, while for others, it could be about personal achievements or even overcoming challenges.
Fulfillment: Find a sense of satisfaction with your life and the choices you've made.
Wellness: Goals related to wellness could include adopting a healthier lifestyle, practicing mindfulness, or engaging in activities that promote mental and emotional wellbeing.
What if I have no goals?
It's normal at times to feel directionless or uncertain about your goals. It’s also OK to have periods of reflection and introspection: these can give you a new opportunity to start exploring your interests and passions. What activities make you lose track of time? What topics do you enjoy reading about or discussing? Gradually, through exploration and experimentation, you can discover areas that excite you and inspire goals.
What are personal goals?
Personal goals are objectives you set to achieve desired outcomes in your personal life. These can include areas like personal development, health, relationships, hobbies, or learning new skills. Unlike professional goals, which are often career-oriented, personal goals are more about self-improvement and self-satisfaction.
How can managing your personal life help with reaching your goals?
Effective management of your personal life creates a strong foundation for achieving your goals. It involves organizing your time, prioritizing tasks, and maintaining a balance between different aspects of your life. By managing your personal life well, you reduce stress and create more space to focus on your goals. It also involves setting boundaries and ensuring you have the energy and resources needed to pursue your ambitions.
What are some areas of life to set goals?
Career and education: Goals might be advancing in your career, acquiring new skills, or completing specific educational courses.
Health and fitness: Objectives may include maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, or achieving a particular fitness milestone.
Personal relationships: Many people aim to cultivate deeper connections with family and friends, or seek a fulfilling romantic relationship.
Financial stability: Targets might be saving for retirement, investing, or getting out of debt.
Personal growth and development: This can include goals like learning a new language, practicing mindfulness, or developing a new hobby.
Community and contribution: Consider volunteering or contributing to causes that matter to you.
No matter what your aspirations may be, setting goals in these areas can lead to a well-rounded and satisfying life.
Calm your mind. Change your life.
Mental health is hard. Getting support doesn't have to be. The Calm app puts the tools to feel better in your back pocket, with personalized content to manage stress and anxiety, get better sleep, and feel more present in your life.
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