Road to Self-Improvement: List Out Your Life
So you’ve begun to accept yourself and focus on the process of getting better and tackling your shortcomings. That’s great! You are already better than you were yesterday. Maybe now is the time for a vacation or a journey. However, If you are to go on a vacation, you’re going to need a few things. At the very least, you need your keys, wallet, and phone. If you don’t have these things, then you are probably in trouble. Worse yet, if you don’t have a map to the place you are going, then the danger of a ruined trip is even greater. So you’ll probably want to make a list of the things for the trip you mustn’t forget.
The same is true in life. You need to know what things are necessary to take the journey through life and come out fulfilled by the end: interests, values, and needs. Here are three steps to planning out your future.
If you do not have a list and a road map for your life, then you will undoubtedly end up in some horrible ditch NO ONE wants to be in. It might not be your thing to use maps and make lists, but it works. By formulating thoughts and emotions into a definitive list of items, you will solidify what you want out of life.
It will also help to sort out thoughts and feelings. That part will come a bit later, though. First, you’ll need to work on your life map and list, and we will focus on the list. To make this list, we have three categories.
List 1: Interests
The first category should be “interests.” This will likely be the largest section, if you are anything like a millennial, and should include everything: hobbies, past times, life goals, dreams, things given up in the past. They should be future, past, and present things, and there is no reason to be reasonable.
It should be simple to, at the very least, list off everything after thinking about it for some time. Even if it is impractical, it should go on the list. Greatness was never achieved by people who were “reasonable.” So, don’t be reasonable. Write down everything.
List 2: Values
The second section, and likely the hardest, is values. Here should be a list of all the concepts you most value. It does not matter if it is family, or relationships, or finances. As long as it is a core value central to leading a happy and fulfilled life, it should be here.
To figure this out, you must sit down and have a conversation with yourself. Ask the question, “If I want a fulfilled life with everything I could ever want, what values are most important for that fulfillment?” Honesty is critical here because it will save a lot of trouble later. If you know family is important, then you want to be sure you are aware of that, so you don’t end up with a partner who doesn’t want a family. If it is community, isolation, or independence, write them down.
This list should be both current values and values you want to have. If these values change from year to year, or even month to month, it’s all right. Just remember, honesty is vital. If you can’t lie straight to someone else, why do you think you can lie to yourself?
List 3: Needs
The last category is needs. These are the physical, emotional, and mental things that are ABSOLUTELY necessary to leading a happy and fulfilled life. Here as well, be honest. If material things are essential, that is fine, but which things are the most important? Write them down.
Of course, money, shelter, and food will be there. However, having a pet might be essential as well. Or maybe love from a romantic relationship. Be careful, though. Do you NEED that big house? Or is it something you want because you think it will bring a modicum of joy for a short time? Separate your needs and desires for this one.
Put Your Lists in Order
The final task to undertake here with this list is to order it. The items on the list should be in the order of what is most interesting, valued, needed, to the least. You should do this as the unique individual you are. A good life cannot be lead if things are not in order, and a good vacation is not possible without the right tools as well. To get this vacation underway, we need to know if hiking boots or sunscreen are needed. Unlike a vacation, though, there is no rush.
At this point, there should be plenty of work to undertake. With something like this, there is plenty of time to properly list and sort out everything. That time should be used well. A few hours of genuine effort now is a small price to pay for a lifetime of satisfaction.
Images by Haley Agra. Support her on Instagram: @haleiagra
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