After experiencing three miscarriages, I spiraled into a cycle of pity and self-loathing and I was merely existing in this life and not living the life God intended for me. During this dark period, I realized I needed to make a change—to find purpose and meaning beyond my grief. As sorrow overtook me, I decided to transform my approach to life and embarked on a journey of personal growth and self-improvement. I focused on becoming the best version of myself by setting goals in six key areas of my life. This approach propelled me back into living, rather than merely existing. As I set and worked diligently toward goals in each area, I began to witness positive changes in my life.
The six key areas I focused on to transform my life were:
- Spiritual growth: Nourishing your soul and deepening your faith helps you stay centered during life’s ups and downs.
- Physical health: This is the foundation of a good quality of life, enabling you to enjoy your day-to-day activities. Regular physical activity, balanced nutrition, and adequate rest can enhance energy levels and overall health.
- Financial stability: Provides peace of mind and security, allowing you to confidently make plans.
- Intellectual growth: Stimulates your mind, fostering curiosity, creativity, and innovative thinking.
- Career development: Provides not only financial stability but also a sense of purpose and achievement.
- Relationships: Developing strong connections enriches your life, providing emotional support, companionship, and love.
Before writing down any goals, I prayed and asked God to guide me in setting objectives aligned with His will for my life. I then approached each area, developing specific goals using the SMART acronym: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
Here’s what each key area means to me, along with an example goal for that area:
- Spiritual Goals:
- Means: Dedicating time to God, which nurtures your soul and deepens your understanding of faith.
- Goals:
- Set aside time daily for devotional reading and prayer.
- Read through the entire Bible in one year.
- Fellowship with other believers 4 times per month ( Sunday Service or weekly Bible Study).
- Physical Goals:
- Means: Enhancing your physical well-being through specific goals for exercise, nutrition, and rest.
- Goals:
- Exercise 4 times per week.
- Walk 10,000 steps daily.
- Eat a vegetable in each meal (B/L/D).
- Financial Goals:
- Means: Achieving financial stability and security through smart money management, budgeting, and long-term planning.
- Goals:
- Save 6 months emergency fund in 6 months.
- Pay off $2000 credit card debt in 6 months.
- Invest 10% in the retirement fund monthly.
- Intellectual Goals:
- Means: Continuously expanding your knowledge and skills through lifelong learning.
- Goals:
- Read 6 non-fictional books in one year.
- Take a Spanish course.
- Career Goals:
- Means: Setting objectives to advance your career, launch your own business, or pursue a hobby.
- Goals:
- Obtain professional certification in your field.
- Create LLC for business.
- Write and publish books by a certain date.
- Relationship Goals:
- Means: Nurturing and strengthening connections with family, friends, and loved ones.
- Goals:
- Family games night every 3rd Friday.
- Date night every 2nd Saturday.
- One international family vacation each year.
By setting SMART goals in these areas, you can systematically work towards improving each aspect of your life. This holistic approach ensures that no area is neglected, fostering a balanced lifestyle that promotes overall well-being. Through sustained effort and commitment, you can make significant strides in personal growth and development, leading to a more fulfilling life experience. I did just that—I made small changes in these six areas. Now, I can honestly say that I’m living a more fulfilling life than ever before. This transformation didn’t happen overnight; instead, it took years of consistently focusing on these areas to reach where I am today. Lastly, daily focus on these areas will help you become the best version of yourself.