Years ago, while studying for my master’s degree in human behavior, I became deeply intrigued by the concept of personal goal setting and how important it is for people to have goals simply in order to stay healthy. What I learned changed my life.
Human beings are, by nature, goal seekers. We are the only living creatures who can look into the future and project images of ourselves. Within the context of every other living creature, even the simple act of scheduling a lunch meeting for next week or planning a family get-together is an amazingly complex and miraculous task.
But our teleological nature goes far beyond that. Just ask the doctor who “wanted to be a doctor for as long as I can remember.” Or anyone else whose childhood dream to pursue a specific career came true. What these examples show is that if you create visions of yourself cast into the future, you will naturally be drawn toward those visions, usually until they become true.
This is one of the reasons why one of the most important steps in goal setting is to create positive, present-tense affirmations of yourself having achieved each of your goals. Then, repeat these affirmations over and over until the goals become reality. The more vividly you can have your subconscious mind visualize you in your desired goal state, the more likely you will be to achieve that state (accomplish your goal) sooner rather than later.
Interestingly enough, not having clear goals can create problems for people when they retire. Far too often, when people stop working, they think that they’ve achieved their life’s purpose, so there’s “nothing left to do.” Thus, they are left basically directionless and without a sense of purpose for this chapter in their life.
The data tells us that individuals who lack purpose and direction tend to have worse health outcomes and die sooner than those who have a sense of purpose. Those without goals tend to wander aimlessly for a time and have less fulfilling life spans than people who continue to set goals for themselves.
It’s important to know that the goals we are talking about here are not simply work-related. They could be family-related, travel-related, recreational, spiritual, or even learning-related. The important thing is to have exciting milestones to look forward to in the future. For many people, this is their “bucket list.”
Setting goals and defining purpose isn’t hard work. But for some reason, it’s one of those activities that is difficult to get started with if you haven’t already made a habit of goal setting. However, once you set goals, the satisfaction is both immediate and long-term.
Early on during our 55-year marriage, my wife and I made goal setting an important part of our relationship. It has not only made our lives and relationship more fulfilling, but it has also led to us accomplishing much more with our lives than we would have otherwise. It has made our transition into retirement much smoother and more fulfilling. Defining goals and purpose can do the same for you.
It’s never too late to start. The most important thing is to outline an annual process and stick to it. We start each year by discussing possible goals for the next year during the week following Christmas, leading up to New Year’s. Instead of writing New Year’s resolutions, we write our list of goals for the upcoming year (and sometimes beyond). We set goals for our relationship, family, finances, home improvement, travel, learning, health, service to others, and just about anything else you can think of – even our spirituality.
Then, we print out the list of goals and post them where we will see it almost every day.
On or around the Fourth of July, we review them to assess our progress, make changes, and update whatever is necessary. At year’s end, that goal list becomes the starting point for next year’s goals when we restart the process the week after Christmas.
Research has repeatedly shown that goal setting may be even more important in retirement than earlier in life. If you don’t already do something to create and maintain a clear sense of purpose for this chapter in your life, now is the time to start. The dividends will be plentiful.
Dick Lyles is a proud AMAC member from San Diego, California. He is a graduate of the Naval Academy, serves as the CEO of Origin Entertainment, and is the author of 9 books.
The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of AMAC or AMAC Action.
One should always have a set of goals in life, if for no other reason than personal improvement and a means to strive for something better. We all need to work towards an objective and then create new goals when the old ones reached. Every day is an opportunity to achieve something new, if you have the right outlook and attitude on life. Whether one is retired or not, that is truly immaterial in the grand scheme of things.
I will be 75 pretty soon. I have always called it lists, but it is the same I suppose. I have goals or lists of things I want to accomplish. Some are small and some are not. I would be a lost ship at sea without it.
I’m a retired (2009) university professor and have discovered I’m very good at retirement. I stay busy by writing books and articles that center on my hobby (amateur radio). However, I think one of the simplest, but important, things one can do to stay active in retirement is to maintain your previous “early workday” activity. I find that if I skip my morning shower-and-shave, I tend to have a less productive (and enjoyable) day. If I skip that, I tend to stay in the house and feel less motivated to do things…not good. Stay active, keep those parts of your “worklife” that you enjoyed, have the occasional lunch with friends, and try something new (I really enjoy cooking…who knew?).
Before the industrial revolution (in the 1700’s ) most craftsmen had shops in their home. For example a carpenter would have a woodworking shop in the home and other craftsmen had similar arrangements. Mentioning that because working from home is a good idea for some people who are senior citizens. I have been a toolmaker since 1974 and still am involved in toolmaking , however I do not have a shop and what I do mostly involves. mechanical drawing, and working on the mathematics, the trigonometry, geometry, and calculus ,the physics and engineering aspects of tools and machinery parts. I can provide some income doing that for some. business people who don’t have the time to do it themselves. Mechanical drawing will always be essential in some things that require skill and not everything needs to be done on a computer. Ideas. are often started with sketches, then develop into detailed engineering drawings that are needed to produce a finished product. Learned a great deal when doing mechanical work on ships for two years during the 1970’s ( as a civilian) and having a sense of purpose and a sense of responsibility developed then as well . Very good article Dick Lyles Well Done !
I had to laugh when I read the title of your article. I retired in 2010 and participated in the building of my home (on 5 acres purchased in 2001) I did all the plumbing, put down wood flooring, did all painting outside and inside, Took a master gardening class at the local college and over the years have had plenty to do with maintaining 5 acres, gardening etc. Currently I am 80 years old and have a 1968 Ford Ranchero I am restoring, a 1960 Porsche 356 T5 Coupe waiting as well as a 1965 Ford F-100 Stepside pickup. My wife was diagnosed with cancer last year so I have learned house cleaning 101, and when I get things caught up in the house I make it out to the shop to work on the Ranchero for a few hours. My wife is recovering and is back to Quilting some, Making sourdough bread and cooking , so I’m eating much better : ) still doing the heavy stuff, vacuuming, changing sheets and doing laundry. — Merry Christmas everyone : )
Wish I’d read this 45 years ago.
I just turned 60, and so far, my only plan is to remain employed for at least another 5 years, probably 10. After that, I will find something part-time to do, perhaps driving a school bus.
My purpose this past month is keeping the bird feeder full. I bought one with larger capacity, thinking it would feed the hungry critters for at least 4 days. Instead, it just attracts more birds and I still have to fill it every 1-2 days! I placed the feeding station about 30′ from the kitchen windows, so I can enjoy watching them.
Since I’m still working “part-time” as a self-employed horticulturist, purpose involves showing up at the farmers’ markets with herbs, cool season greens, pansies and violas, and, soon, forced spring flowering bulbs during these cold winter months. This 52-year career doesn’t earn me a million dollar salary, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything!
So…I get to combine purpose, which keeps me steadily and responsibly on track, with enjoyment, without which nothing is worth doing.
This is a thought-provoking article by Mr. Lyles. Of course, many of us seem to be driven towards exposing the faults in the politics of those whom we strongly oppose, while doing so in a “colorful” manner that highlights inconsistent logic and predictable, “collateral damage” against innocents whom they show no moral obligation to protect. I can see myself continuing this practice, as stirring up a lively conversation with someone of “non-hygienic politics & character” can be lots of fun, even when not as productive in building awareness as I would hope.
Don’t worry, when President Musk opens up DOGE, your social security checks and medicare will all be cut off. Then you won’t have to wrestle with finding your purpose because you will be too busy working or finding a job to earn your keep.