You’ve read about my journey with my “30 Before 30” list, but now it’s time to write your own list. Creating a list of goals tailored to your dreams, aspirations, and priorities can be a transformative experience. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the steps to crafting your own list of meaningful goals that will guide you in your journey to the big 3-0. Keep in mind it’s not about crossing everything off at the end, but more so reflecting on guiding themes and ideas that can help you grow, bring you moments of happiness, and overall get you to a version of yourself that you’re happy with into your next decade. So here are my 6 easy steps on how to create your 30 before 30 list.
How to write your list
Step 1: Reflect on Your Values and Priorities: Take some time to reflect on what truly matters to you. What are your core values? What brings you joy and fulfilment? Your goals should align with these values and priorities to ensure they resonate with you on a deeper level.
Step 2: Brainstorm Ideas: Grab a pen and paper (or an iPad in my case) and start brainstorming ideas for your list. Think about areas of your life you want to improve, experiences you want to have, skills you want to learn, and dreams you want to chase. Don’t hold back – let your imagination run wild!
Step 3: Make Your Goals SMART: SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. As you refine your list, ensure each goal meets these criteria. For example, instead of “Travel more,” a SMART goal would be “Visit at least three new countries.”
Step 4: Prioritize and Organize: Once you have a list of potential goals, prioritize them based on their importance to you and their feasibility. Consider breaking them down into categories (e.g., personal, professional, health, relationships) to keep things balance when choosing your final 30. In my case the final list order does not hold any meaning; I don’t have an order of importance I’m following. I wanted to mix the categories in a randomized way so that it feels more natural with how my brain works. However, a categorized list or a scale of importance list may make more sense to you. Play around with what feels right when you read it aloud.
Step 5: Be Realistic and Flexible: While it’s important to aim high, it’s also crucial to be realistic about what you can achieve within the given timeframe. Be gentle with yourself and allow room for flexibility – life is unpredictable, and goals may need to be adjusted along the way. You may even realize that a goal you initially set doesn’t actually serve you. The beauty is that letting go of something is also growth. The unexpected surprises this list may bring may turn out being the best part.
Step 6: Embrace the Journey: Remember that the journey is just as important as the destination. Embrace the process of working towards your goals, celebrate your victories, and learn from your setbacks. Stay open to new experiences and opportunities that may arise along the way.
Crafting your own “30 Before 30” list is a powerful exercise in self-discovery and personal growth. It can be as light and relatable or as deep and personal as you want it to be.
What’s next?
The sooner you write your list the more time you’ll have to explore and have fun with it. I recommend looking checking in with your list at the beginning of each month to check your progress, plan out what action you can take this month towards a couple of goals, and make any necessary adjustments. Hopefully, by the time your 30th birthday comes around, you’ll have much more than a completed list. You’ll have all the experiences, lessons, and memories that came from it.