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Mindful Future Planning
Creating and working on goals that will help you move closer to your future plans can sometimes feel overwhelming. These tips are about how you can try to make this process less stressful. These are practical tips that you can incorporate into your day-to-day life.
Achieving goals that are long-term takes time. Try breaking these larger goals into smaller ones - not only will this help keep you motivated, but it can also make goals less overwhelming and more achievable! You can always make adjustments to them along the way.
Sometimes when we've set goals that fall through, we can be hard on ourselves. Remember to show yourself some compassion. Try thinking about what you learned from the experience and what you can take away while you continue on your journey.
When we make goals and plans, it's important to stay flexible. Things might not go the way you anticipated and staying flexible will allow you to bounce back and navigate these changes with a bit more ease.
Planning for the future can feel overwhelming when there is uncertainty about the outcome. Try writing out the best and worst possible results as part of your goal setting process. This can help you prepare by thinking of ways you can manage a variety of outcomes.
When we're working hard towards our goals and dreams, we can sometimes forget about other parts of our life that help provide balance. Remember to take breaks and make room for things like downtime, hobbies, family and friends.
Sometimes when we share our goals and aspirations with others, we may not get the response we hoped for. If you're feeling down after an interaction like this, pause to reflect on how your goals and dreams align with your values and purpose - this is YOUR life after all!
Deciding on which goals to focus on can sometimes feel overwhelming. A great way to start is to examine your interests and dreams by creating a vision board. Seeing the bigger picture can help you decide your next steps. Don't be afraid to dream big!
Volunteering can be a rewarding experience where you can learn new skills and build meaningful connections. No matter your age or abilities, it provides a platform to meet people who share your interests and values and who may become allies in your plans for the future.
By embracing new opportunities to learn, whether by taking on new projects at work, enrolling in a course to acquire new skills, or dedicating time to independent study, you open yourself up to endless possibilities for personal and professional growth.
Remember to consider your transferable skills when planning for the future. Think about the skills you are good at (e.g. problem-solving), and then think about how they can be applied in different contexts and industries. Don't be afraid to think outside the box!
Sometimes we forget goal setting isn't only for professional aspirations. It's so important to make room for goals related to personal growth, too! Achieving personal goals can help provide a sense of purpose and often positively impacts many areas of your life.
Job shadowing can be a great way to better understand what a particular position might entail, and helps you learn the ins and outs of a job before pursuing it. Try seeking job shadowing opportunities by connecting with people on LinkedIn who are in your desired field.
Try keeping a goals journal, adding even the small ones. In a few months' time, it can help remind you how far you've come & of all the steps you've taken to achieve each goal. If you didn't get where you'd hoped, be gentle with yourself & reflect on what got in the way.
Asking yourself the right questions is important for long-term goal setting. What are your priorities and where do you want to see yourself? Remain compassionate and open in your exploration of your wants and needs.
Guidance from a mentor can be very helpful when planning for your future. This could be someone in your field, alumni of your school, or someone you think has had a similar journey. Ask to connect, you may get valuable insights from their experiences and advice.
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