Goals are a part of what keeps us motivated to move forward in life. There are goals that we accomplish for others, and those, most importantly, that we accomplish for ourselves.
Growing up, my goals had always been to graduate high school, get a degree that will get me a high-paying job, apply for said high-paying job, work for that high-paying job, and survive.
I just wanted to survive.
I didn’t stop to think that I could – that I wanted to – live life by actually living.
So, in 2016, when I first moved to San Francisco, I started creating a bucket list of experiences I dream of accomplishing.
I figured a new city, a new way of navigating life.
As soon as classes took over, however, I began feeling less motivated about my bucket list. I continued adding items over the years, but everything on it seemed to only ever be a dream I didn’t believe I could achieve.
Granted, a lot of the items on my list will take time to complete, but they are still doable.
But, earlier this year, I decided to pay more attention to my bucket list. I transferred the list to another program where I can be more creative with the look of my list to have better organization.
And from what used to be a two-page bucket list, grew to a 133-page goal list (which will continue to increase).
I’ve also begun using the term “goals” instead of “bucket list” because referring to them as “goals” wires my subconscious to embrace that they’re important to me and that I’m going to work even harder to actually accomplish them.
These goals are no longer just my dreams, they are part of my mission in this life that I aim to fulfill.
They are adventures that I’d love to experience. Food that I’d love to savor. Milestones that I’d love to reach.
I’m getting excited just thinking about all of my goals.
Some will of course take a while longer to achieve, but, I know with the determination and passion to reach them, I’ll be reaching them in no time.
Some Goals I Achieved So Far
PLAYING IN SNOW, CANADA [2016-2017]
VISITING BALBOA PARK, SAN DIEGO [2020] - Indoor activities were closed to the public, we wore masks, and followed other safety protocols.
WATCHING AN AIR SHOW / EXPERIENCING FLEET WEEK, SAN FRANCISCO [2019]
REACHING 100+ UNIQUE VISITORS ON MY BLOG [2020]
GRADUATING WITH MY BFA IN WEB DESIGN & MEDIA [2020]
Goals, experiences, bucket lists – whatever you choose to call them – make living on this Earth so beautiful and exciting.
Whether your goals are focused on travel and adventure, personal growth and development, or education and career, know that you have the strength and ability to achieve everything you have your heart set out for.
Life gets in the way, we know that. But, it never shuts the door entirely unless you’re the one shutting it.
This life is yours. You’re creating every page of your book, and when you run out of pages, a new book is always ready to be opened and given its chapters.
And what my favorite YouTube explorer always says, “Rise above, just get out there and explore!” –Exploring with Josh