Life List: Tips for Keeping the Focus
Do you have a life list? Sometimes it is called a bucket list after the movie with the same name. The definition is a compilation of priorities for you and your family for one year, three years, ten years, or more. As we prepare this December for New Year's resolutions, let us plan to increase the probability of success. Most resolutions fail by the end of January. However, according to research in the book Creating Your Best Life, accomplishments in your life strongly relate to how happy you are in life. Those without a priority list are not only less happy; they accomplish less than people who have written goals. Even with the high failure rate, the fact that the plans are written down increases the likelihood of moving the flag forward.
Part of your life list should include a Big Harry Audacious Goal (BHAG). Your goals list should not just be about the little things. Although accomplishing the little things will lead down the path to bigger things, as discussed in the book, Make Your Bed. A life list should also be about big things that you aren't sure how you could ever get there. How do you keep the Life Lists and BHAGs front of mind?
Vision Board – the process of creating a vision board is powerful. But if you want to keep them visual day in and day out, here are some suggestions. Take a picture of your vision board and put it where you will always see it. For example, it could be on your phone or computer as a screen saver. Tack it up on your bulletin board, or your bathroom mirror, or frame it on your office desk. Are you concerned other people will see it? That would be an added benefit to you seeing it every day. Others will see it and ask how you are doing with your goals. It will hold you accountable.
Vanity License Plates – You may have seen plates boast with phrasing such as "SUCCESS" or "SHE WON." That is fine if that inspires you, but what about "THANKS" or BLESSED" for a more positive message? It helps if you have defined your goal with a word such as a realtor's goal, "SOLD." Or it could be a frame of mind such as "GRIT" or "FOCUS" to remind you to think about what you want to accomplish. A friend had a plate "CAL DRMS" because she wanted to move to California. Some put their company name or initials for their company. Our vehicles say "HAYFLD" and "HAYFLD2," representing our goals for our LLC.
Car Magnets – My husband has a Back Creek Wagyu magnet on his truck. Magnets are a great advertisement and a reminder of one of his company's goals, to sell wagyu beef. But the message could be inspirational like, "Live a Great Life" or "Give Back." Having a magnet has the added benefit of moving it around. Not just on your vehicle but on a refrigerator or other magnetic surface.
Email Address – What does your email address say about you? If you have a company website, you can easily change the name to remind yourself about your goals. It is also an easy way for someone to remember your address. Some examples include topdog@dogkennel.com, number1@yourcompany.com, author@nameofbook.com. Of course, the name cannot be used by someone else. It needs to be unique.
Password – If you prefer a less visible reminder of your goals, setting it as a password on your computer or other daily sites is a great practice. Since it is typically a good idea to change a password yearly, putting your year goal as a password is an excellent habit. If you want to achieve an MBA, a password such as HarvardMBA@2022 would be inspirational. After reading the book, Be Obsessed or Be Average, I used BOBA@2020 that year.
Charm Bracelet or Key Chain – When I started my real estate career, my trainer required us to have an 8.5x11 laminated picture of the "Why" we wanted to achieve our particular goal. In my case, it was a picture of our three boys who were in a private school at the time. My goal was to pay for their education. I don't advise such an extreme visual, but having a key chain or charm bracelet with words, pictures, or symbols of goals is a powerful cue.
Cell Phone Ring Tones – To get into the mood of good thoughts to inspire you, think about changing your phone's ring tone. Rings like "Don't Stop Believing" or "Dream On." You can also set ring tones for specific callers. If you receive a top client call, your ringtone could have an uplifting phrase like Hans Solo, "Yahoo."
Photo Goals – Pictures of your individual goals can be put into a frame, a screen saver, and on a t-shirt, coffee mug, pillow, purse, blanket, etc. The possibilities are endless.
Tattoo – Although I am not a fan of tattoos, many athletes have one to inspire them. Michael Phelps has "GOAT," the Greatest of All Times tattoo. Many Olympic hopefuls have the Olympic rings tattooed on them. If it helps you focus on your dreams, think long and hard before committing to something this permanent.
All of these ideas aim to keep your goals top of mind, raising the likelihood of accomplishing them. But what if you don't know your vision for the future? How do you grow your family balance sheet? Follow our blog for more insights.
