In order to feel nourished, energized, and balanced, you need to define big-picture goals and activities for each category of your life. Many people set career or financial goals but neglect to set goals for other critical areas of their lives. If your life feels out of balance, see where you are spending the majority of your time. Chances are that your time is being spent in those areas of your life for which your goals are clear-cut.        

Put your big-picture goals in writing. For each of your major life or work categories, write down your big-picture goal. Consider your deepest values and ask yourself, “What would make me happy in each of these key areas? When all is said and done, what am I working toward? What do I dream of attaining?”

Let’s define the difference between the goals and activities.

• A goal is a destination. It’s what you want to achieve.   
• An activity is how you get there. It’s the specific means to your higher goals.       

For example, “exercise three times per week” is not a goal. The question is, why do you want to exercise? Perhaps it is to maximize your health. “Maximize My Health” is a goal. Exercise is the activity that gets you there. Activities take up space in your schedule and can change month to month, year to year. Goals define the reward you are seeking.    

Big-picture goals are based on your core values, and they tend not to change much over the course of your life. For example, warm and loving relationships, well-adjusted kids, financial security and wealth, expertise in a particular area, an inviting and comfortable home, and a sense of connection to your community are all values you are likely to hold onto throughout your life. Keep your big-picture goals simple and heartfelt.

Once you know what your big-picture goals are, choose two to three specific activities that will help you achieve those goals. There are many ways to achieve any one big-picture goal. But to keep your schedule in balance, limit yourself to no more than three activities per goal at any given time. Think about it: Six life categories times three activities each is 18 activities you will need to fit into the closet of your week. You can revisit and change your activities monthly, quarterly, or annually. But two to three activities per goal at a time is plenty for now.