The more realistic your expectations are about the future, the more likely it is that you will meet your goals. But there is a very fine line between setting goals so high that you are always disappointed and not reaching high enough to maximize your potential. A: Yes. It’s healthy for you and important to your marriage to have individual goals. When you grow as a person, your relationship will grow, too.
Expanding Your Mind
It’s very common for people to look back and say they can’t believe they have not read a book in several years or learned anything new. This is not healthy. Human beings are naturally curious and need to have their minds nourished. Setting goals for yourself will ensure that you actually do expose yourself to new ideas. Take a class to learn about a new subject or join a movie club to discuss films. Subscribe to a news magazine and read it regularly to learn more about the world around you. One way to make sure you’ll read a book a month is to join a book club that meets regularly. It’s very fulfilling to read a book and talk about it with other people when you are finished. If you can’t find a book club to join, start one! You’ll be surprised at how many people are interested.
Hobbies
Developing a hobby is useful for many reasons. It can help relieve you of the stresses of modern life. It can be a skill that you develop and enjoy after you retire. And it’s also a way to meet other people who share similar interests. Many hobbies are project-oriented and give you a sense of accomplishment when you finish them. If you don’t already have a hobby, think about finding one you really like in the next year. Start by taking a class, perhaps in one of the following areas:
Gardening Painting Photography Playing a musical instrument Crocheting or knitting Woodworking Model building Sewing and needlework Sculpting Dancing Fixing up old automobiles
Once you find a hobby you like, set goals for yourself. For instance, if you like to garden, commit to learning about two new plants each year. You might even have the long-term goal of entering your flowers into a contest.
Taking Care of Your Health
Getting regular medical and dental care is important, but many people forget to schedule regular checkups. Eating a healthy diet is another useful health goal. And exercising is an important part of a healthy, well-balanced life. For exercise, consider walking, running, or bicycling. If you are sports-oriented, play tennis, squash, or racquetball regularly or join a basketball or soccer team. Remember that the healthier you are, the better you’ll feel and the more able you’ll be to reach your other goals.
