What is your ultimate goal?

[Chris G]

Hi peoples,

Theres lots of posts on here about specific circumstances and the smaller picture. I'm curious as to what people have as their goals for the bigger picture.

What is your ultimate goal?

Am sure that people will list "happiness" or something similar but do you have a more specific/quantifiable goal? Do you want to earn $x in passive income? Own a certain car? Live in a certain area? Give $x to charity each year? Own $x in property? Do the Hawai Ironman? Climb everest? (You get the idea. What are your long distance goals be they financial or personal or whatever)

I'm still trying to piece mine together. Like most I want to be financially secure, happy, healthy etc but its the specifics that I'm still sussing out. ($1m in net worth and 100k/pa income looks like a good goal. To set up and run a successful business or businesses. To be able to give 10%+ of income to charities. These are the kind of things I'm narrowing down to specifics on) Anyone care to share theirs?

Sorry for the longish post. Hope the sharing of goals may inspire someone else.

Cheers
Chris

PS: I didn't want to list the BMW M3 CSL as a goal for fear of the "its only the unsuccessful/not truly rich who buy cars like that to try to keep up an image" police!! But alas it is a goal. Maybe I need to go to NCA (Nice Cars Anonymous..:))

[Kristine..]

Chris

Even fantasy goals are valid.

I've always wanted to be Chairman of BHP.

Maybe, now, I'll just settle for Chairman of Harvey Hender Properties - and take HPP into the next decade as a major player in the specialist development market.

Yoh!

An interesting quirk I've noticed about life,is that as soon as a goal is declared or acted upon, even in the smallest way (my magic house seeking torch), the door of opportunity almost immediately swings open, and the true intent of the goal is tested.

So I hope you enjoy driving your BMW M3 CSL. I had a lovely SAAB in 1975 which I bought new. Bit of a lemon mechanically, but a fantastic car to drive out on the highway. At one stage I had more points on my licence that you'd put pepper on an egg!

However, I've had the same personal 'life' goal for more than twenty years, and yes, it relies on money to achieve it, but it relies more on experience. And it will be accomplished within five years.

Cheers

Kristine

[geoffw]

A good question.

I'm aiming at being financially "free"- but without a concept of what that means (except for not paying bills).

But I have goals before that. Probably too vague to achieve.

1. I want to be able to travel anywhere, anytime. Maybe two months per year. And, mayge, after five years of travelling with my family (icluding children- ha!) be able to leave them in Mexico with the inlaws for an indeterminate period of time (well, not above one month)

2. Fly my own hot air balloon. Well, not much of a dream, but a whole lot nore achievable than a happy family.

[beech]

Good thread Chris

what i would like to achieve as a goal at this stage is 1.5 mil of borrowings on good properties aside from my ppor.
Although im sure once i got there i dont think i will stop.Its lots of fun this investment thing we all enjoy.Passive income here we come.
.Setting myself up now for some prop development in the near future with good equity to be made,and used for more.Im in the building game and this will be a bonus.
Once i achieve my goals more overseas trips will be planned.Been 4 times already and will never ever stop.
look forward to more stories on peoples goals.


Darren

[GoAnna!]

Hi Chris

My ultimate goal is to have enough money left over after paying for all comfortable living expenses to be able to make an impact on the preservation of wildlife, saving animals from mistreatment and to participate is some way in breaking the poverty cycle. Oh and regreening areas of Australia. These are the issues that cause me the most pain and so where I feel I could have the most impact on the world.

Financial freedom is only a marker along the way and goals like a million dollars are only numbers on the score card.

I wonders if members of this forum will unite to change the world once their everyday dreams are realised.

[Iggy_Type_R]

To be cruising around Double Bay in this: :D

http://www.supercars.net/PicFetch?pic=2000_ferrari_360_modena-1.jpg

[JoannaK]

My ultimate goal is to establish a school/education centre for kids who come from difficult backgrounds who want to get in to the property and building industries, which would be free to the students. I'd like to target the delinquents and the kids at risk of becoming delinquent, kids who come from families that have experienced addiction and abuse.

They'd learn how to buy, renovate, build and trade property, and everything in between that's involved. I'd also want to include personal development skills like communication, networking, self esteem, resumes, computer skills and financial management...that sort of thing.

The idea is to get their hands dirty on the job, and at the end of the day they can the rewards of their hard work.


Naturally, all this takes money to run, so my $ goal is to have enough to do that and have a nice life at the same time.

[michaelg]

Hi,

One is to have my very own tower, just like I read in the fantasy fiction novels, on a cliff overlooking a shoreline. With the ultimate study at the top, another level would have a games room with a circular bench with top of the line PCs network together for those games sessions :)

Another goal, is to have enough cashflow to run a research and implementation centre for cybernetic replacement and augmentation. I've always been fasinated with robotics, well if I dont have the mind to be a robotic engineer, I intend to hire them.

I see a great benefit where people have the choice of either a lump su compensation payout for injury, or elect to have a cybernetic replacement, I see that the more this is done (ie increase demand) the cheaper and more effective such things will become, this would then reduce the cost of payments, insurance and business related costs. This would improve business, boost the enconomy, reduce unemployment and improve morale.

I like to track the progress they make on eye and limb replacement.

Michael G

[NigelW]

Your own tower! I like it! more power to you Michael!

I'm actually after a castle in Scotland (or maybe Spain - hell why not both?!)...I must've read far too many sword & sorcery books I think :rolleyes:

and a cybernetics lab! - too many sci-fi novels for you methinks! :p

Goals are good - even if they seem unreachable - it's the stretch to reach them which makes us better people.

N

[beech]

gee wiz guys & girls ive got to start thinking of something better to do with my money than overseas trips dont i?I sound boring.


Darren

[michaelg]

Nigel,

I once read a quote somewhere that basically said that a person's change can be measured by what they've read and the people they've met.

If I happen to like reading sci-fi and hanging around with investors, then so be it! :P

Michael G

[Mark Laszczuk]

Okay, here's mine:
1. To continuously strive for higher achievements
2. To continue developing a close and loving relationship with Hiroko (my girlfriend)
3. To be consistently open to change
4. To run 'the block' (a pre-determined course I've set out for myself to run everyday)
5. To maintain a fit and healthy body (I'm getting there!)
6. To eat healthier
7. To build my communication skills and be more open
8. To use my time more effectively
9. To continuously challenge myself to be the best I can be
10. To attain my compliance in financial planning
11. To work towards becoming a principal member of the FPA
12. To earn 40K within the next twelve months (doesn't seem like much, but it's a 25% jump from what I'm making now, once achieved, I'll aim for a higher income)
13. To achieve financial independence
14. To purchase our own home
15. To provide a fianancially independent future for our children
16. To be more positive and continually build my self esteem
17. To be a better listener
18. To achieve the highest level of integrity

So there you go. The motivation man, Brian Tracy says you should have two or three goals in every area of life:
Family and personal
Physical and health
Personal development (my favourite subject, more important to me than investing)
Career and work
Financial and material
Spiritual and inner development
Brian Tracy is THE MAN. His book 'Maximum Achievement' is the best book I have ever read, by a mile. Even the most focussed, goal oriented, positive person will get something out of it. I believe this book should be mandatory reading for everyone, it's seriously that good.

Mark
'no hat, some cattle'

[Iggy_Type_R]

Originally posted by michaelg

Another goal, is to have enough cashflow to run a research and implementation centre for cybernetic replacement and augmentation. I've always been fasinated with robotics, well if I dont have the mind to be a robotic engineer, I intend to hire them.
Michael G

Heya Michael - this is one of my goals too!!! Have you heard of Kevin Warwick? He is a professor of Cybernetics at University of Reading in the UK. I really want to go study there.

PM me! :)

Iggy

PS. I know there was a nice Castle being sold for US$50,000 in Poland.

I am after on in Transilvania (sp?) - cause that's where I was born. :)

[Lissy]

Well, my list of long term goal is enormous (although it doesn't include a castle! - but a summer residence in the Canadian Rockies is there!!) - but my one and only immediate goal is to earn enough cashflow per month from property to replace my husband's income so he can come and join me as a stay at home parent. The deadline for this is his 40th birthday in September 2003.
I'll set some more goals once that's been achieved.

[john doe]

Here's my 2cents worth. My goals are:

1. To achieve financial security, thus giving me the freedom to do whatever I want when I want. To me, this is a minimum of $100k passive income per year (with my PPOR paid off).

2. To start up a charity for the intellectually disabled. I want the charity to contribute funds to build houses for the intellectually handicapped once their parents/primary carers can no longer take care of them.

3. To have enough money to complete my private pilot's licence.

4. To live a long and happy life with my partner.

5. To have a PPOR with an ocean view, away from the flight path. (If you lived where I do in Sydney's inner west you'd understand this point)

6. To find a meaningful and fulfilling career that utilises my talents to the full and enables me to make a significant contribution to society. Failing that, to just have a career that makes me enough money to satisfy the above.

John

[Mark Laszczuk]

Iggy,
If you are serious about studying that robotics course, then set it as a goal. Research it as much as you can, set a date that you want to be studying it by, and revise, revise, revise! You WILL get there, if you believe you will. If you want to email me to discuss some goal issues further, you can find my email address in my profile. Good luck!

Mark
'no hat, some cattle'

[Iggy_Type_R]

Originally posted by Mark Laszczuk
Iggy,
If you are serious about studying that robotics course, then set it as a goal. Research it as much as you can, set a date that you want to be studying it by, and revise, revise, revise! You WILL get there, if you believe you will. If you want to email me to discuss some goal issues further, you can find my email address in my profile. Good luck!

Mark
'no hat, some cattle'
Heya Mark,

Hehe, I am serious about studying, in fact I've been "on and off" studying informally robotics, AI, etc since I was 15. And I do have a very detailed list of goals with timing and cost etc in a nice little Excel spreadsheet. :)

Thank you for the encouragement however!!! :)

And I have no doubts I WILL get to ALL my goals. Every single one of them.

I am well on the way... well that's if my latest deal doesnt flop! :eek: :)

PS. My remark about the Mondena 360 was just comical. In fact it is NOT on my list of goals. It was... but I took it off. It was stressing me out too much. I decided to go for smaller, but in all honestly, more gratifying goals.:

[cornflower]

Have a wonderful family life that can act as a base to reach out to the community to those who don't have anybody..

I want to enjoy what I do and be good at it.

I want to give lots of money to help others in developing countries.

I want to find more time to spend on updating my website http://www.deskgreenies.com

I want to spend more time with the people I love.

I want to feel secure in my finances so that I'm not worried about how I will pay the bills, or worry about the future.

I want to invest ethically.

I want to find a balance between work and play.

I want to do voulunteer work, maybe with refugees.

I want to be a good mother, wife, employee, boss, daughter, landlord, and friend.

I don't want much, eh? :D

[prunster]

My goals are so simple compared to others.

1. Own and operate my own helicopter.

2. Buy back large portions of Australia from overseas interests.

3. Live out in the country with wide open spaces.

4. Own a Rolls Royce.

5. Lose the 'Junior Member' tag on this forum ;)

[geoffw]

Well, you'vr achieved one out of five. Congratulations on becoming a member :D

[Ruby]

Great thread Chris, its been very interesting reading about peoples goals, hopes and dreams!

I was just wondering, how many people actually have clearly defined goals written down? I’m not talking about visions (wishes or intentions), which are more general in nature. But goals, which are dated, specific, targeted and measurable! (this doesn’t include you Mark because I know you do :D)

I’m sure Julie & Simon won’t mind me using this out of their manual but it’s so true!
Everyone can have big dreams but not everyone knows how to set and achieve big goals. A dream is simply a desire whereas a goal is a plan to take effective action to turn the dream into reality.

They did a study in the U.S. in the ‘50s where they interviewed the graduates of Yale University. Amongst the questions, they asked each of them whether they had a written goals plan for their life.
Ninety-seven percent didn’t. 20 years later, the researchers returned to interview the surviving members of that class. Incredibly, they found that the 3% who did write down their goals not only reported better all found life satisfaction, they also earned more than the 97% who didn’t put it together.

So write them down and read them daily!

Ruby :)

~Winners are people who set goals, handle failure, and never, never, quit!~

[geoffw]

Ruby,

I've just been reading an issue of WelathCreator magazine. Which I've just mentioned elsewhere (http://www.somersoft.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=625).

But the story on Gerry Harvey was interesting.

He's a billionaire- about number 10 on Australia's rich lsit.

But a "one day at a time" person, who has never written down goals.

For every "life" rule, there's always exceptions.

[Ruby]

I hope you also read the Brian Tracy article Geoff :)

Ruby

[Steve Navra]

Simple goal:

Going to bed each night, knowing I achieved the best 'me' for that day and that I made at least one persons life better.

Steve

[Mark Laszczuk]

Ruby,
Speaking of Brian Tracy, I just wanna plug his excellent book 'Maximum Achievement' again. It is the best book EVER WRITTEN, no kidding. There is so much useful stuff in here, every page has something. I strongly suggest people read this, it will improve your life exponentially.
Geoff,
Interesting about Gerry Harvey. One thing to keep in mind though. He's the only person I've ever heard of (and I've done a lot of research here) that has achieved success with no written, clearly defined goals. I'm talking hundreds of people here. Okay, there are exceptions, but why try and fix something that isn't broken? I like my chances much better of being successful knowing where I am going, than just leaving it to chance.

Mark
'no hat, some cattle'

[john doe]

Hi all,

I agree with Mark. Writing down my goals, especially those on a day by day basis (ie, daily plan) has been the secret to my success so far.

John

[WendyP61]

Yes, all he wants is a lousy boat. But for comfort (mine, he assures me), something around 60' would be OK.

Of course, we'd need somewhere to park the boat, a house to live in when we are not sailing the boat ('cause the cats won't like the boat) and enough money to pay for someone to anti-foul the boat.

Then, the boat would need new sails every so often, the head is bound to block up some time, so we'd have to pay for the services a boat-plumber.

You need to look smart when you sail a boat too, really. Those $20 Dunlop Volleys are OK when you can't be seen from shore, but you really need those USD$200+/- leather boat shoes (which you trail behind the boat for a few months to give them that authentic "used" look).

That tacky tracksuit from K-Mart is fine, up to a point, however, when you are mixing it with the big guys in places where they charge USD$20 for a beer, you must be conscious of your image!

So, he only wants one lousy boat ... how many IP's will I need to achieve that goal and still be young enough to launch "Captain Bligh" in the style to which he would become accustomed!?:eek: :( :p

[landholdings]

It's interesting looking at your goals and thinking how they have/haven't changed over the years. The interesting thing about goals is that once you set them you have 90% more chance of actually achieving them. (I don't base this on any scientific evidence whatsoever!).

When I bought my first house that had been my goal for a couple of years and I didn't even believe I would ever do it.

I have a huge list of things I'd like to achieve. My main problem now is maintaining motivation and focus. There are so many areas that are important such as:

1. Relationships with friends, family and loved ones

2. Health - nothing is important if you don't have your health

3. Creativity - the way you express yourself as in music, dance, art etc

4. Finance - Cashflow, assetts, management of these

5. Orgainisation - How you organise your life

6. Quality of life - which means the athestics of life, having quality experiences, living the lifestyle you want

7. Spirituality - finding peace of mind, meditation, finding yourself, helping others, being charitable.

8. Work - Finding you niche in the workplace or career wise or business wise.

I think its like a wheel that needs to be in balance or your life is in disorder. Has anyone used or heard of life coaching? I would be interested what people's experiences have been.

Cheer!

Landholdings. :p

[Clay]

my goal is to get to a place where I don't have to worry about me or focus on me. To have enough resources to start looking outside of my life and use my resources for the benefit of others - whether that's material things or experience and wisdom. You get to a point in life where the accumulation of possessions or status doesn't mean anything...as you get older, you care less about what others think and you can be as mad and daft as you want (you will recognise me...trust me!).

I get the biggest thrill out of trying to help others make things work in their lives....so I am working hard to own 100% of my time and not have to give it to an employer...unless I choose to.

[bbruham]

G'day all,
My dream seems pretty boring compared to all of those above.
Mine is my retirement plan is.
$1,500,000
@ 5% = $75,000 year.
= $1,442.30 per week.
That's it.
Of course the % could be a lot higher, but this is the absolute
minimum plan I'll except.
Bruce G.

[beech]

Bruce
are we talking drawing down equity here or a net yield?


thanx Darren

[Jas]

Rather than a tower (though that would be good), my goal is to HAVE FUN.

Whatever I'm doing, I want to enjoy it. Simple, and I *gasp* don't have to be rich to do it.

I played chasing games with my kids yesterday. That was GREAT!
Last night, my five yr old woke up with a sore throat. I gave him a warm drink and stroked his hair til he fell asleep. You can't get much better than that.


Jas

[Jas]

Not that I'm saying I'd turn the money aside ;)

Jas

[rob paul]

hi all
Its great on this forum how people open up,I dont post often ,just absorb all the information,stories and advice.
If for some reason I come up short in the goal achieving department I always say to myself

.I have my health
.I have my family
.I have my friends
.I have my dog
.I live in the best city in the best country in the world
.We are all so lucky!!!!

cheers rob:cool:

[bbruham]

G'day Beech,
It would have to be nett yield. I would sell off most of my investments. Keep two or three properties, there's enough effort in keeping those going. Remember I've now retired. So you only
need these to give you one interest.Second interest is investing dollars in the share market and keeping an eye on your managed funds.
The rest of your time is what ever you want to do with it.
$1,442.00 to spend a week is not a lot of money, but it does keep the debt collector away from the door.

Bruce G.

[khurram]

One of my and my wife's top most Financial goals for the next 5 years is to own an Island in Fiji and have a world-class resort on it, where I go 4 times a year with my friends and family and think about life and set some more and more empowering golas!

I just did a goal-setting workshop on the 4th of January, 2003 with a group of Tony Robbins's UPW Graduates. I have laminated my top 3 goals for the year 2003 and made copies of them so I have on at home, at work, in the car...i find it really keeps you focused. You MUST write your goals down otherwise they are just dreams, and you MUST have a time limit next to each one of them.

And someone mentoined before, I think it was Kristina, that as soon as you write your goals down (i.e. FOCUS on them), some door somewhere opens and shows you the way, which you might have missed if you were not FOCUSED on your goal...

All the best to everyone in 2003. Hope it bring Health, Love and Prosperity to you and your family.

Khurram

[retiringat40]

Landholdings,

I am not a life coach but I discovered this area last year and read a lot about it. One of the gurus in this area is Thomas Leonard, he coaches and trains life coaches, I think he's brilliant. Anyhow, his start to fame was writing the following checklist:

http://www.clean-sweep.com/textonly.html

which I carry around with me everywhere. Did I say that I think he's brilliant?

Come back and see me when you've scored 100 and I'll give you some more stuff.

Seriously, there's some really good stuff on the web by this guy for free, but you have to know where to find it, so let me just leave the above as a teaser, and you let me know if this gets you interested or not.

So just so this message relates to the topic, let's say that my ultimate goal is to get 100 on the Clean Sweep program. Oh, and to meet Thomas Leonard.:D

[WendyP61]

OK, you've got me interested - even though there were an awful lot of ticks under the "No" column on my first quick run through the list!

Free stuff is good!

[bbruham]

G'day all,

If I was judging the best post on this topic, and I'm not, it would have to go to Steve Navra. Short, sweet and bag on.

Bruce G.

[Shaggygirl]

Hi all

I've found this discussion on our ultimate goals really interesting. (That castle is sounding pretty great).

I AM a Life Coach and am happy to answer any questions any of you may have. I promise this is not a ruse to sign you up or anything along those lines. Just happy to share information -which, afterall, is what this forum is all about.

Sharon

PS. Mark ("no hat, some cattle") - where did you get the Brian Tracy book from. I haven't been able to find it anywhere.

[Mark Laszczuk]

I got it at Borders in Melbourne. You should be able to get it anywhere, just ask them to get it in for you. The publisher is Fireside, they also do Stephen Covey's books.

Mark
'no hat, some cattle'

[brains]

Originally posted by geoffw
Ruby,

I've just been reading an issue of WelathCreator magazine. Which I've just mentioned elsewhere (http://www.somersoft.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=625).

But the story on Gerry Harvey was interesting.

He's a billionaire- about number 10 on Australia's rich lsit.

But a "one day at a time" person, who has never written down goals.

For every "life" rule, there's always exceptions.

I subscribe to the Harvey school of thought, goals can be great but also restricting, maybe you can achieve more than your goals.

[JoannaK]

I have never written down any goal, and to date, i have happily achieved everything i've ever wanted

[Shaggygirl]

Not everyone needs to write their goals down, although for most people it is a good idea. If you have a really clear idea of where you are heading then you may not need to.

Personally, I like to write things down. Helps me to remember and I can go back and look at them. It promotes clarity for me and I just enjoy the process and sitting and writing my plans and wild dreams. It's fun.

Sharon

[brains]

Hi Sharon

Excuse my ignorance, but whats a "life coach"?

[Shaggygirl]

Hi Brains

I guess the best way to understand it is... think of a Life Coach as doing for your life what a Personal Trainer does for your body.

Your coach helps you to identify what's important, establish some goals that are really exciting to you and then help you achieve them. It's about having clarity and accountability.

Some people work with a coach long term to achieve big goals and some people work on shorter goals which can be achieve quickly. Basically it gives you someone to be accountable to, like a trainer when you don't want to get out of bed.

The sort of stuff people usually work on are physical (health, fitness, weight etc), personal (relationships, creativity, personal growth), career (changing jobs, climbing the ladder, finding the right career), business (starting one, growing one etc).

Hope that clears it up a bit.

Sharon

[Jamie]

Hi Sharon,

Basically it gives you someone to be accountable to

Ive found that the ones who are most successful in life are the ones that hold themselves accountable. I would have thought that relying on someone else for extrinsic motivation would be counter-productive in the long run (what happens when your "coach" is unavailable?)

Just a thought,

Jamie. :p

[Joe D]

Originally posted by JoannaK
I have never written down any goal, and to date, i have happily achieved everything i've ever wanted

JoannaK

You are obviously very happy with your lot which is fantastic.

Like writing anything of value, putting thoughts into written words really forces one to search the recesses of the mind.

How do you know you’ve achieved EVERYTHING …………………..?

Regards

Joe D

[investor]

Hi everybody

I want to be in the BRW top 200 list :p

Regards

Investor:)

[JoannaK]

Originally posted by Joe D


JoannaK

You are obviously very happy with your lot which is fantastic.


Hi Joe,

I'm happy with my "lot", regardless of whether is it good or bad, easy or hard, simply because it is the result of my own doing.


Originally posted by Joe D

Like writing anything of value, putting thoughts into written words really forces one to search the recesses of the mind.

How do you know you’ve achieved EVERYTHING …………………..?

Regards

Joe D


I understand this to be the case for some, but I'm sure not everyone.

Don't get me wrong, I do set goals - i don't just go along my merry way and hope that something wonderful will fall into my lap. I'd go crazy if i did that.

I am constantly setting short, medium and long term goals. But for me personally, I become so passionate about my goals that I have found that there is simply no need for me to write them down. I talk with my hubby about my goals all the time, and he is the one that forces me to search my mind and crystalise my thoughts and formulate my strategies.

I didn't mean that i've achieved EVERYTHING POSSIBLY in the world.

I know i've acheived everything that i've wanted to achieve to date because I have, but that doesn't mean i'm satisfied or am going to stop. I have achieved everything thus far that i have set out to achieve - that's all. I'm still young, and I have plenty more to achieve yet!

[Shaggygirl]

Jamie

It's a very valid point. For some people it is a skill that needs to be learned. A good coach (in my opinion) helps a client to develop that skills rather than ensuring on-going reliance.

It is also worth noting that coaches are most often used by high achievers and often it is to provide them a check-in to help keep them on track or to help them look at things from many sides.

A coach is a completely neutral party who has no vested interest in the outcome (like say your spouse does). Being able to discuss and plan with someone whose viewpoint is not coloured by their own stake in the matter is very very valuable, particularly if uncomfortable decisions needs to be made. (An important side point here: A Coach does NOT make decisions for you. Only you can make them.)

However, after all that. You are right. The most successful people are those with intrinsic accountability. Even they need someone to talk to.