Long Term Goals and Life Stages

The man who succeeds above his fellows is the one who early in life, clearly discerns his object, and towards that object habitually directs his powers. ​

- Edward Bulwer-Lytton

One aspect of executing intentionally, which is one of the 4 H.E.R.E Disciplines for Actualization and leading to a life of living limitlessly, is understanding that this is a journey. It requires a gritty mindset that will allow you to create the life you have envisioned. This isn’t simply about executing and achieving goals, although that is a component, this is about accomplishing those things you have been set apart and destined to do from the foundations of time. This is about identifying your life’s vision and stacking milestones that culminate into accomplishing your life’s purpose. The adjustment (if any needed) is to make a mental shift into thinking long-term. Studies have shown the further into the future you can visualize, then plan and attain supporting concrete goals, the more successful you will be in creating that future(1).

Many of us plan 1, 2, 5 years out but have you ever thought about what you would like life to look like 30 years from now? It’s a daunting task but absolutely necessary to reaching your journey’s end and living limitlessly. To ease us in, please do this simple exercise below to get you thinking about the long term. This is the milestone calculator. You will take your current age and add that to every line in the “Years from now” column. It’s an eye-opening exercise if you haven’t seen it on paper before. Check the example below and then see the table of Life Stages(2) below to get your thoughts flowing on what you would like your life to look like at each line. As the distance in years increase, you will move from more concrete goals in the nearer future, to more abstract goals. When thinking far into the future it should be less about goals and more of who you would like to be or how you imagine your lifestyle, for example. I want to invite and encourage you to dream BIG or as we say here at Total Win Strategies, LLC imagine “Living Limitlessly”!

Life Stages & Definitions

12 -​ 20​ Educational Years​

The biological event of puberty unleashes a powerful set of changes in the adolescent body that reflect themselves in a teenager’s sexual, emotional, cultural, and/or spiritual passion. Adolescence passion thus represents a significant touchstone for anyone who is seeking to reconnect with their deepest inner zeal for life.​

20 - 35​ Enterprising Years​

Finding a home and mate, establishing a family or circle of friends, and/or getting a good job. When we go out into the world and make our mark.​

35​ -​ 50​ Contemplation Years​

After following society’s scripts for creating a life, people in midlife often take a break from worldly responsibilities to reflect upon the deeper meaning of their lives and with a new understanding. This contemplative element helps us to deepen and enrich our lives.​

50 - 80​ Benevolence Years​

Those in mature adulthood have raised families, established themselves in their work life, and become contributors to the betterment of society through volunteerism, mentorships, and other forms of philanthropy. All of humanity benefits from their benevolence. Moreover, we all can learn from their example to give more of ourselves to others.​

80 - 99+​ Wisdom Years​

Those with long lives have acquired a rich repository of experiences that they can use to help guide others. Elders thus represent the source of wisdom that exists in each of us, helping us to avoid the mistakes of the past while reaping the benefits of life’s lessons.​

References:

1. Höchli B, Brügger A, Messner C. How Focusing on Superordinate Goals Motivates Broad, Long-Term Goal Pursuit: A Theoretical Perspective. Front Psychol. 2018 Oct 2;9:1879. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01879. PMID: 30333781; PMCID: PMC6176065.

2. Armstrong T. The 12 Stages of Life. The American Institute for Learning and Human Development​​.