Setting life and financial goals is important any time. But in deeply troubling and challenging times like we face today, we are often more focused than ever on what matters to us – and what doesn’t, too. While you are isolated at home, consider revisiting your goals – and maybe setting some new ones – together with your family.

 

The game of (your) life

To help reduce the spread of COVID-19, millions of us have been cooped up at home for weeks, often with little to do or anywhere to go. Many of us are finding constructive activities to keep ourselves busy, and even developing new hobbies and abilities. Some of us may have even dusted off their old board games, like The Game of Life, finding new fun in old pastimes.

But if you are running short of things to do during the Great Lockdown – and let’s face it, there’s only so much on Netflix that’s worth watching – there’s a great activity to consider that is critically important. And it will help ensure that you are set up for success long after the pandemic has come and gone. That activity is establishing what matters to you and, from there, setting (or re-setting) your life and financial goals.

 

Let’s get started!

Here are five questions you can ask yourself (or along with your spouse/ partner/family) to help establish what matters to you:

1. What are the principles and values that guide my life? (e.g., caring for the environment, commitment to family, giving back to the community, creating wealth, caring for others)
2. What matters most to me? (e.g., family, happiness, financial freedom, career building or growing a business)
3. Over the next year to three years, what are my key priorities? (e.g., seeing my kids off to the next stage of their lives, saving for retirement, buying a cottage)
4. Longer term, what are my priorities? (e.g., physical/mental health, transitioning to retirement, selling or passing my business to my children)
5. What is my legacy going to be, and how will I ensure that it reflects my wishes and values? (e.g., establishing a charitable trust, passing my wealth to my children/family, donating funds to an institution or cause)

 

Establishing what matters to you infuses your goals with meaning

Now that you have taken the time to articulate your principles and values, establish what matters to you and consider what your priorities are in the near and long term, as well as your legacy, you are able to establish your goals. When your goals align with what fundamentally matters to you, you are far more likely to stay on a plan that helps you achieve them.

 

We can help – talk to us today about establishing your goals and setting in place a plan that will help you achieve them. You don’t even need to leave the safety of your home, as we can do it all remotely