Define Your Life, Ste- by-Step

Life goals intimidate most people, mainly because the concept of mortality stuns them. Many people prefer not to think about death, and even fewer look forward to it. I certainly don't wake up every morning and say, "Golly gee! I can't wait to die." I would rather live one hour at a time and focus on what that day has to bring, whether that means lounging around in my PJs or saving the world.

The morbid part about jotting down that "bucket list" is this: developing life goals means acknowledging that one day your life will end. The thought that one day you'll come to the bottom of the sugar cereal box is depressing enough for the average Joe. But as daunting as creating a list of life goals strikes you, me, or anyone, it's important to articulate your dreams and work toward achieving them. After all, what's the point of wandering around aimlessly for seventy years? Before you snatch a pencil and a piece of paper, however, remember to realistically, thoughtfully, and honestly approach the task of writing down your goals. Not everyone can be a millionaire, launch a platinum CD, or bring peace to the Middle East.

Don't be too vague but don't specify to the point of obsession; honor your potential but don't overestimate your strengths. This is not supposed to be an easy task; it's not "color by numbers" or a breezy multiple choice test. You have to invest time and do some soul-searching. Realize that most of the worthwhile things you hope to achieve will require a lot of hard work and that you may not accomplish everything on your list. But don't get discouraged!

In an effort to motivate you and show you what's possible, I've started outlining my own life goals and briefly explained how I plan to make these dreams reality: (Keep in mind that this is by no means a complete list. I, just like you, have every right to amend this list; defining your life goals should be a fluid process).

*Earn my B.A. with honors: Education has always stood at the forefront of my life. As a naturally curious person, I love to learn and have always done well in school. I realize that possessing a college degree will also help me on my job search after I graduate, too, so earning my B.A. will serve both a personal and practical fulfillment.

*Earn my M.F.A. in Creative Writing: Writing is my passion and I want to become the best writer possible. In order to accomplish this, it's not enough for me just to write. I should get a lot more workshopping experience, too. I plan to pay for grad school with scholarship money for my good grades, as well as money I've saved up myself.

*Write everyday: I do this now and have done it for years. As long as I have a pencil and paper---which I bring everywhere-I'm set.

*Get married and have at least one child: Since I'm still in college, I don't want to be put too many conditions on this goal. I might marry right after I graduate or ten years after. I might birth a biological child or adopt one. I'm not sure, but over the next few years, I should have a better understanding.

*Get a job in the arts/media: Freelancing as a writer/actress and contributing my collages to different publications appeals to me above all right now. But, again, I'm still in college. I might decide later on that I want an office job at a magazine or production company, for instance. Part of this goal depends on the economy after I graduate from college and the nature of media in the next few years. As far as I know, magazines may not exist once I get out of school! I am sure that so long as I write/act, and make collages on the side, I'll be happy.

*Visit at least twenty foreign countries: Four down, sixteen to go! I have plans to visit the fifth this summer, though, and another one next summer!

*Act in at least one full-length feature film: I do A LOT of screen acting so this goal will probably be fulfilled before I even finish college.

*Become truly fluent in Spanish and French: I've studied the languages for years and continue to do so in college. Since I'm minoring in French and I regularly practice Spanish, this seems like a very realistic goal.

*Spread my love of storytelling to the biggest audience possible: This goal is exactly the sort of goal I advised you NOT to form but I did it anyway. I'm still brainstorming how to phrase the fact that I love to write and enjoy acting and making collages, and wish to use my talents to tell stories and convey interesting, worthwhile messages to people. Right now I'm accomplishing this goal by writing a lot, acting a lot, and collaging a lot and distributing my art as many ways as I know are possible. But I'm not sure how to quantify all of this and how to determine when I've reached my goal. It's such a romantic goal that I almost believe it's better not to place limitations on it.

At twenty years of age, I know that I'm bound to change these goals in one way or another. I also recognize that I won't necessarily fulfill them or any other goals I create for myself in the future. But earnestly pursuing them is what really matters in the end.