Journal Prompts for Setting Life Goals and Aspirations

• 1. Write about something that you hope to accomplish by ______________ (name a specific date). Explain why this goal is important to you.
• 2. Write about something that really excites you. Describe how you feel when you think of doing it. What does that make you think of?
• 3. Write about a dream vacation. What would you like to see and experience? Include details such as people, places, activities, etc. Be sure to include at least one item from your list above.
• 4. Write about someone who inspires you. Why do you admire them? Is being around them good for you? Are they happy? Describe anything else that makes them special.
• 5. Write about a moment that made a significant impact on you. Describe that moment vividly, including the feelings you had while experiencing it.
• 6. Think of three words that describe you. Explain how these words apply to you. Choose one word that represents you best. For example, I am “creative.” I love creating new ideas and developing my business in an innovative fashion. I believe every individual has a creative spirit inside him/her. The first person I thought of when writing about myself was “determined” as I have always been determined to achieve my goals in life.
• 7. What are some things that you would like to learn more about? Who or what would you like to study further?
• 8. Write about a time in your life when you felt confident with yourself and your abilities. Think back to that day—what were you wearing, what song played, what were you thinking? Could you remember what happened next? Describe that environment.
• 9. Think about what has changed in your life since you started working toward your dreams. Have your dreams changed as well?
• 10. Describe a situation that gives you confidence today.
• 11. Imagine that you’ve just won the lottery. Your only problem now is choosing which one of your five wishes you’re going to choose first. Which one will you choose?
• 12. Tell me about something that excites you right now. Do you think you’ll ever do it? Why or why not?
• 13. Now that you have accomplished so many of your goals, which ones need work? Describe them and explain what you plan to do about them.
• 14. Thinking about the last year of your life, what would you want to change? What would stay the same?
• 15. Make up a story about a character who is different than you. Give his/her name, gender, and personality traits. Who might he be? Would he enjoy traveling? Love to read? Hate sports? And so on?
• 16. Look at a photograph of someone you know and make a caption for it. For example: “The most beautiful woman in the world,” “A perfect match,” “My soul mate,” “He loves me,” or whatever comes to mind. Tell what you see, and then explain what this person means to you.
• 17. Make a list of ten things you will never give up on. Then decide what one of those things should be. Now break that goal into two smaller parts. For instance, say you’d like to become fluent in Japanese by age 40; set out your schedule for learning Japanese, studying it once a week, and practicing daily for at least six months before deciding whether or not you have succeeded. Finally, write down the specific methods you will use to get there.
• 18. What does your dream look like to you? How can you develop discipline in order to make your vision come true?
• 19. Think of a friend. When you first met her/him, what was she/he doing, feeling, or thinking? Think back to that moment now. Can you still recall what you said and did? If so, describe your memory of your conversation. Can you see the scene clearly in your mind’s eye? Does it bring back any emotions?
• 20. Imagine yourself twenty years from now. Create a picture of what happens. Where have you gone? Who have you met? Is anything different?
• 21. Have you ever had a relationship that helped shape your character? Did it enhance your success in life? In what way?
• 22. Who’s been your greatest champion at work? How did they help you succeed?
• 23. You cannot go wrong by having fun. What makes you feel joyful?
• 24. Think of a place you would like to visit someday. Write down the reasons why you want to go there.
• 25. Think of someone you admire. Ask yourself if you share similar values with him/her.
• 26. Imagine that you could turn back time and meet any famous people of our era. Whom would you invite along? Why?
• 27. What are some of the things that would really make you happy? Do these things exist outside your imagination? (For example, would you trade a great job for money?) What’s stopping you from pursuing them?
• 28.Now that you have attained one of your goals, which other dreams seem more worthy than your first? Why?
• 29.If you were planning to leave school next year, when would you leave? Why? Are your plans changing because of your goals? Explain how.
• 30.Make a list of what you hope to accomplish during the next month.
• 31.What has changed for you since you started setting goals?
• 32.Write about a childhood memory that remains vivid for you. How do you remember it best? What emotion does it evoke in you? What did you learn from it?
• 33. Create five future goals. Describe each one briefly. List details about what you need to do to complete each goal. Then follow through with your plan. Check off each task as completed. How far ahead are you willing to take responsibility?
• 34. When you think of a new idea, write down everything you can recall about its origin. How did it happen? What obstacles did you overcome?
• 35. Draw an outline of your career path. Then fill in all the dots. Which steps matter most? How can you improve your own performance?
• 36. Think of a person who has made enormous sacrifices to achieve his or her goals. Tell us something about this person’s personality.
• 37. Describe your worst experience. Were you able to bounce back from the situation? If so, explain its impact on you. If not, how long did it last?
• 38. Think about the people who have influenced you positively. Describe their positive qualities, including physical appearance, mannerisms, speech patterns, interests, and other traits.
• 39. Try to imagine how you will be perceived at 70. What kinds of words, actions, or characteristics might cause others to view you differently?
• 40. Do you use “I” statements in your personal relationships? The truth is, we always talk about ourselves, even though many times we don’t mean to.
• 41. How much control do you have over your attitude? A majority of the time, we allow other people to determine how we act. We often react rather than respond.
• 42. Have you ever failed to live up to your expectations? What happened? How did it affect you emotionally?
• 43. Have you ever allowed circumstances beyond your control to defeat you? Define what happened and how you resolved the issue.
• 44. Write a letter to yourself from ten years ago. Where will you be today? What accomplishments or goals have you achieved then? How will they stand up ten years later?
• 45. Would you like to change your life? How would you go about doing it? Identify specific goals you’d like to attain. Describe where you’re now in your pursuit of these goals.
• 46. Take stock of the major decisions you’ve made in your life thus far. How do they reflect who you are?
• 47. Give three reasons why success is important to you. Share one reason why failure should never be tolerated.
• 48. Make a chart listing every single thing you possess that’s physically valuable to you. Include money, cars, homes, jewelry, clothing, etc.
• 49. How well prepared are you for the future? Can you answer yes to any two questions: (1) Will I still enjoy my job after retirement?; (2) Am I sufficiently financially secure?
• 50. What fears hold you back? How can you get past them?
• 51. Who is more responsible for your failures—you or someone else? Discuss this topic with a friend.
• 52. What’s been happening with your friends lately? Is there a pattern? Are they getting married, having kids, moving away? Why does this change continue to occur?
• 53. What’s the worst thing that could happen to you right now? Don’t worry about punishment or consequences.
• 54. What’s the best thing you could accomplish with your life? What kind of work would make you happy? What hobbies could you pursue? What kind of spouse and family could you envision? Imagine yourself on your deathbed—what’s one thing you want to leave behind?
• 55. Describe five things you love most about yourself. Each should sound as if it were written by an unbiased observer.
• 56. Choose one person who has had the greatest influence on your life. What is it that makes the relationship special?
• 57. Compare your current lifestyle with the goals you established when you were younger. How different are they? What adjustments need to be made?
• 58. List ten ways in which you hope to improve your performance during the coming year. Which ones will require action on your part? Which ones are already being taken care of?
• 59. Describe your strongest desire. Why is it so strong? What will you do to bring this desire into reality?
• 60. Describe some way your life is similar to other people’s lives. Explain what separates you.
• 61. If you knew you had six months left to live, what would you do? Would you spend time trying to repair old relationships? Or would you concentrate your energies on new adventures?
• 62. Do you have a sense of purpose in life? Explain how this came about.
• 63. Consider all of your life experiences: good times, bad times, memorable events. In order, rank them according to their significance. What are your priorities at present?
• 64. When was the last time you felt great about yourself? What triggered this emotion? Why was it significant?
• 65. What do you want your legacy to be? Be very concrete. Think ahead several decades.
• 66. Describe your ideal mate. What characteristics would you like her/him to have?
• 67. Have you ever considered making a career out of what you really enjoy doing—as opposed to the jobs you have always done?
• 68. In what areas of your life have you failed? Where did you become stuck? How long ago did these problems start occurring? Were you able to resolve them? If so, how did you overcome these obstacles?
• 69. What has changed since you graduated from college? What has remained the same?
• 70. Has anyone told you what your gifts and talents truly are? Have you discovered them yet? If not, how can your life be enhanced by discovering these gifts?
• 71. Write down everything you know about success. What do successful people share—in common?
• 72. What is your biggest fear? What keeps you awake at night? Do you feel trapped? Have any dreams been fulfilled? Are you satisfied with your place in life?
• 73. Why is it important for you to make an effort each day? To whom does your attention matter most?
• 74. Is there anything you’d like to change in your personality? Explain why.
• 75. What is it that gives you the energy to go beyond your comfort zone? What helps you relax and focus on the future?
• 76. What do you believe about money? Explain why you think this way.
• 77. Do you admire people who get things done quickly or those who take their time? What kind of individual are you?
• 78. Does your job give you satisfaction? If not, how could you increase the pleasure level?
• 79. Why isn’t your potential realized? What prevents you from achieving more than you currently have?
• 80. Describe your ideal work situation. Include details such as where you would prefer to work, among what type of people, working conditions, office décor, etc.
• 81. Describe three words which describe your current work environment. For example, if they were “fun”, “exciting” and “challenging”, then the environment probably involves lots of teamwork and creativity.
• 82. What would happen if you tried doing the opposite of what everyone else is doing?
• 83. Describe something you’ve accomplished recently. Did it involve a lot of hard work? Was it difficult? Why did you choose to undertake this task?
• 84. What are you going to attempt next? Is it realistic? Explain why.
• 85. What are the two best things that have happened to you, personally? How will you use them to improve your life? How will you apply the lessons learned?
• 86. Would you rather learn something new (new skill) or repeat something old (a habit)? Explain.
• 87. Name five activities you engage in daily, that serve no purpose except to make you happy.
• 88. What qualities do you look for in others?
• 89. Have you ever had a dream come true? Explain. What does this tell you about yourself?
• 90. If you had one chance to live over again, what would you do differently?
• 91. Who was the last person you met before entering Heaven? Describe their aura.
• 92. What is your greatest weakness? What strengths do you possess?
• 93. What is your idea of perfect love?
• 94. Is your life moving forward or backward? What is holding you back?
• 95. In general, how well do you understand people? Do you think you are more outgoing than other people you know? Why?
• 96. What traits do you see in others? Which ones do you want to develop in yourself?
• 97. What should you do to become a better listener?
• 98. Describe someone you consider very special.
• 99. Who has influenced you most deeply in your life? Explain why.
• 100. Choose one characteristic which represents the core values upon which you build your life. Share with us all about it.

Conclusion

I hope that these prompt ideas have helped you to better your daily routines, personal goals, and build your future dream life.

Remember that when difficult times happen, we can always find comfort by looking at the positive side of our lives. We must also remember that there is always a way out of any problem.

Best of luck!