I used to hate being asked what my goals were.

I would respond with some version of, "I have goals but I don't like to share them publicly" or, "I d0n't believe in setting goals, there's more to life than chasing achievement."

But both these answers were lies. The truth was I didn't know what my goals were or what I wanted from life so I hid from the question under the veil of superiority.

At that time I was rolling over in my bed each morning to mainline world news into my brain and worry about the problems of people thousands of miles away over my own difficulties.

Anytime something did come up in my life I would avoid thinking about it with video games or doomscrolling. When night fell and my anxieties got worse I would drink and party with friends allowing me to not only forget about the future, but also my past.

I had no direction in life because I never stopped to think about where I was going.

My bad habits were both the cause and the effect of this lack of clarity.

Yesterday, a friend I've known for 20+ years visited and eventually the conversation landed on what my goals were. In my previous life this would've been my cue to abort the conversation. But this time, I couldn't shut up.

Without hesitation I blabbered on about my short term goals, my long term goals, and my overall strategic vision. Not only did I know exactly what was important to me and why, but I found myself articulating this vision to him with a clarity that was surprising even to me.

I left the conversation thinking, "damn, I've really thought about this a lot."

And I have.

Three years ago I quit drinking. I deleted the news apps and social media from my phone while also banning the distraction machine from my bedroom.

Suddenly, I had space in my mind to think. It was overwhelming at first so I took to writing. It helped me get things out of my head and in front of my eyes so I could better understand myself.

It wasn't long before I started dreaming again. I started thinking about possible futures I could live, different directions I could go in life, and for the first time in a long time, I started setting goals and making plans.

Now I carve out time to think about and set annual goals that get broken down into seasonal goals that I splice into monthly goals which are further atomized into weekly and daily goals.

I have weekly check ins and reviews to update my plans and reasses my direction. I journal daily to check in with myself and contemplate the ideas swirling aronud in my mind.

The reason I could articulate myself with such clarity to my friend is because I've done the work of thinking and I did it through writing in my journal.

Clarity is powerful. It allows you to focus and weed out distractions. It reduces decision fatigue and the constant negotiations with self doubt.

But clarity doesn't come free unless you're adopting the beliefs, goals, and plans of someone else.

Writing in a notebook is one of the best methods to figure out what you believe, what your values are, and where you want to go in life.

All you've got to do is take a little time to think.

Prompt: Spend some time checking in with yourself about your goals and direction in life.

Are you heading the right way or are things veering off path right now?

What small steps can you take to make those goals a reality?