Things I Want to Achieve Before I’m 40

The Truth Is

Whilst having goals is typically a good thing; they aren’t without their downsides. Personally, I’ve found that having them can lead to anxiety if left unachieved. Another struggle is that it is possible to become ‘goal-obsessed’. Both of these are struggles that I’ve been caught up in before. There are things that I want achieve before I’m 40 though; mostly goals left unresolved from my teens and twenties. The thing is, making these a reality should augment my happiness, not be a condition of it.

What I’ve Come to Realise

Is that despite the things I want to achieve; the reality is that any goal I meet will be replaced by another. What this leads to is a never-ending cycle. Happiness cannot be achieved if tied to a goal because if the goal doesn’t get met, you’re miserable and if it does get met, it’s temporary.

There are many goals I want to achieve. I want to be the best blogger I can, the best writer, see places I haven’t seen and do things I haven’t done. Of course there are many more than I list below, that’s why I’ve tied them to the next eight years. With the right dedication and support though, all these are achievable and they’re not goals I need to work towards alone.

The Things I Want to Achieve (and Why)

#01) The First of the Things I Want to Achieve is to Become a Regular Participant of Poetry and Short Story Competitions

This is a difficult goal to quantify. Setting an amount, would be arbitrary and a little silly. It is a thing I want to achieve though. There are a few reasons that this is important to me; it rebuilds my body of work, offers me deadline challenges (without repercussion) and gets my name back out there amongst other writers.

The point is though, I want to be entering and challenging myself as often as I can.

#02) Have Blogging Become My Primary Source of Income

Blogging and writing are quite different things. It is my experience that non-bloggers don’t realise this. The truth is, I couldn’t happily be a writer but not a blogger too. I enjoy the marketing, social-media promotion, negotiation and image work that goes with the job.

It is fun and it’s very me.

#03) Release My First Poetry Book

Whether I launch an eBook or paperback, it doesn’t mater. The thing that matters is seeing the project through from start to finish and finally having my poems out there in a collection.

#04) Release My First Novel

Like the poetry book, the format doesn’t matter.

It’s all about seeing it through being able to say that I finally met one of my lifelong goals. I have a few ideas in mind for this story.

#05) The Smartest of the Things I Want To Achieve is To Finally Be Debt-Free

A number of challenges in my life have left me with some debt. The truth is that it could be significantly worse than it is, but, it is there and I don’t want it to be. So, I’d love to take on a few projects with the aim of conquering my debt once and for all. Many bloggers have achieved this through matched betting. I don’t know if this is the way for me but it is worth looking exploring.

#06) Visit Iceland, Scotland or Italy (or Just Go Abroad in General)

I’ve not explored as much of the world as I would like.

These are three places that have been in my sights for the longest time. There is something magical about the idea of sharing the Northern Lights with perfect company.

#07) Guest on a Radio show or Podcast

Earlier this year, this opportunity presented itself. Unfortunately, it didn’t pan out. It is something I’ve always wanted to do though. So, actually seeing that made a reality is something I’d like to make happen.

#08) Work With an Artist to Create a VN (Visual Novel)

I have an idea for a visual novel.

This came to me a little while ago and focuses around the theme of male pressure to provide and the depression and anxiety that comes with it. The idea is to raise awareness of many of the themes covered during International Men’s Day. I could do the art but it would be a much less stressful experience if I just handled the writing and coding.

#09) Have a Self-Help/Wellness Article Featured in a Magazine

I love writing self-help pieces. As someone who has suffered from anxiety, stress and depression at various stages of his life; I feel like I have a lot of advice to offer and as a fan of the printed format, of course I’d love to see that there.

#10) The Last of the Things I want To Achieve Is a Secret, Sorry!

My life is an open book for the most part. I talk quite candidly about my experiences good and bad. This one though; this is a secret. The ultimate thing I want to achieve before I’m 40 is something known only by one other. It is something I dream about every day and would give up on every other goal here to achieve. You’ll know one day dearest reader, once I’ve achieved this final thing… you’ll know.