How To Set Inspiring Goals Instead Of The Boring Sort

I am writing this after travelling back in time. A trip for work gave me an opportunity to revisit the village where, 25 years earlier, I first had a house of my own.

It was, and still is, a tiny house which backs onto an open field. When I lived there, I saw my first hare racing across the flinty soil. There used to be skylarks too yet as I retraced my younger footsteps there was no sweet song, just a bitter east wind.

Back in the high street, there were obvious changes. Many new houses had appeared and I struggled to remember what had been there before. Some buildings I did recognize - The Bell Inn and The Goat are both still open for business and opposite stands the Peace Memorial Hall. The old car showroom is now shared between a florist and a pharmacy.

As I reflected on all the changes, I happened to walk past the undertakers and I was struck by the advertising slogan on the window: "There are many changes in the world but some values remain true".

That day, the words had a special ring for me. What values did remain true after 25 years? Certainly many had changed, so what legacy had I created after a quarter of a century?

The concept of legacy applies to any phase of life; the legacy is the lasting result. This is exciting because by using the idea of legacy we gain a new and inspiring way of deciding on goals. Rather than asking the more usual "what do I want to achieve?" we can ask "what do I want my legacy to be?"

In your current phase of life and work, what lasting result will you leave behind? It could be any number of things. The question is: are you going to let it happen by accident or will you make it a conscious choice?

When you consider what you would like your legacy to be, the scope for inspiration opens up. You can find this by being honest with yourself over the following questions:

1. What legacy from you would give most benefit to others?

2. What legacy fits best with what you believe is important?

3. What legacy would bring most satisfaction to you?

4. What legacy inspires you most?

Our ultimate legacy is, of course, what we leave for others when we finally depart this life (perhaps it is not entirely coincidental that the slogan I saw on the window was at the undertakers!). Most of us are unlikely to choose a statue in the square or a memorial in the cathedral. Yet, when you take time to look, you will have a sense of what you really care about. Your personal legacy could honour that in some way.

Choosing goals is much more than a progression of achievements - it is about creating lasting value for ourselves and for those with whom we share this beautiful planet.