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57 Things Other People Want From Life
If a genie suddenly appeared and offered to grant you a single wish, what would you say?
Most people answer, “Money!” and name a huge amount. But money is fleeting. And it does nothing for you unless you spend it on something meaningful … which brings you back to square one:
What do you really want?
I get flummoxed deciding what to eat for dinner, let alone figuring out what I want in life. Luckily, a lot of brainstorming comes in handy — especially when prompted by outside ideas. That’s why I’ve compiled this list of things other people want in life.
I’m not saying you should want what somebody else does. But maybe by reading through these varied replies I’ve gleaned from friends and other sources, it’ll stir up some fresh ideas for you.
And while you’re brainstorming, remember that no idea is too big for someone living the writer’s life. You don’t face the same constraints other people deal with. Unlimited income potential and the freedom to work when and where you choose give you enormous freedom. Your biggest hurdle is deciding what you want and then going after it.
So if the question, “What do you want in life?” leaves you stumped, you can at least get your goal-oriented juices flowing by taking a look at the list below.
But before you start, do me a favor. Really read through this list and note the things that you might want. Goal-setting is something that takes focused thought. It’s easy to brush it off and say you’ll do it later, but then chances are good you’ll never get back to it.
Just remember, the payoff could be huge if you really put some effort into this. So here is your idea-generating list of 57 things other people want from life:
Material Things
Big house
Nice car
Fashionable clothes
Plenty of money for dining out
A big enough budget for luxury travel
Thin friends
An attractive spouse
Self-Confidence Things
To neither look nor feel fat
To eat whatever you want without gaining weight
To hold your own in a political conversation
To learn to dance without looking stupid
To be attractive as you age
To be the life of the party, at least once
To know what you want and have the confidence to go after it
Adventurous Things
Visit every continent
Speak a foreign language — fluently
Learn how to take professional photographs
Go scuba diving, cliff diving, or skydiving
Live in a beautiful, serene place
Volunteer in a disaster zone
Go to a major sports championship, like Wimbledon
Pilot a plane
Spend New Year’s in New York City
Spiritual/Emotional Things
Have at least one true best friend
Feel relief from social judgment
Reconcile with an enemy
Be remembered in a positive way after death
Know that you made a difference in someone else’s life
Feel important to others
Know yourself and feel centered
Live each day without regret
Quiet self-limiting thoughts
Career-Related Things
Reach a fabled level of success that makes you untouchable
Create a positive work/life balance
Feel as capable as others think you are
Be more productive with each minute of the day
Be recognized as talented or even brilliant
Pursue your calling while supporting your family financially
Publish a book
Make enough money to care for aging parents
Write a screenplay that gets picked up as a movie
Lifestyle Things
Start every morning with a leisurely cup of coffee instead of a rushed, chugged one
Travel the country in an RV
Have satisfying, regular sex
Not be afraid of intimacy
Have many children and grandchildren
Stay married to the same person
Find meaningful work
Find the best piece of pie, ever
Give your dog a really happy life
Health Things
Grow old without losing your mind or control of your body
Recover from a painful or debilitating disease
Not die from a painful or debilitating disease
Have plenty of energy to enjoy each day
Age gracefully, without wrinkles and without going bald
Find a way to enjoy exercise
Finish a marathon or an ironman triathlon
By reading the goals listed above, you’ll be primed to start thinking about the things that matter most to you. Over the next few days, take note of which goals continue to stand out in your mind. Then think about which of those goals complement the things that make you happiest.
Every time an idea for a new goal comes to you, write it down. Don’t filter out anything — especially if your first reaction to it is that it’s impossible.
That’s the beauty of the writer’s life. Virtually nothing is impossible once you’re able to command an income at the touch of a keyboard, anywhere and anytime.
So think big. Think about the kinds of things in life that are most satisfying and rewarding to you, and then break those things down into specifics. For example, maybe being able to provide well for your loved ones is something you find extremely satisfying.
Build on that by asking yourself what you want to provide. Do you want to send your kids to private school? Make enough money so your spouse doesn’t have to work? Treat the grandkids to a week at Disney World? Provide live-in care for an aging parent?
Once you solidify what it is you want, work backwards. Think about what it’ll take to get it. Then think about the kind of time you’re able to invest in pursuit of that goal. Finally, consider what kind of projects would be enjoyable enough to make the pursuit of that goal pleasant.
Your objective here is to find something that pays the bills but also feeds your spirit. If you’re lucky, the same thing will do both.
If your goal includes making more money, changing careers, or making a living from writing, you should really check out the AWAI Bootcamp. It’s one of the best places to find inspiration for living a goal-focused life (speaking from experience!). Click here for more information.
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