This post is part one in the [1] Goal Setting Success series.

What makes life worth living?

What is so important to you that it is absolutely essential for an ideal life?

The answers to these questions point to your Key Elements — the fundamental drivers for everything that you do.

Why You Do the Things You Do

Your Key Elements drive you whether you are aware of them or not.

[2] View the Full Diagram

As you look back over your life, you will begin to see patterns emerge around certain elements. Many begin to surface around adolescence. Others have been with you for as long as you can remember.

These elements may manifest as values, passions, hopes, or dreams. They are the basic building blocks of the things you’ve accomplished, and the things you yearn for.

Every time you have a big achievement or feel a deep desire, it can be traced back to one or several of your Key Elements.

Start with the Basics

Like most things in life, the more you’re aware of something, the better your chances are to utilize it. Knowing those deep drivers is crucial to setting goals that are achievable. The more closely your goals tie back to your Key Elements, the more likely you will reach them (and in most cases, exceed them).

So the first step in the Goal Setting Success process is to identify and really understand your Key Elements.

The easiest way to identify them is to [3] look for patterns in your life. See where they have been influencing your actions, and use those actions as clues.

Some are obvious. For example, if “family” is one of your Key Elements, you can see how you’ve made most decisions in your life based on “family.”

Take some time to sit quietly and reflect on the major decisions and turning points in your life. Look for clues as to what may have influenced them.

Observe yourself during an average day. What qualities help you make certain decisions?

Some other questions to ask are:

• What is central to an ideal life?
• What things make me feel the greatest satisfaction?
• What part of my life that if taken away, would have the biggest impact?
• What led me to the friends, groups, clubs, and activities I have chosen throughout my life?
• Who has had the biggest influence on my life, and what “tags” would I use to identify this person?

As you answer these questions, they will begin to point to your Key Elements. This becomes the foundation for setting goals that aren’t only achievable, but can become almost automatic.

From this foundation, you set your Master Goals. We’ll talk about that in part two.

The Goal Setting Success Series

• [4] Intro: Setting Goals So You Actually Accomplish Them
• [5] Part 1: The Key Elements of an Ideal Life
• [6] Part 2: Master Your Master Goals
• [7] Part 3: The Finer Points of Writing Goals
• [8] Part 4: In the Wild with Synchronicity, Opportunity, and Attracting Success