105 Personal Life Goals for Successful Women

Did you know that creating and following personal life goals is one distinguishable trait of successful people? 

Successful people tend to be action oriented.

They believe in having written goals and are lethal about execution, taking action on each one.

Last year, I tried an experiment.

I created 40 personal life goals I wanted to accomplish before my 40^Th birthday, and this simple act changed my life for good.

It gave me greater purpose and the motivation to live the kind of life I will always be proud of. It was also a reminder to revisit many of the dreams I had long forgotten.
Seeing the power of setting and following through on me personal life goals led me to creating this incredible list of over 100 life goal examples that you can incorporate to live a life of joy, fulfilment, and success.

I have divided these goals into 7 categories covering everything from health and fitness to family relationships and beauty.

Personal Life Goal Categories

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT GOALS

1. Do something each day that gets you closer to your dream life.

One of the best gifts you can give yourself is to work on your dreams. This is a meaningful goal that is always worth pursuing.

2. Go to bed early.

The earlier you go to bed the more likely you are to wake up early. There are many benefits to waking up early including the chance to work on your dream tasks in the early hours before the pressures and expectations of the day come in.

3. Learn a new language.

Learning a new language is such a high-level social skill. It improves your communication and makes you more marketable especially if you learn one of the most sought-after languages including – Spanish, French, Mandarin, and Arabic.

4. Create more than You Consume.

Build things, produce things, look for ways to leave your mark on this world. I believe this goal is more pressing in today’s world where we are more likely to consume information than to create it. And it’s not just about writing pithy social media posts but content that has lasting value according to this article.

5. Use social media constructively.

Social media can be an idea bank or a rabbit hole depending on how you use it. I have learned that curating your social media pages is key to using it well. This includes filtering the people and topics your follow or interact with, scheduling the times you are on there, and ensuring that you are also using it as an avenue to invest in your brand and online presence.

6. Avoid complaining and worrying.

Complaining robs us of the joy and gift of each moment.

A few weeks ago, I tried a “no complain” challenge and it was such a fruitful exercise. We often do not realise how much we complain and how we are prone to worry and anxiety until we track it. Every time I found myself complaining or about to complain, I would reframe it into gratitude or a problem-solving exercise.

This was an eye-opening experience. I ended up happier each day, less stressed, and with more ideas on how to tackle those problem areas we all have.

7. Learn a new skill.

Being a life-long student means we are willing to learn new things and are not afraid or shy about starting afresh.

Learning and improving your skills should be a big part of your personal development goals.

8. Read more books.

Reading is one of life’s greatest pleasures and also one of the best ways to both learn and entertain ourselves. You can create a list of different types of books you wish to read.

You can also start with our incredible list of personal finance books to help women manage and increase their income.

9. Write a book.

I have heard it said that everyone should write a book, and I agree. We all have stories and experiences that have shaped our lives and may be useful for others.

10. Make your bed daily.

This simple act will often be the first real task you accomplish in your day and can set the tone for the rest of your day. You also have a tidier room, which is a win-win.

11. Outsource errands.

You don’t have to do everything. Actually, you shouldn’t! You’re better off selecting what tasks and errands can be outsourced or delegated. This could include grocery shopping, cleaning, picking, or dropping off laundry, etc.

12. Create art.

I believe in investing in different creative expression. Getting into art is one great way to develop your creativity muscle.

Art here is pretty wide ranging – from painting, to crafts, sculpting amongst others.

13. Build a growth mindset. 

What is your learning style? Are you likely to give up where the subject proves difficult or complicated or would usually power through knowing that new or complex ideas may take a little more time and effort to accomplish?

While most of us often fall in the former, having a growth mindset is a major key to success and accomplishment. It means that we are usually willing to go the long haul, and not give up or believe we are just not good enough.

14. Avoid negative self-talk.

Following on from the above goal, it is important to watch the words you say to yourself and how you see yourself.

Negative self-talk can quickly lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy where we exhibit or do the very things, we say about ourselves.

Remember that “what you focus on expands.”

15. Limit screen time

Be jealous with your time. Guard your ear gates and eye gates from excessive social media use or excessive consumption of information.

Cal Newport, the author of Digital Minimalism shares a philosophy of technology use case that believes we should streamline our online time to focus on the high value things.

16. Declutter regularly.

“If you want to improve your life, clean out a closet.” — Cheryl Richardson

Create a regular schedule for decluttering different areas of your space. This could be a weekly, monthly, or quarterly schedule. I recommend you don’t wait too long between sessions, so it doesn’t get much harder to declutter.

17. Journal

Keep a record of your thoughts and ideas. Journaling is a powerful habit that helps us process and refine our thinking.

18. Develop better habits.

Good habits are the building blocks of a happy and successful life. This means creating a pathway that allows you to continually develop your habits will be a game changer. It will propel you to higher heights much faster.

19. Finish what you start.

Finishing what you start builds discipline, strengthens your sense of responsibility, and boosts your confidence. It shows commitment, helps you develop problem-solving skills, and often leads to a sense of accomplishment. Completing tasks also creates momentum, making future goals feel more achievable.

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HEALTH AND FITNESS GOALS

1. Walk at least 12,000 steps a day.

Walking is still one of the best forms of exercise and probably the easiest to start and practice. Walking also becomes purposeful where you have a time expectation or step count.

I usually recommend at least 12,000 steps a day, which is about 2 -3 hours depending on your pace, to see visible results in your body.

2. Daily stretching exercise

Making exercise a daily habit is one of the best things you can do for your health, this is especially so as we navigate our 30’s and prepare for our 40’s.

Stretching is a low-hanging fruit when it comes to intense but simple exercise routines. It can help improve blood flow and help keep your muscles nimble. A 5-10minute stretching exercise can go a long way. I tend to stretch when I wake up and during my evening walks.

3. Adopt better Portion control and snacking control.

When it comes to eating, one area that doesn’t get as much attention is portion control. This goes beyond what you eat to how much of it you eat.

Incorporating good portion control will improve your eating habits and overall health. The same also goes for snacking. Getting into the habit of always snacking before meals may seem harmless but can affect the opportunity for the body to digest your main meals.

Here are some more ideas about portion control.

4. Do an annual medical check-up.

How often do you get health tests done? This includes blood tests, weight checks, mammograms amongst other things. Keeping an eye on your health indices will help you catch any health issues before they advance.

5. Try intermittent fasting 1-2 times a week.

I love intermittent fasting. It has helped me curb what used to be an indiscipline eating habit.

Intermittent fasting gives your body time to digest and assimilate nutrients from already eaten meals, which in turn allows your organs function better. There are different options. You can find out more here.

6. Eat more whole foods and reduce intake of processed foods.

This goes without saying but should be a clear and daily health goal. You can incorporate more whole foods through meal planning or using a healthy food delivery service.

7. Practice self-care every day.

Self-care is a non-negotiable for a happier and more balanced life. Self-care here means the practices, routines, and actions that build up your body, mind, and soul. For more ideas, check out this post, and this post.

8. Eat your fruit and veggies every day and twice on Sunday.

Just get into the habit of eating more fruit and veggies. You can go for a 2 for 1 or 2 for 2 ratios of fruits to veggies.

9. Drink at least 6 glasses of water daily

Your water intake affects the proper functioning of your body. Invest in things that will increase the quantity and quality of water you consume.

10. Take supplements.

Supplements are a great addition to an existing healthy lifestyle, but they cannot take the place of it.

I currently take evening primrose oil supplements for hormonal balancing, and it’s been amazing for my skin and overall body. Other options include Zinc supplements, Vitamin D. You may need to speak with your healthcare provider before you decide.

11. Try Pilates or dance classes.

Pilates is a great exercise option to build up your core and keep your muscles nimble.

Dance classes are a fun and awesome way to stay fit, they are also great for blood circulation and cardiac functions.

12. Meal planning and meal prepping

Meal planning is one of the best ways to save on food while also improving your food choices. Here is a post on how to meal plan.

13. Spend more time in nature and outdoors.

How often do you go outside. I remember growing up it was normal to spend most of the day outside and only come in for dinner or when it starts getting dark.

With the advent of computers, video games, and social media, so much has changed for today’s children, and even for many of us, but spending time outdoors can have a positive effect on our mental health and outlook on life. Do this as often as you can.

14. Invest in where you sleep. 

Where you sleep can affect the quality of your sleep. Invest a good quality mattress and sheets, ensure you have proper ventilation and lighting in your bedroom, these may seem small but can go a long way to determining the quality of your sleep.

15. Schedule Spa days.

Spa days are a beautiful expression of mental and physical self-care. This could include massages, facials, aromatic baths and even the use of saunas.

16. Prioritise rest.

Have your noticed how society often applauds those who keep going and never rest, but shame them when they suffer burnout?

It is important to know your body and listen to the cues it gives you to rest. Finding time to rest is not a nice activity but a non-negotiable to keep you healthy and poised for the long haul.

Remember that life is a marathon not a sprint. Take the breaks, you need them.

CAREER & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GOALS

1. Gain mastery in your key interest area

One of the best things you can do for your career is to gain mastery in your focal area. Decide on what you want to be known for and invest your time and resources until your reach the expert level.

2. Move past limiting beliefs and timidity.

Courage is non-negotiable. To truly excel in the business world, we need to move past our fears and limiting beliefs. This will require a level of boldness and faith.

3. Be Proactive

Think ahead. Don’t wait until something happens to respond. Fortune favours those who are proactive much more than those who are reactive.

4. Learn critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

There are certain skills that will serve you no matter where you work or what you do. I call these soft or essential skills. Critical thinking and problem solving are great soft skills. To learn more about soft skills and how to build them, check out this post.

5. Invest in your professional network.

Join communities, associations, and groups in your areas of interest. Make the most of your high school or college alumni associations.

6. Go after what you want in your career.

It’s up to you to pursue your career goals. You don’t need anyone’s permission neither can you wait for others to see your value or to fight for you.

7. Try something new.

This could be a new role in the same industry/company or to try an entirely different career path. For example, I went from a career in law to a Health and Safety, and it’s been a amazing journey thus far.

8. Learn time management.

Your ability to use your time efficiently and increase your focus on work tasks will come in handy. Make it a goal to improve your time management skills.

9. Know your value.

As professional women, it can be difficult to know and communicate our value. Actually, we may know our value but struggle to communicate and articulate it to others. One book that touches on this beautifully is Knowing Your Value by Mika Brzezinski, the author discusses how women can get better at showcasing their value and earning their worth.

10. Learn the art of negotiation.

Negotiation is an underrated but highly important skill in the workplace and in life. Being able to articulate your position and push through your proposition is a powerful thing. Learn it.

11. Be a better leader.

Leadership is a core 21^st century trait for those who want to make a difference in the world.

12. Focus on collaboration not competition.

Collaboration will take you much further and much faster than competition. However, you must be strategic in how you approach collaborative opportunities.

13. Delegate tasks effectively.

Don’t try to do everything yourself. Maximise the skillset of the members of your team, especially in areas where you struggle.

14. Explore new opportunities.

Don’t be so close minded that you do not give room to examine and explore new and exciting opportunities. There is a caveat – avoid the penchant for shiny object syndrome.

15. Learn public speaking.

Public speaking will do more for your career than most things. Your ability to effectively communicate an idea to large groups of people and to do at any given time will serve you well.

This is particularly so because public speaking remains one of the biggest fears of many people so surmounting this fear already puts your ahead.

One way to combat this fear is to be well prepared (know what you wish to speak about), that way, it becomes an almost unconscious act.

16. Use productivity tools to improve your work tasks.

Productivity tools are the software, applications or devices that enable you carry out your tasks in a better, faster, and more effective way. You can learn more about productivity tools here.

17. Organise your workspace.

Create order from the usual chaos of your work desk. Make time at the beginning and end of your workday to organise your workspace and create some semblance of structure on the things you work on and the sequence of each activity.

18. Get a mentor or coach.

Having a mentor or coach can speed up your career progress and accomplishments. This is especially so for mentors who are in a similar industry or interest area who can connect you to their network and help you avoid some of the obstacles inherent in your industry.

Note that your mentor/coach will not do everything for you. they provide much needed guidance, but it is still up to you to decide.

PERSONAL FINANCIAL GOALS

1. Decide on an annual financial target for each year.

Set a SMART financial target each year. This should be a figure that is both ambitious and achievable. To make this goal achievable, break it down into monthly or weekly targets and watch your mind create ways to achieve it.

2. Spend less than you earn.

One major personal finance rule is to spend less than what you earn. Use these four strategies when shopping.

3. Create a Budget

Creating a budget helps you take control of your finances by tracking income and expenses, avoiding overspending, and planning for future goals. It reduces stress, builds financial discipline, and makes it easier to save for emergencies or big purchases. A budget gives you a clear picture of where your money goes and helps you make smarter financial decisions.

4. Automate your savings.

Set it and forget it!

Automating your savings is one of the tricks to saving consistently without depending on your willpower or memory. Most banks will allow you to set a recurring transfer from your main account into a savings account.

You can also set this up for your investments, to ensure you are investing a certain percentage of your income on a regular basis.

5. Avoid impulse purchases.

One financial goal you must cultivate is to curb your excesses, especially when it comes to impulsive spending or spending without a plan. This habit will often hamper your financial progress and delay your ability to reach your financial goals.

6. Try out a No-Spend Challenge

You can try out a no-spend challenge for a day, a week or even a year. This will help you curb any unnecessary spending and ensure your shopping aligns with the kind of life you wish to live.

7. Increase your investments.

Apart from receiving an inheritance or winning the lottery, investing is the only way to build lasting wealth. There is the saying that you cannot save your way to wealth, and this is true. Investing is the means to multiply your money, and it takes many forms.

It could be investing in a business, in real estate, mutual funds, cryptocurrency and commodities.

8. Diversify your investments.

Diversifying your investments reduces risk by spreading your money across different assets, such as stocks, bonds, and real estate. This way, if one investment performs poorly, others may perform well and help balance your overall returns. Diversification helps protect your portfolio from market volatility and increases the chances of long-term financial growth.

9. Start a side hustle.

Starting a side hustle is a great way to explore new income opportunities without the pressure of leaving your current job. Here are a few ideas you can start in one weekend.

10. Pay off debt.

Do you have student loans, consumer debt, or a mortgage? Focus on ways to pay down this debt. You can start with tackling the highest interest debt.

11. Ask for a raise at work.

Ask for a raise at work with your newly acquired negotiation skills.

12. Invest in your financial knowledge.

Improving your financial knowledge is one of the best things you can do for your present and future self.

13. Create a 6month Emergency Fund.

An emergency fund provides a cushion or buffer for unexpected expenses or emergencies. I like to call it a “rainy day” fund.

14. Start a Dream Fund.

A dream fund is a non-negotiable for every one of us. We all have dreams and sometimes not having the money stops us from achieving them. Beat this by creating a dream fund and find inventive ways to fund it.

15. Start an education fund for your kids.

Okay, you may not have kids yet or they are still small, but creating this means you are way ahead when you do have them. More so, it also reduces the pressures that come providing financial care for your children.

In addition, the money can always be redistributed for approved expenses or investments.

16. Buy a house.

Owning a home is a huge boost to your financial health, this is especially so when:

• You don’t buy more space than you need.
• You pay a huge percentage of it in cash to reduce your debt burden or mortgage payments.
• You find ways to earn from your home (create a home office, rent out some parts or all of it).

17. Practice delayed gratification

Create friction between you and that spending decision. Delayed gratification is one way to do this. It is a reminder to give some space or additional time before you buy.

18. Think long-term.

Create 2 year, 5year and 10-year plans for your money.

19. Retire early!

Nothing says you must wait until you’re 65 to retire. Right now, you should focus building multiple income streams to help you achieve financial freedom in less time. You can set up a plan to retire in 10years.

20. Get a financial advisor or personal finance coach.

Getting some guidance with your financial health and management is a smart move. You are better off getting advice and direction from an expert and someone who understands your financial goals and can help you get their much faster.

FAMILY AND RELATIONSHIP GOALS

1. Learn better communication skills.

Poor communication is the bane of many households and the root of many avoidable conflicts. Be intentional about building better communication with your partner, your friends, and your loved ones.

2. Create daily time with your loved ones.

Your family is the most important bucket after yourself and investing in your relationships with your loved ones will pay great dividends all through your life.

However, this is one relationship we often take for granted. Where possible, spend time with your parents,

3. Build and maintain healthy boundaries with other people.

Having healthy boundaries should be an important aspect of adulthood. Now you get to decide who has access to you and how much access thy can have to you.

Healthy here means making smart, honest, and respectful decisions about

A big part of this is learning to say “No”.

4. Start family traditions.

It’s not too early to start meaningful family traditions. It could be date nights on certain days, movie nights with your loved ones, or even taking trips or mini retreats. There are so many things that you can turn into meaningful moments with your loved ones.

5. Create a family bucket list.

Take your family traditions to the next level by creating a family bucket list and getting everyone invested in achieving it. Each member of your family can also make suggestions as to activities or things that should go into the bucket list. The best ideas or craziest ideas should be included.

6. Schedule time to meet with your good friends.

Friendships matter. Countless studies have found that having and cultivating good friendships is connected to living a long and happy life.

7. Remember birthdays and send thoughtful notes.

There’s always something special about that one family member or friend who remembers everyone’s birthday and sends them memorable notes and gifts. You can be that person.

8. Let go of toxic relationships.

Build out a circle of friends and family who are a positive influence and

It’s okay to let go of toxic relationships, but you should do so with wisdom and make sure that your idea of toxic is not you avoiding people who tell you the truth and fail to pander to your excesses.

9. Learn to forgive.

Forgiveness is an antidote to bitterness. The reality is that we have all been hurt at one point or another, and in many cases by those closest to us. Learning to let go of the hurt and pain is one of the best things you can do for your mental health. Forgive them but also create better boundaries.

10. Document memories

Do you have pictures and videos from your 30^th birthday? Can you recall some of the amazing activities from your epic trip a few years ago?

Life is transient, and what may seem so vivid today may become a fading memory tomorrow. Learning to record and document important events in our lives is such a powerful act. Do that for yourself.

11. Practice Self-Love

No one can ever love you as much as you love yourself (well, God does, but you know what I mean). Self-love is non-negotiable. You must be kind and gentle with yourself. Here are some powerful quotes that remind how of how to love and treat yourself.

12. Host friends and extended family

The world needs more genuinely kind and hospitable hosts. People who don’t organise dinners to show off, but to build a loving community and meaningful connections. You can be that person.

13. Organise potluck dinners.

I love potluck dinners, the reduce the burden of organising a dinner on the host and allow everyone to chip in their own way. I love the diversity and variety one usually gets at potluck dinners.

If you love hosting or organising events (game night, book clubs, and bible studies) then you should consider this option.

14. Curate your space

Make your home a haven for you and your family. Curate your space in a manner that aligns with your values and home aesthetics. Your home is too important to leave it bland. This is also something I also need to work on.

TRAVEL AND BEAUTY GOALS

1. Create a travel bucket list.

Do you love to travel and explore the world? Then you can start with creating a list of 15 countries you’ve always wanted to visit. Visit at least one country each year.

2. Visit more cities in your country.

When we think about travel, it’s easy to focus on other countries, and miss out on the incredible options we have in our country. Find time to visit and explore the cities closest to you.

3. Travel solo and with a group.

Are you open to traveling on your own? Would you consider group travel opportunities?

While some of us prefer to travel alone, others are group heroes. Whatever you prefer, it is definitely nice to try both options, you may be pleasantly surprised by the outcome.

4. Visit the wonders of the world.

Explore the incredible and unforgettable places in the world. I believe visiting at least one of the wonders of the world with be a lifetime memory. You owe it to yourself to do it.

5. Learn a daily skincare routine.

Stop winging it. You are too old and too disciplined to not take your skincare seriously. Remember that your skin is also an extension of your body and is the largest organ you have. Invest in a good daily skin care routine.

6. Wear Sunscreen daily

Protect your skin from the sun. Wearing sunscreen is a no-brainer but something we may often forget. You can buy a few bottles, so you always have one on hand, especially during the warmer seasons.

7. Create a minimalist wardrobe.

Curate your wardrobe and invest in clothes you like and clothing (clothes, shoes, bags, and accessories) that fits, this makes it much easier to re-wear them.

8. Buy quality over quantity.

Good quality clothes and accessories will usually last longer and wear better.

9. Invest in statement pieces.

Statement pieces can take your outfit from boring to glorious, they are also a great conversation starter at events. That’s a win-win.

10. Take mini retreats.

Make the most of public holidays and weekends for min-retreats or getaways. The idea is to find pockets of time to rest and recharge.

GENERAL LIFE GOALS

1. Create a Personal Mission Statement for your life.

Who are you? What are your defining beliefs and values. It’s so important to know who you truly are and the things that matter to you. Getting this right can improve your decision making and life choices.

2. Host an event in your country.

Have you ever considered hosting an event? Like creating and holding an event. I think it is a great albeit unpopular goal to strive for.

3. Mentor a younger woman

Mentoring is a fantastic way to give back and impact the life another person. I love mentoring because it is more hands-on and gives the other person better access to you and how you live your life.

4. Retain professional advisors.

You don’t have all the answers and you do not always know what to do. Having access to a lawyer, financial advisor and even a coach can have a monumental impact on your finances, relationships, and life.

5. Get life insurance.

Don’t leave your loved ones stranded. Invest in life insurance. No, this does not mean you will die, but it acts as a cushion if something were to happen to you.

6. Have a will.

A will is a document that highlights how you want your assets and belongings distributed when you’re no longer here.

Avoid the tendency to ignore this because you think it is morbid. It is great financial advice, especially where you have a few assets in your name.

7. Create an ICE Binder

ICE stands for In Case of Emergency. This should include key personal information, household details, medical information, and financial information. The idea is that if at all anything happens to you or any member of your family, you can access relevant information during such a season. 

8. Create a Dream life bucket list.

Create a list of dreams and goals. this should be a running list of some of the biggest and scariest things you’ve always wanted to accomplish and make time to read through and select which things you wish to work on, per time.

Personal Life Goals create an Abundant life.

Thank you for reading through this incredible list of 100 personal life goals.

I have learned that setting personal life goals is one of the most powerful ways for women to take control of their future. It allows us to foster self-growth and create a life of meaning.

Whether you’re aiming to prioritize your health, build meaningful relationships, advance in your career, or simply find more joy in everyday moments, having clear, intentional goals keeps you focused and motivated. Remember, your journey is uniquely yours—start small, stay consistent, and celebrate each step forward. With the right mindset and a vision for your future, there’s no limit to what you can achieve.

All the best!

NB: Which of these categories do you wish to focus on this month? Do share in the comments.