25 Targets You Should Hit Before You Turn 25

By Danni White on July 11, 2016

www.icytales.com

The vast majority of people between the ages of 20 and 30 tend to focus more on higher education and establishing their careers during this time in their lives.

However, your young life is the best time for you to set targets for yourself above and beyond what you learn and do in life. There are certain things you can manage to accomplish in the midst of what I am sure is your busy existence that will make you happy you did when you hit 40.

While all people don’t have the same tastes or lifestyle preferences, below is a list of 25 targets you should aim to hit before you turn 25.

1. Write a letter to your older self.

Write out your goals, dreams, and plans in a letter format. Decide how many years you want to let go by before you open your letter. Fold your letter up and put it in a place where you’ll remember to see it again. When you open it five or so years from now, it will be a moment of truth to see how close you’ve gotten to your goals.

2. Learn another language.

Learning another language is not easy, but it can be a good deal of fun. You can learn through books, online courses, or even local classes. Then, when you travel to other neighborhoods or countries, you can put what you learn into practice.

3. Travel to several countries.

The best part about traveling for me is meeting the people. Every new country has a different perspective, special memories, and truthful life lessons that can be beneficial to you. You can learn a lot about yourself by spending time in different geographical environments.

4. Intentionally meet people who are different from you.

Visiting new countries and continents will introduce you to people of different races, ethnicities, and cultures. But you don’t have to travel to do this. In your own neighborhood, there may be several people who are different than you. Make it a point to introduce yourself to them and perhaps form a friendship

5. Post inspirational quotes every day on social media.

Social media offers a great opportunity to do some good in the world. No matter how many friends or followers you have, be a source of empowerment and inspiration to them by positing something positive everyday for 365 days straight.

6. Volunteer at the same place for six months straight.

Volunteering, spending your time and talents to serve in some capacity, has a huge impact on one’s attitude and outlook on life. Pick a place — a daycare center, a small group, a school, a summer camp — and share what you have to offer as an individual.

7. Make friends in new countries that you visit.

Traveling to a new country without making at least one friend is really a missed opportunity. By engaging with local people, you get to see, hear, and experience a side of their lifestyle, perspectives, and culture that you wouldn’t get to experience just by being a visitor.

8. Celebrate something every day.

Life can be hectic and many of us like to divide our days between good ones and bad ones. But when you really look at it, life overall is good and it is to be enjoyed, not endured. So find something to celebrate every day. If you got through a difficult class or turned in an unusually long project, give yourself a small celebration like buying a slice of cake, eating a bowl of ice cream, or watching a movie.

9. Take a spontaneous drive.

The best trips are often the ones we don’t think about or plan, we just go. You don’t have to visit another country, just go to another city within your state or go to another state altogether. The thing is to make it impromptu and see how it goes.

10. Develop a personal emergency account.

While you are busy living your life and reaching your goals, be aware that things do happen that we don’t plan for. Having a savings account and some financial security can help those unplanned for events go over much smoother. Make saving money on a regular basis a habit so that you don’t find yourself in a money crisis.

11. Learn to say no and mean it.

Your 20s (and your 30s for that matter) should be the time when you realize you don’t have to commit to everything that comes your way. Saying no more often than you say yes will help to ensure that you stay on track with your goals and don’t get stuck with unnecessary responsibilities.

12. Develop some level of discipline in your life.

The greatest battle you will probably ever fight is the development of self-discipline. But without it, you won’t stick to deadlines, reach goals, work hard, or realize your dreams. Creating rules, deadlines, and boundaries for yourself will keep you from having to abide by those that others set for you.

13. Do crossword and word search puzzles.

Dealing with words even in a fun way will expand your vocabulary, encourage you to read more, and help your brain think, analyze and reason.

14. Go camping.

Spending time in the great outdoors is a wonderful opportunity to appreciate nature, live off the grid, get in some exercise, get in some quiet time, spend time with family and friends, get creative with a campfire, gaze at the stars, learn new outdoor skills, and refresh before heading back to work.

15. Go skydiving.

Okay, so it might be a bit of a scary idea for some people, but let’s face it — the scariest things are sometimes the most fun. Skydiving will help you see the world from a different perspective and may assist in allowing you to release your fears.

16. Visit museums and art galleries and attend plays and concerts.

A part of being a well-round and cultured person is being at least a little bit knowledgeable about great works of art, musical types, and ancient plays. Art, theatre, and music have a profound way of leaving an indelible mark on the mind that could cause you to see the world differently.

17. Help a homeless person.

Our life isn’t only about ourselves. It is more about the people around us. How we treat people reflects our heart and soul. There are many people who have hit a hard road and just need a kind hand and a tender heart to understand and help them get back to a normal life. Giving back to someone in need is one of the best ways to create happiness and meaning in life.

18. Face all of your fears.

Let’s face this first: most of what we are afraid of is more in our minds and less a real threat to our existence. When we do what makes us afraid, we actually give ourselves props to be courageous and brave the next time around.

19. Read a lot of books.

Books hold a vast amount of information and knowledge that you won’t get from the television, music, video games, or the internet. Read books that suit your interests but be sure to read books that have proven to make a difference in people’s lives. While it is my goal to read two books a week, the real goal is to read every single day. It may take you a month to read through a 300 page book. That is fine, so long as you have read the book and retained the knowledge in it.

20. Find the things that you love and do them.

The things you love to do are the things that will make you the happy. Some people have all the money in the world, the best jobs and all the material possessions to match but they are still not happy. Real happiness comes from experiences and contributions, not things or money. Whenever you feel lost or depressed, start doing something you love and you’ll find your way back.

21. Write something every day.

Writing is a natural catharsis that allows you to express your ideas, thoughts, feelings, emotions, and experiences in real time and allow others to experience it with you through reading what you write. Writing is very transformative, but it is also very vulnerable. In order for it to connect, it must speak to truth. You have some truth to share and you can do that through writing.

22. Create a daily exercise regime.

Exercise isn’t just for athletes or powerful CEOs, it’s for everybody. You would do yourself a favor to create a daily exercise regime in your 20s that you can adjust as you age. Creating good habits of exercise now will ensure that you don’t get caught in a sedentary lifestyle later in life. Of course, your body and mind will thank you for it.

23. Take pictures.

Memories are forever, but pictures can be too. Taking pictures allows us to capture a moment in time that we won’t experience again in exactly the same way, at the same time or place, or with the same people. After a year’s worth of pictures, you’ll be able to look back and see how far you’ve come.

24. Get creative.

Creativity is a powerful force of nature. It allows us to put our imaginations into action in amazing ways. If it hasn’t already, the world will come alive to you through the lens of creativity.

25. Find a mentor.

There is always something to learn from other people. Having a mentor can be extremely helpful when you’re young and looking to make the right decisions. S/he can be a source of encouragement, partnership, and empowerment as you travel through life. Many people love the opportunity to share their advice with someone else and even help them when they need it.

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