“Through the landscape of life, we fill our basket with choices, images of how, what, when and every multitude of desire. it’s astounding to realise how many visions, hopes and goals we set out for ourselves in a lifetime.”

No matter your current situation, it is important to have goals to look forward to once we get back to normal. I know ‘normal’ will probably look quite different in the future, but it is still our lives we are getting back to and it is good to have direction.

“Your future is no accident. You are building it today, with every thought, every word, every action.”

I love the ‘Now, Next, Future‘ goal idea, and have done this for myself many times. You can probably guess from the title that there are three sections to consider:

Now

Things you want to achieve right now. Basically, things you are working on… ‘now’. For me, I have decided that it’s the lockdown period.

“Looking towards the future is a wonderful and energising ideal, but it’s important to remember to live in the now. Practising daily habits of well-being today, in all areas of one’s life, is the way to enjoy the present, whilst also building a fantastic future.”

Next

The next things on your list. They aren’t far away, but you are not currently working on them. Once you have finished with your ‘Now’ goals, you can enjoy moving on to your ‘Next’ goals.

Future

Your happy pipe dreams. The things that will make the sun come out, and that you think you could achieve under perfect conditions. Your ‘Future’ goals will give you the motivation to keep on going. Your goals may change over time, too.

“The only question we need to ask ourselves at the end of each day is whether we’ve done the things today that will create the future we want. Let tomorrow take care of itself.”

Many of my goals are writing-based at the moment, whereas a month or two ago they were mostly to do with the home. For me, it is exciting that I can follow where my energy is strongest and work on those goals. ‘Work’ isn’t the best word to use actually, because when you follow the path that is the most appealing, you more effortlessly achieve your goals and it is not difficult at all. I actually get really excited when I think about my goals. It’s like the whole world is available to you; it’s a heady thought!

For my ‘Now’ goals I am focusing on my health and overall well-being; I go for long walks daily while listening to audiobooks, I’ve started a yoga practice, I journal every day plus I work on my personal growth.  When my home was the main focus before this, I had been organising and decluttering goals to inspire me.

Have you used this goal format before? It’s quite fun and motivating. Find a journal or piece of paper and pour out your Now, and Next and Future goals. Inspire yourself with your fabulous thoughts, dreams and desires. The sky is the limit.

Case Study: How Laura Transformed Her Life with the ‘Now, Next, Future’ Goal Method

Meet Laura | At 48, Laura felt stuck. She had always been a goal-setter, but midlife had brought uncertainty. She felt overwhelmed, unsure of what she truly wanted, and torn between responsibilities and long-forgotten dreams.

One evening, scrolling through her journal entries, she realised she had been writing about the same frustrations for months:

• She wanted to prioritise her health but kept putting it off.
• She dreamed of starting her own coaching practice but never took action.
• She longed to travel, but fear of change kept her rooted.

When she came across the ‘Now, Next, Future’ goal-setting method, something clicked. It was simple, structured, and gave her permission to focus on what truly mattered—without pressure to have it all figured out at once.

Step 1: Defining Her ‘Now’ Goals

Laura decided to focus on what she could control immediately. She identified three ‘Now’ goals:

• ✔ Prioritising daily movement (Pilates, strength training, and morning walks).
• ✔ Creating a consistent journaling habit to declutter her mind.
• ✔ Setting up a morning and evening routine to cultivate balance.

Instead of feeling overwhelmed by all her desires, she focused on just these for now.

Step 2: Planning Her ‘Next’ Goals

After working on her ‘Now’ goals for a few months, Laura had built momentum. Her morning walks became a non-negotiable, she was feeling stronger in her body, and journaling had become a source of clarity.

She was ready to shift focus to her ‘Next’ goals:

• ✔ Launching her coaching business with a website and social media presence.
• ✔ Finding a local Pilates studio to attend in person for more structure.
• ✔ Decluttering her home office to create a space that felt inspiring.

These goals felt close, yet still allowed her time to prepare and build confidence.

Step 3: Dreaming Big with ‘Future’ Goals

Laura allowed herself to dream without limitations. Her ‘Future’ goals included:

• ✔ Hosting wellness retreats for midlife women.
• ✔ Moving to the countryside and creating a slower-paced lifestyle.
• ✔ Taking a month-long trip to Italy to immerse herself in a new culture.

Even though these goals weren’t immediate, having them written down gave her something exciting to work towards.

The Transformation

Within a year, Laura had achieved her ‘Now’ and ‘Next’ goals and was actively working towards her ‘Future’ dreams. What changed? She realised that by focusing on what mattered most in the moment, she naturally created momentum for long-term success.

Her biggest takeaway? She didn’t need to have it all figured out – she just needed to start.

Journaling Prompts to Define Your ‘Now, Next, Future’ Goals

💡 Now:

• What do I need to prioritise in my life right now to feel happier and healthier?
• What small habits or routines can I implement today to improve my well-being?
• What is one thing I can do this week to create a positive shift in my daily life?

💡 Next:

• What am I excited to work on once I have built consistency with my current habits?
• What skills, knowledge, or resources do I need to prepare for my next big step?
• What are three short-term goals that excite and challenge me?

💡 Future:

• If there were no limitations, what would my dream life look like in 5 years?
• What experiences, adventures, or achievements would make my future self proud?
• How can I start aligning my current choices with the future I desire?

Actionable Steps to Get Started Today

• ✔ Step 1: Brain Dump Your Goals – Find a quiet space, grab your journal, and list out your ‘Now, Next, Future’ goals. Allow yourself to dream freely.
• ✔ Step 2: Prioritise One Goal in Each Category – Choose one ‘Now’ goal to focus on immediately, one ‘Next’ goal to prepare for, and one ‘Future’ goal to keep you inspired.
• ✔ Step 3: Break It Down – Write 3 small actions you can take this week for your ‘Now’ goal. Keep them simple and achievable.
• ✔ Step 4: Track & Adjust – Revisit your list weekly or monthly. Celebrate progress, adjust goals if needed, and enjoy the journey.
• ✔ Step 5: Visualise Your Future – Use a vision board, journaling, or digital notes (like the Journey app) to keep your future dreams alive.

Final Thoughts: You’re Exactly Where You Need to Be

No matter where you are in life, you have the power to shape your future. The ‘Now, Next, Future’ method is a simple yet powerful way to create clarity, build momentum, and stay inspired.

💛 Are you ready to redefine your goals and move forward with purpose? Let’s do this together. Start by writing your three goals today and take that first step towards a future you love.

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