In the world of personal and professional coaching there is a term used to describe living a life aligned with one’s values, dreams, and goals. That term is True North.

Getting to True North takes time, reflective thinking, and an honest conversation with yourself about what YOU really want to experience and accomplish in life. Even before answering this week’s question I encourage you to begin the process of designing a life plan for yourself that will serve as your decision-making foundation for True North alignment. This will be very helpful as we walk through the next 10 weeks together. You can download the Smart Start Life Plan to get you started.

Let’s move on to this week’s question. Ask yourself, “Are my goals MY goals?” If so, what are the top 1-3 goals you want to accomplish by the end of this year? These goals can be smaller milestones for larger goals you’ll achieve after 2012.

If you are not sure that your goals are truly yours then this is where turning to your life plan, your True North, comes in. Your answers to the three Smart Start Life Plan questions will help you identify a number of goals that you want to achieve in your lifetime.

So, here’s your homework for the week (you may want to use a journal to capture your thoughts over the coming weeks):

1. Complete the Smart Start Life Plan process and develop your life plan statement
2. Identify 1-3 goals you want to accomplish by the end of 2012
3. Write out how your goals align to your life plan (True North)