Setting goals or even simply just establishing them can be one of hardest tasks we face in our lives. To some, identifying what he or she wants and crafting a game plan to get there may come naturally to them; that’s just how they’re wired. They are able to understand what they want to achieve out of life from the moment they recognize their goals.

On the other hand, there are some that have no idea about how to get what they want, let alone what they want itself. Since we’re always developing through time, trying hard to find out who we are and what we want while establishing goals for ourselves can be insanely difficult.

We spend a majority of our lives learning about the world, others, and especially ourselves. We learn through experiences about what we love and want to prioritize, and the more comfortable we get with that, the easier it becomes for us to identify what we want.

For some, setting goals may simply be about figuring out what career they want to pursue. Don’t let this notion skew your perception of what goals actually stand for. Yes, goals can be occupation based, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. But goals also have to potential to be so much more. They can be about the lifestyle you want to live, the person you want to be, the impact you want to have, and where you want to end up in this world. To this day, I still have no idea of where I see myself in this world, but every day, my vision gets a little bit clearer.

It takes trying new things, experiencing new concepts, and learning more about yourself to fully understand and accept your goals.

1. Use your past to shape your future

Experience is the best teacher. Take your life experiences and really analyze them. Have you ever had a job? How did it make you feel? Did you enjoy working there? Was it challenging enough for you? Or maybe a sport you played or a major life experience deeply impacted you in a way nothing else has before. If you have a broad range of experiences, chances are that you have learned a great deal from them. Make your experiences your guide.

2. Recognize what is important to you

Whatever is most important to you is what is going to consume a majority of your life. Sit down one day and evaluate your life and everything you stand for. Are you a family person? An athlete? Is making money a top priority for you? Job security? Don’t ignore what’s important to you because that is what is going to give you the answers about life that you’ve been searching for.

3. Be selfish

Think about what makes you the happiest. Don’t do things because someone else is telling you to do so or because it’s what will get you the most money. Do something because you want to do it. We’re talking about shaping our futures, which is a huge part of who we are and why we exist. Being selfish is completely warranted in this case. If we’re happy with everything that we’re doing, chances are that our prospects for success are greater, and who doesn’t want that? The biggest mistake you can make in your life is letting others dictate who you are and what you do. Identify something that makes you happy and challenges you. Don’t worry about being an expert at it; the amount you’ll continue to learn is infinite.

Identifying your passions and interests and creating life-long goals takes time, and achieving them takes even longer. Every experience we have in life, whether small or big, helps us learn what we love and don’t love, what’s important to us and what isn’t. Be open and accepting to change because there are hidden opportunities behind every door you open. Once you’ve established your goals, don’t let anyone stop you from chasing after them.

Take control of your life because there is so much out there waiting for you.