How to Define Your Self-Sufficiency Goals

If you’ve ever said, “I’m going to start a garden,” and then proceeded to never start a garden, there could be a reason beyond laziness for your inaction. 

Setting goals are an important aspect of a self-sufficient lifestyle because research shows that people who do it are more autonomous. Self-sufficient people rarely ask for permission; they experiment and test their way into independence. 

Self-sufficient goals should be around the 6 pillars of self-sufficiency: water supply, shelter, food, energy sources, finances, and entertainment. 

These are the elements of our lives where we rely most on outside sources to carry the burden of our consumption. To slowly chip at the chains connecting us to those outside sources, we must set goals that define where we want to become more free and how we might venture to do so. 

In order for you to reach your self-sufficiency goals, they need to be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely. 

For example, instead of proclaiming, “I’m going to start a garden,” reframe the statement as follows: 

I want to start one planter bed in my backyard and grow three different types of vegetables to supplement some of my grocery store expenses. 

Let’s try another angle. What if your goal is to find a place for you to live more independently? Maybe you’re tired of paying rent for an apartment in the city and your roommates aren’t on board with your desire to own chickens. 

Whatever the case may be, getting your own piece of property with as few restrictions as possible is a huge step in any self-sufficiency plan, so a goal structured to help you achieve that would be wise to develop. Here’s how you could frame it: 

I want to obtain land with cash and build a 2 bedroom home on it without going into debt to be financially free. 

As most of us know, simply setting a goal is never enough. There is research, planning, and preparation behind every Instagrammable accomplishment. 

But when you put a goal into specific terms, you can almost see yourself achieving it long before you ever realize it. A SMART goal defines direction and provides a sense of purpose even when you hit obstacles (which, no doubt, you will on this journey to self-sufficiency). 

In addition, you’ll get a more accurate assessment of the time it might take and the resources that you’ll need to reach your goal. 

If you’re ready to commit to a more self-sufficient lifestyle, download our free Self-Sufficiency Goal Starter below and build your self-sufficiency goals for each of the 6 pillars.

Share your dreams with us in the Finding Country Self-Sufficiency Challenge Facebook Group!

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