What if the reason you feel stuck, uninspired, or burned out isn’t that you’re doing the wrong things, but because you don’t even know what you truly want? The scary truth is, most people don’t. They get caught in a loop of following other people’s expectations, chasing vague goals, or simply going through the motions.
But here’s the kicker: If you don’t know what you really want, you can’t design a life or a business that’s aligned with your true desires. That’s what leads to burnout and frustration. However, there’s a better way to set goals and live your best life, and it starts with something called a “What I Want Manifesto.”
So, when you are setting your new year’s resolutions 2025 this quarter, this powerful tool can support to make 2025 the year where you stop chasing everyone else’s dreams and start living your own.
The Way You’ve Been Setting Goals And Objectives, And How It Holds You Back
Here’s a tough pill to swallow: many of us have no idea what we really want. Sure, we have goals—earn more money, launch a new product, get a promotion, sell our business. But if those goals don’t truly light us up, they eventually lead to burnout or worse—success that feels empty.
Think about it. How often do you set goals because they sound good or because someone else suggested them? Maybe you’re following society’s expectations of what success looks like—a seven-figure business, a fancy car, a bustling team—but deep down, those things don’t really drive you.
So, what’s missing?
The connection between what you’re doing and what you actually want. And trust me, without this connection, you’ll always feel like you’re running a race without a finish line. That’s where the “What I Want Manifesto” comes in. It’s a way to take control of your life by finally getting clear on your real desires.
The “What I Want” Personal Manifesto: Meaning
The “What I Want” Manifesto is exactly what it sounds like: a written declaration of what you want in life and business. Not what you think you should want, or what others tell you to want, but what you genuinely desire.
One of the inspirations for this personal manifesto was Tim Ferriss’ dreamlining technique which he describes in his bestseller The 4-Hour Work Week. It helped me structure my desires into what I wanted to have, be, and do.
When I first discovered this concept, it was like hitting the reset button on my life. I had been running a successful business, hitting all the external milestones, but I was miserable. Why? Because I hadn’t stopped to ask myself what I truly wanted.
Here’s the power of writing down what you want: It gives you clarity, focus, and direction. Once you know what you really want, you can filter out the noise and focus on what matters.
This isn’t some abstract, wishy-washy exercise either. Business owners like you, who are balancing a million things, need a tool like this to get out of the constant hustle and into purposeful action. The simple act of writing things down—what you want to have, who you want to be, and what you want to do—can change everything.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Personal Manifesto (+ Example)
Ready to take back control of your life and business? Let’s create your “What I Want” Manifesto. Here’s how to write a manifesto, broken down in 3 steps:
Step 1: The What I Want To HAVE List
This is the part where you list all the things you want to have. These could be material items like a new home, financial goals like hitting a million dollars in revenue, or even lifestyle desires like taking a month-long vacation every year.
The key here? Don’t hold back. Write down everything you want to have, even if it feels extravagant. The point is to get clear on your desires without judgment.
Setting goals and objectives examples:
- A new Tesla
- $500K in savings
- A vacation home in Bali
Step 2: The What I Want To DO List
Next, this is the list where you write down what you want to do. These are the experiences, actions, and achievements that matter most to you. Think of it as your bucket list for the next 6 months or year.
Personal goals in business examples:
- Launch an online course.
- Travel to Italy for a month
- Sell my business for 7-figures
- Run a marathon
Extra Resource You Will Like: 6 Passive Revenue Ideas For Small Business Owners.
Step 3: The What I Want To BE List
Finally, list out who you want to be. This is about character, mindset, and identity. Do you want to be a more patient leader? A more adventurous person? A more present partner or parent? This section is all about how you want to show up in the world.
New year’s resolutions ideas:
- Be a confident and decisive leader
- Be a calm and centered person
- Be someone who embraces risk
Extra Resource You Will Like: Top 8 Traits Of Highly Successful Business Owners
How Writing My Personal Manifesto Changed My Life
When I first wrote my own “What I Want” Manifesto more than a decade ago, I was in a place of confusion and burnout. My business was doing well, but I felt lost. I realized that while I was checking off all the boxes of “success,” I wasn’t actually living the life I wanted. That’s when I sat down and asked myself the tough questions.
My initial manifesto was full of material things—cars, houses, travel. And while those are great, they didn’t address the deeper issue: who I wanted to be and what I wanted to do. After 6 months, I wrote the second edition of my manifesto. This time, I focused on becoming the person I truly aspired to be—an explorer, a creator, a leader who operates with freedom and purpose.
One of the most impactful things I wrote on my “DO” list in that second edition? Taking four weeks off to travel solo. That decision led me to Malaysia, where I had one of the most transformative experiences of my life. The clarity I gained on that trip helped me refocus my business, shed the things that were draining my energy, and align with the life I actually wanted to live.
Guiding Questions To Get Started
Not sure where to begin with your own manifesto? Here are a few questions to guide you:
- What would I do if I had no limitations (money, time, obligations)?
- What experiences or achievements would make me feel truly fulfilled?
- Who do I want to become over the next 12 months?
- What material or lifestyle changes would improve my quality of life?
- How do I want to feel when I wake up every day?
Now It’s Time to Write Your Own Personal Manifesto
There’s a reason so many people struggle with burnout, despite hitting their goals: they’re chasing things they don’t really want. A “What I Want” Manifesto gives you the clarity and focus to align your business and life with your deepest desires.
So, I challenge you: take 30 minutes today to sit down and write out your first personal manifesto. List what you want to have, who you want to be, and what you want to do in 2025. You’ll be amazed at the clarity and direction it brings.
Once you’ve written your manifesto, don’t just file it away. Hang it somewhere in sight, so you are regularly reminded of your goals. Use it as a compass to guide your decisions. Review and update your manifesto every 6 months, as your goals get achieved or evolve.
You have the power to design a life and business that doesn’t just look good on paper but feels right in your soul. 2025 can be your year of alignment, purpose, and true success. Start with knowing what you really want, and let the rest unfold.
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