Overcoming the "me" goals

I am happy to report that this past week I was off duties and able to recover from the frantic and meaningless activities at work. At least four hours a day I did work on a job assignment; however, "working-while-on vacation" is a routine for me.

The time away from the job has given me the chance to redefine (again) my smaller- and bigger-scale goals, learn more about some financial tools, and ruminate on how to align the spiritual with the material.

I hope that you also have had some time around the holidays to ponder about what comes next in your life.

I have also been listening to the podcasts of ChooseFI. I have been reading some of the latest posts of JL Collins and the other FI (financial independence) people (look here).

It is refreshing to learn from a bunch of highly organized, intentional and reflective people how they perceive life and how they prepare for intentional existence. The FI folks truly create the impression of being masters of their lives. They know what their goals are, they know how to get there, they track each step in the journey. 

I have only admiration (and a bit of envy) for these guys. In contrast, the only thing I currently know is that I would love to get out of the current job in four years. However, I have no clear idea on what I will do after these four years. And this means that my journey is not inspired. The goals and my next life destination should be the driving force that fuels me through the years. As of now, I am unsure that I can make it through almost 1500 workdays (that's right, I count weekends too, and with a good reason)!  

My next assignment is to think what comes after the 1500 days, so that I could align the material needs with my spiritual aspirations. The default would be to bum around for some time after I have secured the minimum "survival" income, and then my inspiration might come ... All I know is that my dream is not what is described at the beginning of this podcast:

I would rather visit the local library every week, have a modest and cozy home, and maybe have a garden. And maybe if I am not working even during my "vacation time", I would be able to find myself again and rediscover what truly motivates me? 

I just found the blog of the Wealthy Accountant, and interestingly, this post by him discusses the need for a simple goal when one strives for early retirement.  I still have to work on my own goal by externalizing it, i.e., by making it more about others than myself.  Being cozy and having enough time for books and gardening is great, but it is awfully egotistical.What is your goal?