How to Use the ‘Life Audit’ Theory to (Finally) Achieve Your Goals

As we move through 2025, many of us are seeking ways to make this year purposeful and fulfilling. A life audit—taking time to reflect on key areas of your life—can be a powerful tool to help you realign and refocus. With a little intentional decision-making, you can find more balance and ensure your actions are in sync with your core values. Here’s how the life audit approach can help you take charge and conquer this year.

What’s a Life Audit?

Unlike traditional goal setting, where you might focus on one specific area—like advancing in your career or achieving financial independence—a life audit takes a broader, more reflective approach. It’s about stepping back to assess your habits, priorities, and goals to make sure they align with the life you truly want across all areas, including relationships, health, finances, career, and personal growth. “It’s a way to identify what’s working, what’s not, and what changes you might need to make to create a more intentional and fulfilling life,” explains Dr. Michael Kane, MD, chief medical officer at Indiana Center for Recovery, noting that this offers a more structured way to evaluate your overall direction. 

A life audit can be a game-changer for anyone, but it’s especially beneficial for those navigating big life transitions or working in high-pressure careers. “For instance, individuals experiencing significant life changes, such as career shifts, relocations, or personal milestones may find a life audit helpful to reassess their priorities and ensure alignment with their current values and goals,” explains Janet Bayramyan, LCSW, psychotherapist and owner of Road to Wellness Therapy. It’s also a valuable tool if you’re in a demanding role, as it encourages you to take the time to periodically check in with yourself, helping maintain a healthy work-life balance and prevent burnout.

Here’s How To Do a Life Audit

Reflect on Core Areas of Your Life

Break your life down into the key categories that contribute to a well-rounded, fulfilling life, Dr. Kane suggests. Think mental and physical health, relationships, career, finances, personal growth, and fun and recreation. “Feel free to add any other areas that are uniquely important to you, such as spirituality, community involvement, or creativity.”

Once you’ve got your categories, use a simple rating system and score each category on a scale of one to 10, based on how satisfied you are. “Be honest with yourself,” Dr. Kane says. “A low score doesn’t mean you’re failing, it’s just an indicator of where you might want to focus more energy.”

Identify What Aligns With Your Values

Misalignment between your actions and core values can lead to stress, dissatisfaction, or a general sense of imbalance, making it essential to evaluate whether your actions, priorities, and daily choices are structured to honor those values—a crucial step in the life audit.

To help with this evaluation, Claudia Giolitti-Wright, LMFT, licensed psychotherapist, clinical director and founder of Psychotherapy for Young Women, recommends using some guiding questions. “Ask yourself, ‘Am I satisfied with where I am? Does this align with my values and long-term goals? What’s currently working well, and what feels misaligned or unfulfilling?’” The key to a successful life audit is self-reflection and approaching it with clarity and honesty. “Writing these insights down can help you process your thoughts and see patterns more clearly,” she says.

Sometimes, core values can clash, each competing for your time and energy, like the challenge of balancing career ambition with family time. While Dr. Kane says there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to this, one strategy is to get clear on your core priorities. “Ask yourself: ‘If I look back on my life in 10 years, what will I wish I had done more of?’ For many people, this reflection brings clarity.”

Another way to make sure you’re honoring your values, even when life gets busy, is by setting boundaries and making certain things non-negotiable. “For example, you might decide that no matter how hectic work gets, family dinners or weekly date nights are sacred,” Dr. Kane says.

Set Clear and Actionable Goals

Once you’ve identified what needs attention, start setting small, realistic, and actionable goals. “Goals should be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound,” Dr. Kane says. If your goal is to improve your physical health, start with something manageable, like taking a 10-minute walk each day, rather than overwhelming yourself with a broad goal like simply improving your health.

Dr. Kane also suggests tracking your progress, as accountability plays an essential role in building momentum and staying on track. “Whether you use a habit tracker, a calendar, or an app, seeing how much you’ve accomplished can help keep you motivated.”

Check in and Reassess Regularly

Because a life audit is a dynamic process and not a one-time event, Giolitti-Wright suggests doing a deep check-in at least once a quarter. “This allows enough time to make meaningful changes but also keeps you on track,” she says. “As life circumstances evolve, so too should your audit.”

For ongoing success, she recommends setting aside the same day and time each week for a quick check-in on how things went the previous week, taking note of what’s working and what’s not and making small adjustments as needed.

How to Make the Most Out of a Life Audit

To get the most out of a life audit, Giolitti-Wright suggests setting realistic expectations. “One common pitfall is expecting to overhaul your entire life overnight,” she says. “This is unrealistic and can only lead to frustration and burnout.” Instead, start small by choosing one or two key areas to improve and setting achievable goals.

Giolitti-Wright also points out that perfectionism can stall progress, especially for those who see the life audit as a way to correct themselves. “Remember that the goal is progress, not perfection,” she says. “Even small, imperfect actions, like starting a hobby despite limited time, can have a meaningful impact.”

Lastly, don’t focus only on what’s wrong, but celebrate your wins and what’s going well. “By staying realistic, embracing imperfection, and maintaining a balanced perspective, people can avoid these pitfalls and make the life audit the constructive, empowering process it’s meant to be,” Giolitti-Wright says.