Sad to say, few people have any personal goals for their lives. Most of us are driven by the same routine daily, never considering setting specific goals for our lives.

 

We don’t attempt even the smallest of construction jobs without a plan, and yet many people work in a field they just happened to “fall in to” because someone suggested it, or a friend was doing it, or even worse—they didn’t have anything else to do.Not have a goal or plan in your life is like being out at sea in a rowboat and having no oars. You are not in charge; you will end up wherever it goes. People without goals tend to let other people or circumstances control their lives.

 

We don’t attempt even the smallest of construction jobs without a plan, and yet many people work in a field they just happened to “fall in to” because someone suggested it, or a friend was doing it, or even worse — they didn’t have anything else to do. 

 

 

Many people say they have goals, but are sadly mistaking. They may say things like: “I want to lose weight.” or “I would like to have a larger car.” or “I want a larger paycheck.” or “Someday I’d love to learn to speak Spanish”.  When these things don’t ever seem to happen, they tend to blame it on bad fate or society. They may also make excuses like: no time to spare, too many obligations, too tired or too stressed, no money to get started etc. What they do not realize is they are not achieving their “so-called” goals because they are not goals at all; they are merely wishes and dreams.

 

Turning dreams into goals requires specific actions. A goal is so much more they a wish or a dream. A goal needs to be specific. A dream becomes a goal when action is taken.

 

We need to ask these questions:

 

Is it your goal? Is it something you passionately really want? How will reaching your make you feel? Concentrate on those thoughts for a few minutes.

 

Exactly what is your goal? Write your goal down to the last detail. If your goal is a nicer house, write down where it is located, how many rooms does it have? Does it have a playground area? And so on. If your goal is to visit Alaska, write down what you plan to do there, how long you would stay, where would you stay, etc. If it is to earn more money, write down exactly how much down to the last dollar.

 

Write down a time limit. By what date do you intend to reach your goal? For example: I am going get my degree by June 13th.

 

You first goals should be achievable. After you have the final date, you will need to make a progress plan. Big goals must be broken down into manageable parts. 

Take your main goal and break it up to smaller parts. Set time limits on all your sub goals leading up to your main goal.

 

Make a list of obstacles. Be prepared for what may have to be overcome to reach your goal. If you’re not aware of potential problems, you’ll be side-tracked when they arise and lose sight of your objective.

 

Brainstorm. Make a list of absolutely everything you can do reach your goal. Don’t worry if that list is small to start out with. When you start working towards your goal, your list will certainly grow. You will find a way to learn the skills you need as you work towards your goal.

 

Read your goal or goal out loud at least twice every day. Read through your “to do” list every morning and evening.

 

“Genius” has been described as the “ability to focus on one thing at a time.”  Many people who are “geniuses” are so not only because they have a high intellect, but because they are a gift of being able to focus on the objective or goal at hand. 

 

This same focus must come in to play when determining what your goals are in relation to success.  You need to learn to work towards one major objective and juggle a few short- and mid-range goals at the same time. 

 

Start today. Take control of your life. In order to reach your goal, you must stay focused. Eleanor Roosevelt, former First Lady, once said: “It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan”.

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