DAY 3 OF 21 - SETTING AND ACHIEVING GOALS

The dictionary defines a goal as the end toward which effort is directed. Most people are turned off by the thought of effort. Goal setting then usually gets put off or put aside for a future time. Goal setting gives direction to your life. Setting a goal is like having a pesonal road map to guide you daily. You should no more take chances on conducting your life without direction than you would consider taking a trip without a map or Google directions.

In everything I have ever read and every seminar I have attended, one theme is constant: all successful people - the world's top achievers, the real movers and shakers - are goal setters. AND, they WRITE THEM DOWN. So, it seems to me that to be successful, an achiever, one needs to not only set goals but write them down. Goals are personal and uniquely yours. If you are not convinced about the benefits of goal setting, let me ask you this: If you don't know what you want from life and therefore don't set goals for your future, what do you think you will get? Where will you end up?  You will drift through life like a ship without a rudder. You'll find yourself at the end of your life wondering what happened to your goals and dreams for you and your family? What happened to the fun you were going to have?

Sidney J Harris has said: Regret for things we have done can be tempered with time, it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable.

There are many ways to approach goal setting, this one is called PERSONAL POWER PLAN.  Get a pad of paper and pen - a pad large enough to contain all your notes,yet one that will fit in a file folder. Divide your goals into six categories: mental, physical, spiritual, relationships, career-professional, and financial.

Mental - education of any kind, reading, writing, planning , thinking and self-improvement.

Physical - health, nutrition, exercise, self image and appearance.

Spiritual - your personal philosophy, morals, ethics and values; meditation and prayer.

Relationships  - your family and partner, your social life and community relationships.

Career-professional - job oriented skills - degrees, titles, licenses;  business ownership.

Financial - your savings, investments, retirement plans; your child's education, personal security and long term health requirements.

Now take 6 sheets of paper and write one of the above categories at the top of each paper. Now list each and every wish or dream or desire or goal pertaining to that category. Don't limit yourself - list things as if a perfect world exists.  Now it is time to translate these things into an affirmative manner.

And remember: Regret for things we have done can be tempered with time, it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable.

They must be stated as if the result were an actuality.
Goals must be definite, not vague.
A feeling of gratitude, appreciation, or thankfulness must be present.
Experience the feeling or emotion accompanying the expected result.

Now you must follow through. Writing your goals down is only the beginning. As Webster said - ...the end toward which effort is directed. 
1. Determine the specific date or time frame for accomplishment.
2. Decide the steps you need to take toward accomplishment.
3. Plan your work and work your plan for accomplishing your goal.
4. Put all this in writing too.
5. Review this daily - make a daily list of mini-to do's.

The most important thing to utilize in your goal setting efforts is your power of belief. Just like the Bible says - "if you can believe, all things are possible".