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Setting Goals
Many people know the
importance of setting goals, but few know
how. Setting goals gives purpose to every
activity in which you participate. Every
area of your life can benefit from setting
goals, including your career, your religion,
your family life, and your personal
aspirations. Without setting goals, life
would be like sailing in the Pacific Ocean
without a map. You drift along aimlessly
without knowing where you are or where you
want to go. Eventually, you will land
somewhere, but is that where you wanted to
land? And what kind of shape will you be in
when you do?
When setting a goal, you should ask yourself
one simple question: "What would I try to
accomplish if I knew there would be no
chance to fail trying to accomplish it?" Do
not limit yourself. Allow yourself to dream.
Would you try to become a millionaire? Would
you try to retire at 49 years old? Would you
want to raise children who could change the
world? Any of these goals is possible if you
had the time, passion, drive, and road map
to get there.
When you settle upon a worthwhile goal,
write it down. Then, refine it until you
have an outline of what you are going to do.
Make sure the goal is realistic. For
example, if you wanted to become a
millionaire by next week, nothing short of a
corporate scandal or lottery win might get
you there. If you had 30 years to accomplish
this goal, the world begins to open up.
Set sub-goals for yourself. There is no need
to try to look at the top of the stairs when
you have to take the step up first. Make
each step a milestone on your way to your
ultimate goal. When you accomplish a goal,
no matter how small, it is a victory for you
and your psyche. It will give you the
momentum to keep going until you reach your
ultimate destination. Sub-goals also allow
you to make corrections along the way. If
you set a sub-goal to hit $100,000 by next
year but fall short, you can make the
necessary correction to reach that
milestone. Then the sky is the limit.
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