Goal Setting – The Critical Step Towards Living the Life of Your Dreams

When I was in my early twenties, I dated a guy who was one of the most focused individuals I have ever met. He was the economic development director for the city where I worked as a secretary – and in the evening he ran his own trucking business. He got about four hours of sleep a night. His goal, he told me, was to be a millionaire before he turned 40. He was 36 at the time and well on his way.

If you ask, how important is goal setting? In his case, it was very important.

Already he had achieved remarkable success. He had come from an impoverished background, gotten a basketball scholarship to college, financed his way through graduate school, and started a business.

His success met the five criteria for setting effective goals: express goals positively; set precise goals; prioritize the goals; write down the goals, and keep the goals small, thus easier to achieve. While becoming a millionaire might not seem like a small goal, considering where he was at the time both financially and in terms of business growth, it was certainly achievable.

Why do we need to set goals to achieve? Without goals, there is no direction; no focus; no reason to become involved in anything worthwhile. More importantly, controlling that which we wish to achieve is how we live; how we operate our business; how we win a race; how we can enhance our skills; our performance; and how we gain self-confidence.

Goals must be specific; not unrealistic. To say you will become a millionaire in a year is a goal you may not meet. However, if you want to earn your living in Internet marketing and you set a goal of earning $1,000 a month online within a period of six months, that is probably more doable.

The pressures of society to amass great wealth in the shortest amount of time are based upon others goals and desires, not yours. You must have a clear understanding of what goals you are trying to achieve, and exhibit the skills and knowledge to achieve them.

Achieving goals based on one particular event does not in any way ensure success in another.

Grabbing the brass ring can be difficult. It may be just out of reach, but is attainable. Use the same analogy in achieving your goals. Set them just out of reach, but within your grasp; giving you the determination and commitment to reach for it. Creating a series of small, daily habits leading to your goal will help. Focus on the goal; and never lose sight of it.

Start wherever you are. Set aside a good chunk of time and draft your life plan.

Where do you want to be living in five years? Ten? How much money do you want in the bank? What experiences are yours – and yours alone – that will benefit others.

Use whatever resources are available to you; make lists along the way. Many times ideas may crop up which will bring you closer to your goal. Never assume anything. Research every possibility. If a particular idea doesn’t pan out, try another; and another. Don’t give up; or give in.

Most everyone has a goal in life, from losing weight to winning the Super Bowl. Keep in mind, however, sometimes life gets in the way of the very thing you are trying to achieve.

It may be a momentary set-back, but don’t give up the dream, the goal, or the path that will lead you to it.