By Mark Webb, The Relationship Specialist
“Why should I deem myself to be a chisel, when I could be the artist?” ~J.C.F. von Schiller
Do you realize that you can drastically change your life over the next two years? I’m talking about any area of your life. This could be your educational level, your financial status, the fulfillment in your home and marriage. Your success begins with the development of a target. What is your aim?
Can you imagine playing the game of basketball without any hoops? It would look more like a game of keep-away. The whole object of the game is to get the ball in the hoop. What you accomplish in life is much the same way. What are you aiming for in your life? If you don’t have a hoop in mind for yourself, your life will never be all that it could be.
Most people never truly define their goals. If you study successful people, you’ll find that all had a clearly defined target and they focused their energy on that end. Here are nine principles that will accelerate the achievement of your dreams:
1) Start by answering the question, “What do I want out of my life?” The response can be general or specific but the more specific the better. The answers will serve as your targets.
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“If you don’t know where you are going, how can you expect to get there?” ~ Basil S. Walsh
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2) The past doesn’t predict the future. Just because you have tried and failed in the past doesn’t mean you will fail next time. Perseverance is essential when building the life of your dreams. Bad experiences can teach you how to correct the situation so you will have a positive outcome in the future. Do not limit yourself by focusing on the setbacks of your past. Most successful people have many stories of trials and errors. Rarely is anyone an overnight success.
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“There is nothing we cannot live down, rise above and overcome.” ~Ella Wheeler-Wilcox
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3) Set goals that mean something to you. Don’t create targets that are really someone else’s dreams. If you live your life trying to fulfill someone else’s wishes for you, you could be setting yourself up for tragic results.
If you are meant to be a chef, then you belong in the kitchen. If you are meant to be a pastor, then you need to be in the ministry. Far too many people choose targets for the wrong reasons. Ask yourself, “Why am I doing what I’m doing?” I encourage you to set goals that are important to you. This will automatically help you love the gift of life that has been given to you.
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“Whatever you are meant to do, move toward it and it will come to you.” ~Gloria Dunn
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4) Don’t set your sights on so many targets that not one will be reached. The Chinese have a proverb that says “Never try to catch two frogs with one hand.” You can have more than one goal but be careful you don’t dilute your focus. I have a friend who has a hard time getting his work done because he is always getting distracted by “something shiny”. The more concentrated you are in your efforts, the faster you will achieve your goal.
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“He who wants to do everything will never do anything.” ~Andre’ Maurois
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5) Write your goals on a piece of paper. Goal setting experts agree that this single element will make all the difference in the world. When you write your goals, you begin a process of transforming the abstract into something tangible. If you simply wrote your goals once and then hid the list away for one year, at the end of that year when you revisited the list you would be amazed at what you have accomplished.
Write your goals in the first person and in the present tense.
For example:
I have a Wonderful, Christ-centered marriage with (insert spouse’s name).
I am in excellent shape and have boundless energy.
I earn “X” amount of dollars per year.
I can easily bench-press ____ pounds.
I have unshakable peace of mind.
You want to write these goals as if they have already been attained.
6) Give yourself a daily reminder. If you really want to accelerate your progress then keep your list of goals in front of you. I suggest that once you create your list of goals you should rewrite the list every day for at least 30 days. This practice of writing and re-writing pulls more of your facilities into the process which reinforces the importance and the focus. After you complete the thirty day goal, then you can switch to Step 7.
7) Say your goals out loud. This one can be awkward and possibly disruptive so you may have to be creative when and where you do this step. To significantly speed up your success, say your goals out loud. The spoken word is more powerful than a thought. Remember, God spoke the world into existence. Every morning recite your goals out loud. This reminder will serve you throughout your day and reinforces you will act in accordance with your desired outcome.
8) Walk boldly through your obstacles. Hannah More said, “Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off the goal.” So keep your eyes on the target.
9) Always Aim Higher. You want to choose targets that will push you to be all that you can be. You become what you think about, so think BIG.
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“The true worth of a man is to be measured by the objects he pursues.” ~ Marcus Aurelius
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I talk to too many people who have lived lives of regret. Do not let that happen to you. Set targets that will help you live your life to the fullest. I want you to laugh more, love deeper, and enjoy life while you can.
Mark Webb is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice at South Georgia Psychiatric and Counseling Center in Valdosta. He is the author of How To Be A Great Partner and How To Argueproof Your Relationship. Read more of his articles www.TheRelationshipSpecialist.com
