SETTING GOALS

'...There is one quality which one must possess to win, and that is- definiteness of purpose, the knowledge of what one wants and a burning desire to possess it.' - Napoleon Hill

'Nothing happens, no forward steps are taken until a goal is established.' - David J. Schwarz (author of ‘The Magic of Thinking Big’- an excellent book by the way!)

' Your life is controlled by your thoughts. Your thoughts are controlled by your goals.' - Earl Nightingale

'When we have no personal goal which we are interested in, and which means something to us, we are apt to go round in circles.' - Maxwell Maltz

'The key to peak performance is not potential or skill, but motivation and dedication...having clear performance goals and putting in the training effort to achieve them.' - Dr Sven Hansen

' I would like to repeat the critical importance of committing your plan to writing. It cannot be over-emphasised!' - Paul J. Meyer of Success Motivation Institute

'Learn how to set your goals-
a. Write down your goals
b. Give yourself a deadline
c. Set your standards high.'
- Napoleon Hill
- W. Clement Stone

I touched on the importance of setting goals in the previous chapter. Dream high, then write them down.

UNDERSTANDING GOALS

The energy of motivation should be harnessed by being transformed into clear goals and a plan to achieve them. Goals are dreams which come true- they are easier to achieve once they are focused. Goals therefore help to fulfil one's purpose in life by giving expression to your core inner values. Psychologists have found that helping people to develop personal goals has proved to be the most effective way to help them cope with personal problems by:

1. Crystallising one's purpose in life.

2. Helping make difficult decisions.

3. Giving direction to your life and keeping you on track by concentration.

4. Resolving conflict

5. Building confidence

6. Adding to your self respect (or sense of value)

The power of imagination

In goal setting, have big hopes and dreams. Because I believe too often we underestimate our capabilities. Visualise your dreams actually coming to pass. Albert Einstein said, "Imagination is more powerful than knowledge. If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams and endeavours to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected." Sorry ladies!

"Be true to your ideals, no matter what may happen now. Then things will take a turn and the very things you wanted to happen will happen."
That one has just inspired me as I write this.

Set realistic, yet achievable goals. Ones that stretch you...because we are all different, what is achievable for one person might not be so easy for another. We all have different desires and dreams.

Goals are the first step in a positive plan of action. And every journey starts with a small first step.
END OF PART ONE