Have you ever made New Year’s Resolutions? And have you ever managed to keep them? Resolutions are essentially goals that we set for ourselves. They can be made at any time of the year but the start of a new year is often considered a good time to take stock and plan some changes.
Why do we set goals and make resolutions? Because without them, we have less control over our future. It was Edward Young, the English poet who said, “Procrastination is the thief of time.” Once lost, you cannot get it back. To quote Sir Walter Scott, “Like the bubble on the fountain, Thou art gone, and for ever!”
Goals should be set in each of the following areas of life to ensure balance: Spiritual, Family and Home, Health and Wellbeing, Career and Financial, Education and Personal Improvement, Social and Cultural.
So how do we accomplish our goals and fulfill our expectations?
Goal Orientation
1) Begin by deciding exactly what you want to achieve. Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself. Be specific. By doing so, you will separate yourself from 90% of the population.
2) If you are a spiritual person, then you should certainly pray about your goals and ask God for guidance. It is good to have Him on your side.
3) Be consistent in setting your goals. They should be in harmony with one another and not contradictory.
4) Write down your goals for the year in the present tense. This is because the subconscious mind apparently thinks in the present tense. Only 3% of adults in the U.S. have written goals. Studies have shown that people who write down their goals stand a much greater chance of achieving them than people who just set them mentally.
5) Set a deadline for each goal.
6) Make a list of what you need to do to achieve each goal. The more steps you write down, the more you will accomplish.
7) Organize your list into priorities.
8) Take action as soon as possible. Successful people are positive thinkers and intensely action-oriented.
9) Review your goals often and work steadily on achieving them. Succeed!!
Wishing you all a Happy, Healthy and Successful New Year!!
© Christopher J. Jones, M.Sc., Ph.D.
Adventist Health Ministry,
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677, USA
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