How To Spend Time

Archive for November, 2009

Sadly very few people have any goals. Most of us are driven by the same routine daily, never considering setting specific goals for our lives.

We don’t attempt even the smallest of construction jobs without a plan, and yet many people work in a field they just happened to “fall in to” because someone suggested it, or a friend was doing it, or even worse—they didn’t have anything else to do.Not have a goal or plan in your life is like being out at sea in a rowboat and having no oars. You are not in charge; you will end up wherever the it goes. People without goals tend to let other people or circumstances control their lives.

We don’t attempt even the smallest of construction jobs without a plan, and yet many people work in a field they just happened to “fall in to” because someone suggested it, or a friend was doing it, or even worse — they didn’t have anything else to do. 

Many people say they have goals, but are sadly mistaking. They may say things like: “I have always wanted to visit Spain.” or “I would like a better car.” or “I want to earn more money.” or “Someday I’d love to learn to speak German”. When these things do not happen, they tend to blame on bad luck or someone else. They may make excuses like: they are too old, they are too young, they have no talent, they lack the skills, no time, etc. What they do not realize is they are not achieving their “so-called” goals because they are not goals at all; they are merely wishes and dreams.

Turning dreams into goals requires specific actions. A goal is so much more they a wish or a dream. A goal needs to be specific. A dream becomes a goal when action is taken.

We need to ask these questions:

Is it your goal? Is it something you passionately really want? How would reaching your goal make you feel? Close your eyes and think about that for a few minutes.

Exactly what is your goal? Write your goal down to the last detail. If your goal is a nicer house, write down where it is located, how many rooms does it have? Does it have a chimney? And so on. If your goal is to travel to let’s say to India, write down what you plan do to there, where you would like to stay, who you would be traveling with etc. If it is to earn more money, write down exactly how much down to the last dollar.

Write down a time limit. By what date do you intend to reach your goal? For example: I am going get my degree by June 13^th.

You first goals should be achievable. When you have set a date, it is time to make an action plan. Big goals must be broken down in to manageable pieces. 

Take your main goal and break it up to smaller parts. Set time limits on all your sub goals leading up to your main goal.

Make a list of obstacles. Be prepared for what may have to be overcome to reach your goal. If you’re not aware of potential problems, you’ll be side-tracked when they arise and lose sight of your objective.

Brainstorm. Make a lists of things you need to accomplish to reach your goal. Don’t worry if that list is small to start out with. When you start working towards your goal, your list will get longer. You will find a way to learn the skills you need as you work towards your goal.

Read your goal or goal out loud at least twice every day. Read your “to do” list several times daily.

“Genius” has been described as the “ability to focus on one thing at a time.”  Many people who are “geniuses” are so not only because they have a high intellect, but because they are a gift of being able to focus on the objective or goal at hand. 

This same focus must come in to play when determining what your goals are in relation to success.  You need to learn to work towards one major objective and juggle a few short- and mid-range goals at the same time. 

Start today. Take charge of your life. In order to reach your goal, you must stay focused. Eleanor Roosevelt, former First Lady, once said: “It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan”.