It never really occurred to me that goal setting was not an option. I dont know when or how it started but its always been a blessing in my life. It gives me a sense of accomplishment and hope. I also always assumed that goal setting is something that everyone does, but it appears not.

My friend was telling me about this great goal setting exercise she has done with her husband. I was surprised that this exercise was new to her. They did it as a couple and discovered to her great satisfaction that they had much in common for future endeavors. Together they can now focus their energy on mutual goals. This is how it goes:

We THINK a lot about our future, our dreams. Now its time to do something really simple about it and turn those thought into action. A list. A list of goals for the next year, 5 years and 10 years.

Write down everything you would want to do, have or improve for each timeframe. Small as it seems or large as it might be. It takes only a few minutes and it does wonders. I am always pleased to see how much I want to accomplish and how much I have accomplished in the last year when I look back on my list.

Take a notebook especially for this exercise. Write down todays date. Start writing your goals. One years goal., financial, emotional, social etc. Anything will do. NO stopping you. Do the same thing for the 5 and the 10 year mark.

Writing down goals adds that extra confirmation from our conscious mind to the physical world that this is positively what we want. Its sending the thoughts; its seeding our world.

Of course, some might take longer, some might change, but overall this exercise is priceless. Its empowering to see that, yes, you actually still have goals and, yes, you can achieve a lot during a whole year.

Give it a try; well talk in a year.

PS. Another way to enhance this exercise; if a year seems too long is to break it down into days, weeks or months.

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"The most important thing about goals is having one." -Geoffry F. Abert

"It doesn't matter where you are coming from. All that matters is where you are going." -Brian Tracy

"First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do." -Epictetus

Take care,

Lynne Dean

Lynne Dean

Lynne Dean created Motivational Central, an online information service for seekers of general self improvement, in January 2005.

Being a simple government part time worker and mother to a lovely son, she welcomes the challenged to communicate and built a web site where positive vibes and motivation tips would be share to the world. A hobby it is, but what a fun and interesting thing to do!

"Our deepest fears is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you NOT to be? Your playing small doesn't serve the world." -Marianne Williamson (RETURN TO LOVE)