Make a life list and set some goals
Setting goals can help you achieve the things you want most in life. By organizing your thoughts and writing down those priorities, you not only increase your chances of success, you may also enjoy greater peace of mind, a more organized life and less stress. Here’s how to set goals to get the most out of life.
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Write your goals down. People who have goals and who write them down are much more likely to achieve their dreams than those who do not. Use a journal, or summarize your goals on a card that you carry with you.
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Take time out. If your life is so chaotic and stressful that you don’t even know what your goals are, you need a timeout. Take time each day — even if you can spare only five minutes — to be by yourself, away from all noise, activity and interruptions. Eventually, your thoughts will start to form patterns and your deep-seated desires will take shape. Need more help? Visit a site like 43things.com, where people share their goals and provide encouragement.
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Don’t censor your dreams. Whatever your dreams, however unattainable they sound, honour them and note them in your goals journal. Just be specific. “Becoming the first female mayor in my town” is a more specific goal — and therefore more effective — than “getting into politics.”
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Break them down. Effective time managers know that one of the best ways to complete a large project is to break it down into manageable pieces. Write down the steps you need to take to achieve your goals. Even if you don’t know all of them, jot down what you do know. The rest will follow.
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Think positively. Even if you’re not sure whether you can achieve your goals, maintain a positive outlook. Challenge your inner critic when she says “can’t.” Find a way to turn obstacles into advantages. Use your uniqueness as a way to help you succeed.
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Take a step, any step. When you take one action, however small, you set the wheels of the universe in motion, and that one step will lead to others. Taking action is essential to reaching our goals, even if we can’t see the end result.
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Check back. Note your progress in a goals journal. Writing down your accomplishments along the way helps complete the positive feedback loop and prepare you to accomplish the next steps.