HOW TO SET GOALS FOR A BALANCED LIFE
As human beings setting goals and working towards achieving them give direction and meaning to our lives and give us the opportunity to overcome one of our fundamental fears, the fear of the unknown. The journey of goal setting is a personal journey of self-discovery and holistic growth. The things you want and the actions you will take to achieve them will reflect who you are and the person you want to become.
Properly setting the goals you want to achieve in your life gives you a chance to live according to your values and expectations, which allows you to live a balanced life free of contradiction or inner self-conflict. Setting goals let you visually imagining your higher self and what she/he deserves, and expects out of living this human experience.
It is essential to understand goal-setting principles. What are these principles, and how they can help you become successful in attaining what you desire. Well, continue reading to find out more.
THE PRINCIPLES
PRINCIPLE 1: Specify what you exactly want
To get where you want to go, you need a clear mindmap. When you are definite about what you want to achieve, your brain and environment will guide you towards the right steps to get you there. I love this quote from Paolo Cohelo “the Alchemist” that summerises the principle of goal-clarity :
“When you want something, the whole universe conspires to help you achieve it.”
PRINCIPLE 2: The practicality and attainability of your goal
Be sure the goal you are trying to achieve is not in the realm of the dream. Everything is possible, but to make things materialize, you have to set concrete actions resuming your plan to achieve what you are going after and step stones to measure your progress.
PRINCIPLE 3: Focus on your desire to attain your goal
Set goals that set your soul on fire and keep you awake at night. When you have a strong desire to attain a specific purpose, this can work as your motivation.
PRINCIPLE 4 : Visualize and live with your goal
Keep the end result in mind and picture your desire regularly. Have a clear vision of where you want to go and imagine how great it could be if your goal has already been attained. This is a powerful way to stay motivated and connected to your end goal. The emotions you link to obtaining what you indeed desire can act as a strong drive.
PRINCIPLE 5 : Write down your goals
It is essential to write down your goals with a specific deadline. A Harvard study has shown that the 3% of the graduate who have written down their goals after graduating ended up earning ten times more them the 97% who didn’t. So Make a list of your goals in a SMART way: Specific, Measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely.