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"As you think, you travel; as you love you attract.  You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you.  You cannot escape the results of your thoughts, but you can endure and learn, can accept and be glad.  You will realize the vision ( not the idle wish), of your heart, be it base or beautiful, or a mixture of both, for you will always gravitate towards that which you secretly most love.  Into your hands will be placed the exact results of your thoughts; you will receive that which you earn; no more, no less."

            James Lane Allen

If you don't know where you are going, you won't get there."

            Yogi Berra

Goal Setting

The best plan is but a hopeful projection of what we wish to accomplish given the time and chance that may effect all of us, but I  believe that we have tremendous control of our lives direction through keeping a clear mental vision of who we wish to become.

It is my opinion that most people never reach the goals they dream of because they listen to their fears more that they listen to their heart.  It is never easy to follow your dreams.  if you want a life style that is different than the one you are currently living you obviously must change something. You cannot expect different results by continuing to do the same thing.  This means that you will be stepping outside of your comfort zone.  All new forms of activities are accompanied by a felling of awkwardness, or even, a feeling of being an imposter, out-side of your element.  You must act as if you belong, and develop the confidences you need, and you rewards will follow.

Identifying goals

Use your imagination.  Consider what you would do, how you would act, if you knew you could not fail.  How would you live if you could live your life without fear.  What do you dream about? (teach your self to dream).  You only have one life, this is it not a dress rehearsal, what do you really want?  What price are you willing to pay?  When do you want it?

Anatomy of a goal

Set clearly defined realistic goals.  Be specific sharply define your goal, state why you want it. See your goal, feel it , know it, work it, it will become yours.  When you clearly define your objectives, when your goals become real to you, when you live your life as if you cannot fail, your dreams will demand to become real.  In this way we create our self and our destiny.

• Make a list of what you want to accomplish

• List why you want to accomplish each goal

• Break down the goals into definable actions and accomplishments

• Add dates for accomplishment of the steps toward the major goals

• List and acknowledge obstacles you will need to overcome, and what will you have to give up and sacrifice (the price you will pay), determine if the value to you of each goal  is worth the price.

• Give your lists, goals and time for there accomplishment a quick reality check.  Your plan is a way to close the gap between your reality of today and your dreams of tomorrow, aim high, but be real.  Unrealistic plans can be very counter-productive.  

• Create lists of people and organizations  and resources you can identify who can help you, also list what help you can expect.

• Formalize the above into a written plan of action.   Place the list so that you will review it often so that it becomes an unconscious inner need demanding fulfillment. 

• Visualize that these goals have already been accomplished in the future and you are simply filling in the steps in between now and the future.  It is much easier to work toward a goal if you already believe that it is yours.

How I set and review my goals

I  define my immediate, one year, and five year goals.  I review them regularly to keep my self on track, to program my mind through repetition, and to sensitize myself so I can recognize the opportunities that may pass my way.  I act as if I can not fail, and gain confidence from that attitude.  For most things I do not try to plan further out more than five years.  Most things can be done in five years.  Empires have been founded, great companies and fortunes have been made in five year periods. If you set a ten year target you may achieve your goal, we usually get what we believe. If you had believed in the goal being accomplished in five years you may have been able to do so.  You can always revise your timetable, if you did not reach you goal on schedule.   

"If you think you can, or you think you can't you are always right".

Henry Ford

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