„You must know where you’re going in order to get there.“
Alice: Can you tell me which way I ought to go from here? Cat: That depends a good deal on where you want to get to. Alice: I don’t much care where. Cat: Then it doesn’t matter which way you go…
– Alice in Wonderland
I’m sure you’ve heard countless times that setting clear goals in life is essential. So, have you done it?
Chances are, you have — perhaps some smaller ones, things you’ll tackle in due time. But what about the big, life-defining goals like finding your life’s purpose, personal development, self-discovery, changing habits, shifting beliefs?
Brian Tracy advises: set one primary goal, your life purpose, and align all other goals with that core objective. Certainly, having no goal is the worst option.
„The ultimate goal or purpose of life is the achievement of one’s own happiness.“ – Aristotle
Understand what you truly want. That way, you won’t be chasing butterflies but digging for gold. – William Moulton Marston
Many successful people connect their goals with a sense of happiness. Because when you have a clear goal ahead that aligns with your core purpose, you’ll be internally motivated and happy as you journey towards it.
„If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or objects.“ – Albert Einstein
„Happiness is a symptom of normal, natural functioning, and when a person is striving towards a goal, they are striving to be completely happy, regardless of circumstances.“ – Maxwell Maltz
Dr. John Demartini, an inspirational speaker as he describes himself, has organized his values. Based on his highest values, he set his primary goal and all other goals.
He emphasizes that each of us has inherent values, but we also adopt others’ values as our own, making their goals our own as well.
To set our goals and be motivated to achieve them, it is necessary that these goals are fully aligned with our core values. Our primary goal must align with our highest value.
„If you don’t fill your day with high priorities, it will automatically fill with low priorities.“ – Dr. John Demartini
When you look at what the great minds and people who have achieved significant success in their professions say, you’ll notice that they all emphasize that your goal must be embedded in your subconscious mind before it is achieved. This is significant because your subconscious will then guide and direct you even when consciously you might think there’s no solution to certain obstacles.
„There is a law in psychology that says whatever you desire to accomplish, you must first impress upon your subjective or subconscious mind.“ – Orison Swett Marden
One inevitable phenomenon on the path to a goal is obstacles. Obstacles are all around us. Certainly, we couldn’t imagine life without them, because what would be the point of life then? How would we progress and develop without setbacks and learning from our own and others’ experiences?
„Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right.“ – Henry Ford
„A person interested in success must learn to view failure as a healthy, inevitable part of the process of reaching the top.“ – Joyce Brothers
„Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off the goal.“ – Henry Ford
What are your experiences with achieving goals?
Reflect on your successes and analyze: how did you feel when you set the goal, how did you feel while working towards it, and how did you feel when you finally achieved it? This reflection can help you set and achieve future goals.