Setting Goals

Many people live in this world adrift. They work hard, but have no sense of achievement or worthwhile aspiration.
The reason is that they spend less of their time thinking about what they want from life instead of formally setting goals and investing time to achieve them. A life without goals is like venturing on a journey without a known destination (after all they say "life is a journey").

 The process of setting goals helps you choose where you want to go life. By knowing precisely what you want to achieve, you know where you have to concentrate your efforts. You'll also quickly spot distractions that can, so easily, lead you astray.

The first step to setting goals is to consider the SMART mnemonic

• S - Specific/Significant 
• M - Measurable/Meaningful
• A - Attainable/Action-oriented
• R - Relevant/Realistic
• T - Time-bound/Track-able

Second step is to then set the goals (long-term and short-term).

You can group them in the following categories (or in other categories of your own)

• Career - What level do you want to reach in your career? or achievements you plan on achieving in a particular time.

• Spiritual - How do you want to improve in your spiritual life? Things to do to strengthening it.

• Education/Academic - What particular knowledge, information or skill you want to acquire/develop in order to achieve your goals and better your person?

• Attitudinal - Bad habits you want to quit or good ones you want to improve on.

• Financial - How much you plan on earning and saving.

• Family/Relationships - Relationships you want to strengthening and non beneficial relationships you want to ditch.

• Physical/Health - Steps to take to loose or gain weight, get fit, eat right...

• Public Service - Things to do to help better others in your little sphere of life.

Ponder deeply on these categories and write down the ones you really want to achieve. Remember, they should be SMART.

Once you've decided on your set of goals, keep the process going by daily reviewing and updating it.
You will see how meaning creeps into your life as you start setting goals and working towards achieving them.

Good luck and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!