Dreams VS Goals

Everyone wants something they don't have.  For some of us, it is a better body image.  For some of us, it is a new home or a new car.  Maybe it's a better relationship with a spouse or other family member.  It could be to further our education or to get that promotion or pay raise that we really need.  Are you still in the dreaming  stage or have you set a goal? I sincerely believe in goal setting.  I have experienced success by goal setting many times in my life.  In order to have a goal, you have to make a conscious decision as to what you want.  You must see it in your mind and believe you will have it no matter what; but most importantly you must write it down.  It has to be a tangible reminder of what you want to happen.  The subconscious mind has a miraculous way of working on the task that we have given it to do.  Your goal can be written in a journal or you could make a "Treasure Map" if you have several goals that you want to accomplish.  Make it real.  Keep it in front of you where you will see it every day.  I have used the Treasure Map system many times and have also taught my children to do the same thing in their lives.  To make a treasure map, get a brightly colored sheet of paper (we want to create a visual impact).  Write or type "Treasure Map" at the top.  Just under that, put today's date.  At the bottom put the completion date.  Then draw (I am a terrible artist) symbols representing your goals and make them specific.  Write a description of each symbol next to it.  Connect your pictures with a line.  Put it somewhere you can see it every day.  Maybe on the wall of your closet where you get your clothes each day or in the bathroom.  I did this one quickly as an example, but they are even better if you can cut pictures from a magazine or take a picture of what you want (such as a certain house that you have your eye on or a certain car that you want to own).  There are three important elements to your Treasure Map:

1. Write it down - it has now become your goal.  Using a picture illustration gives your mind's eye something to see.
2. Make it measurable - Don't just say I want to lose weight, be specific - how many pounds do you want to lose?  What kind of car do you want; what color, what model?  What kind of job do you want?  How much pay increase do you need?  
3. Give it a time limit - I want to lose 50 pounds by the end of the year or by my vacation time.  

SAMPLE TREASURE MAP

Now, each day, ask yourself?  Is what I am doing today moving me closer or farther away from my goal?  Your mind will give you ideas and steps to get closer to your goal as you keep your goals before you.  Just don't ignore your signals.  For example, at lunch time eat a salad instead of a Big Mac.

If your give your mind a goal to accomplish, you will be surprised at how your life starts moving in a different direction.  It has been said that our mind is like a glacier.  2/3 is below the surface (our subconscious mind) and 1/3 is above surface (our  conscious mind).  Our subconscious mind is working below the surface all the time moving us in the direction that we have told it to go.

I heard the story once that a lady had made a treasure map and at some point it fell behind something and she didn't know where it went.  She was in process of packing and cleaning getting ready to move into a new home and she found the treasure map.  She took a minute to look at it and she was amazed that every goal that she had on the map had come true.  The last item was moving into a new house and here she was packing to move into it.  Now that's powerful!  I have attended several training seminars on goal setting while I was in the corporate world and I believe in it wholeheartedly.  If you don't have but one or two goals, you might just write them down in a journal.  I have a weight loss journal where I put periodic pictures of myself so I can see my progress and I write my weight down every day, even if it stays the same.  I also record my measurements once a month.  I have my goal written there that I can plainly see every day.  I want to lose 10 pounds per month (50 pounds by the end of the year).  I am on target at this time.  So, how about getting to work on those goals today?  What have you got to lose?  It costs you nothing to try.  Happy Goal Setting!