The mind is everything. What you think you become. – Buddha

Something to Think About – Be not afraid of going slowly, be afraid only of standing still.

Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Throughout life we should always make it a priority to set both short-term and long-term goals. There is no greater feeling than to achieve a goal that you have set for yourself. Would you agree? Whether it takes you one month, 6 months or 1 year, slow and steady is key to a committed goal setting process. Let’s face it, some goals will take longer to reach than others. Make your goals challenging, but always have a clear balance of planning to reach both short-term and long-term goals.

SHORT-TERM GOAL EXAMPLES

• To lose 10 pounds by Christmas 2018.

• To exercise for 30 minutes at least 3 days per week.

• To write at least 3 blog posts per week.

LONG-TERM GOAL EXAMPLES

• To lose 100 pounds by Christmas 2020.

• To join a local gym by the end of December 2018.

• To research and inquire about guest blogging opportunities by January 2019.

The past is your lesson. The present is your gift. The future is your motivation. – Unknown

GOAL SETTING

Goal setting is required if you plan to be successful in life. Goals are great because they cause us to stretch and grow in ways that we never even dreamed of. To reach our goals, we must become better and be willing to do better along our journey.

• Goal setting helps to provide focus in our lives.

• Goal setting offers a sense of direction in our lives.

• Goal setting can give necessary actions needed to achieve the goal(s).

• Goal setting helps to shape our dreams and destiny.

You must have long-term goals to keep you from being frustrated by short-term failures. – Charles C. Noble

TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL GOAL SETTING

When thinking about goal setting, always remember that we all need powerful long-term goals to help us get past those short-term obstacles that we sometimes face in life. The more powerful our goals are, the more we’ll be able to act on and guarantee them to come into existence.

• Evaluate and reflect. It’s important to know where we are right now and what our current level of satisfaction in life is. Take a moment and write down the answers to these very important questions: What is my current situation? Am I happy in this situation right now? What could I change in my life to make it better?

• Define your dreams and goals. If we allow our souls to be quiet and still without any distractions, we would be able to look deep within our hearts and dream a better situation for ourselves and our families. Our dreams are hidden within. We would also be able to pursue our dreams with clear directions, plans and strategies to achieve them. Now, think about these questions and write down your answers: What are your dreams and goals? What are my plans and strategies to help me reach my goals?

• Make your goals S.M.A.R.T. The acronym S.M.A.R.T means Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-Sensitive. Specific goals are not vague and incomplete. Measurable goals can be tracked so you will see progress. Attainable goals can be reached in a specific time frame. Realistic goals can be set and reached as well with effort. Time-sensitive goals would be given a timeline to track your progress.

• Have accountability. It’s important to hold yourself accountable to the goal setting process. Let’s face it, if no one else but you know about your goals, there would be no check and balance throughout the process. You could possibly be at a standstill and no one would be able to encourage you through the temporary setback. Share your goals with a loved one, a close friend or a fitness coach.

If it’s important to you then it really doesn’t matter how long it takes. It only matters that you get there. – Unknown

CREATE A PLAN

After you establish your goals, now it is time to create and follow a plan to make your goals a reality. Here’s some important tips to keep in mind during the planning process:

• Make clear deadlines for achieving your goals.

• Set personal milestones to stay motivated.

• Decide what actions are required to reach your goals.

• Put your actions into a schedule that is easy to follow.

• Readjust your goals or plan as you see fit throughout your journey.

Do not give up. The beginning is always the hardest. – Unknown

TIME FOR REFLECTION – JOURNAL PROMPTS

Go to your quiet place, pull out your journal and start answering some of these questions. Make sure to reflect on your answers throughout your journey.

• How often do you set goals for yourself?

• How do you determine if something is important enough to set a goal for it?

• How successful have you been at achieving the goals you have set for yourself? Discuss some successes and failures of previous goals.

• What are your biggest personal milestones?

• How well are you currently balancing life?

• How confident do you feel about who you are?

Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!

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