Everyone faces different kinds of challenges in their lives, but everyone deals with them differently depending on one's personality, cultural background and sense of identity. I have learned that having goals in your life is essential in order to overcome any kind of challenge. Let me tell you this, based on my own life experiences: "when you have a goal, something powerful happens, you become motivated, you visualize yourself in the future and you feel like wanting to get closer to that goal with every step it takes to get there." Having goals is all about having determination.
Definition and Types of Goals
According to wikipedia.org, goals are defined as "an idea of the future or desired result that a person or a group of people envision, plan and commit to achieve." Goals are meaningful and can be small or big. They can be life goals or career goals. Then you also have long-term and short-term goals. There are no limitations because goals can be anything you perceive it to be. Then the possibilities are endless. It could be you have a financial goal. Maybe you want to become a millionaire, or you want to run your own business. Some people strive for educational goals, such as wanting a degree to continue their education. You might even want to become a better person than you are now. This type of goal would be more character-focused but can have a life-changing effect depending on what it is. The question is how open are you to change because change will force you out of your comfort zone and it's too easy to stay stuck in "old patterns". Therefore, goals should be viewed as a way to bring positive change into your life, especially if you are currently struggling or going through a rough patch.
Possible Strategies
Nothing can stop a determined individual as long as they stay true to themselves and their values. For this, it's important to have some kind of strategy in place. No matter how unrealistic it may sound at the time of setting a goal, writing down your goal(s) on little sticky notes and keeping them visible on a daily basis, will help you internalize your specific goal(s). After that, just take it one step at a time. You will get there eventually with some patience, tenacity, courage and an open mind.
Now, for whatever reason, maybe it's difficult for you to come up with a goal. That's okay. There's ways to tackle that. One way to help you come up with a goal, for example, is to review all of your life stations and then look at your life where you are now and imagine where you see yourself in a couple years from now. At the same time, think about the following questions (and these are just examples):
- What kind of life do you want to be living in five years (see my previous article: Creating Your Own Life Map as a Powerful Tool)?
- Do you want to have a house with a beautiful garden one day?
- Do you want to have a different career path?
-Do you want to travel around the world?
- Do you see yourself being married and having children (if you haven't already)?
Just thinking about "your goal" is not enough though. You have to really believe in yourself and then it's good to remind yourself of that specific goal on a regular basis. This can be done in other ways besides sticky notes. You can even be creative about it: set reminders on your phone, in your diary, in your daily planner, in your calendar on the wall or on a clipboard.
Having Goals in Different Societies & Cultures
Some societies, especially those countries that perceive themselves as immigration countries, have a structure and culture that makes it easier for anyone despite their race or nationality to achieve their goals by holding their doors (opportunities) open to anyone who is willing to work hard for it. If a society doesn't let you implement your goals, oftentimes, due to prejudicial structures and a narrow-minded mentality, then the space for you to develop yourself to your fullest potential becomes limited.
Staying on Track
Working towards any goal costs a lot of motivation and effort. By having a goal you give your life a direction/structure/guideline to follow. Keep in mind, you will have to take necessary, possibly even baby steps till you reach it. Most importantly, remain focused and don't let anyone or anything prevent you from achieving your goal. It's your life. You are your own individual. Nobody can live your life for you even if they think they can decide your life steps for you. It will be worth pursuing your goals, as life is a journey with multiple destinations/life stations and/or phases that can challenge us to greater heights.
Source: Achieving-your-Goals-for-Success.jpg (625×405) (addicted2success.com). "If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things." - Albert Einstein