In the book Alice in Wonderland, Alice comes to a fork in the road at which sits the Cheshire Cat. When she asks the cat which direction she should go, the cat questions her about where she is going. Her response is that she does not know. So the cat very simply says, "Then it does not matter."

So how do you develop direction for your life? You must first figure out where it is that you are trying to do. This will help you determine which path you should take. Your goal (a goal is simply the desired end result of your everyday actions) must be specific, measurable, and attainable.

Take a few moments and  write down all your desires - your passions, interests, dreams; just list them; don’t worry if they are doable or not. Make them big, but realistic - think big - all great ideas began with big thinking so don’t be afraid to think large.  I always encourage people to think about what they would do if they knew they wouldn’t fail. Fear often keeps us from our real desires. Make sure to have goals that are long term (3 to 5 years), mid term (1 to 3 years), and short term (1 day to 1 year).  Then…..Work your way backwards….and create a “road map” to your desired end result.

Now read over your list, go through it and reevaluate each item, refine what you wrote, look at how realistic and doable they are.  Make them high enough to motivate but not too big to deter you. Now here is where you actually start to visualize where you want to end up. Write your goals in the positive versus the negative - focus on what you want and not on what you don’t want. This is how you can create a way for your subconscious mind to carry out the necessary steps to make your dreams a reality, so keep your goals positive. I know this sounds a little spacey, but in the words of Jessie Jackson, “If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it, I know I can achieve it.”

Visualization is a powerful tool that can take your goal setting to the next level. When you visualize reaching your goal, you are making it real. Without a clear picture of the end result, setting goals is just writing down concepts or wishes. If you can see the dream realized, it is easier to construct a path that takes you there.

This is why movie directors create story boards before they start filming, why architects create models before they start building, and why fashion designers sketch renderings before they cut fabric. They have to have a vision of what they are creating otherwise setting goals for box office sales, ribbon cutting, and runway shows would never materialize. Without a clear idea of the finished product, the movie will not be produced, the building will not be built, and the garment will never be made. It’s hard to believe what we can’t see for ourselves. This is especially important when it comes to goal setting. Visualizing in goal setting is not daydreaming or wishing. It is taking a snapshot of you after you have attained your goal, and then focusing on that snapshot.

Be sure to write your goals out in detail - the more in-depth and concise, the better for your subconscious mind to work on and see it to achievement. It has been discovered that only 3% of the population writes down their goals. Ironically, this same 3% achieves more than the remaining 97%….combined! When you visualize it, you will think it, see it, feel, it believe it, do it! Make sure that when you visualize your short term goals, you speak them in the present tense. “I will have 4 new clients this month.” NOT “I will have 4 new clients next month.”

Keep your goals in front of you and review them daily, this confirms your commitment to creating and achieving your goal and will motivate you to take action. Put visual reminders of your goals on your bathroom mirror, in your car, on your computer at work, or in your wallet. If you want to purchase a home, you might have a picture of your dream home, or a diploma if your goal is graduating from college. Seeing your goal each day will push you to take the steps necessary to making those goals a reality.

When people lack direction and the ability to stay on course, they generally have a hard time achieving any goal and accomplishing any task. Goal-setting and visualization are the secrets to accomplishing more with less time. 

Goal Setting Tips

Set intermediate goals. It's our nature to want immediate results. However, most big goals will require a great deal of time and effort to accomplish. When writing out long-term goals, break them into smaller, more achievable goals.

Reward yourself. Each time you achieve a goal, treat yourself to something nice. It doesn't have to be expensive or fattening. It could be as simple as a single flower to brighten your desk or an hour to do something besides work. Whatever your reward, get in the habit of "patting yourself on the back" for all of your accomplishments, regardless of their size. Remember, each journey starts with a single step.

Get inspired. Inspiration can come from other people, success quotes, lyrics, books and even movies. Inspiration can come from your own personal goals or through helping others in your organization to achieve their goals. Find your inspiration and tap into it frequently. ( I personally love quotes and surround myself with them, it reminds me of who I want to be!)

Find a mentor. There are many advantages to having a mentor. S/he can guide you and motivate you to reach your goals. Choose someone who is full of encouragement and will provide you with honest feedback. (And someone who you feel comfortable getting the feedback from, whether it is good or bad.)

Brainstorm. You can brainstorm by yourself or with a group of others. Think about what is really important to you and what goals you want to set. Write your thoughts out and keep a notebook with you at all times.

Set deadlines. When setting goals; always include a deadline to accomplish them. Saying "I want to start a home business someday" is a lot different than saying "I want to start a home business that allows me to quit my job in six months." Just be sure to set a realistic time frame and take action steps to meet it.

Don't give up. You'd be surprised how many people give up when they are just inches away from succeeding. Those who succeed are not necessarily the ones with the most talent or luck. Chances are they are simply the ones who refused to give up.

Remember that without goals, you don't get anywhere. The first step to attaining any goal is being clear about what you want. From there, you have to decide that you're not going to quit until you get it.

"Little minds are tamed and subdued by misfortune;
but great minds rise above them."
~ Washington Irving

 We invite all of you to get a discussion going.  Please submit your comments at the end of this article, Thanks.