Acquire Wisdom and Live with Passion: Goal

Showing posts with label Goal. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Renew your energy

"Goals help you channel your energy into action." - Les Brown

For every vacation, I always find my children very energetic at the start of the journey. However, on the way home, they will usually sleep in the car. I reckon one of the reasons was that the hope to reach the destination makes the difference in their level of energy.

“When you are in the valley, keep your goal firmly in view and you will get the renewed energy to continue the climb.” - Denis Waitley

"The key that unlocks energy is desire. It's also the key to a long and interesting life. If we expect to create any drive, any real force within ourselves, we have to get excited." - Earl Nightingale

To renew our energy, we have to write down what we truly want in our life. Moreover, we need to be able to see our goals in our minds eye and in our heart to begin to have a chance of realizing them.

Nothing happens until we plan and a good plans have goals and objectives.

Goals should be SMART:

S - specific, significant, stretching
M - measurable, meaningful, motivational
A - agreed upon, attainable, achievable, acceptable, action-oriented
R - realistic, relevant, reasonable, rewarding, results-oriented
T - time-based, timely, tangible, trackable

Do you believe in goal setting?

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Friday, August 17, 2007

Know Your Purpose In Life

"The tragedy of life is what dies inside a man while he lives." - Albert Schweitzer

Everything is created for a certain purpose.

A glass bottle is created to serve as a packaging container for wine, spirits, beverages, and personal care products. It is ridiculous if we were to use it as a hammer. A glass bottle will break into pieces if used wrongly as a hammer.

Your life too has its purpose. Without a firm idea and the purpose of life, one cannot live and would sooner destroy oneself pursuing wrong things in life.

“We have not come into the world to be numbered; we have been created for a purpose; for great things: to love and be loved.” - Mother Teresa of Calcutta

"The meaning of life is to give life meaning." - Ken Hudgins

“Purpose is what gives life a meaning.” - Charles H. Perkhurst

“You come into the world with nothing, and the purpose of your life is to make something out of nothing” - Henry Louis Mencken

“The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.” - Mitch Albom

“When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bonds:
Your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great, and wonderful world.
Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive, and your discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be.” - Patanjali
"Outstanding people have one thing in common: an absolute sense of mission." - Zig Ziglar

"Make your work to be in keeping with your purpose." - Leonardo da Vinci

What would you think of a person who used up all his life before finding out its purpose? Make very sure you have find out your purpose in life!

Photo by Dr Phil taken from this source

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Saturday, July 28, 2007

Engage a taskmaster - The List

Do you realize that great things accomplished had gone through many hours, months or years of planning? Just imagine how much effort and time was spent before a man can be sent to the moon. A beautiful castle is not built without a proper plan. Anyway, remember that both the plan and the planning are important.

“This life is yours. Take the power to choose what you want to do and do it well. Take the power to love what you want in life and love it honestly. Take the power to walk in the forest and be a part of nature. Take the power to control your own life. No one else can do it for you. Take the power to make your life happy.” - Susan Polis Schutz

“We have to do the best we can. This is our sacred human responsibility.” - Albert Einstein

“Success is doing what you want to do, when you want, where you want, with whom you want, as much as you want.” - Anthony Robbins

Walter Chrysler said, "I never started producing until I engaged a taskmaster... a written list of things to be done every day."

List making is a thought stimulator, a mind stimulator, a mind sharpener. List making develops observation, concentration, judgement, will power, memory, initiative, imagination and intelligence. And that led to ambition and a vision of a new life.

A list can even make people think our way and do our will. Making up lists sharpens our mind and they increase our efficiency for getting things done.

Take a good look at the photo on the right. You might have to click here to see a bigger view. I find this list very interesting. This is indeed a great idea where one could come out with their own personal list. What do you think?

Well, do list down worthy things to be done every day and act on it.

Photo by BrittneyBush taken from this source

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Tuesday, July 17, 2007

How to Make Progress

We all want progress. Every day you may make progress. Every step may be fruitful. However, if you know that you are heading toward the wrong direction you need to make an about-turn. Otherwise, you will drift further away from your goal. Be sure your directions are clear and accurate. If you aren’t going forward, you’re going backwards.

Many of us like to utter the favorite phrase - "I am very busy". However, we ought to remind ourselves that we must "Never mistake activity for progress."

What counts is what get done. Thus, "Don't tell how hard you work. Tell how much you get done."

“It is important that you recognize your progress and take pride in your accomplishments. Share your achievements with others. Brag a little. The recognition and support of those around you is nurturing.” - Rosemarie Rossetti

If you really spend some time to learn at least one thing a day, or improve one thing a day, you will be amazed how much you have learned and accomplished.

Manageable chunks or bite size chunks is always the way forward. Make progress on something every day. It doesn’t really matter how big or small the level of accomplishment - just make progress.

Photo by Poppyseed Bandits taken from this source

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Saturday, July 07, 2007

Live a balanced life

Nowadays, in our lives, we are taking on so many roles that we ought to constantly remind ourselves to do our best to find the right balance. As for me, I am a Husband, Father, Son, Manager, Employee, Friend, Christian, Preacher, Blogger and the list can just go on.

"People with great gifts are easy to find, but symmetrical and balanced ones never." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

"At times, it is difficult to keep a proper balance in our lives. But, over time, an improper balance will lead to problems." - Catherine Pulsifer

“Just as your car runs more smoothly and requires less energy to go faster and farther when the wheels are in perfect alignment, you perform better when your thoughts, feelings, emotions, goals, and values are in balance.” - Brian Tracy

“Wisdom is your perspective on life, your sense of balance, your understanding of how the various parts and principles apply and relate to each other. It embraces judgment, discernment, comprehension. It is a gestalt or oneness, and integrated wholeness.” - Stephen R. Covey

"In fact, everyone should take time out once in a while to recharge and revitalize their energy. The key is to have a balanced life." - Michael Lee, CPA

"Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance and order and rhythm and harmony." - Thomas Merton

Bill Gates says "In my 20s, I worked very, very hard. I have a much more balanced life now."

Check out: The Interactive Wheel of Life - maybe it can help you to find and map your life balance.

Well, what is your balance? Is it family, work and service?

Photo 1 by Sipula taken from this source
Photo 2 by bubblestar taken from this source

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Saturday, June 16, 2007

It is never too late if you do something

"If a friend is in trouble, don't annoy him by asking if there is anything you can do. Think up something appropriate and do it."

“Everything comes too late for those who only wait.” - Elbert Hubbard

“The time for action is now. It's never too late to do something.” - Antoine de Saint-Exupery

“Better late than never, but never late is better.”

“So what do we do? Anything. Something. So long as we just don't sit there. If we screw it up, start over. Try something else. If we wait until we've satisfied all the uncertainties, it may be too late.” - Lee Iacocca

“Life's tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late” - Benjamin Franklin

“Whatever you think you can do or believe you can do, begin it. Action has magic, grace and power in it.” - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

"Every difficulty postponed becomes greater later. Each victory makes the next one easier."

If you're too old now to learn, you always were. It's seldom too late to become what we might have been. Many are doing it after 60. Thousands over 50 are starting projects that fellows under 40 put off and neglected because they were too old to finish. A son said to his father: "If I start medical school now, I'll be 37 in 1945 when I finish." Father: "And how old will you be in 1945 if you don't start now?"

Have you yet found yourself and a worthy goal? If not, it's later than you think.

If you have a dream, you have everything that matters. If you have no dream, it's later than you think. Better get one.

Photo by shainelee taken from this source

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Tuesday, May 08, 2007

Set Your Priorities Carefully

"Most people fail in life because they major in minor things." - Anthony Robbins

“What comes first, the compass or the clock? Before one can truly manage time (the clock), it is important to know where you are going, what your priorities and goals are, in which direction you are headed (the compass). Where you are headed is more important than how fast you are going. Rather than always focusing on what's urgent, learn to focus on what is really important.”

“Set priorities for your goals. A major part of successful living lies in the ability to put first things first. Indeed, the reason most major goals are not achieved is that we spend our time doing second things first.”

“Action expresses priorities.” - Mahatma Gandhi

“The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.” - Stephen R. Covey

Photo by MarkOMeara taken from this source

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Monday, April 30, 2007

Be Flexible

“Stay committed to your decisions, but stay flexible in your approach.”

"Goals are a means to an end, not the ultimate purpose of our lives. They are simply a tool to concentrate our focus and move us in a direction. The only reason we really pursue goals is to cause ourselves to expand and grow. Achieving goals by themselves will never make us happy in the long term; it's who you become, as you overcome the obstacles necessary to achieve your goals, that can give you the deepest and most long-lasting sense of fulfillment." - Anthony Robbins

“Goals are simply tools to focus your energy in positive directions, these can be changed as your priorities change, new one added, and others dropped.”

Let's learn from the nature. Consider how water adapts to its environment: evaporation, condensation, melting, flowing, goes around rocks, fills containers, etc.

"The bamboo that bends is stronger than the oak that resists."

Are you flexible enough?

Photo by marinegirl taken from this source

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Thursday, April 26, 2007

Gotta Get Goals

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - Matthew 6:21

"Without goals, and plans to reach them, you are like a ship that has set sail with no destination." - Fitzhugh Dodson

Ev Nucci and Peter Haslam tagged me. This meme was started by Alex Shalman. You can read the details of this meme here.

"Goals that are not written down are just wishes."

Well, below are some of my short term and long term Goals:

Short term Goals:
In Blogging

To post at least one entry every day to all my blogs
To achieve a total of 50,000+ page views by December 2007 - meaning more people are willing to acquire Wisdom and Live with passion

Long terms Goals:

Fear God and keep His commandments
To apply whatever knowledge or wisdom I had acquired or collected
To be totally committed to growing and learning and constantly striving to become more
To continue loving my wife and children, valuing my marriage
To value my close friends and family relationships
To do things well
To set a strong example of what's possible for others
To be contented but never having to worry about spending money on anything I need
To take care of myself to ensure that I have more to give

Each day I want to be committed to:

"To God Be The Glory" in whatever I could possibly achieve in my life.

Well, I tag all the guys below (too many to tag) because I am interested to know what Goals are guiding them:

Surjit of Gurushabad
Michele of OnlineShoppingBargains
Jennifer of Goodness Graciousness
EastCoastLife
Aziz of Hashout
Darren Rowse of ProBlogger
Ilker Yoldas of The Thinker Blog
Steli Efti of The SuperCool School
Jonathan of SmartWealthyRich
Erin of Whatever Blows My Skirt

The photo on the right belongs to ~Pardesi~ and is taken from this source

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Friday, April 20, 2007

Know all the steps required

"There is no one giant step that does it. It's a lot of little steps." - Peter A. Cohen

"Success starts with a dream, a thought; but that's only the first step. Writing it down is the second step. Doing one specific thing to bring it about is the third step."

"First step toward your success is for you to cause the turning point in life i.e. stop seeking idle pleasure and begin truly seeking success and happiness."

"Four steps to achievement: Plan purposefully. Prepare prayerfully. Proceed positively. Pursue persistently." - William Arthur Ward

"When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don't adjust the goals, adjust the action steps." - Confucius

"Great results cannot be achieved at once; and we must be satisfied to advance in life as we walk, step by step." - Samuel Smiles

Photo by itspaulkelly taken from this source

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Monday, April 16, 2007

Secure your future

"We should all be concerned about the future because we will have to spend the rest of our lives there." - Charles F. Kettering

“Losers live in the past. Winners learn from the past and enjoy working in the present toward the future.” - Denis Waitley

"Always do your best. What you plant now, you will harvest later." - Og Mandino

"The secret of your future is hidden in your daily routine." - Mike Murdock

“You are the same today that you are going to be in five years from now except for two things: the people with whom you associate and the books you read.” - Charles Jones

"Your environment largely shapes your future. Take the time to select one that will shape the kind you'd like to have."

"If all your days are like today, what will be your future?"

Photo by Jinaa.com taken from this source

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Sunday, April 08, 2007

Overcoming difficulties

“Difficulties increase the nearer we approach the goal” - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

“All things are difficult before they are easy.” - Thomas Fuller

“There are two ways of meeting difficulties: You alter the difficulties or you alter yourself to meet them.” - Phyllis Bottome

A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty. - Winston Churchill

Let a difficulty remind you of your blessings. Trouble brings experience, and experience brings wisdom.

Forget difficulties, but not the lessons learned from them.

Photo by Java Cafe taken from this source

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Saturday, April 07, 2007

Do you fear change?

"Everything changes, nothing remains without change."

“There is nothing wrong with change, if it is in the right direction” - Winston Churchill

If you're not enthusiastic about your job, you're in the wrong job. If at all possible change it. Too many are in the wrong job and know it, but wrongly think they're too old to change.

A change for the better always starts with a change of thinking. We can change ourselves by changing our thoughts, attitudes and actions.

An exercise in concentration: "Once a week, ask yourself: "Is this thing I'm doing right now helping me reach my chief goal?" If it isn't, change it."

To avoid getting old, welcome change. Keep busy. Keep interested. Keep optimistic.

Photo by Lazy_Lightning taken from this source

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Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Decisions will change your life

“Be willing to make decisions. That's the most important quality in a good leader.” - General George S. Patton

Napoleon wrote: "The most difficult of all tasks, and hence the most rewarding, is the POWER TO DECIDE. It takes little power to do big things. But it takes great power to decide on big things. And deciding on a goal is a BIG thing. It affects us all our lives."

“Decide what you want, decide what you are willing to exchange for it. Establish your priorities and go to work.” - H. L. Hunt

“It's not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are.”

"A real decision is measured by the fact that you've taken a new action. If there's no action, you haven't truly decided." - Anthony Robbins

“Sometimes it's the smallest decisions that can change your life forever.” - Keri Russell

Photo by evansent taken from this source

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Saturday, March 24, 2007

Write It Down

Just once in your life sit down to think and decide what one thing you want most out of life - what you want to be, or do, or have.

Then W.I.D. (write it down). Writing down a mere wish works like magic for converting that wish into a goal. And W.I.D. works like DYNAMITE for converting a goal into an actuality - a reality.

One minute spent writing it down will do more to bring it about than ten years of dreaming, wishing, and talking about it.

Whatever you want - large or small, material, mental, or spiritual - write it down as a goal then do something every day to help you reach it. That's the nearest thing to that so called SECRET OF SUCCESS YOU'LL ever discover.

Writing down that statement about our goal will change our whole life. Before we write it down, it was just "some thoughts in our head". Writing it down on paper changed it to something real, on fire, alive. Writing it down on paper was like planting a seed in the ground. It grew.

Photo by Tojosan taken from this source

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Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Dream and Make It Come True

“Dreams are like stars... you may never touch them, but if you follow them they will lead you to your destiny.”

"If you can dream, you can do it." - Walt Disney

"If you don't have a dream, how are you going to make a dream come true?" - Oscar Hammerstein

"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." - Walt Disney

"A goal is a dream with a deadline" - Napoleon Hill

“The only thing that will stop you from fulfilling your dreams is you.” - Tom Bradley

Photo by stewickie taken from this source

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Monday, March 19, 2007

Don't be discouraged

Problems are only opportunities with thorns on them.

The difficulties of life are intended to make us better, not bitter.

"When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on." - Franklin D. Roosevelt

"It doesn't matter how many say it cannot be done or how many people have tried it before; it's important to realize that whatever you're doing, it's your first attempt at it." - Wally Amos

We must have long range goals to keep us from being discouraged by short range setbacks.

Don't be discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward.

"It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves." - Edmund Hillary

"You need to be aware of what others are doing, applaud their efforts, acknowledge their successes, and encourage them in their pursuits. When we all help one another, everybody wins." - Jim Stovall

"Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." - Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)

Photo by samgrover taken from this source

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Tuesday, March 06, 2007

Power of Clarity

The more clear you are on what you want, the more power you will have to achieve it!

We cannot seek to attain health, wealth, learning, justice or kindness in general. Action is always specific, concrete, individualized, unique. - Benjamin Jowett

Vagueness is a recipe for getting nowhere. Be clear about what you want. Then go for it!

Eighty percent of success comes from being clear on who you are, what you believe in and what you want. - Brian Tracy

Photo by Abu taken from this source

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Friday, March 02, 2007

Find your strength and act promptly

Motivation is what gets you started.
Habit is what keeps you going. - Jim Rohn

What is your motivation?
It can be money, fame, purpose, commitment or contribution. Whatever it is, it helps to have a goal that drives you.

“Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.”

Elbert Hubbard said "It isn't more book learning we need, or instructions about this or that, but a strengthening of the backbone, to act promptly, to get going to do the thing we know we ought to do."

Photo by duncandavidson taken from this source

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Saturday, February 24, 2007

Making a Difference

An Optimist would say it is half full. A Pessimist would say it is half empty.

"Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference." - Winston Churchill

You can't do things differently until you see things differently. To recognize opportunity is the difference between success and failure.

The truest different between the man and the boy: The man is aiming at a goal; the boy is drifting aimlessly.

"We all have ability. The difference is how we use it." - Stevie Wonder
"It's not what you've got, it's what you use that makes a difference." - Zig Ziglar

Photo by theXenon taken from this source

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