“If a man wants his dream to come true, he must first wake up.” — Author unknown
The start of a new year is a perfect time to reflect on your dreams and aspirations. The path to achieving your financial goals can become a little easier if you know exactly what is required for success. Let’s look at four things that you need to know to attain your objectives in 2013:
Know what you want
When you get up in the morning, do you have a vivid picture of what you want to accomplish for the day? When you rest your head at night, do you think about the things you want to do tomorrow that will take you one step further in your life’s journey?
On the other hand, do you live each day without a conscious thought about what you want to achieve? Many persons never attain any major goals because they don’t know what they want. The first step in the goal-setting process is having a clear intention about your objectives.
Knowing what you don’t want to have in your life can also help you to set goals. For example, if you don’t want to depend on your spouse for money to pay your personal bills, then you can express your desire as ‘I want to independently earn enough money to meet my needs’.
Know why you want it
Knowing what you want is essential, but focusing on the reasons why you wish to get your goal is an even more powerful achievement strategy. Have you ever stopped to consider why these goals are important to you? What motivated you to want these things in the first place?
People’s past experiences, positive or negative, leave major impressions on their minds and can arouse emotions which may compel them to act. Get to the root of your dream; try to identify the emotions that are being triggered when you think about what you want or what you don’t want.
For example, if you say you want your own home because you hate having a landlord, do you feel insecure because someone has the power to separate you from your home? Focus on your feelings as they can provide a stronger push to succeed than just thinking about your goal.
Know when you want it
When you know what you want and why you want it, you now have a purpose statement for your goal. Despite having clarity and desire, you may still struggle to see your dream fulfilled. Have you ever considered how long it should take you to achieve your objectives?
Many people express their desires without working out the time frame in which they would like to see it happen. With no end date, you’ll probably procrastinate on taking action. Don’t set arbitrary deadlines however, be realistic about all the things you have to do to accomplish your goal.
Let’s say that you need to get additional training in order to leave your unfulfilling job and work in the area you truly love. Consider the length of the course and how quickly you could obtain the necessary financing for it. Then commit to a date when you want to start living out your dream.
Know what you have to give up
It is possible to be clear, passionate and time-conscious about your goals and still not get to the finish line. There is one element missing from the final equation – you need to recognise, and be willing to accept, that you need to give up some things in order to get what you want.
You can’t get something for nothing; there must be a corresponding payout for whatever you receive. Think carefully about the amount of time, effort and money that will be required to achieve your goals. Are your dreams important enough for you to make the necessary sacrifices?
For example, if you want to run your own business, you must be prepared to work tirelessly and invest your financial resources, before you get started. When you’re willing to do whatever it takes to succeed and then take immediate action, you will become successful in your quest.
About the Author
Cherryl is a money coach and business mentor, and founder of Financially S.M.A.R.T. Services. See more of her work at www.entrepreneursinjamaica.com and www.financiallysmartonline.com
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