A new year is starting in a few weeks and I’m already beginning to think about how to start the year. It is so rewarding to make goals for the New Year. Last year I created a vision board and this year I will, too. I got the idea from the book The Secret. The great thing about the vision board is it is a great map of where you want to be or what you hope to accomplish within the year and beyond the year.
I get excited every time I look at my vision board and see the things I’ve completed this year. I also see the things I didn’t do so well on and plan to add them to this year’s vision board.
Bettie B. Youngs said, “Goals represent expectations, hopes and dreams, and to the extent our goals are achieved, we are successful.”
By writing down your goals and reviewing them often, you are more likely to achieve the things that have value to you. Also, by establishing and accomplishing your goals, you give your life greater purpose and meaning and you will find more joy and fulfillment in your life and work.
A few of the things I wanted to complete this year were cook more, read more, watch less TV, think before I speak and start school. On a good note, I would say I was successful in half of what I put on my vision board. I know that seems a little on the low side, but I am happy with that. The reason I’m happy is because I just started the vision board. I’m still learning what is important to me and what I value most in my life. Once I master that, then I should see 90 to 100 percent success results on my board.
I also believe that by putting what I want out there for the universe to receive, I will accomplish everything I set out to do (wink, wink to people who have read The Secret). I have a mind over matter attitude and if I want to do something, then I will.
Being realistic is a key to setting goals, too. Obviously I won’t be able to go get that 100K a year paying job without an education unless I do something illegal, which I don’t recommend. Making a road map of how I’m going to get there will make it easier to get to. If I say I will finish school in 5 years I need to have a plan. I actually created a spreadsheet of the classes I would take every semester so I could accomplish this goal. As dorky as it was, it made me feel really excited about going to school. This mentality can be applied to every goal, as you progress you can mark off things you’ve done and get excited about how close you are to the finish line.
I’m encouraging every person for the 2011 year to either do a vision board or list their goals for the year. Keep it somewhere you see it often so you are reminded of those things you value and to track your progress. It will keep you on the path to the life you want and to your happiness.