Establishing Dreams and Goals

(Excerpted from Week Six of the Jim Rohn One-Year Success Plan)

One of the amazing things we have been given as humans is the unquenchable desire to have dreams of a better life, and the ability to establish goals to live out those dreams.

Think of it: We can look deep within our hearts and dream of a better situation for ourselves and our families; dream of better financial lives and better emotional or physical lives; certainly dream of better spiritual lives. But what makes this even more powerful is that we have also been given the ability to not only dream but to pursue those dreams and not only to pursue them, but the cognitive ability to actually lay out a plan and strategies (setting goals) to achieve those dreams. Powerful! And that is what we will discuss in detail this week: How to dream dreams and establish goals to get those dreams.

What are your dreams and goals? This isn't what you already have or what you have done, but what you want. Have you ever really sat down and thought through your life values and decided what you really want? Have you ever taken the time to truly reflect, to listen quietly to your heart, to see what dreams live within you? Your dreams are there. Everyone has them. They may live right on the surface, or they may be buried deep from years of others telling you they were foolish, but they are there.

So how do we know what our dreams are? This is an interesting process and it relates primarily to the art of listening. This is not listening to others; it is listening to yourself. If we listen to others, we hear their plans and dreams (and many will try to put their plans and dreams on us). If we listen to others, we can never be fulfilled. We will only chase elusive dreams that are not rooted deep within us. No, we must listen to our own hearts.

Let's take a look at some practical steps/thoughts on hearing from our hearts on what our dreams are:

Take time to be quiet. This is something that we don't do enough in this busy world of ours. We rush, rush, rush, and we are constantly listening to noise all around us. The human heart was meant for times of quiet, to peer deep within. It is when we do this that our hearts are set free to soar and take flight on the wings of our own dreams! Schedule some quiet "dream time" this week. No other people. No cell phone. No computer. Just you, a pad, a pen, and your thoughts (you get to do this in the workbook exercises this week).

Think about what really thrills you. When you are quiet, think about those things that really get your blood moving. What would you LOVE to do, either for fun or for a living? What would you love to accomplish? What would you try if you were guaranteed to succeed? What big thoughts move your heart into a state of excitement and joy? When you answer these questions you will feel Great and you will be in the "dream zone." It is only when we get to this point that we experience what Our dreams are!

Write down all of your dreams as you have them. Don't think of any as too outlandish or foolish - remember, you're dreaming! Let the thoughts fly and take careful record.

Now, prioritize those dreams. Which are most important? Which are most feasible? Which would you love to do the most? Put them in the order in which you will actually try to attain them. Remember, we are always moving toward action, not just dreaming.

Here is the big picture: Life is too short to not pursue your dreams. Someday your life will near its end and all you will be able to do is look backwards. You can reflect with joy or regret. Those who dream, who set goals and act on them to live out their dreams are those who live lives of joy and have a sense of peace when they near the end of their lives. They have finished well, for themselves and for their families.

Remember: These are the dreams and goals that are born out of your heart and mind. These are the goals that are unique to you and come from who you were created to be and gifted to become. Your specific goals are what you want to attain because they are what will make your life joyful and bring your family's life into congruence with what you want it to be.

Until next week, let's do something remarkable!

Jim Rohn

Reproduced with permission from Jim Rohn's Weekly E-zine. Copyright 2005 Jim Rohn International. All rights reserved worldwide. To subscribe to Jim Rohn's Weekly E-zine, go to http://Jim-Rohn.InspiresYOU.com

---

5 Good Ways to Make Steady Progress on Your Goals & Projects

1. Schedule a specific time and day to work on... Read More

Why You Must Stop Setting Goals

My goal in life is to have no goals. They... Read More

Setting Goals for Success

"In any and every given moment of your life, you... Read More

What Words Will They Chisel Into Your Tombstone?

One day you will inevitably die. A morbid statement, I... Read More

How To Choose The Right Goals To Focus On

Sometimes setting goals alone is not the only problem that... Read More

Mission Statements Improve Goal Setting and Decision Making

A Mission Statement consists of a short phrase or a... Read More

Not Satisfied With Where You Are; STOP - Change The Action Change The Outcome

"If you keep on doing what you have always done,... Read More

Planning Ahead Of Everyone Else To Win

What does it take to plan like a champion?Well lets... Read More

Want to Learn Something New Today?

How many times do you say, "Gee, I wish I... Read More

Achieving Your Goals

You may or may not have a set of written... Read More

How to Maximize Goals, Affirmations and Visualizations

Do you want to get better results from daily exercises... Read More

Breaking Goals Down To The Basics

One of the primary reasons why people fail to execute... Read More

Mind Over Matter -- The Power of Thoughts

One of the greatest challenges in life is understanding just... Read More

The Top 10 Questions to Ask Your Goals

Human beings are goal-seeking creatures. We are impatient and try,... Read More

Go Beyond Goals And Achieve Your Dream!

As important as goal setting is, goals alone do not... Read More

Use the Law of Attraction to Build Your Business

Have you ever had something you wanted just fall into... Read More

Getting What You Want

1. Recognize that you are the source of everything that... Read More

Just Do It! Write Down Some Goals and Start Achieving!

You have a choice it would seem ? you can... Read More

Vision Means Passion - Whats Yours?

Interestingly, the word vision can be interchangeable with the word... Read More

11 Questions To Kickstart Your Dream

What's your dream? Want to give your vision a jumpstart?... Read More

Give Bad Habits the Boot!

Everybody has bad habits. Everybody. Now granted, some people have... Read More

Finding Life?s Candles for Dark Moments

Tragedy doesn't make an appointment. It attacks! A terrifying surprise... Read More

Turn The Escape Key Now

"I think I know how bank robbers feel as they... Read More

Getting To The Top By Fits And Starts

I would venture to believe that most people have the... Read More

Achieving Goals: The Remaining 90% - Sheer Persistence

Achieving goals requires persistence. Here's the proof: In 1915 Ty... Read More

The Most Powerful Knowledge Available To Man

In this article you will learn the most powerful knowledge... Read More

Prerequisite Qualities For Optimum Goal Setting

The minute you set a goal, you are creating a... Read More

Be Discontented With The Status Quo

It is natural to be satisfied with the way things... Read More

Combining the Mind and Effective Goal-Setting

Goals are of vital importance in our lives. Many of... Read More

Goal Setting and Interviewing

Before you go on an interview process or even start... Read More

Weave Your Own Web

Many elementary school children know the miracle of Charlotte's Web.... Read More

Competition, Jealousy And Goals

Naturally some of us are more competitive than others, but... Read More

To Realize your Dreams, Focus on Significance, not Success

"The key to realizing a dream is to focus not... Read More