The Importance of Goals and The Starting Point
- Dr. Carlo Filpa
- Jul 19, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: May 18, 2023
"Dreams without goals are just dreams."
Denzel Washington
How can I achieve my dreams if I don’t know where I am or where I want to go?
If I ask for an Uber and I don’t tell him where I am or in what direction I’m going, it will be very difficult for the driver to pick me up, and even more difficult for him to take me to my destination.
The vast majority of people in the world have dreams. But very few have written goals and a strategy to achieve them. There is data that indicates that only 3% of people have written goals (3 out of 100!). And only 1% review them, update them and have a strategy to accomplish them. And what results do they get? Speaking in economic terms, for example, there are studies that indicate that the 3% with goals earn more than the remaining 97%.
Why is it important to know where I start from? Because on one hand I will be aware of the results that I obtain. I can see what I want to change. I will be able to see what I like and what I don’t like about my life in the present. What I can improve. And I can also be grateful for everything I have and what I have achieved so far. It will also help me do a review in the future, to know what I have achieved. That is why when setting goals it is essential to quantify what you want to achieve within a certain time frame, so you can measure your results.
So let’s begin with the starting point. I suggest an exercise that has helped me. It will take 20-30 minutes of time, and it is worth it. I confess that sometimes it was annoying sitting down and writing all that stuff. Has it happened to you? Then I thought: if I am too lazy to sit down for a few minutes to know where I am in my life and what I want to achieve, it’s inconceivable! I think of the time wasted watching rubbish on television, on the internet, on social networks, etc., which have not served me at all, instead of doing something for myself.
Instructions:
-Have some blank sheets of paper and a pencil or pen. And also a notebook that will become your goal diary.
-Write sincerely how you are in all areas of your life at this moment. The more specific the better. The good. The bad. Everything.
The areas are:
Work, career and studies
Do I like what I am currently doing? What don’t I like? Do I enjoy it? Are my working conditions good? What results have I obtained? Am I satisfied with my results? Do I deserve them? How is my work or study environment? How do I feel? If I continue in the current situation, what will my future be like? What do I want to change? Write everything you want in 3 minutes.
Finances
How much do I earn? Savings? Debts? How much do I owe? How much do I spend? How do I feel about my finances? If I continue in the current situation, what will my future be like? Write what you want in 3 minutes.
Relationships
Family, partner, friends, acquaintances … How are your relationships? How do you feel in each of your most important relationships? Who makes you angry and why? What have you done to have the relationships you have right now? And what have others done? If you continue in the current situation, what will your future be like? Write what you want in 3 minutes.
Health
How is my health currently? How is my body? How much do I weigh? What do I eat? How many vegetables and fruits a day? How much water do I drink? How much junk food do I eat? How much exercise do I get each week? Am I stressed? What do I do to counteract stress? How do I sleep? Am I happy with my health and my body? If I continue in the current situation, what will my future be like? Write what you want in 3 minutes.
Fun, hobbies and possessions
What hobbies do I have and what hobbies do I actually practice? What do I do for fun and relief? What material things do I have? If I continue in the current situation, what will my future be like? Write what you want in 3 minutes.
Personal growth and spirituality
What kind of person am I? What do I like and what don't I like about myself? Am I happy with who I am right now? How is my spirituality? If I continue in the current situation, what will my future be like? Write everything you want in 3 minutes.
Contribution to others
How do I currently help other people and the world? How am I serving others? Write everything you want in 3 minutes.
All the information that comes out is surprising. Isn’t it?
Now, give THANKS, BE GRATEFUL. For where you are, for everything you have, for everything you have lived so far, for everything you want and for everything you are going to achieve.
It is time to move on to setting your goals for the future.
Quote suggested by reader:
“Your past is not your future. Your present is your future."
TONY ROBBINS
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