JOURNAL | Setting Personal Goals

Setting Personal Goals

I have so many things running in my mind. Just too many I couldn't manage them anymore, as if I am living in a world of make believe; I feel like I am standing in a an open field staring up high at all the things I wish I could achieve, helpless from my incapacity. The article below provides some guidelines on how to have a direction in life.

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We often hear people say, “I need more direction in my life.” Setting personal goals can give your life a sense of direction. It’s a technique used by top athletes and successful business people in all fields. Before you set personal goals, think about what you want to achieve in your life. Try to set goals in some of the following categories: Career – what do you want to reach in your career? Community service – do you want to help make the world a better place? Creative – do you want to achieve any artistic goals? Education – is there any knowledge you want to acquire? What information will you need to achieve it? Family – what kind of relationship do you want with your husband, wife, children, and other family members? Financial – How much money do you want to earn? Physical – Are there any athletic goals you want to achieve? Recreation – How do you want to enjoy yourself? Write down your goals and think about them carefully. Are they realistic? When will you be able to achieve them? To help you make the process more manageable, divide your goals into smaller tasks. For example, if you want to reach a major goal in ten years, set a five-year goal, a one-year goal, a three–month goal, and a one-month goal. Remember your goals can change with time. Adjust them regularly to reflect this growth in your personality. Be sure your goals are things t\you hope to achieve, not what your parents, spouse, family, or employers want. Source: Richards, J. C. (2005) Interchange 1 (3rd ed.). New York: Cambridge University Press. P.111