Some people live their lives like stars on a predetermined trajectory to the end of their beginning. Others live their lives like thistles in the wind, going hither, thither, and yon.

Which are you? Did last year just happen on you? Did you go from crises to crises, all year long? Or, did everything go pretty much according to plan? Did you move from accomplishment to accomplishment? Or, from failure to failure?

One of the main causes of failure is lack of clearly defined goals. If you did not establish clearly defined, written goals for last year, you surely could not achieve them.

"You can't hit what you can't see."

The Bible puts it this way (the Third Universal Rule of Success,)

"Where there is no vision, the people perish; but he that keepeth the law, happy is he" (Proverbs 29:18)

If you started out last year without clearly defined, written goals - your vision, you will perish - fail. To make this year different and better than last year was, you must first determine your goals and objectives for this year.

Your goals are the outcomes desired, as a result of your organized efforts. Goals must be set for each area of your life: spiritual, physical, personal, family, professional, financial, social, community, etc. Whatever these goals and objectives may be, write them down and review them regularly.

A Yale University study found that only 3% of the graduating students had written goals that they reviewed regularly. However, over a period of 20 years or so, those 3% were worth more that the rest of the graduates put together.

The Habakkuk 2:2,3 makes it perfectly clear,

"Write the vision, and make it plain upon tablets that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time but at the end it shall speak, it shall not lie." though it tarry, wait for it, because it will surely come, it will not tarry."

To attain your goals, they must be S.M.A.R.T:

(S)pecific - definite, concise and written. Writing your goals helps crystallize exactly what you want to accomplish. Write each goal in one or two sentences. Clearly define it in terms of your senses: How does it look, feel, smell, taste and sound? See your goal in terms of size, color, location, movement and any other characteristic or property that can be perceived by the senses. A short, written, simple, concise goal statement is easier to think about, remember, and act on.

(M)easurable - to determine its dimensions. When a goal is measurable, you have a standard by which to analyze it and estimate completion. If it is not measurable, it is extremely difficult to project when you will attain it, how far you have to go, or how much energy it will take.

(A)dvance - set in advance. Each goal is a destination, a desired outcome for your endeavors. If it is not set in advance, then you cannot make plans, nor take effective steps to attain it. When you set a goal in advance, you give focus to your life, thoughts and energy.

(R)ealistic - attainable. One of the easiest ways to set yourself up for failure is to select improper goals. No goal is impossible, but it may be unrealistic at your particular state of development at a given time. Make sure that your goals are realistic and attainable for you, based on where you are right now.

(T)ime - cover a definite time period. You must set a definite time by which to accomplish each goal. A definite time period gives you a standard by which to measure and regulate your performance. This time period should be realistic in light of your level of skill, time and resources available, time constraints of the goal itself, and of past performance by yourself and others.

If you write your goals, in each area of you life, concisely and in great detail, then you can make a written plan. If you follow your plan consistently and persistently, your vision for the New Year will be realized. Next week - Part 4: "Commitment To Action,"

© 2004 LifeSkill Institute, Inc.

Based on The Twelve Universal Laws of Success, Second Edition, Expanded, ISBN 0-9748362-1-4 a new book by Herbert Harris, available at Amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, or through the LifeSkill Institute, Inc. Call (800) 570-4009 to order books. Get your FREE copy of "Twelve Affirmations to Live By" poster by E-mail to: lifeskill@earthlink.net

Brother Herbert Harris will be keeping the Black community updated on thoughts for success and how we can succeed in our lives. Visit regularly for new information that could help you overcome and make the best of your everyday experiences.

To subscribe to Harris' column join the Afromerica email list to receive new information as it is updated. Or E-mail H Harris at: lifeskill@earthlink.net

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