What Will You Do With It?

by Phil R. Taylor

“I bargained with life for a penny

And Life would pay no more,

However I begged at evening

When I counted my scanty store;

For Life is a just employer,

He gives you what you ask,

But once you have set the wages,

Why, you must bear the task.

I worked for a menial’s hire,

Only to learn dismayed,

That any wage I ask for of Life, Life would have gladly paid.”

-          Jessie Belle Rittenhouse

Happy New Year everyone!  With every New Year comes a glorious new opportunity, a benchmark to reflect on the past year, our achievements, our defeats, things for which we could be grateful, the things we learned and the things we can improve on, and more significantly the big and wondrous goals that we can set and achieve for ourselves for the next 12 months.

 So the question becomes: What are your goals for 2012?

 Perhaps the most fundamental and significant part of goal setting, is having one!  Without a goal how can you score?  As Bill Copeland put it, “The trouble with not having a goal is that you spend your life running up and down the field and never score.”

However, the magnificent part of life is that it is like a blank check, it will deliver to us whatever we ask of it!  If you ask for nothing, we will simply become governed by the circumstances of life, and what it chooses to deliver.  The tragedy is that most individuals don’t even bother to take time to fill it out; so they become subject to the waves of chance and nothing else.

 The one differential and empowering element that makes the difference between the status quo and the elevating oneself to new heights lies in one’s initiative to set goals and follow through.

 So as you enter this exciting New Year, you may want to consider implementing these 7 empowering steps to achieving any goal you set for yourself; whether it is in the area of your career, family, business, lifestyle, health and fitness or any area you choose.

1.  Write down your goals.
2. List the benefits of achieving this goal.
3. List existing obstacles to be overcome.
4. Identify any specialized knowledge or skill you need to acquire or reach your goal.
5. List the people, places, or things that can help make your goal a reality.
6. Write out a specific action plan to achieve your goal.
7. Write down the date the goal will be achieved.

(Adapted from The Goal Achievers International Seven Steps)

 Here’s the good news, in following this simple, yet tremendously effective formula; you will be equipped and empowered to achieve your goals for 2012.

 Many thanks to Jack Hickey for the privilege of being a part of the Growing Upward Newsletter.  Blessings to each one of you as you continue to set, achieve and live the life you love!

 ©2012 Phil R. Taylor