The Power of Goal Setting

Professionals who struggle to balance work life with personal life are often exasperated by the excuse "There's just not enough time in the day to do all I need to do." We feel frazzled because we're always on the go, compiling to-do lists and doing, doing, doing. And at the end of the day we feel like we haven't accomplished anything.

What if you could wave a magic wand and instantly receive more hours in the day.

Would you use them effectively? Or would you squander the precious time and hop back in the hamster wheel without any direction or purpose?

A critical component to achieving balance and enjoying success in all areas of your life is to create a clear picture of what you want to achieve, where you want to go and who you want to be. You cannot compartmentalize your work life, your home life or your social life. If you're suffering in one area, it's bound to cross over and negatively impact the other areas.

The first step in achieving greater balance in your life is to clearly define what you want. Try this exercise to get clear on your purpose, goals and vision for the future:                                                                                                     

What Do You Want?

In each area of your life name 3 things you want for yourself in the next year.                             

•    Career/work life

•    Finances

•    Health and physical fitness

•    Relationships with family and close friends

•    Recreation and free time

•    Personal goals (learning, spiritual growth, personal achievements)

•    Community service, contributions, your legacy

Take a look at your list and visualize what each area of your life will look like once you achieve those goals. What are you doing? Who are you spending time with? Who have you become?

•    Career/work life

•    Finances

•    Health and physical fitness

•    Relationships with family and close friends

•    Recreation and free time

•    Personal goals (learning, spiritual growth, personal achievements)

•    Community service, contributions, your legacy

Write your goals down and describe what you visualize in a journal or notebook. Keep these notes handy and reflect on them throughout your week. Spend the precious minutes of your day with direction and working towards the ultimate goals you want to achieve in your career, personal and home lives. Live on purpose and unleash the power of goal setting.