Writing Down Your Goals & Defining Your Vision!!

I've heard it said that if you tell people your goals they're actually less likely to happen. There's a science behind it called "social reality" where just by telling someone you feel relieved from the intense desire to accomplish and that relief tricks your brain into thinking that it's already been done. I can get on board that train, I've seen it in my life many times. I'm sure I was always thinking that telling someone will hold me accountable and I could get encouragement from them. But then I never took the first steps in making that dream come true.

What I also know to be true is that writing down your goals increases your odds of achieving them. This blog isn't about HOW or WHY that works. There are plenty of articles and books written on the subject, if you just google "writing down your goals" you will see... this is more about the WHAT. What should you be doing to set goals in your professional and personal life, and then go out and get them!

This kid is going places.

The Life Contract

For several years now I have been starting my year with an annual "life contract" This includes things like 

• "I will buy a more reliable vehicle"

• "I will start/finish three books"

• "I will pass all of my classes with an A"

• "I will get my dream job"

• "I will learn a new skill"

• "I will become pregnant/have a baby" became one when my husband and I struggled to conceive, and I even like to throw in a "I will be healthy and full of energy" for good measure.  

Each year I write my list of things I want to accomplish - real, attainable, life improving goals - and I sign it and tuck it away.  I'm not sure the best theory on what to do with this list. Some people I suppose will put the list in their wallet and look at it regularly. Some may hang it in the bathroom next to the mirror. I choose to keep mine in a notebook and peek at it occasionally - but what I've found is that each time I checked, I would notice that I had reached another goal. And some years I would forget all about it and come across the contract months after the year had ended and always to my amazement I had achieved everything I had intended to. 

The Dream Board / Vision Board

The dream board is a visual manifestation of your goals. Its about what you want from life. I generally look at dream boards as long term goals; where a life contract is one year this may be more of a 10 year projection. (That's only MY interpretation and how I would choose to use it.) Overall, I think a dream board represents what you want your life to LOOK like, in the future. It's the VISION you have for what you want your life to be. Your individual goals should always be bringing you closer to this vision.

My 2016 Dream Board

Get Writing

I just want to give some tips when writing your goals and creating your dream board. I've never created my own dream board but I'm working on it now. It's not finished but it would look something like the one above.

1. Be Positive

Whether you're writing your goals down or taping pictures to a board, this is your life that you're talking about. I think most people, deep down, strive to be HAPPY above most everything else. Even most of our goals can be traced back to the belief that acquiring or achieving this thing will make us happy - so make sure that the language you are using creates a future full of positive. Say "I WILL" rather than "I will not." 

2. Dream Big

Write impossible dreams. Life has a way of making us not dare to want things out of fear of disappointment. Maybe we think that will never happen, we will never be able to afford that, I don't deserve, I'm not capable - but I'm saying if you really want something - be intentional. Write it down,  and then make it happen. To be clear, this isn't magic, this doesn't happen BECAUSE you wrote it down, rather its science/psychology that says you are much more likely. Do you believe it? Are you willing to trust in yourself that you can do it?

3. Where are you going?

"If you don't know where you're going, any road can get you there." Remember that when you live with a clear vision your choices reflect that vision. 

There a lot of tools available to help you with setting a path for business and personal success, but you can start today... with a paper and pen, write down what you will do this week, this year, this life. Write it down!

What are some ways you write down your goals and live your life with intention?