Take Control Lesson 6: Are you rudderless?

Lesson 6

A life without goals is like sailing a ship without a rudder.

You may see some interesting sights but the choice wasn't yours.

 

What are your goals? Amazingly enough, most people can't answer this simple question. If pressed, they'll come up with generalities like "To be happy" or "To be a better person" but very few people can express specific, measurable long-term or short-term goals. As a result, they lead their lives on auto-pilot.

Get up. Go to work. Come home. Eat dinner. Watch TV. Go to bed. Repeat.

But we were put on this earth not just to survive but to thrive. And I truly believe that setting goals is the best, most assured way to take control of your life and be happy.

Understand that a goal is different from a resolution. A resolution is often meant to correct a negative – lose weight, quit smoking, etc. These are fine efforts in themselves but they are not positive, constructive goals. A goal should be something that adds value to your life or the lives of those around you. Getting a degree, raising money for charity, learning a new language… the list goes on and on.

You should start small but you should start. Read a book on goal setting (I recommend the author Brian Tracy but there are many others to choose from). Set a goal, work on it and check it off your list. You'll be amazed at how satisfying that will be and how much control it adds to your life.

 

 

Senior Head Instructor Brad Mears
Universal Kempo Karate Schools Association
at Frontier Elementary in Colorado Springs, CO
www.COSKarate.com