My first experience with goal setting (that I can remember anyway) came from my piano teacher, Mrs. Hunt. At the age of 6, I was pretty overwhelmed when she said I would have to perform “Water Sprites” in my first recital without using any music. How would I ever be able to memorize the music? “You don’t have to memorize it all in one day,” she explained to me. Her plan was for me to memorize only a few measures each week.
Early on I learned the value of setting a goal and then working hard – little by little – to achieve it. That mindset has carried me throughout my entire life. Goal setting is powerful because it provides focus. It shapes our dreams. Goals cause us to stretch and grow in ways that we never have before. I am an avid pursuer of goals! Here are 3 steps that help me work toward achieving my goals:
- Define Your Goals: Think of what you deeply desire in your life. What changes have to take place? What do you need to know or learn? Do you have spiritual, emotional, personal, financial, or social goals? The more specific your goal is, the easier it will be to focus on making it happen.
- Write Them Down: Writing down your goals is key to success. If you don’t write them down you are likely to forget them or get so busy with life that you won’t focus on them. Take time to review them every day.
- Do One Thing Today: Do one thing today that will move you closer toward achieving your goal today. Make it a daily habit to do one thing – no matter how big or how small.
Mrs. Hunt said that if I memorized a little bit every day, at the end of a few weeks I would be able to play the entire song. And she was right! That’s exactly what I did – note by note, measure by measure, I was able to proudly bow at my recital after performing the entire song from memory.
What goals do you need to set? What small steps can you begin taking to turn your thoughts into reality?
