How to reach your goals

Are you making the most of your life? Try our quiz to find out. If not, it might mean that you either need goals or that you should start formulating a plan on how to achieve them.

Know what you want
If you want to live the life of your dreams, you should know exactly what you want. In their book, Unleash Your Full Potential and Live Your Ultimate Life (Reach Publishers), Warren Veenman and Sally Eichhorst advise readers to retreat to a quiet, relaxing spot, armed with a pen and paper. There, you should open the door to your imagination and visualise everything you have ever wanted to achieve. Write down everything that comes to mind. Don't restrict yourself to what is and what isn't possible. Think big and be inspired, so that you can take action.

Know why
Once you have completed your list of goals, you should list the reasons why you want to pursue them. If you can't think of solid reasons for pursuing a specific goal, you should consider discarding it, because it will not be worth your while. On the other hand, the more reasons you have for wanting to achieve something, all the more reason for you to get into gear and do something about it.

Identify obstacles

Discover what is standing in the way of your achievements. For example, if you want to lose weight, a possible obstacle could be that you hate exercise. Try and find a form of exercise that you will enjoy, such as walking.

Steps to take

What steps should you take to achieve your goal? Try working backwards from the end result (what you want to achieve) and identify the steps you need to take until you reach something you can do right now.

For example, if you want to master a computer programme, you will need to find out which institutions offer the course you are interested in. Then you will have to compare the content of the various courses, decide how to finance your studies, prepare a room to be used for that purpose, and so on.

Time yourself

In his book, Awaken the Giant Within (Summit Books), Anthony Robbins stresses the importance of giving time frames to each of the steps you need to follow to achieve your goals. He defines a goal as a dream with a deadline. By committing yourself to a deadline, you are committing yourself to achieving your goal.

Keep your goal in mind

Find a way to remind yourself of your goals on a daily basis. Try writing down your goals on cards and putting them where you will see them each day, such as on the fridge or the bathroom mirror. Or you could write your goals in every Monday slot in your diary so that you'll start each week with your goals fresh in mind.

Make time

Put time aside each day for achieving your goals. For example, if you are trying to get fit you may have to set aside 30 minutes each morning to work out.

Visualise it

Shani GrovT explains the concept of visualisation in her book, Thank You, Brain! (Human & Rousseau). While you are relaxed, think of what you want to achieve. Clearly visualize how you will achieve your goal.

Also visualise how the people around you will react. Make the picture bigger and brighter and imagine how positive you will feel. Remember, the subconscious can't distinguish between fact and fantasy. The more you practise your visualisation, the more your subconscious will attract things to you to make your goal a reality.

Use positive affirmations

State what you want to achieve and repeat it over and over to yourself – this is a positive affirmation. To be effective, your affirmations need to be in the present tense and you must repeat them out loud at least twice daily. For example, 'I am doing everything successfully', or 'I make a positive difference to the lives of others'.

Get help

Ask your family and friends to help you. For example, if you need to be up early in the morning to go for a jog, ask your family to take over some of your morning chores.

Reward yourself

Treat yourself each time you achieve a milestone in the process of attaining your goal. For example, once you've completed your studies for the day, treat yourself to a glass of wine, or a relaxing bath.

Review your progress

Review your progress on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis, and try to evaluate whether or not you are still on track.

If you find that you have derailed, you must take action to remedy the situation. But always remember that this is a positive exercise. Do not allow yourself to become depressed if you realize things have got out of hand. Remember that every day is a new beginning. You can start all over again on the path to achieve your goals – and you can start this very minute.

The quiz
These thought-provoking questions will help you find out if you are making the most of your life.

Answer yes or no.
1. However humble or mundane, is your job useful and worthwhile?
2. Whatever troubles you may have, are you usually bright and cheerful when with other people?
3.Is your sense of justice strong enough to make you try and right wrongs when you can?
4. Are you a faithful and loyal friend?
5.Can anybody truly say that life would be harder if it wasn't for you?
6. Does your contentment owe anything to your faith in a higher power?
7. Do you try and keep an open mind about everything?
8.Are you tolerant of other people's failings?
9.Do you have lots of hobbies?
10.Do your family and friends look to you for advice?
11. Do you try to open windows in people's lives?
12.Do you keep money in its proper place in your scheme of things?
13. Do you appreciate the value of simple things?
14. Are you a willing person?
15. Do you have a serious side?
16. Do you have some degree of ambition for yourself and your family?
17. Can you truthfully say that you have a lasting and satisfying relationship with even one other person?
18. Do you try to bring a little of your special kind of warmth into the world?
19.Are your thoughts always clear about what must be changed and what cannot be changed?
20.Are you happy?

The verdict
Count up the number of times you truthfully answered yes.

15 or more – you are living a full and rich life.

More than 12 – you are making as much of life as you can.

Less than 12 – life has more to offer, if you want it. Try to get more out of your life by putting more into it. Go back to the questions to which you answered no. What changes can you make?