By Troy Vincent Sr.
We all have big dreams and we imagine what and where we want to be in life. Let’s focus our intentions, our actions and our commitment to allow these dreams to play out in our lives. Are your dreams just imaginary or have you put pen to paper? Dreams don’t become reality without goals. Goals without a plan are just wishes.
Written goals have energy and life. Your goals must be reviewed daily—like an athlete honing his skill, it’s daily repetition.
Think about how often our minds wonder, “I would like to do this or that?” How often are we distracted or derailed by daily events that transpire in our lives? This is where excuses and procrastination begin to cloud the goals. Then it boils down to, “I will try to get at this tomorrow” or “Someday, I’m going to do that.” “Tomorrow” never comes and “Someday” is never “today.” Don’t allow your dreams to slip away. Without a plan and goals, dreams become only wishes.
Know your dream. Start your plan by writing down your goals. Search your soul to find what is right for you; what you want to accomplish; where is your passion; and keep in mind what gets you up in the morning–your “why.” Before you write down your goals, be true to your heart. Ask yourself if these goals represent your vision for your life, or are they what someone else wants you to do?” If your goals are not your own, you may lose your motivation especially when faced with challenges.
Goals have time limits otherwise they just quickly fade away. You can have short-term and long-term goals. The short-term goals are what you’d like to accomplish within the next one or two years; long-term goals would be for three to ten years. Don’t become discouraged if you miss the deadline for your goals. Maybe you are trying to do too many things at once. Finish one. Use that accomplishment to motivate you to succeed at the next one. Be deliberate and intentional. Keep moving forward.
Personal and shared accountability is important. Find an individual who you trust and is aligned with your values to share your goals and allow discussion about and track your progress. Embrace the process of accountability as a trustworthy friend will go a long way toward your success.
Be intentional about fulfilling your dreams and the process that comes along with it—from the smallest thing to the largest. Dream big. Plan well. Write down and Reviewyour goals. Celebrate the successes. Learn from the failures. Never give up. Your purpose in life resides in your heart, spirit, and will. Within your dreams are your God-given giftings. An ancient Proverb says, “A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men (Proverbs 18:16).”