Monday, January 4, 2016

If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things.

Albert Einstein    1879-1955   Theoretical Physicist

As we begin 2016 I hope you have set some written and achievable goals both professionally and personally.  Make this year the year that you really sit down and think about what you are going to accomplish this year.  Is there a class or skill that you could get better at? Is there a place you have always wanted to visit?  Is there a book you have been meaning to read? Is there a relationship that you have wanted to mend?  Get it done this year!
I remember a story Earl Nightingale told about a ship that set out to sea.  The ship knew exactly where its destination was, and exactly when it should arrive.  It had very specific directions, and a disciplined crew to get the job done. And even though the ship encountered some storms along the way, that changed its course, it still made it to where it was going because the crew had a plan “B” on how to achieve its destination. The ship knew where it was going, and was determined to make its final destination.

Counter this with a ship that sets to sea with no destination in mind.  The crew is not disciplined and the captain doesn’t really care where it’s going.  The ship bobs and rolls in the sea aimlessly. The ship is rudderless at sea with no hope of achieving an unknown destination. No goals, no final destination.

Where is your ship going this year?  What are you trying to achieve?  Take a pen and a piece of paper and write down some very specific things you want to achieve this year. Put a proposed finish date on them. Pin them on your bathroom mirror so that you see them each morning. It could be just one or two things but the point is that you have decided where you are going and when you are going to arrive!

Do these things and you will be amazed at how much you will achieve.  Good luck!

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