The whole point of setting a goal is to help you bridge the gap between where you are and where you want to be. If you set goals and work toward them diligently, you can have all the things you want. People who set and achieve their goals are people who've decided what they want, committed themselves to going after it, and haven't let anything stand in their way, short of violating the rights of others.

A proper goal gives you all the incentive you need to grow in your awareness of being a perfect expression of an Infinite power, designed for excellence and abundance. As you become more welcoming and aware of your relationship with God, and of all the potential that's been built into you, you'll function more effectively in harmony with the laws of the universe. Living in synch with all of this will yield results you've never dreamed possible.

They say that awareness is curative. It gives deep meaning to life because it spells the end of your robotic existence, no more walking in the deep ruts formed by your harmful programming and counterproductive thought life. These old ways of thinking aren't ways you've chosen, they were planted in your heart when you were young by your parents, teachers, and religious leaders. While some of these programs serve you well, many of them are harmful and ready to be replaced. The old way of "living" has kept you from a truly abundant life.

But, in order to truly change, your old habits have to be replaced with new, healthy practices. Having a solid goal in place serves as a constant help as you do this. In fact, without a specific goal, you're unlikely to ever make a significant change in your life. While you're on your way toward achieving your goals, you learn to choose which thoughts you'll allow into your mind. You'll see the connection between these thoughts, the feelings and attitudes they produce, and ultimately the results they yield. It's not something someone else can do for you.

Ever notice how your life never really stays the same? You're either improving it or damaging it, your actions aren't neutral. As a spiritual being, your spirit constantly seeks expansion and greater expression. When this deep desire is thwarted, you experience a feeling of dissatisfaction. That feeling is unpleasant enough to serve as a good motivator. We hate feeling unfulfilled, and work diligently to escape such an unpleasant feeling. We'll do pretty much anything to satisfy this need.

This need for fulfillment goes way beyond just things and money, although they are important. They give you comfort and opportunity. It goes beyond happy feelings or a sense of peace, although they're important, too. Our drive for complete fulfillment includes these things, but goes so much further, it's a deep desire for a big purpose, something that catapults you into creativity, into meaningful and effective service.
Great, you were created to pursue worthy goals. How do you set them? How do you go after them? What can you do to make sure you achieve these grand goals?

Half the battle with goal-setting is determining exactly what it is that you want. Sounds easy enough, you answer that question just fine at a restaurant, on your birthday, when you get your hair cut. But when it comes to the big "what do you want" question, minds go blank. We don't know what's okay to ask for. What's too much? Am I overreaching? How am I going to feel if I ask for something that's beyond possibility?

Wow, such bad programming we pick up! Ask any little kid what they want to be when they grow up and you'll hear answers like: the President, an astronaut, a gazillionaire, a cat, a rock star. Nothing seems impossible; nothing seems like it'll come back to haunt you if it doesn't work out.

Deciding what you want is risky. Telling someone else can feel uncomfortable. You might feel like you've got to preface it with something like, "Please don't tell anyone, Can you keep a secret, I know it sounds crazy, but" But you know what? People who set and achieve awesome goals are risk takers, they've learned to be. They know that they've got the privilege and duty to design their own lives, make their own decisions. They dare to dream, and dream big. The power is in going after what you want, not in going after what you need.

Think you don't have what it takes to meet your goals? Then here's some great news, you've already got everything that could ever be necessary to produce amazing results in your life. You've got access to all you need, whether you see it right now or not. So, don't worry about that as you choose goals. Assume you have every resource you need, right at your fingertips, because you do.