Did you set a goal early this year? Well, did you get what you want by now - after so many months of working hard for it? Apparently, most people don't and that's the problem with setting goals.

We cannot be setting goals with the intention of trying to get what we want because that will become a chasing game which will wear you out. Maybe not for you, but I know I will when I'm chasing 'something'. The goal must be a part of us. My goal is to become who I want and where I want to be mentally and physically.

Your goals must be something that you achieve internally so that you can see it, taste it, smell it and feel it.

Wealth. Love. Connection. Knowledge. Experience.

If you were to evaluate what's success, it boils down to being happy.

I'm not trying to play Zen Master here but to make a point how we make our lives complicated without understanding the true purpose of our action. Life doesn't have to be that way.

There are a few things I've learned from observations and experiencing this year and I'm glad to share them with you today.

1. Your mind attracts what you want. This year, I have my fair share of enjoying successes and experiencing setbacks in life. And when I sit back to think about it, they come in 'sequences'. Once I've gained success, I'll have the momentum to get another one. When I failed and stay in that state, another failure will come again. I don't know, some called it Law of Attraction. To me, I strongly believe that you get what you want based on what your mind thinks because it 'attracts'.

2. There's one time Grandma falls sick and stayed in the hospital for couple of days. When I visited her in the hospital, I felt blessed that she's still in this beautiful world. Although it's nothing serious, but my heart tells me one thing- nothing in this world will give me the same love and relationship I have with her.

There are only two factors that will remove your love and relationship with someone you care about- when he/she is no longer here or you have ignored the treasure you have today for something that is less valuable but perceived to be valuable. Let me warn you-- once they're gone, they're gone. You should know who to call, hug or kiss by now.

3. Know your roots. If you're successful today, you're probably once a 'nobody'. Always be humble because it will give you more success in life. Knowing your roots also means remembering those who have supported you when you're growing and stayed by your side through thin and thickness.

4. Explore life like there's no ending. Listen to new music. Visit new places. Eat at new restaurants. Meet new people. And an endless list of things you can do regardless of whether you're wealthy or not. You see, money doesn't stop you from exploring life. There are easily hundreds of things you can do with what you have today.

5. Life is great. You have an amazing life whether you want to admit it or not. There are people sleeping on the streets today, wandering to look for food and so on. Because you're reading this, I dare to assume that you're under a roof and are an educated person. You have eyes to read and a wonderful brain to think. For that, life is already great. The rest are bonuses. Some might complain about being financially broke. You can be broke but you can never be poor because being broke is a temporarily state that can be changed.