Goals
July 10, 2007, 05:37 PM
Nathaniel Branden, author of "The Six Pillars Of Self-esteem," wrote about "living purposefully." To live purposely is to live with intention and to use our powers for the attainment of our goals. Our goals lead us forward, call on the exercise of our faculties, and energize our existence. To live without purpose is to live at the mercy of chance. To live purposely is to live productively, of transferring our ideas into reality, of setting goals, and working towards their achievement.
Many people make New Year's resolutions and often, by the beginning of February, many of those resolutions have been broken. Resolutions are goals -- what we want to achieve during the year. Having a support group helps you commit to your goals.
Goals can be something as simple as exercising three times a week. They need to be specific and measurable so that you can monitor your progress and modify your strategy if necessary. To live purposely requires self-discipline. Coping with the challenges of life requires self-discipline. Self-discipline requires the ability to defer immediate gratification in the service of a remote goal -- to think, plan, and live long-range.
Recently, a new feature was added to SAS Civic Space that allows you to record your goals and monitor your progress. You can enter repeating goals such as working out on certain days of the week, or you can enter long term goals such as lose 30 lbs. (That's one I entered.) If you miss a deadline, you'll get a red mark.
Living purposely is not living a life without rest, relaxation, recreation, or even frivolous activity; it is about choosing such activities consciously.
