Achieve Goals Without Trying

I was walking briskly by the magazine rack at the gym and one of the headlines on a magazine caught my eye. The title read, "Lose weight without trying." I began to wonder how was that done. A magic pill, the cure all for cellulite. Perhaps, positive thinking will melt away the pounds of Christmas sweets and baking. I am afraid not. I did not open the magazine to read the article but it got me thinking. Can you achieve your goals without trying too?

Goal setting is an exercise of your mind. You must get clear on what it is you want so you can start moving toward achieving it. Keeping track of your goals in your mind is not very effective. You must write them down, hence the phrase, "Think it and ink it." By doing this, you make your goals more tangible and real. You also bring your goals to a greater awareness; they are not something you tuck in the back of your mind and only retrieve when the time feels right. If you want something bad enough, the time should be right now. If not, when?

Goals have parameters that need to be considered when writing them out. You need to be specific with what it is you wish to achieve. Maybe you do want to lose weight. If so, much? Once you are sure on what it is you want to achieve, what will demonstrate to you that you have achieved it? For weight loss, it could be the scale, how you feel in your clothes, or the measurements you read as you use a tape measure on different circumferences of your body.

"A goal is a dream with a deadline." - Napoleon Hill

You need to be able to measure your results. In what time frame do you wish to achieve your goal? Now with that being said, goal setting is specific to individuals. Your goal is set and completed by you, no one else can achieve your goal for you as it is your vision for vision for yourself. You have to be invested in yourself. Are the goals you have set achieveable and realistic for you and the time frame you set to accomplish ? Setting a goal to lose 20 pounds in one week is not realistic nor healthy for you. Do you see what I mean? How does someone achieve a goal without trying?

A person needs to take action steps to create a momentum toward achieving their goals. Goal setting is the "magic pill" of achievement. Consistent action and cultivation of healthy goal setting or habits will take a lot further than "without trying". As Dr. Phil would say, "How is that working for you?"

The Three Gifts of Time

Time is precious commodity. We cannot borrow it because once it has been spent, it cannot be returned. The passing of time also represents the becoming of who you are now and who you have yet to become. The three gifts of time are your past, present, and future.

The lessons you learn, you may not see as gifts. We all have events or situations in our lives that are pivotal or have transformed our lives into who we are. These situations and events are also a matter of perspective. I have heard from a number of different people about their life's journey and resilience from situations like abuse, being a child of a workaholic, neglect, death of a parent or spouse, and many others. I'm not saying that anyone deserved to be a product of their situation. What I am saying is these situations make who you are.

As I take some time to reflect on these three gifts, I came up with several insights and treasures.

PAST

Your past represents the beginning of your journey. It cannot be changed for it lies behind you. When you hold onto your past, it prevents you from moving forward and enjoying the present and planning for the future. Your past is a memory and a learning. It is the person you were at the time.

PRESENT

The present is the time that you're living in the moment. It can often be difficult for people to enjoy the moment because of all of the distractions in the world around them. That is why it is important to savor the moments, the feelings, and the laughter for soon it will be the past.

FUTURE

Future is what we plan and hope for. It allows us to dream. Your dream can be what you want to be, do, or have. It is the time of who you have yet to become regardless of your past and what situation or where you came from.

Cherish and embrace your PAST. Live in the PRESENT.

Dream and Plan for your FUTURE.

Who do you wish to become?