fitness to finance

One of the biggest challenges in life is not succeeding, but succeeding at something that really matters! Don’t get sucked into setting goals for accomplishment in areas that are not your heart’s desire. You only have one life, God built you for a specific purpose, figure out that purpose and pursue it with all you’ve got! THEN set goals in that area! Remember, only do what only you were built to do. Leave everyone else’s agenda to them!

6. Goals should stand alone: What I mean by this is that some people set too many goals. They set goals in different areas, at different levels, and before very long at all, they are confused by them all. This is not the way to set goals. The secret of success is to focus. One dominant, overriding goal will produce creativity and action. So keep it simple and singular. Author Chris Brady

7. Goals should be short-term enough to put pressure on you today: A “someday” goal will not work, and is nothing more than a fantasy. A goal must put you in positive tension today, or it is not functioning properly. If you have set your goal out there far enough that you think, “Well, I can get started on that tomorrow and still have time to accomplish it,” then you’ve set it too far out on the calendar.

8. Goals should have a specific date of accomplishment: This goes with number 7 above. Make sure you have a finish line marked on your calendar.

There is much more to goal setting, but for me, these are the high points. Follow these, and you’ll be on your way to achievement and significance. Neglect this technique, and you’ll waste days, if not years, that you’ll never get back.

What is your overriding goal right now? If you don’t have one, set it quickly and get after it. The clock is ticking!

Nearly all the noteworthy leaders throughout history have been big readers.  Reading is the shortcut to successful thinking, the route to accurrate perspective, and the doorway to knowledge.  Reading can be fun and entertaining, enlightening and inspiring, and should always lead to a better understanding of our lives and the world we live in.

It is tragic that in our entertainment society we are losing our literary bent.  From what I can tell, although every airport has a book store, and although Barnes and Noble and Amazon seem to be doing fine on-line, there is a decline in the habit of reading.  With video games, movies, television, Internet, sports, traffic, hobbies, organizations, kid’s sports and activities, longer working hours, and that endless list of errands that need to be run, we seem to have very little time for simply reading.  I suggest, however, that it is important for us to make time to read.  As busy as people get, it seems that they always find a way to do the things they want to do.  Reading should be a priority that is worthy of a spot in our busy schedule.

Think about how much of our daily living is just thrashing against the current.  It doesn’t carry us forward toward our goals and dreams, nor does it even hit on our priorities.  In fact, a major percentage of our lives is spent and not invested.  But reading is an investment.  It is important.  It should be a priority in itself.  It jump-starts our brain and reminds us that we were created for more than just the daily grind.

Have you read the classics?  Do you have at least a working knowledge of some of the writings from the greatest minds of history?  Do you read from several different genre?  Have you had a book that has touched you deeply or awakened you to something grand?

Let me suggest that you make it a priority to increase the quantity and quality of reading in your life.  Make it part of your daily schedule; something that becomes habitual.  The more you do it, the more you’ll like it, until you find yourself yearning for the next break in your schedule where you can enthrall your mind once more.  There is a whole world in the pages of great books.  Go discover it for yourself!