“A goal properly set is halfway reached.” Abraham Lincoln

We’ve identified, detached and began filling the void of former toxic relationships. We’ve also determined where we rank on the self confidence meter, defined what it means to act confident even when we don’t necessarily feel confident, and I’ve given you daily tips on how to increase your confidence over time. Additionally, we’ve learned what happens to us, mentally and physically when our dreams & aspirations stay dormant. You’ve brainstormed and written down everything you want to do, become, or have, and you’ve written down where you currently are in pursuit of those things.You’ve also noticed the GAP, the space between where you ARE and where YOU WANT TO BE.

If you have NO clue what I am talking about then start here: Toxic Relationships: Are You in One, or Several?  —  http://bit.ly/1QK7lAo

Now it’s time to narrow down your dreams & aspirations and turn them into goals.

Remember the dream & aspiration is the starting point, your place to create and envision; the actual goal moves the dreams & aspirations into action!

The best way I’ve found in narrowing down my goals is to choose 5 areas of my life I want to improve. For example, I begin with set categories like: Home, Career, Health, Fitness, etc. From there I make a SMART goal - remember SMART goals? SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. Say for instance one of your goals is to lose weight, you might set the goal something like this:

I (insert name) commit to losing 10 lbs by (insert date) I will do this by:

1. eating 3 servings of fruits and vegetables daily

2. going to the gym 2-3x per week

3. walking 15 mins 2-3x per week

You’ve now specified the goal by stating it and giving it an end date. By adding your name, you’ve committed yourself. The next thing to do would be create goals in other areas that you’d like to improve on, write them out and sign your name on the bottom. Ink It! Post your goals on a wall, someplace you’ll see them everyday like the bathroom mirror (if you have a large mirror) or refrigerator; as long as you see them everyday. You want to look at them everyday before you leave the house and everyday before bed. Visualize yourself attaining your goals and becoming the best you that you can be. See yourself healthier, making more money, living in your new home. Feel what its like healthier, stronger, debt free, etc. Before you make decisions ask yourself if it is moving you closer to, or further away from your goal. Choose wisely, as Della Reese told Martin in ‘A Thin Line Between Love and Hate’ - “a moment of pleasure can bring you a lifetime of pain.”

A few things to keep in mind with regards to goal setting:

• Make sure the goal is something you really want

• Write the goal in as much detail as possible

• Make sure your goal is high enough and that you give yourself adequate time to achieve it

• The most important, WRITE THE GOAL DOWN, goals in your head are not goals, they are ideas that you’re not fully acting upon!