'If one advances confidently in direction of his dreams and endeavours to live life which he* has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected.' (Sorry ladies!) * * Only joking - you can have dreams too and achieve them even better than us "mere males" (and please don't beat up " Mr un- PC" Thoreau for neglecting you).

'Be true to your ideals, no matter what may happen now. Then things will take a turn and very things you wanted to happen will happen.' - anon

That one has just inspired me as I write this. *

Summary:

Set realistic, yet achievable goals. Ones that stretch you... because we are all different, what is achievable for one person might not be so easy for another. Also, because we are all unique creations with different hopes, desires, aspirations and dreams, what goal is important to you may be totally inappropriate for another individual's life direction. I believe setting goals is vitally important in achieving what we want out of life ...and setting even small daily goals are a great help in a daily action plan to move your life forward. I find it very satisfying ticking off even small routine tasks, like paying bills (well that is a big goal for a "starving" writer!). These small immediate goals are stepping stones to our bigger goals " down track".

WRITE THEM DOWN, because putting them down on paper makes for more COMMITMENT. It focuses your thinking on what you want to achieve, like a magnifying-glass (that's called a simile, by way!). Doing this chrystallises (nice big word) our hopes, aspirations and dreams. They keep us on track towards our medium-term and long-term goals - "grand plan or vision" for our lives.This is most important... Re-evaluate your progress from time to time. Doing this keeps you on track to see how you are progressing towards "big picture". I find it extremely satisfying looking back and ticking off goals I have achieved. ( Of course , I don't achieve all of them, but am working hard on that.)

It can be very encouraging seeing how far you have come , when you look back at your first "teeny-weeny" goals and doing this is a great motivater to me. Goals are first step in a positive plan of action. And always remember, every great journey down "river of life" starts with one small first step.

YOU CAN ACHIEVE ALL YOUR PERSONAL GOALS.

So WHAT'S STOPPING YOU FROM TAKING THAT FIRST STEP RIGHT NOW?

3. The partnership between your "Desires" and your "Resources". Often, we attempt projects for which we do not have skills, financing, or aptitude, and in end, we fail. Financing a lifestyle on credit cards is a common example. So is attempting to run a business without skills required for success. When our desires and our skills partner effectively, we are viewed as competent, and become an expert in our field. But when our desires and our resources are not aligned, result is frustration and disappointment.

4. The partnership between your "Vision" and your "Effort". Many entrepreneurs have a clear vision of success, but fail to do work of turning their vision into reality. Other individuals have energy and ambition to work hard, but without a guiding vision, their work is scattered, inconsistent and unproductive. Success requires partnering a brilliant vision with hard work of focused daily action.

To maintain these internal partnerships, regularly clarify your priorities. Review your goals and your values, and assess your actions in light of your vision. To achieve any long term success, you will need external partnerships with colleagues, suppliers, and customers, but you will also need strong internal partnerships based on knowing who you are, what you want, and where you are going in life. Nurture these partnerships and they will take you far. They will take you to top!