>From what I came up with, some were due to things I was or wasn't doing. Not happy with that as an answer, I looked around for other possibilities. And I came up with my own list of what goals have in common. Characteristics if you will.

A goal must be…

ACHIEVABLE: Just because we may not have done something doesn't make it impossible for us. Odds are, someone, somewhere, at some point in time, has done what we would like to do. That by itself, makes it possible. And, like running 4-minute mile, what seemed impossible before, is now achievable.

BELIEVABLE: Can we do it? Can we learn how to do what it takes? Do we have time? Can we find time? Do we have self-discipline it will take to keep going to achieve it? Have we made any steps toward it? Have we reached any other goals in our lifetime no matter how small they seem now? As long as we can answer yes to some of those questions, and our goal is within reason, it can happen for us.

Life is full of decisions; we make hundreds of them every day. Most are automatic and minor ones. However, occasionally we are compelled to make vitally important decisions about major life-goals. These decisions are often practical or ethical ones. For example, we occasionally have to take major decisions like choosing a marriage partner (assuming they'll take you, that is), choosing to leave a partner in marriage, or decisions about what to do with your life.

HINTS IN DECISION MAKING

A positive attitude to life helps make major decision making far easier and less stressful. Here are some general hints on decision making (although it's one of my weakest areas); but I'm trying hard to improve...

1. Get rid of your mental blocks.

2. Give up notion that there is only one 'right solution' to problem/dilemma you are confronting.

3. Don't fear making a mistake.

4. View your problems as a normal part of life (is that possible?). Every problem requiring a decision is an "opportunity in disguise".

5. See yourself not as an indecisive person; but rather someone who sometimes behaves indecisively...that's a rather kind way of putting it.

6. Develop your intuition and logic, but listen to what your heart says (gut feeling).

7. Stop and think before you act. Stop yourself doing first thing you think of. That's me for sure!

8. Be specific.

9. Know what your goals and your values are, principles of your existence, before taking a major life decision. Ask yourself, if ideal outcome is in alignment with your values.

10. Write down all positive and negative factors for and against taking a particular course of action. American president, Benjamin Franklin did it in two columns when confronted with major decisions.

11. Think how decision will benefit YOU first. Do what you and not what other people really want.

12. Try to think calmly and rationally (very difficult for me).

13 ("lucky"). Do your homework and get all facts before you make decision.

14. Get opinions and feedback from others you trust; but don't let them make decision for you.

15. Establish priorities and "soulsearch" (for a "soulmate"). Ask yourself what are critical factors? What is single most important consideration?

16. Trust your impulses, your "gut-feelings". Use your intuition through meditation - this is "God, Universe" "speaking" back to us through all "accumulated wisdom" of world.