Setting goals for 2014

MANILA, Philippines – Hoping for a great 2014? Here are some ways that can help you start the year right.

The vision board 

Every year I take time to reflect about the year that passed and process the highlights and lowlights. I realized early on in life that every time I make a vision board, all my goals and targets are achieved. It is called such for a reason. Envision what you want to achieve, where you want to go and what you want to be. See it clearly and it will happen. Having all your dreams, your goals and target achievements on a vision board helps because if by mid-year you feel lost, just go back to it and believe. 

Setting goals 

Setting goals can be easy. Reflect and see what you want to achieve. You can even categorize your targets. Personally, I set quantitative goals for both work and personal savings. I also have physical fitness aspirations. Always remember that as much as possible, set specific numbers as targets like 54 kgs. Body weight, run a 21K marathon or 14% body-mass Index – you can’t manage what you can’t quantify. 

For personal growth, what do I want to learn and improve on? For this year, I plan to enroll in culinary classes and learn a new language, Chinese. Since I love to travel, I also set aside money for vacation and dive trips to places on my bucket list. Lastly, I always believe in having a purpose and being a conduit to help others. I try to think of ways to expand social responsibilities. For this year, I plan on helping the Yolanda survivors with sustainable livelihood programs. Your plans do not have to be grand. They can be simple like volunteering to take care of children in the Chosen Children Village or CRIBS will help you grow into a better version of yourself. Focus on growing in all aspects of your life. 

Be positive  

I always believe I can do what I set my heart to do. Sometimes we feel lost as the months pass. Take time to gather yourself, go back to your vision board or bucket list and think positive. Keep your mind and body active and busy – as they say, “idle hands are the devil’s playground.” Keeping busy also lessens the room to over think things and start doubting your purpose. Be flexible as sometimes there are alternatives that are actually better than what you originally wanted. 

Make each year count

Take each opportunity. Make every year count. We always hear clichés like YOLO (You only live once) and LITS (Life is too short), well, these really are true. We live such beautiful lives, we just have to know what we want and focus all our energy on that. Everyone has the potential to live an amazing life. 

Do not get caught up in the mundane tasks of every day life. Do not be trapped in the same box over and over again. Find the fire that makes you feel alive. Fuel the flame. Live your passion and love with no fear. Tell people you love that you love them every chance you have because I can’t stress enough how short life is, it can just be snatched away from you this very minute. Travel, spend time with family and create memories that you will treasure forever. 

Every year that I set my goals, I always keep in mind how my vision board fuels my passion, and how it pushes me beyond the limit. Life has limitless possibilities. Find happiness in every little thing. Happiness is a choice, your choice. 

Happy New Year!  – Rappler.com