Map to Success

When I started making "to do" lists I don't remember; it's been a good many years.  For my annual "End of Year Review" and next year "Goals," I don't remember starting but it's probably been around 20 years.  This has helped me organize my life considerably!  If you don't know where you're going in Life, how will you know how to get there?  How will you know when you've reached your goal?

Let's start with the most important goal in Life: reaching Heaven!  Or, call it, being a Saint. (Saints are dead; it's what you want to be after death.)  Now, please don't 'turn me off' on this goal!  Unless you aspire to be immortal, in that case, those around you may consider you delusional, we will all die.  So, make plans to get where you would like to be, either eternal heaven or eternal hell.  Call this goal, Spirituality.  Review whether or not you feel closer to God this past year; then plan how you will improve on it this year; let's be specific.  Do we plan on going to our church or synagogue or temple every weekend?  If you don't have a place of worship, will you find one?  "Witness" is very, very important!  We want to bring those we love to heaven with us.  Will we read more spiritual books or our Bible?  What about prayer?  Prayer with those we love helps us all.  At least we could give thanks before and after meals.

The next most important goal to me is Family and Friends.  How many times have we connected with our flesh-and-blood relatives?  Our dear friends?  Is there anyone with whom we need reconciling?  What would we like to do in 2014?  "Face time" is critical!  Phone calls, frequent text or e-mail messages, gifts, cards and letters, even Skype sessions do not take the place of real hugs and kisses.

Our personal Health is also a critical goal.  I expect that most of us know what it takes to be healthy: regular check-ups by our doctor, maintain the vaccinations we need, even as an adult, reach that healthy weight, take our meds as ordered, etc.  It isn't easy and it isn't cheap, but we want the energy we need to live well.  I personally have dealt with weight issues, so, if this is your problem, I feel your pain!  Have we done well in this area during the past year?  What should and will we be doing in 2014?

Our Job also needs to be high on our "goal" list.  Are we happy with the 2013 job situation?  Should we change jobs, work harder to get a job if we're unemployed, or perhaps 'retool' and get education in another area?  Think well here.  Money isn't everything but we need it to live.  I have retired from 20 years of nursing this past June 3rd.  It has been challenging to exist on quite a bit less income but it has been SO worth it!  Now I'm my own boss.  I'm busier than ever with my writing since I have more time; it is so fulfilling!

Finances need to be addressed, for sure. "Debt-free" status is attainable!  To not spend anything on credit interest is a most worthy goal!  It is delightful!  We can actually have more if we do this.  Or, we can save more.  Or, we can stretch our income to meet our needs.  A review of 2013 and plans for 2014 finances will help us.  "Budgeting" is not a four-letter word!

The rest of our Goals are individual.  What do you like to do in your spare time?  My categories include: Travel, Sewing & Crafts, and House & Garden.  Be specific about this category.  Then you get to cross off things as you finish them: dig out dead bush; visit family in Boston and Virginia; walk farther in the summer; install motion-sensitive light on back door, and continue to clean out attic are items I hope to do in 2014.

Stretch your world a bit.  Always have a few more goals than you can actually accomplish in one year. What do you want your life to look like in FIVE YEARS?  You may surprise yourself and reach your every goal!
Save these goals and aspirations.  They are interesting to look back on.

If you're dating, this whole subject needs to be thoroughly discussed if you envision a commitment together; you MUST know what the other person wants out of Life!  Don't get married with stars in your eyes.  Don't 'think' the great gal or great guy shares your goals.  Not everyone does.  Be certain!!

Some years are better - we can perform optimally.  Other years may be harder and we have to deal with illness - ourselves or others' - and we just do the best we can.  God knows and God helps because God loves us!