What I was reminded of last night while attending Vision Quest, a speaking presentation by Ron Reynolds, at the Hilton Hotel in Bellevue, Washington is something I have heard many times and even practiced at brief periods of my life. Like others Reynolds explained the seemingly magical benefits of writing down goals.
Reynolds is the Vice-President in charge of Distributor Development for AdvoCare. He’s an author and creator of the DebtBuster System. He used to work with motivational speaker Jim Rohn
The Late Jim Rohn
as President of Jim Rohn Productions. On several occasions last night he quoted from one of my favorite authors, Richard Bach.
Jonathan Livingston Seagull
He quoted from Bach’s most famous book, Jonathan Livingston Seagull. And he quoted from my favorite Bach book, Illusions, The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah. He said, “You are never given a dream without also being given the power to make it come true”. I’ve written goals before, with success. Perhaps you have to. I’m saddened by my foolishness, procrastination, and inability to focus and do something I know from experience and from education works. Writing down goals, and doing it regularly is perhaps the single most important self-improvement tool anyone can do. Just ask yourself, who’s more likely to be a success or overcome obstacles…a person with a written list of passionate goals, or a person just getting through life day-to-day? Isn’t the answer obvious?
So, following Reynolds advice and countless others I’ve finally made my “Things I Want in Life” list. I thought it would be too personal to share here as I do so many of my other thoughts. But after writing it I don’t feel it’s anything to be ashamed of; and making it public may make me more accountable and make the list that much more powerful. Don’t you think?
Here it is:
1. A house on a lake or river where I can regularly go fishing.
This has been a dream of mine for years. Now it’s no longer a dream it’s a goal. Soon it will be a reality.
2. Freedom from debt.
Debt is suffocating. And it’s suffocating me and my family and my business too much right now.
3. Financial freedom.
This may seem to be simultaneous with #2; but it’s not. I’ve seldom had debt problems in my life. I’ve even less seldom had financial freedom. Though, it’s true, #2 will HELP achieve #3.
4. The respect of my children.
I hope I already have this. But at times I’m not sure. Two of my kids are adults. I want to be sure.
5. Respect of my wife.
See above.
6. To live until at least 80 years of age.
This may seem like a low target. But my family history suggests that it’s a rather lofty goal.
7. A home in a sunny place.
Goal #1 is most important. And if we can get it in a sunny place Goal #7 is fulfilled. But then again, I’d settle for two homes.
8. A self-sustaining company.
My company Total Broadcasting Service as well as our Plan-B income, AdvoCare are both capable of achieving this goal for me. First one to the finish line wins. 🙂
9. Clothes that fit.
I’ve lost 35 pounds with the great help of AdvoCare, but our debt problems make buying new clothes impossible right now. So this is actually a pretty important and immediate goal.
10. An inheritance for my kids.
My Dad left me and my brother nothing, because he had nothing. My Mom will do likewise. I won’t do this to my kids.
11. A red 1965ish Ford Mustang Convertible.
What good is it to have financial freedom, Goal #3, if I can’t enjoy it with the occasional toy.
12. Lots of friends.
I am grateful for all my friends. I want more.
13. Time, money and ability to vacation with friends all over the world.
I’ve never travelled much. I want to do so.
14. Seahawk, Mariner, and Sonics season tickets.
Currently we have Seahawk tickets.
15. A vacation home in Wenatchee.
Burch Mountain above Wenatchee
I love Wenatchee. My wife…not so much. So a permanent home there seems unlikely. So I’ll settle for a vacation home there instead.
16. Ability, time and money to help family and friends any time any where. And their confidence that I will help them.
I feel that I am currently hamstrung in any efforts to benefit people I love. And that hurts.
17. A college education for all my kids, fully paid for by me.
I didn’t get this when I was young. Ever since I have wanted to provide it for my kids. We began to do so with my oldest. She then dropped out and that was that. We have one more left to go. Fortunately she repeatedly talks of going to college and I don’t want to let her down.
18. Be a leader.
Hopefully I am. But I can do better.
19. To write and publish a book that will be read by others for years.
As evidenced by this blog I enjoy writing. I hope I’m good. I hope I get better.
20. A fishing boat.
21. My wife’s happiness, always.
22. A complete genealogical account of my families history.
23. A historic memorabilia collection.
24. A safe, secure retirement.
25. A savings account.
26. Ability to always find positive words in any situation.
27. A new pool table and time and ability to use it, preferably with friends.
28. Laser eye surgery.
29. Shoulder surgery.
30. To establish a truly worthwhile charity to address literacy.
The list isn’t in any particular order of priority. I want it all, so there seems no need to have any order of priority. It is complete. I thought hard about adding to it. But, there is little else that comes to mind, or that I would write here.
Some of the list is superficial. Some of it is more “spiritual”, in a sense. But having finally written it down, I’m filled with confidence that everything on the list is bounding my direction at this very moment. So I’ll stop writing and get busy achieving.
Thanks for visiting. Comments are welcome.
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