What Do I Want: A Guide to Setting Goals and Achieving Your Dreams

Introduction
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Do you ever take a moment to ask yourself: what do I want? Oftentimes our focus is compulsively drawn towards what others want from us, or what our own expectations of ourselves dictate. Rarely do we take time to tap into our hearts, dreams and true desires. What do we want from life, from our relationships, from our careers, from our hobbies? It may not be clear right away, but if you reflect deeply and start to set goals, you can begin to figure out what it is that really matters to you and can bring you joy.

The Steps of Setting and Achieving Goals
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Figuring out what you want is the first step, and it requires taking time for self-reflection. Think about what aspects of life you are unsatisfied with, and which areas of your life have been falling short in providing the growth or stability you crave and need. Consider what your lifelong dreams are, and which values and beliefs you hold dear. Do you want to find love, make more money, travel the world, pursue a degree? Figure out what sort of goals you may want to set for yourself and work towards a clearcut and attainable plan for achieving them.

Once you have a starting point, figure out when and how you are going to put in the work to actually achieve these goals. Strategize, plan, write lists, make a timeline, talk to those who may be able to help and support you along the way. Schedule chunks of time dedicated to working towards your goals, and make sure to incorporate positive self-talk to keep morale high and the fire inside of you burning.

Using Self-Motivation and Staying Positive
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Gaining clarity around what you want and setting goals are the first steps to ensuring that your dreams actually come true. Once you have a plan, it is important to stay focused, positive and motivated throughout the process of reaching your goals. This can be difficult, as the journey often involves disappointment, failures and unexpected setbacks. Life is full of unexpected circumstances, so make use of self-motivation to encourage yourself to keep on track. Remind yourself why the goal is important to you, and that the small victories along the way are just as meaningful as the ultimate outcome you’re striving for.

Celebrate every single small success and goal achieved. Share it with those you love and appreciate. Give yourself credit for all of the hard work and dedication you are putting in, and above all, stay positive. Visualize yourself achieving whatever it is that you want – it’s a powerful tool that can see you through those times when the going gets tough.

Conclusion
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We all have different dreams and desires. It is important that we take the time to reflect on what we want, to take a moment to listen to our hearts and to figure out which pieces of our life puzzle need to be assembled in order to make us feel satisfied and whole. When we have clarity around our goals and a plan for achieving them, it is entirely possible to make our wildest dreams a reality. Keep in mind the power of self-motivation and positive thinking and keep reaching for the stars.