Define your goals

It's not enough to say, "I want to be happy," "I want to have a lot of money," or "I want my family to be well." Those aren't goals; they're vague ideas. A goal, even if related to a dream, must be clear and specific. "Being happy" doesn't fulfill those criteria. You need to start being clear and specific, defining what being happy or having a lot of money means to you. This allows you to focus on these things and make them more real.

A goal needs to be measurable and achievable. Saying "I want to have a million Euros" doesn't make it a concrete goal. The goal becomes specific when you start being specific about it. Where do you want to have that million? In your bank account? Invested in properties totaling a million Euros? In a client portfolio? We need to keep working on and defining our goals more and more until they become something more real. They will cease being a fantasy, and instead of saying, "My life goal is to have a lot of money," you'll suddenly be saying something like, "I want to own 4 properties worth 150,000€ each in the next 10 years," for instance.

When you start defining goals specifically, you make them achievable. If you don't define the point you want to reach, you'll never get there.

MANAGE AND MAKE USE OF YOUR TIME

I'll never tire of saying it: We all have the same 24 hours a day. We can all organize our time to achieve our goals. Invest the time necessary to know clearly what you want and the best means to achieve it. Analyze where you want to go and the shortest path to get there. The clearer you are, the easier it will be. Even if it seems like pure literature, it's a reality. Write down what you want and how to achieve it.

TAKE RESPONSIBILITY

To take charge of your life, you must assume responsibility. That's when you become an adult. I know people who are 40, 50, or 60 years old and are constantly complaining about others or past experiences. They're still trapped in negative feelings and sensations from the past. They can't free themselves. Only when you free yourself from those emotions and stop blaming others can you set goals. What will you gain by complaining about something that happened years ago? Assume your responsibilities and turn the page.

VISUALIZE

Visualize yourself in a certain period with your goals achieved. Imagine what your perfect life would be like in 5 or 10 years. Not in the short term. In your ideal future, you must know exactly what you want at that moment and the path you will follow to achieve it. We're more capable of seeing and imagining in the distance and can devise a plan to get there.

DEFINE YOUR VALUES

Everything starts with your values. Your goals must be consistent with your values. If you pursue a goal that isn't aligned with your values, you'll never be happy because it has nothing to do with you. Any attempt to live not aligned with your values will only produce stress, negativity, unhappiness, cynicism, frustration, and anger.

BE REALISTIC

Make a list of 10 things you would like to achieve in your life. Imagine you have all the time and money in the world. Write everything down. Then highlight the 3 most important things in your life. Also, highlight what would change in your life if you were to win a million euros tomorrow. What would you do with your time if you only had 6 months left to live? These are the types of questions you have to ask. It's the only way you can decide your true goals. You'll find opportunities you didn't know existed, and appropriate paths will appear to reach that future.

SELF-CONFIDENCE

Sometimes we have a credibility issue with ourselves. When that happens, you have to act as if you have already achieved what you're seeking. Your goal or purpose. That way, your attitudes are working to change your beliefs. There's a very simple exercise that serves as an example. Imagine you're stressed or having a bad day. You look in the mirror and see yourself downcast, with drooping shoulders, etc. You feel bad in general. But if you act as if you have a different feeling or sensation, your mind will also change your convictions and your confidence.

FOCUS ON SOLUTIONS

When there's a problem, don't focus on blaming anyone. Focus on solutions. That's what winners do. Then analyze how it happened and try to prevent it from happening again.

BECOME AN EXPERT IN YOUR FIELD

Commit to excellence. Try to be among the best in your field. Many times we stay in a professional comfort zone. We have certain behavior patterns that guarantee our monthly routine. This isn't enough. Try to evolve, do new things, and be innovative. Step out of your comfort zone. If you manage to become an expert in your field, you will undoubtedly increase your chances of achieving your goals.

GET TOGETHER WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE

In business and life, everything is based on relationships. We have to cultivate successful relationships with the right people. This is a critical determinant factor. Strive to relate to the kind of person you like or admire. Network, participate in a Mastermind Group, or hire a mentor or coach.

DEVELOP AN ACTION PLAN

Every minute you dedicate to planning will save you 10 minutes in execution. There's no perfect plan. Don't get stuck thinking about a perfect business plan. Success depends on your ability to accept changes.

Go for it.

Micky Branco