At first glance, it may seem that the reason we set personal goals is so that we can make more money or get more done. The fact is, money and productivity are not the areas of life that bring the most satisfaction and fulfillment to most people. Money is essential to life, however, and productivity is important in that it frees us up for those things that do bring fulfillment. Therefore, money and productivity goals are certainly in order.

When we consider our goals, the big question we need to answer is "What is my purpose? How can I make the world a little better place? What am I here for?" While that may seem overly lofty or spiritual for your purposes, there is always more satisfaction in life when these questions are considered.

Perhaps your purpose is to add a bit of beauty or entertainment through the arts, gardening, or even sports. Or maybe your real purpose is to build up a business until it not only provides you with a comfortable standard of living, but also provides jobs and income for many others who might otherwise be jobless. Whatever your ultimate purpose, setting goals will help you fulfill it.

A personal goal will be easier to obtain if you have a clear picture in your mind about why you want to reach it. It's always worthwhile to visualize or even write down what you hope to achieve when that elusive goal is eventually in your hand. It's certainly permissible to consider things like the respect and esteem of others as you consider these outcomes. Probably there are material blessings you hope to see materialize, such as a special car or good-looking fashionable clothes.

Sometimes, however, we are tempted to assume that reaching the goal will fulfill all of our deepest needs or will cause us to meet and pair up with that one significant other person who will fulfill our dreams. Unfortunately, these things are never assured. Certain goals, like weight loss and fitness, can improve our chances of meeting that special someone, but if you haven't done your homework on the inside you, all the outside beauty and fitness in the world will not hang on to them. Be a beautiful person if you want to have a beautiful life with beautiful relationships.

Personal goals can help you become that beautiful person on the inside as well as the outside. Consider how your goals treat others. Are you wanting wealth so bad that you are willing to be dishonest or step on people on your way to the top? Are you wanting a boyfriend or girlfriend so bad that you are willing to bust in on a thriving relationship? Are you so impatient to get to work that you look daggers at the harried young mother who is holding up traffic?

These attitudes will not ultimately carry you on to your goals. For a truly rewarding life, consider others while setting goals to increase your productivity. The goals are simply a tool - people are where it's really at!

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