Last Updated on January 10, 2025 by
Shree Maa and Swamiji always stress the importance of setting goals. By setting goals, our mind stays focused on what is most important. It also helps us to prioritize the activities required to achieve our dreams.
Accomplishing our dreams doesn’t just happen – we need to understand our values, to clearly articulate our aspirations, to define a path, and to develop a support system. Above all, we need the motivation to start now, even if it is with small daily steps!
Swamiji has shared with us his recommendation on how to develop a Plan to achieve our dreams. Below, you will find questions and “Helpful Tips”, which will assist you in thinking about how to create your dream life.
Swamiji explains that the chances of success increase dramatically if we get clarity on our values, vision, and path. Therefore, it is recommended that you take some quiet time, contemplate your dreams, and write down the answers to the questions in each section. Writing this down is important – it helps to bring clarity and serves as a reminder in the future.
Define Your Values
It is important to define and prioritize your values. By values, we mean what you believe to be good, important, desirable, and constructive.
Values are the foundation by which consistent goals are developed. Contemplate and write down the answers to these questions:
1) What are your values?
2) What is really important to you? Is it your family? Is it being spiritual?
3) Where does “success at work” fit into your value hierarchy?
Helpful Tips:
No one can choose your values for you. If you are unclear, then spend more time with people whose values inspire you. You can also find inspiration from the scriptures. For example, the Bhagavad Gita contains several lists of values that define a devotee, a knower of God, or a Deva (a shining one). The Chandi Path, the Devi Gita, the Ramayana, and the Mahabharatha are also great sources to reference.
Clearly Articulate Your Dreams
Swamiji says that without the definition of a goal, we do not have the criteria to discriminate between choices as they arise. Without discrimination, we become like the leaf, moving here and there with the wind.
Therefore, write down your dreams clearly and read them regularly!
Swamiji recommends that we think through our aspirations and make a timeline. For example, you could answer the questions below for each of these increments of time: one year, two years, five years, and 10 or more years:
1) Write down a clear description of your dreams.
2) Where do you want to be?
3) What do you envision doing?
4) With whom do you envision yourself associating?
Helpful Tips:
The more detailed you are the better. Think through all aspects of your life: family, finance, spirituality, career, skill sets you would like to have, condition of physical body, and relationships.
Define the Path to Accomplish Your Dreams
Once the dream is clear, articulate the path to the dream. As you think through the specific steps, it is important to state the action and the time frame to accomplish the goal. Some questions to ask are:
1) What is your path to accomplish your dream?
2) What are the major milestones and when do they need to be met?
3) What are the specific steps that you will undertake to achieve your dream?
Helpful Tips:
Sri Ramakrishna had said “If you want to go east, don’t go west.” This is a reminder for us to associate with those who have realized their dreams, as they can show you the way. One of the secrets of accomplishing goals is to find a successful role model to emulate. For example, if you want to become a sadhu, spend time with sadhus. Study what they do, how they do it, and understand the obstacles they had to overcome.
Set Up a Support System
Rare are the individuals who have all the resources within themselves to attain their dreams. So, we enlist friends to encourage us to keep on track and to help us achieve our goals.
While this creates a debt, we joyfully receive from them, and, in turn, we share the fruit of our accomplishments with whoever would like to receive. In this way, we become free from the debt!
1) Identify and write down all of the resources and people with the skills and knowledge to help you accomplish your dream.
Start Now – Start Today – With Small Steps
Dreams and plans do not achieve themselves.
Endeavors succeed when we consistently strive in the same direction. Even small steps now will set you in motion toward your ideal life. Every day, ask yourself:
1) Have I done something today – even if it is small – to move me closer to my dream?
Helpful Tips:
Swamiji suggests that we breathe life into our dreams every day (prana pratishtha). Take actions, learn from your actions, and repeat these actions until the dream is realized!
And remember – the joy in the process of achieving your dreams far exceeds the joy of attaining your dream! Jai Maa! Jai Swamiji!