The difference between a goal and a dream is the written word. - Gene Donohue

In India, marriage is one perfect example of a "written Goal". As soon as the formal engagement is over, everybody sits down to finalize the date of the marriage and rest of the actions then onwards revolves around the "marriage date". A written goal in the shape of invitation card is circulated among the relatives and friends. By nature, we Indians keep on postponing our other goals in life but I have yet to come across a marriage being postponed. Invitation card, written goal, brings the commitment.

Too many of us treat goal setting the same way. We dream about where we want to go, but we don't have a map or committed action plan to get there.

What is a map? In essence, the written word.

What is the difference between a dream and a goal? Once again, the written word.

But we need to do more then simply scribble down some ideas on a piece of paper. Our goals need to be complete and focused, much like a road map, and that is the purpose behind the rest of this article. If you follow the 7 steps I've outlined below you will be well on your way to becoming an expert in building the road maps to your goals.

Life consists in what a man is thinking of all day. -Ralph Waldo Emerson

1. Make sure the goal you are working for is something you really want, not just something that sounds good. The important thing to remember here is that your goals must be consistent with your values.

2. A goal can not contradict any of your other goals. For example, you can't buy a big house in Greater Kailash on an income of Rs50,000 per year.

3. If you need help from someone in achieving your goal, will you have his or her cooperation? If you plan on opening a business with your friend and he has the marketing know how and you have the money, but he doesn't share your goal, you need to change your goal.

4. Write your goal in the positive instead of the negative. Work for what you want, not for what you want to leave behind.

5. Write your goal out in complete detail. Instead of writing "A new home," write "A 4,000 square foot contemporary with 4 bedrooms and 3 baths and a view of the mountain on 20 acres of land.

6. By all means, make sure your goal is high enough. Shoot for the moon, if you miss you'll still be in the stars.

7. This is the most important, write your goal as though it is already accomplished. For example, "I own the largest printing company in India that specializes in business cards."

So your goals are written down.

Now what?

First of all, unless someone is critical to helping you achieve your goals, keep your goals to yourself. The negative attitude from friends, family and neighbors can drag you down quickly. It's very important that your self-talk (the thoughts in your head) are positive.

Reviewing your goals daily is a crucial part of your success and must become part of your routine. Each morning when you wake up read your list of goals that are written in the positive, already accomplished form, out loud. Visualize the completed goal, see the new home, smell the leather seats in your new car, feel the cold hard cash in your hands. Then each night, right before you go to bed, repeat the process. This process will start both your subconscious and conscious mind on working towards the goal. This will also begin to replace any of the negatives self-talk you may have and replace it with positive self-talk.

Every time you make a decision during the day, ask yourself this question, "Does it take me closer to, or further from my goal." If the answer is "closer to," then you've made the right decision. If the answer is "further from," well, you know what to do.

If you follow this process everyday you will be on your way to achieving unlimited success in every aspect of your life.

Nothing can add more power to your life than concentrating all your energies on a limited set of targets. -Nido Qubein