Let's be more specific now. Imagine that right before you is a pizza cut into eight slices. Each slice represents a particular aspect of happiness; when all eight slices are together, your happiness is complete. These eight slices represent:
MENTAL / EMOTIONAL HAPPINESS - the ability to master your mind and control your feelings and emotions.
SPIRITUAL HAPPINESS - being able to balance the needs of both body and spirit.
PERSONAL HAPPINESS - overcoming a personal weakness or disability.
CAREER HAPPINESS - feeling accomplished about the work you do.
FINANCIAL HAPPINESS - no, there's nothing wrong with earning more than enough for your needs.
SOCIAL HAPPINESS - getting along with everybody and being held in high regard by others.
PHYSICAL HAPPINESS - having a healthy body.
FAMILY HAPPINESS - having a fulfilling relationship with your family.
Your own state of happiness becomes better and better when you progress in any of these eight aspects. You can excel in one but it will be even better if you can excel in all. Try to think of what you want to achieve within these eight "slices." You'll be surprised at how much potential you have.
Work your goals around these "slices." If you don't have goals yet, now's the time to make them. If you already have some idea of what your goals are, make those goals concrete by quantifying them. It's not enough just to say, for example, that you want to have a better personality. You'll need to develop specific targets, say, enroll in a short personality-development course or read a self-help book on that topic.
Here are several recommended steps to help you through:
LIST DOWN THE SEVEN MOST IMPORTANT THINGS YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE IN LIFE.
Work these goals backwards. Identify goals or accomplishments you want to reach within 10 years, then 5 years, then this year, this month and this week. Be sure they tie to accomplishing your lifetime goals. By determining your lifetime goals first then listing tasks to accomplish within a shorter time frame that connect to the overall lifetime goal, you are more likely to accomplish what is most important.
VISUALIZE THE END RESULT RIGHT AWAY
If you begin by picturing what the end result should look like, it is easier to remain focused on your goal. Form a clear image of your end result. Put it on paper then work the plan backwards. What will it take to accomplish this goal? How will your business be structured when you reach your target? What will your home look like when you reach your financial goal? How will you act toward others when you reach your spiritual goal? Picture the end result first, then outline the plan for reaching your target.
BASE YOUR GOALS ACCORDING TO YOUR VALUES
It's great to set up goals according to your priorities, but it's even greater to set goals that match your values. Why? Because your values determine how successful you will be with your goals. Determine what values you want to put first, be it family, career, financial, spiritual or physical well-being. Your list of goals can be categorized into any of these areas, but there should be one area that takes precedence over the others. This primary focus should figure into all of your goals in every category.
WRITE 'EM DOWN
Again, a goal that is not written is merely a wish! Get a journal or long-term organizer. Put them in the beginning pages. Post them in your mirror, on your bathroom door, or wherever you can see them, to help you keep on track of what needs to be done and when they need to be completed.
WORK OUT YOUR PLAN
One reason why many goals stay unfulfilled is the fact that they just remain that, goals. Every goal needs a specific plan of action. If you want to build a strong relationship with your family, then identifying the ways by which you can accomplish that goal, and write them down. Determine what it will take to reach the goal. Identify the tasks that you need to do to accomplish your goals. Your dreams can come true... provided you map out the plans to make them come true.
BASE YOUR GOALS ON PERFORMANCE
Set goals which you know you have the power to achieve; just imagine the disappointment you feel when you fail to achieve a goal for reasons beyond your control, such as unfavorable conditions, poor judging, or bad influence. It's good to dream of becoming the president of your country, but do you think that's what your life is really aimed for?
FIRST THINGS FIRST
In other words, do one thing at a time. Our list of tasks can become so large that it might overwhelm us. Focus on one thing at a time. Do something everyday to move you closer to your goal, but don't over schedule the tasks and run the risk of making them overwhelming and unachievable.
REVIEW YOUR GOAL PERIODICALLY
Just before you climb into bed every night, review one of your goals. This allows your subconcious mind to work while you sleep. Your subconcious can be very creative and, even if you can hardly remember those ideas when you wake up in the morning, they can have a generally good effect on your attitude towards your goals.