Setting ethical goals is an important step in taking control of your own life.
Dr. Maxwell Maltz was a cosmetic surgeon who wrote the influential book, Psycho Cybernetics.
He described studies of the human mind that found we have an internal “success mechanism” to accomplish goals. The most basic human goal is simply “to live.”
When we clearly define and ardently desire goals, the subconscious mind goes to work to achieve them. (Note the emotional element. If we don’t have a burning desire for a goal, we won’t do what’s necessary to achieve it.) We notice pathways and opportunities we might not have noticed before. We should attract others who are mentors or have similar interests and who can help us with our goal quest. Get help. This usually isn’t a “solo” project.
Maltz describes this as an internal servo-mechanism that functions like a torpedo or guided missile. We take action to move in the direction of a goal. We will probably make mistakes, and then correct our course until we accomplish the goal.
We identify obstacles to be overcome to achieve the goal.
In some cases, we might decide that we have to change our goals. For example, if you can’t stand the sight of blood, you probably shouldn’t be a medical doctor. If doing math problems gives you brain fog and you’re good at working with your hands, consider being an automobile mechanic. Choose goals that are suitable for your interests, personality, and physical and mental abilities.
When you have an aggressive goal, avoid sharing it with anyone who isn’t very supportive. Even family members may discourage you in your quest and kill your dream. Unfortunately, it’s human nature to be skeptical of the quest of others for success.
Goals can contribute to our longevity. When we have a reason to wake up in the morning, we’re more likely to do so. When we don’t have a reason to wake up in the morning and we’re aged or ill, we might “check out” of living. So your very life might depend on having ethical goals!
Motivational speaker Zig Ziglar used to say, “If you don’t have goals, how are you doing?” Having a goal gives us a mental yardstick to measure our progress.
Most motivational teachers recommend writing your goals down and reading and reviewing them often.
Write down what you want to achieve, a target date, how you and others will benefit, and what you are willing to do (such as self-education and service) to achieve it. Imagine enjoying the benefits in the present. Then get to work doing your part to make it happen.
If you haven’t already done it, how about doing it now?
Then, when you achieve a goal, set a new one to continue the progression of your life.