Many of us don’t spend a lot of time setting goals. It feels like a waste of time. Why not just get going?

We’ve all traveled without directions. Say you want to try to find a restaurant you’ve been told about. You know the city in which it is located, know which street it is near, but not the address.

You may find the place with no trouble. More likely, however, you end up driving around and around—close, perhaps lost. You may luck into the place after around wasting a lot of time and gas. You may need to stop and ask for directions. If your search is frustrating enough, you may even decide to eat elsewhere or go home. Poor planning has resulted in a disappointing outcome.

We rarely behave so casually when preparing for a trip with higher stakes.

If you are expected at a job interview at 10 a.m., you print out a map with accurate directions, calculate when to leave so as to arrive on time, and assess the state of your gas gauge.

If you are taking a cross-country trip, you pull out a roadmap and chart a course. After all, the rewards and risks of traveling are high: You want to maximize fun in new places and minimize time on the road.

We can afford to “wing it” when it comes to whims. Dreams are another matter. They are always important enough to warrant a roadmap. They require goal-setting.

Perhaps you’d like to start your own business, move to a bigger house, or lose some weight.

If you truly are excited about that house, that business and that weight loss, then be prepared to write down the steps you will need to take to change your status quo.

Taking the time to write down your goals sets you on a forward path. It is a response to and a reinforcement of a meaningful decision: “This destination matters to me.”

Set goals as to how to accomplish your dreams and you will avoid getting lost on the way. For the past 25 years, that has been the message of Anthony Robbins, noted life coach, speaker and author.

“One reason so few of us achieve what we truly want is that we never direct our focus; we never concentrate our power,” he has said. “Most people dabble their way through life, never deciding to master anything in particular.”

Tony Robbins speaks from experience. As a young man, he found himself feeling trapped: broke, overweight and depressed. He was adrift. His life began to improve the moment he began writing down the things he wanted, and to envision steps he could take to achieve them.

“More than anything else, I believe it’s our decisions, not the conditions of our lives, that determine our destiny,” he has said.

Once Anthony Robbins created a personal roadmap, he began moving toward a level of success he had once thought impossible.

He now reaches audiences the world over, urging them to take the long view and by take control. His message? “Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.”

We’ve discussed WHY it’s important to set goals. Find out HOW in our next article, Goal-setting: Getting Started.

Need help setting your goals? We warmly you reccomend you start by browsing our Anthony Robbins books section or attending a seminar of Anthony Robbins.

‘AWAKEN THE GIANT WITHIN is a fascinating, intriguing presentation of cutting edge findings and insights across a broad spectrum of issues, including the growing consciousness that true success is anchored in enduring values and service to others’ STEPHEN R. COVEY, author of bestselling THE 7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE

‘You can’t afford not to know what Anthony Robbins is teaching!’ KENNETH BLANCHARD, author of THE ONE-MINUTE MANAGER

‘Tony Robbins inspired me to take my career to the next level. Having attended all of his live courses, he definitely is the number one communicator in the world. He really knows how to bring out the best in you so that you consistently peak perform’ ROGER BLACK, World Olympic medallist, BBC television presenter and motivational speaker.

‘Tony thinks differently, and thank god he does, because he helps us to think differently about everything. Talk about value added leadership!’ MIKE BASCH, FEDERAL EXPRESS

Tony explains the how to unlock and unleash what stops you from succeeding:

1.Identify and Resolve your inner conflicts.

2. Align your life with what you really value.

3. Take action.

4.Achieve.

5. Succeed.

6. Celebrate

7.Contribute

Preview of Tony’s seminar. Learn simple strategies to tranform your vision into a mission. Succeed both in your life and your enterprise.Establish where you are in your life today and where do you want to go. Separate the vehicle from the outcome.Success without fulfillment is failure.

Preview of the ultimate relationship program. A comprehensive system Transforming every area of your relationship. Transfrom pain and suffering into passion and lasting love.Watch an excerpt from the program by Tony and his wife Sade. Take your relationship to the next level!