Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s chief disciples, the Six Goswamis, set goals!
About this, Srinivasa Acarya writes:
Sankhya-purvaka-nama-gana-natibhih … “The Six Goswamis performed their daily sadhana in a scheduled manner, carefully counting their chanting, bowing down, and so on.”
Srila Prabhupada calls the Goswami’s measured approach: “Maintaining a numerical strength.”
Those who are serious about spiritual advancement may take advantage of this technique by setting daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly goals for their spiritual lives.
Once you set a goal and you write it down, you’ll see that your mind immediately begins working to attain it. It’s like magic.
Here are a few practical tips on setting goals.
1. Decide what you want and write it down.
2. Make your goals SMART:
Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Realistic
Timely
3. Write your goals in present tense and make them positive:
“I read the entire SB in the next five years.”
4. Break large goals in smaller tasks.
Example– Ask: “How many pages a day must I read to finish the SB in one year, two years, etc?”
5. Create accountability by sharing your goals with others you trust.
6. Make your list of goals visible and review it often.
“Where attention goes, energy flows.”
7. Stay on course: regularly assess and celebrate your progress.
8. If needed, adjust your goals to make them realistic and exciting.
(This means, you may have to adjust them up or down …)
9. Categorize your goals:
Spiritual
Family
Professional
Health, fitness
Etc.
10. Use various time frames:
One minute, hour, day, week. Thirty Day, One year, Five year, Ten year, Lifetime, Etc.
Of all the tips listed above, the first is most important: “Decide what you want and write it down.” Doing this transfers your goal from the subtle level of thought, to the grosser level of ink on paper. From there it will continue to manifest outwardly. (Especially if you purposely work at it.)
Begin today by sitting quietly with a pen and paper. Meditate on elements of your spiritual practice and life that you’d like to improve; think of what you’d like to attain, and transform your aspirations into written goals. Don’t worry if they seem to be very small or humble goals. Remember, “Drops a day wear the stone away.” “Inch by inch, it’s a cinch.”
After writing down even one new goal, you’ll be off to a fresh start in your spiritual life and you’ll feel a new sense of animation.
Hare Krsna!
Quotes to note:
“Disturbance is due to want of an ultimate goal, and when one is certain that Krsna is the enjoyer, proprietor and friend of everyone and everything, then one can, with a steady mind, bring about peace” (Srila Prabhupada; Bhagavada-gita As It Is, 2.66, Purport).
“If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there.” (Alice in Wonderland)
“Goals are potent.” (Will McCoy)
Vaisesika Dasa