I had a birthday a few days ago. My children tell me I'm old. So does my drivers license.

They say that with age comes wisdom. I think they're right, but not because you naturally get smarter. You just have more opportunities to hang out with smart people.

I encountered one of those smart people at a conference 5 years ago. My husband and I were there for his business, but one particular session changed my life and our marriage. The topic was goal setting.

I realize many of you already are goal setters, but I was not. As a generally easy-going, laid back person, I was geared toward letting life come to me. I was flexible and usually saw the glass as half full. I adjusted to life as it happened. Not bad qualities to have, and I certainly was easier to live with than some. The problem was, I ended up living other people's dreams, since I didn't have any of my own.

Psycho-babble aside, I need to learn how to set goals. It made me think about what I wanted out of life. It gave me permission to dream my own dreams--both big and small.

Here are the 5 areas the speaker laid out for us: Spiritual, Family, Business, Financial, Personal. We had to set 5 goals in each area, then add 5 more "Fun" goals. He also had us set 5-year goals and write a "Life's To-Do List". He then asked the question, "What kind of person do you wish to become?" and "What character qualities do you want to develop?"

At first it was hard for me to think so specifically, but after a while, I loved doing it. I found out I have a great capacity to set goals and reach them. I also found out I sometimes overreach, not all goals are worth my time, some goals need to be reset day by day, and life does not end when goals are not met.

I have lost and gained the same 10 pounds several times, and my photo albums are still not complete, but I have accomplished so much more than I would have had no goals been set.

We have now incorporated goal setting into our family. We sit down at the first of the year and have everyone think about what they want for the coming year. It ranges from the kind of family vacation they want to grades they want to work for, money they want to earn, ribbons they want to win, and games they want to play. They love looking back to see how well they did. It also gives my husband and me a chance to set some goals together--so we're working towards the same end.

How about you? Have you set any goals for 2008? Are they specific? Attainable? Track-able? I would love for you to share them with the rest of us. Sometimes we need to get our good ideas from someone else. Don't just share your professional goals; we'd love to hear about the rest of your life, too! I'll get us started:

Family: Take at least 4 family bike rides.

Spiritual: Join a Bible study.

Business: Learn to use the new ECG machine at work.

Financial: Inform Dave of expenditures over $75 before shopping.

Personal: Read 2 books/month.

Fun: take a class from the Park District.

Character Quality: Be more of an encourager.

Now it's your turn. Let's live our dreams!

Related: Attitude, Goals, Learning, Morale, Motivation, Prioritizing, Success