I know it's almost everyone's tradition to create a list of goals or resolutions when a new year rolls around, but they are never taken ahold of fully. One of the main reasons people lose track of what they plan for themselves is because some of the goals are so far in advance it is too unknown to truly follow a set plan. I, personally, have such big dreams and sometimes I can't wrap my head around what I have to do to follow them.
When you set goals think about where you it will take you in a day. Then, once you're set in motion you can focus on where it'll take you in a week; a habit forming structure. After a week settles in you can take a glimpse of what a month will look like. Where you'll be in a year depends on how hard you strive to fully exert yourself into your plan.
"What you do everyday is more important than what you do every once in awhile." -Gretchen Rubin.
What I find easiest is to physically write down what I'm trying to accomplish, but the hardest part is actually setting time aside and making myself do it. I use motivation as a tactic, though. If, for example, I write or do homework for thirty minutes I get a break or sometimes food; however, when I push myself to get as much done as I can, it improves my mood and overall outcome, and usually I don't care for the prize I "award" myself. Using intervals as a time frame tends to enhance how thoroughly I enjoy what I'm doing, because I can see the progress overtime.
The goals I set for myself are more practical so they can impact my daily life in a positive way. I find the hobbies that I'm passionate about and hold importance to me and I dedicate my time towards those. If I have to quit one that no longer feeds my soul with the energy I need I will. There's nothing wrong with that and it only gives me more time to delve into something I genuinely love.
"What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals." -Henry David Thoreau
Maybe you don't quite know what your purpose is, but set a goal to try something new every Saturday. Maybe go to a pottery class one week and a cooking class the next. Who knows what you'll end up picking up and doing everyday.
While it's important to have a sense of the grand scheme of it all and to dream, you need to make sure you're putting yourself on track for where you want to head in your career. The book isn't going to write itself. Once you start forming the small habit of working for a certain amount of time each day, it becomes more effortless to pursue what you love, and you'll start doing it more frequently.
