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Build Spiritual Wealth –

One Mantra at a Time

Family Wealth

Presentation

Make Your Dreams

Come True

Small Actions, Done

with Frequency, Create

Wealth

Swami Satyananda

Saraswati’s Goal Setting

Workshop: Set Goals –

Achieve Dreams!

The Purpose of Goal

Setting

Make Your Dreams Come True

Shree Maa and Swamiji always stress the importance of

setting goals. By setting goals, our mind stays focused on

what is most important. It also helps us to prioritize the

activities required to achieve our dreams.

Accomplishing our dreams doesn’t just happen – we need to

understand our values, to clearly articulate our aspirations,

to define a path, and to develop a support system. Above all,

we need the motivation to start now, even if it is with small

daily steps!

Swamiji has shared with us his recommendation on how to

develop a Plan to achieve our dreams. Below, you will find

questions and “Helpful Tips”, which will assist you in

thinking about how to create your dream life.

Swamiji explains that the chances of success increase dramatically if we get clarity on our values,

vision, and path. Therefore, it is recommended that you take some quiet time, contemplate your

dreams, and write down the answers to the questions in each section. Writing this down is

important – it helps to bring clarity and serves as a reminder in the future.

Define Your Values

It is important to define and prioritize your values. By values, we mean what you believe to be

good, important, desirable, and constructive.

Values are the foundation by which consistent

goals are developed. Contemplate and write down

the answers to these questions:

1) What are your values?

2) What is really important to you? Is it your family?

Is it being spiritual?

3) Where does “success at work” fit into your value

hierarchy?

Helpful Tips:

No one can choose your values for you. If you are unclear, then spend more time with people

whose values inspire you. You can also find inspiration from the scriptures. For example, the

Bhagavad Gita contains several lists of values that define a devotee, a knower of God, or a

Deva (a shining one). The Chandi Path, the Devi Gita, the Ramayana, and the Mahabharatha

are also great sources to reference.

Clearly Articulate Your Dreams

Swamiji says that without the definition of a goal, we do not have the criteria to discriminate

between choices as they arise. Without discrimination, we become like the leaf, moving here

and there with the wind.

Therefore, write down your dreams clearly and read them regularly!

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Swamiji recommends that we think through our

aspirations and make a timeline. For example,

you could answer the questions below for each of

these increments of time: one year, two years,

five years, and 10 or more years:

1) Write down a clear description of your dreams.

2) Where do you want to be?

3) What do you envision doing?

4) With whom do you envision yourself

associating?

Helpful Tips:

The more detailed you are the better. Think through all aspects of your life: family, finance,

spirituality, career, skill sets you would like to have, condition of physical body, and

relationships.

Define the Path to Accomplish Your Dreams

Once the dream is clear, articulate the path to the

dream. As you think through the specific steps, it is

important to state the action and the time frame to

accomplish the goal. Some questions to ask are:

1) What is your path to accomplish your dream?

2) What are the major milestones and when do they

need to be met?

3) What are the specific steps that you will undertake to

achieve your dream?

Helpful Tips:

Sri Ramakrishna had said “If you want to go east, don’t go west.” This is a reminder for us to

associate with those who have realized their dreams, as they can show you the way. One of

the secrets of accomplishing goals is to find a successful role model to emulate. For example,

if you want to become a sadhu, spend time with sadhus. Study what they do, how they do it,

and understand the obstacles they had to overcome.

Set Up a Support System

Rare are the individuals who have all the resources within themselves to attain their dreams.

So, we enlist friends to encourage us to keep on track and to help us achieve our goals.

While this creates a debt, we joyfully receive from them, and, in turn, we share the fruit of our

accomplishments with whoever would like to receive. In this way, we become free from the

debt!

1) Identify and write down all of the resources and people with the skills and knowledge to help

you accomplish your dream.

Start Now – Start Today – With Small Steps

Dreams and plans do not achieve themselves.

Endeavors succeed when we consistently strive in the

same direction. Even small steps now will set you in

motion toward your ideal life. Every day, ask yourself:

1) Have I done something today – even if it is small – to

move me closer to my dream?

Helpful Tips:

Swamiji suggests that we breathe life into our dreams every day (prana pratishtha). Take

actions, learn from your actions, and repeat these actions until the dream is realized!

And remember – the joy in the process of achieving your dreams far exceeds the joy

of attaining your dream! Jai Maa! Jai Swamiji!

9/27/13 Make Your Dreams Come True | Devi Mandir

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By Swami Satyananda Saraswati Copyright © Devi Mandir 2013

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