Responsibility and Time Factor in Goal Setting

The "goal setting issue" is very often spotted throughout modern coaching, training and developing systems, no matter personal or business related. I'm pretty certain that if you read this, than you've already spotted the SMART concept (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, defined in Time) or variation of the same. The issue is massively exploited! No wonder, it touches a sensitive area of human living.

In order to understand the process of setting and achieving goals, it's essential to have in mind several basic points.

First of all, in the very basis of each goal one sets, there is a decision already made. First comes decision, than the goal specifics. The decision sets quality, and the goal specifics are just quantification of the same. First, we decide upon the necessity of bringing in some change in our living, then we explore the possibilities on what (particularly), when, and how we act in order to make the change happen.

Further, since we live a number of identities throughout our daily living (we are parents, children, workers, lawyers, CEOs, beggars, actors, you name it, at same time), it's normal to have goals for each area of our living, or each identity, if you prefer so. However, not all these goals have same significance for a specific period of time. Here we include priorities. If we practice some system of self-improvement that requires so, we have consciously built a priority list. On the other hand, major part of the population has it operated automatically, without conscious involvement. Common for both group, though, is that the priority list exists.

If we connect two elements of goal setting - the decisions and priorities, we can conclude that priorities are nothing than giving different weighting points to decisions already made. The emphasize still goes on decisions.

The last thing that I'd like to point out here before I connect all three (actually for the first two - decisions and priorities, it's already done) is the following: Since there are domains in our living that we can't control (i.e. we can't choose not to breath, stop our heartbeat by desire or change the time season, but we are strongly influenced by, we can conclude that we don't have access to "all buttons" that are to be pressed in order to make our wish come true, or our goal fulfilled. To provide minimum field to understand each other, I'll name the above (the uncontrollable realm) the 4th Dimension. I'm not quite happy with this term, but I feel so whenever I'm trying to word the Unutterable. It's the limitation that goes along with humans' speech. The Ultimate Reality transcends the words. The last are only poor symbols.

Now, I'd like to emphasize here that in decisions, which, as explained before, are in the very basis of the goals, lies a "reasonable amount" of Responsibility. Now, Responsibility of my decision towards the Universe? What the other beings have to do with my goal if it's "ecologically clean"? Well, have in mind the elements of a goal explained before and read on.

First of all, the Universe is multidimensional. The ordinary men are able to experience three dimensions at the time. However, let's the starting point of this theory be the assumption that there are more than three, be cause what we can't see, hear, taste, touch or feel doesn't mean that it doesn't exist. But in order to understand each other I'll use three-dimensional terms to explain what I want to communicate with you.

Let's imagine the Universe is a jar filled with marbles. Everything that exists in the Universe, other people, plants, animals, mountains, rocks, you name it, here in this concept is represented through a marble. (Please note, the "real" Universe is not definite. The combination of life forms existing in the Universe is also not definite. However, the jar is definite, and the number of marbles and color combination of the same in the jar is also definite.)

So I am also one of the marbles, living in the jar. Now, I look at the surrounding and find it unacceptable (In my "real life", I get dissatisfied with the current state in, at least, one area of my life). So, I make a decision to reorganize the surrounding layout of the marbles and make it suitable to my current needs (I decide to make a change in my life and improve the area that I'm not happy with). Now here comes the crucial moment. If I want to make those changes, the layout of ALL marbles in the jar is inevitably changed! If someone (the one existing in 4th dimension) observe the situation, he(she) notices that the whole layout of the marbles in the jar has been changed! Forever! No chance to take the move back!

The truth (let's get out of the jar) is - one can't change anything in one's Micro-Universe unless the whole Macro-Universe is changed. The responsibility is vast. But no matter what, the decisions should be made. Actually, the re is no way the process to be stopped, be cause that's the way how the Universe expands. By developing process of the Micro-Universes (through their decisions to change something), the Macro-Universe expands, develop, evolve

Again, the decision should be made and, yes, the priorities should be occasionally rearranged. However, one should be ready to bear the Responsibility of the consequences that are going to come in, once a decision is made. And what are they going to look like is not always predictable. To be brutally clear about what I mean, if one decides to get rich, a death of close relative and getting a big inheritance is not reflecting the prime idea, is it? A caution on what we are wishful for is highly recommended. Else, being ready for the consequences is not bad at all. The burden could be so big that one could repentin vain, of course.

Now, let's get back to those Goal setting concepts and the Time factor. I've never spotted one that doesn't recommend making our goal time specific. However, the more I advance on my journey, the more I see myself time detached. My ultimate goal in this life time is: To die aware. Or, in other words, to be conscious, alert, awarewhen the physical death takes palace. Now, following the recommendations of these concepts, there have been some goals of mine that I'd set in terms of time. The truth is, I've never achieved any goal in the time frame I'd set it so far. Yes, the goals are being achieved, a progress is being made, but the time button doesn't work. At least for me! Although being less and less dependable on time, I'm still functioning as ordinary human being in this time-space, so I can't just neglect the time concept. However, the time specific goal seems somehow shallow and defected.

No matter how strong, valued, clean, honest and purposeful our goals are, the Universe, the big sea consisted of us as precious drops, operates through its own laws, executing the Big Plan.

There is not time in Eternity.

Mitko Keramitchiev ( http://www.interconn-ubs.net )

Copyright 2003. All rights reserved.

Mitko Keramitchiev is a business consultant operating in Macedonia through its company Interconn UBS and its daughter branches. His bestselling book "Fifth Dimension, A New Paradigm about LIFE" has become an eye opener and inspirational gateway to personal transformation for thousands of individuals.

Can Canceling a Credit Card Hurt My Credit Score?

One of the most significant factors in your credit score besides your payment history is how much you owe in relation to how much credit you have. This accounts for 30% of your credit score. However, the amount you owe is not simply the total amount of debt, it's your debt in relation to how much credit you have. This is referred to as the credit-utilization ratio. The credit-utilization ratio is a key factor in determining how you manage credit. The lower the ratio, the more you are viewed as a responsible credit user by creditors. Canceling a credit card can significantly raise your credit-utilization ratio and in turn lower your credit score.

For example, let's say you have $10,000 in credit on 3 credit cards and have a total amount of debt of $2500. Your credit-utilization ratio would be 25%. If you cancel one of your cards that has a zero balance and a credit line of $5000, your credit-utilization ratio would increase to 50%. The higher ratio would lower your credit score.

If you are having problems with debt, then canceling a credit card can help by eliminating the temptation to increase your debt. While canceling the credit card may lower your score in the short term, the benefits of not increasing your debt and paying down your current debt will go a long way to helping increasing your credit score in the future.

Additionally, if you do decided to cancel one of your credit cards to help you better manage your debt, cancel your newest cards first in order to avoid getting doubly dinged on your credit score. Canceling older credit cards can hurt you because the length of your credit history matters in calculating your credit score. If you cancel your older credit cards first, then you decrease your credit history. However, if you are not using the older card, then canceling that card can be beneficial if you are paying an annual fee. You'll save the annual fee and also not have a credit card around that you're not using, which might help protect your privacy and the potential for theft.

Remember, your credit score is a reflection of how you manage your credit. By adopting good credit and money management skills, you won't have to worry about your credit score. Pay your bills on time, don't be too liberal with the amount you spend on your credit cards, and be aware of just how much debt you owe will go a long way in managing your credit.

For more ways on how to save money and manage your debt, go to Credit Managment 101

The author runs Credit Management 101 - a website dedicated to issues concerning debt and credit management. Learn about responsible credit management, your credit score, debt management plans and credit counseling. Also find ways to save your money by maintaining a livable budget that reflects your means.