What is your goal in life?

One of the most challenging aspects of our lives is to keep our priorities 
straight and to keep ourselves focused in the purpose of achieving a 
specified goal. This is of course, after we have set up or defined a goal 
for ourselves. Unfortunately many people do not have a clear sense of 
purpose in life. Therefore, when they set up goals for themselves, they 
usually do so for the wrong reasons. This is because they lack the 
spiritual guidance from God in their lives.

God tells us in His scriptures what this life is all about. He also informs us 
what our goal in this life should be. This is specially clear in the Quran, 
the Final Testament for humanity. All we need  is to follow the prescribed 
instructions in the scriptures to achieve this goal.

There was an interesting article published in September 1996 issue of 
Moneysworth magazine. The title of the article was "How to Develop a 
Mission Statement" and it addressed the importance of having a goal 
in life to be successful. The article was about how successful top 
executive develop a mission statement to focus their energies, target 
their initiatives and keep on track to achieve their goals. The author 
of the article was Stephanie Culp, president of a consulting company 
that focuses on productivity and organization.

Since the article was published in a financial magazine, it was geared 
or those whose priorities are the materials of this world. Even though 
the objective of the article was materialistic success, it could apply for 
gaining spiritual success as well if one reads the article from a different 
perspective. The article emphasizes the fact that we need to have a 
mission, we need to have a goal in life. We must constantly remind 
ourselves what this goal is in order for us to keep focused. We, the 
submitters, can use these principles to be successful and happy, 
both in this life and in the Hereafter, as long as we define our priorities 
correctly, based on the Quran.

Here are some quotes from this article;

"A clear sense of purpose in life will do much more that prevent late-life 
regrets. It will help you prioritize your efforts, accomplish meaningful 
goals and more effective decisions.

Your personal mission statement is a tool for commitment, inspiring you 
to keep striving and to overcome fears and self-imposed limitations."

What is your mission?

Consider your personal legacy-the way the world will remember you 
after you're gone.
Most people find that the single most useful question in defining their 
personal mission is "what would I want people to say about me if 
I were to die tomorrow?"

From our perspective, we should replace the word "people" with the 
word "God" so that the last statement would read: "What would I want 
God to say about me if I were to die tomorrow?

We know that it will be to no avail for us on Judgment Day what 
anybody thinks of us in this world, if God is not pleased with us. 
This becomes clear once we understand  who God really is-His 
qualities or attributes.-and why  He sent us to this earth in the first 
place. As a blessing form Him, God defines and clarifies our mission 
and purpose of our existence in this worldly life in many verses of the Quran.

[51:56]
I did not create the jinns and the humans except to worship
Me ALONE

[45:22]
GOD created the heavens and the earth for a specific     
purpose, in order to pay each soul for whatever it       
earned, without the least injustice.

[67:2]
The One who created death and life for the purpose of    
distinguishing those among you who would do better.* He  
is the Almighty, the Forgiving.

[76:2-3]
We created the human from a liquid mixture, from two     
parents, in order to test him. Thus, we made him a hearer
and a seer.                                            
We showed him the two paths, then he is either           
appreciative, or unappreciative.                         

[21:35]
Every person will taste death, after we put you to the   
test through adversity and prosperity, then to us you    
ultimately return.

[47:31]
We will certainly put you to the test, in order to       
distinguish those among you who strive, and steadfastly  
persevere. We must expose your true qualities.

[2:48]
Beware of the day when no soul can avail another soul, no
intercession will be accepted, no ransom can be paid, nor
can anyone be helped.

Take it with you

It is a fact that people who write down their goals are far more 
likely to achieve them.

Your personal mission statement can be anything from a single 
sentence to several paragraphs. But you can't just sit down and dash 
it off. These are issues that you want to think about, live with, mull over 
for a few days.

Concentrate on content and forget about style. Your personal mission 
statement need not be perfectly punctuated or grammatically correct.... 
Once you have written your personal mission statement, make it part 
of your daily life. Carry it with you in your wallet. Put it next to your 
bed. Stick it on your bathroom window. Whenever your life seems to 
be out of control...contemplate it.

Renew your commitment to your personal mission regularly by asking 
yourself-perhaps once a week-how well you've been serving your ideas. 
"Was I generous? Was I a good parent? A good friend?"

As  submitters, we realize that our goal in this life is to be righteous 
person so that God will be pleased with us. In all our actions and 
decisions, our priority should be the eternal life, not the temporary 
one in this world. Therefore, our mission statement should reflect that 
purpose. If we can maintain this throughout our lives, then we can be 
a winner both in this life and in the Hereafter. The Quran state that God 
loves those who strive to improve themselves, maintain righteousness 
and be appreciative of His blessings. If we have better resources in this 
life, this gives us the ability to do more in the cause of God (16:75). 
In return, God showers us with His mercy and grants us eternal happiness.

[28:77]
"Use the provisions bestowed upon you by GOD to seek the 
abode of the Hereafter, without neglecting your share in 
this world. Be charitable, as GOD has been charitable    
towards you. ............."                           

[14:7]
Your Lord has decreed: "The more you thank Me, the more I
give you." But if you turn unappreciative, then My       
retribution is severe.                                   

Staying the Course

Use your mission statement in formulating both short and long-range 
goals.
Many goals of course, will have little to do with your mission-cleaning 
your desk, ,saving money for a trip to Europe or getting an important 
report written.

But returning to your mission statement will ensure that, in the barrage 
of life's demands, you do not lose sight of the big picture and veer off 
track. It will help you prioritize and fine-tune your goals.

Competing demands on your time, energy and money are endless, but 
these resources are limited. When it's hard to chooses how to spend 
your money, your senses of mission will cu through conflicts and clarify 
decisions. 

Commitment to Your Mission

We live in a world that glorifies gratification. But a truly rewarding life 
requires working towards goals and nurturing relationships even when 
immediate pleasure seem more appealing. Keeping your personal 
mission statement in  mind will give you a strong sense of commitment 
with the power to achieve more genuine satisfaction...

With an eye on your personal mission, you will find it easier to focus 
your energies on what's truly important-and kindly but firmly reject 
demands that fritter away your time.

Beyond the everyday payoff of a more organized, effective way of life, 
your sense of personal mission can bring you peace of mind-even when 
things do not seem to be going well. Too little money? Disappointment 
at work? If you stay focused on the ideals that that mean the most to 
you, whatever the setbacks, your life will be moving in the right direction.

Yes, indeed. If we can stay focused and be steadfast in worshipping God 
alone by following His commandments, God will help us to go through all 
the tests with ease. He will also strengthen our foothold by channeling 
our energy and effort in more effective ways. Our lives will be moving 
in the right direction, heading for the greatest triumph by the grace 
of the Most Merciful. That will then be the fulfillment of our goal in this l
ife.

[10:62-64]
Absolutely, God's allies have nothing to fear, nor will  
they grieve. They are those who believe and lead a righteous life.    
For them, joy and happiness in this world, as well as in 
the Hereafter. This is God's unchangeable law. Such is   
the greatest triumph.                                    

Abdullah Arik