Good morning lovely people of Cafetalk!

So it’s finally the last day of 2017. Time really does fly and this year has gone so quick, but when I look back I have achieved a lot!

As some students of mine already know - I am a huge advocate of keep a ‘goals list’ and have done this for the past 8 years or so. It has kept me on track and given me guidance and direction towards achieve my dreams. 

Some of the things I ticked off my list this year included :

- My first 100 mile ultramarathon running race 

- Coming in the top 5 (4th) in my second 100 ultramarathon running race 

- Getting my advanced scuba diving licence 

- Diving in the middle of the night

- 5 months with no alcohol 

- Made up with an old friend who I had a big fallout with 

- Got my visa for Japan 

- Moved to Japan 

- Lived in a zen temple 

- Visited my grandparents before my grandad passed away 

- Achieved my personal best time in brighton marathon 

- Became one of only 3 people in the world to become certified under former professional UFC fighter - Nick Osipczak 

- Taught a sold out yoga class in Japan 

And many more things!

After I tick something off of my goals list, I have to add something else back on.

I divide my list in to three categories -

1. Short term goals 

These are things you want to complete within the next month for example - ‘meditate everyday for 30 days’ , ‘set up a language exchange in Japan within this month’ or ‘book a snowboarding lesson by the end of January’

2. Medium term goals 

These are things within the next year or two, for example -

‘Visit mainland China’ , ‘See my parents in the UK or Japan’ or ‘extend my work visa in Japan and set up my business properly’

3. Longterm goals are things you want to achieve before you die. Examples could include -

‘Become a diving instructor’ , ‘set up a volunteer group to clean up the oceans’ or ‘become fluent in Japanese’.

Under each goal I like to write some short points about how I can achieve this goal, and constantly refer to this list to keep myself on track. Simply writing a goal is not enough and will not become true just because you write it! This is not some crazy trick to ‘manifest’ things in to your life, and it does require effort.

Goals must be ‘S.M.A.R.T’ 

S - Specific

M - Measurable

A - Achievable

R - Realistic

T - Time Based   

I believe that this goals list is one of the greatest driving forces I have for achieving my dreams and living a life of adventure, and I encourage you all to give this a go if you do not already.

It may seem incredibly obvious to some of you, but this simple tool is extremely POWERFUL, and it changed my life. Simply having this list to see every morning gives me a drive to achieve what I want in life and not procrastinate.  It was the reason I NEVER waste time playing games on my phone or on facebook/twitter. It was the reason for throwing my TV away 10 years ago and never looking back. It was the reason I ended up fighting in Muay Thai kickboxing. The reason I started ultrarunning and completed races up to 100 miles long. The reason I set up successful businesses in the UK and also the reason I am here today in Japan living the life I always dreamed of.

What are your goals for 2018?

Whatever they are - remember that there is no ‘secret’ in life, other than the fact that hard word and dedication to a goal will make it become real.

‘When you desire something with all of your heart and passion, the universe will conspire to make it a reality’ 

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!

I wish you a wonderful 2018 full of joy, happiness and adventure.

David

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I am a highly experienced professional English teacher, Yoga Instructor, Tai Chi teacher, Nutrition Consultant and Personal Trainer from London, UK. I recently left London to work and travel around Japan on a Working Holiday Visa with my best friend and longtime girlfriend Ashley (who is also a teacher on Cafetalk : https://cafetalk.com/tutors/profile/?id=54542&lang=en ). We love sharing adventures travelling, teaching, exploring and understanding new cultures. We hope to speak with you soon!