As I was going through some papers recently, I came across a list of goals I had written when I was thirteen years old.  Reviewing these was like peering into a time capsule – offering a sense of my dreams and aspirations at the beginning of my teenage years.  While I still haven’t achieved some of these loftier goals, such as winning a Nobel Prize (they say to dream big, right?), as I peered through the pages of this yellow notebook, I was taken aback to see just how many of these goals had become reality.

Now, I should preface this by saying that this list was created at a time when attaining such goals should have seemed nearly impossible.  In fact, when I was 13, challenging financial circumstances had forced my mother and I to move in with a family friend.  When paying the rent was difficult, performing on a successful television show, visiting Victoria Falls, learning to surf, living in New York, and going on an African safari should have seemed like pipe dreams.

Nonetheless, I set these goals.  And I believed they were possible.

Long story short: Last summer, after shooting a documentary in refugee camps in Zambia, I had the opportunity to see the stunning natural wonder of Vic Falls.  Right before finding this list, my friend Stacey offered to teach me how to surf.  I wanted to live in New York City; well, I just got into medical school there.  And, as for the African safari?  Well, let’s just say that I got more than I bargained for: when I went last summer, our unarmed, unprotected group was charged by a lion!  (And here’s the video to prove it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cf3td5C8IAk)

So, moral of the story? SET GOALS.  Even if they seem impossible at the time (mine did), and even if you subsequently forget about this specific list, knowing where you want to head can help steer your life in that direction. 

A few more suggestions (which I didn’t do at 13, but have done in subsequent iterations of my goal lists):

•    Set a timeline for the accomplishment of your goals.
•    Believe that their attainment is possible.
•    Look over your goals on a regular basis
•    Make, and regularly review, a "vision board" of pictures associated with your goals.
•    Identify shorter-term incremental goals that will lead you toward reaching your larger goals ... and start working on these!
•   Be flexible.  You, your life, and your goals/dreams change with time.  Update your list accordingly.

Follow these suggestions ... and hopefully, you'll one day look back at this archaic list and realize that you've lived a life of dreams-come-true.