You may be wondering what goal setting and time management have to do with each other. In fact, you cannot be successful at managing your time if you aren't successful at setting goals and vice versa.

Goal setting is a process of creating a map of what you want to accomplish, the time span you want to accomplish it in and the methods you will use to achieve your goal.

It is a process that identifies those things that are most important to you at this time and helps you to create a plan that enables you to focus on those things.

It's like going on a cross-country road trip. You first map out your route and determine your timelines. If you didn't do this then you wouldn't know exactly where you were going or when you would arrive. It's the same for setting goals. Goal setting is like creating a roadmap for success in your life.

Okay, great! But what does that have to do with time management?

To better manage your time what you need to do is evaluate everything you do against how it stacks up against the top three goals in your life.

For example, say these are the top three goals in your life:

1. Have a strong and loving relationship with my wife/husband and kids.
2. Start my own successful, online business.
3. Become healthier and more fit.

Now most of us are forever strapped for time and spread ourselves way to thin trying to get everything under the sun done. And what can you possibly cut out when every task seems equally important?

It is really simple to figure out when you have set your top three goals. You just eliminate anything that does not help you towards accomplishing these goals.

Okay, say for example, you spend tons of time every week helping friends out, you need to cut this out first. I know, sounds kind of cruel, but as well meaning as I'm sure you are, taking time to do these favors will hurt you in the long run by taking your focus away from the most important goals in your life.

Take the time to evaluate your daily, weekly and monthly activities. Find out where most of your time and energy is spent and figure out which tasks do not contribute to the accomplishment of your goals.

Once you've done that, stop doing these activities until your priorities are in line with your goals.

This doesn't have to mean you can't ever indulge in these extra activities again. It just means that you should consider doing them only after the activities that are going to help you to accomplish your goals.

Creating a balanced life is definitely not an easy task. But the rewards for properly engaging in goal setting and time management will have you feeling less stressed out and happier!

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