Has it happened again? You ended up the year with regrets about decisions you’ve made over the past twelve months? Are you making a New Year’s resolution to ‘make better decisions’ in 2006? That’s a great resolution to make, but how do you make sure it happens?

In a nutshell, the secret is this: set short- and long-term goals for your career, your money, and your personal life, then when faced with a decision, determine if it will help you fulfill or make progress toward one of those goals. If it will, do it; if it won't, don't. A well-thought-out set of career and life goals can make decision making easy for you.

For a walk-through of determining, tracking, and organizing your goals, see my article, “New Year—New Goals: Make Them Really Happen This Time!” Once you have your goals written down, clearly detailed and organized, you’ll have put yourself in the elite category of people who actually reach their goals and make a lot more money than those folks who never set pen to paper.

You will find these goal lists invaluable as you are faced daily with decisions about your career, your money, your life. When faced with a job offer, review your career goals. Will this position help you reach one of your goals by providing requisite experience? will they pay for the education you need? does the company have opportunities for moving to another department in the future which is in line with your goals? If a job will not move you toward one or more of your goals, don't take it—even if you feel desperate for cash. If that's the case, sign up with a temporary agency instead or find a part-time job while continuing the search for the right job. You can gain experience as well as money in the process without compromising your priorities.

Has a tempting financial opportunity come your way? Analyze those financial goals. Does this 'opportunity' fit your needs or will it, instead, prevent you from realizing your goals? This is where your written goals really do their job. A lot of thought was put into defining them and you have committed yourself to accomplishing them. So you should never regret nor feel guilty about passing up an 'opportunity' that does not fit into your plan.

Car purchases often take people off the proper financial track. It sure would feel good to drive that sporty red model, wouldn't it? Not if it meant that your financial goals wouldn't be met--no vacation this year, no down payment for a house in five years. Avoid the temptation and stay on track.

Even personal relationships can benefit from your goal lists. Think about them if you find yourself getting involved with a handsome fellow whose only interest is watching sports on TV. If your true desire is to attend cultural events on a regular basis, who will attend with you? Not this fellow. Of course, that doesn't mean you can't date him, but a serious relationship with someone whose goals are far different than your own could be catastrophic in the long run.

By always keeping your ultimate, long-term goals in mind--by using the lists and timetables you've created--you can make important decisions with confidence, knowing they are the 'right' decisions for you.

Kathryn Marion is the President of Education for RealityTM, a company dedicated to helping young people Sidestep the School of Hard KnocksSM by providing unique resources that are jam-packed with savvy advice on every facet of life on their own. Their bestselling ebook, Success in the 'Real World', covers everything from careers and money to legal matters and cooking, all in an easy-to-read and -reference bulleted format which makes finding what you need fast and easy. The book also includes live links to over 100 additional online resources, making this the most thorough and useful resource available for students and graduates. Sign up for Education for RealityTM's free, monthly newsletter, Dose of RealityTM, on their website: http://www.EducationForReality.com. Profitable fundraising and affiliate opportunities are also available for groups and individuals.

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