As we come to the end of the year I believe it is the right time to reflect and look back at what we have been through in 2013. Look at the goals you had set and check if you managed to achieve them or not and think of the reasons behind this. Perhaps that will give you an update of how to prepare a whole set of new goals for the coming year.Personally I learned setting goals from my father. He used to encourage me to write down the goals I wanted to achieve towards the end of the year meant for the year ahead. And also find the time to evaluate and reflect on my achievements and failures in general.Eventually this taught me how to be foresighted and a careful planner since he required me to show how I will go about achieving each of the goals listed. But, most importantly, he taught me how to prioritise my goals starting from the most pressing ones to the least pressing ones. This helped me know where to put most of my energies.In the process of trying to achieve the goals I had set I often encountered some difficulties sometimes leading to failure but also on other occasions I managed to achieve some of the goals I had set out to chase without much difficult.Each of the above outcomes taught me a big lesson. Failures taught me how to be dynamic, persistent and have a positive attitude towards my goals, thus becoming my best teacher. Alternatively, success always acted as a catalyst and a motivation factor for me to continue working hard and to stay the course as far as my goals were concerned.  But although I have been setting goals and achieving some of them, I have always worried about dreaming big beyond what is possible or within what I consider to be my personal abilities until recently when I was greatly inspired to rise and shine through breaking the boundaries and setting bigger goals. The inspirational Mr Mkombozi Karake challenged me to always dream big, since it motivates one to be extra-ordinary, creative and innovative, thus achieving big since the size of your dream determines the size of your goal and success as well.I have come to realise that setting goals helps one to be focused and more optimistic in life. It gives you a view of where you are coming from and where you are headed. Always remember that it takes persistence, self-esteem, creativity, commitment and hard work to mention but a few, to greatly achieve your desired goals.Best wishes! And Merry Christmas