Knowing what we want in life is something that many of us are completely vague about, we know that we desire lots of things but most of us have never taken the trouble to actually sit down and figure out the detail. From the time we were little, we've been asked what we want to be when we grow up and while many young children don't have any idea of the answer, others are quite sure of what they want and their desires don't change as they grow older.

As adults, when we're asked what we want in life, the answers are often the same: to find the right man or woman, have a great job, children and lots of money. While some of these wants and desires are quite attainable, others may take more work and dedication. The best way to be successful in obtaining what you want in life is to actually know what you really want. Although dreams are important while growing up, it is equally important to make sure you still have dreams as an adult before you set out to get "what you really want". To know what you really want in life, you need to know the details involved in getting it and then being sure it's definitely what you want. There's a lot of truth behind the saying, "Be careful of what you want - you may get it".

So much of our life is planned for us from the time we're little. Our parents had dreams for us to do well in school, go to college and get an education, get a good job, get married, buy a home, have children and live happily ever after. While this sounds like the all American dream, is it really what you want? Does the thought of this life sound like something that will make you truly happy inside and out or does it bore you silly? Decide what you really want and learn what it will take to fulfill these desires. Here are some tips to help you know what you want, how it will affect you and what it entails to get it.

1. Remember your childhood dreams. Are they the same or have they changed? Ask yourself why you had that dream and if you still have the same desires. If you do, what will it take to obtain that dream? Check out all possibilities. If your dream was to be a doctor, research what it takes to become a doctor (financial, education, time and commitment) and what it will mean to your life when you become a doctor (time involved, commitment, lifestyle, etc.) Too many adults become full-time students as a career-not by choice- but because they never fully took the time to decide what they really wanted and what it would entail to get it.

If part of your childhood dream was to get married and have children, ask yourself if you still want this for your lifetime goal because it will make you happy or because it's expected of you. After all, isn't that what everyone wants as adults? It's what we've been taught, but not everyone is designed for marriage and parenthood. Decide what you want and what will make you happy.

2. Set goals for yourself. This applies to everyone. Whether you're enrolling in school, contemplating marriage, choosing a career or just planning your future, we all need goals to help us obtain what we want. Do not start off with too many goals or you'll lose interest if they're not all obtained in a certain amount of time. Start with small goals of what you really want. The most important question you need to ask yourself is "why" you want what you think you want.

3. Make your goals realistic. A goal to marry a millionaire within a year is not realistic. Nor is a goal to get a job with 6 figures right out of college a realistic goal. These may be happy thoughts but not very realistic. The more realistic your goals, the better your chance of getting what you want and finding true happiness. Now here is an important point – making your goals realistic does not men restricting your wants in any way. Reach for the stars by all means but also keep your feet on the ground

4. Make sure your goals are yours and not someone else's. Remember that it's what you want and not what someone else thinks you should want that matters. Don't be afraid that others will disapprove of what you want. It's your life and you have to live with your choices and lifestyle.

5. Don't be afraid of change. You may have to make some serious changes in your life in order to get what you want in life.

6. Take the time to determine what getting what you want in life will mean to you and how it will change your life. While getting married may be expected of you, if you don't really want it, you'll only make yourself and others unhappy. The same goes for a job that you're taking because your family thinks it a "great opportunity".

7. Make a journal of all the things you have wanted and been successful in getting. Take inventory in your mind of how you felt than and how you feel now. This is the best way to help you determine what it is you really want in life.

8. Commit everything to paper, write it all down and make sure you read it every day and make changes if necessary as you go along. What you feel you want today may change tomorrow or next week.

Always remember, this is your life and it is your job to ensure that you enjoy it. You came here with everything already built in to have a satisfying wondrous happy time and the best way to get started is to take some time, sit down and think about what you really, really want

Mike Hooker