Why is setting goals important? Because goals can help you do, be, and experience everything you want in life．Instead of just letting life happen to you, goals allow yourself to make your life happen．
Successful and happy people have a vision of how their life should be and they set lots of goals（both short-term and long-range）to help them reach their vision．By setting goals you are taking control of your life．It’s like having a map to show you where you want to go．Think of it in this way．There are two drivers．One has a destination in mind（her goal） which is laid out for her on a map．She can drive straight there without any wasted time or wrong turns．The other driver has no goal or destination or map．She starts off at the same time from the same place as the first driver．But she drivers aimlessly around, never getting anywhere , just using up gas and oil．Which driver do you want to be?
Winners in life set goals and follow through on them．They decide what they want in life and then get there by making plans and setting goals．Unsuccessful people just let life happen by accident．Goals aren’t difficult to set, and they aren’t difficult to reach．It’s up to you to find out what your goals,ideals and visions really are．You are the one who must decide what to pursue and in what direction to aim your life．
Research tells us that when we write a goal down we are more likely to achieve it．Written goals can be reviewed regularly, and have more power．Like a contract （合同） with yourself, they are harder to neglect or forget．
Also when you write your goals in a particular way you are able to make yourself continuously aware of situations that will bring you nearer to your goals．
小题1:The author gave the example of two drivers to show_______．
A．the foolishness of the first driver
B．the importance of having a map and right direction
C．the foolishness of the second driver
D．the importance of setting goals小题2:According to this text, the most important thing in realizing one's ideal is to _____．
A．try to be realistic about one's ability
B．have a clear understanding of what he or she wants in life
C．let others understand him or her first, then work together with them
D．let others help him or her to make his or her dream come true小题3:If people want to reach their goals, they should ______．
A．write down their goals
B．sign a contract with other people
C．face the difficulties in front of them
D．discuss with others and ask for their help小题4:If you want to succeed, you must _____．
A．study hard
B．have a goal and achieve it
C．live happily
D．sleep well
