Feeling miserable can drain you physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. I know. I've been there. Not just once either.

Looking back upon those times I can pinpoint why. And you will be no different. You see, if you are listless, feel drained of energy, have little vitality and don't want to spring out of bed in the morning you are suffering from a lack of something. You lack a goal.

Having a goal will rejuvenate you. All of a sudden you have something to look forward to, something to occupy your time. The day will go faster because your mind will be absorbed thinking up ways and methods to achieve your goal.

Often you will feel miserable after having achieved a significant goal. Yes, you will be euphoric for a little while but then you realize that there is a void. You have gone from something back to nothing.

That is why I recommend that you structure your goals in the following way:

1. a big goal that requires significant time and effort to bring to fruition

2. a medium sized goal that you can switch to when you need a rest from your main goal

3. a small goal that can be achieved reasonably quickly.

Having long, medium and short-term goals will allow you to have variation. Whenever one goal is exhausting you it is easy to switch your focus onto something else to freshen up. Small goals are excellent because they get you into what I call "the achievement routine."

Keep a journal of your goals and write it up whenever significant timelines or guideposts are passed. Get a nice looking journal and write neatly into it. Spend a bit of money on it and put a nice cover on it headed "GOALS."

Upon achieving a goal enter a paragraph or two into your journal about how it made you feel and what benefits you derived from the experience. Whenever you feel like you "just can't be bothered" - and, hey, we all get like that sometimes - get out your goals journal. Read your comments. That will inspire you. Soon you will have your energy back.

I will close by addressing those folk who feel as though they are perpetually miserable. Hear this - "GET A GOAL!" Make it your goal to get a goal.

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About the author: Gary Simpson is the author of eight books covering a diverse range of subjects such as self esteem, affirmations, self defense, finance and much more. His articles appear all over the web. Click here to go to his Motivation & Self Esteem for Success website where you can receive his "Zenspirational Thoughts" plus an immediate FREE copy of his highly acclaimed, life-changing e-book "The Power of Choice." But go here if you want to find out how you can get a goal worth spending your time on.