How to Set and Achieve Your Goals

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By dpete
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Setting a goal improperly could end up in setting yourself up for failure. Learning how to properly set a goal is the first step to achieving your goals. With proper planning and steps any goal is possible.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Pen or pencil
Paper
Desire
Focus

Step 1

Think about your wants, dreams, and desires. Use your pen and paper to write down your thoughts and ideas. Be realistic with your potential list of goals. For example if you currently make $50,000 a year don't write down make a million dollars this year. You could put down increase my income by 25% or if your feeling ambitious double my income this year. If your stuck on the million dollar kick, try putting down make a million dollars in the next 5 years.
While all goals are possible, remember they require steps. Also don't pick goals that are too easy, like get a 50 cent raise. Potential goals should include things that will make you work and stretch yourself. They should include things that will improve your current state of life. They can be financial, physical, mental, or spiritual. Once you have a list of several ideas pick 3 or 4 of the most desired and realistic ones and move onto to step 2.
Step 2

So you have your list and have chosen 3 or 4 ideas, wants, and desires to use as goals.
On a new piece of paper write down your name and date followed by your 3 or 4 goals. Until written down as official goals your chances of achieving them is slim to none.
Step 3

Now take out a new sheet paper, one sheet for each goal you have chosen.
On the top of each sheet of paper again write your name and date and the specific goal. Now you are going to write out your sub-goals or in other words what you are going to do to achieve the main goal.
For example lets say your goal is to lose 20 pounds. Great goal, but how are you going to do it. Of course you will think, duh I'm going to eat better and work out. That's great to think, but WRITE IT DOWN! It may seem silly but do it. Be detailed in your sub-goals. Do not write down go the gym, write down go the gym 4 days a week for at least an hour each time. Do not write down eat healthy, instead write down that you will make and follow a meal plan or diet. Then follow through and write out your meal plan.
Do this for each goal and remember be detailed and specific in your sub-goals.
Step 4

Once you have written out your goals and sub-goals you are ready to set dates. This is one of the most important steps in setting your goals. It gives you a visual target to focus on and keep you motivated. Set the date first for the main goal, then set dates for all your sub-goals as well.
Remember dates can be changed at any time. If you notice your dates were set to soon move them back, if they are to far away move them forward. The important part is keeping the dates and changes written down.
Step 5

Lastly, stay focused on your goals. If the goals you set were too easy, set harder ones using the same method. If they are too hard set easier goals that can act as sub-goals until your ready for that bigger goal. Keep your written goals and sub-goals somewhere you will see them often. You may even want to purchase a dry erase board to hang up and write your goals on.
Step 6

Follow this steps and you will soon be a master at setting and achieving your goals. After you have reached your goals set some more. You can never want to much if its a little bit at a time.