How to Create Goals

Goal-setting is a powerful technique for achievement as it provides a way to view change. Goals can be daily, weekly, monthly or yearly. Setting goals focuses attention and action to the important aspects of the task, therefore mobilizing effort in a directed manner. The key to setting effective goals is to create process-oriented, objective goals that can be measured.

Instructions

    • 1

      Ask yourself what you want to work toward and achieve. Goals need to be in your control, challenging yet realistic and positive. Stay away from words such as "can't" and "don't." Using these guidelines will help ensure a higher rate of success.

    • 2

      Narrow the idea to make it as specific as possible. For example, instead of saying "I want to lose weight," change the goal to "I am going to lose 20 pounds." By changing the wording, the goal becomes specific and measurable.

    • 3

      Use short-term goals to help reach your long-term goals. For example, if your long-term goal is to lose 20 pounds, create shorter-term goals to help reach your end goal. Think of these shorter-term goals as a path to assist you in reaching your goals.

    • 4

      Create action steps for how you are going to achieve your goal. These steps are the guiding force for follow-through as well as reaching your goal. Action steps are the actions that you need to take to reach your goal. The number of action steps depends on your goal. Using the above goal as an example, an action step might be to eat five servings of fruits and vegetables a day.

    • 5

      Write down your goals and post them in a place where they will be seen every day. Put a sticky note on the fridge to help you remember your weight loss goal, or post reminders around the house, car or workplace that help keep your goal fresh in your mind. These visual cues will increase the likelihood you will achieve your goal.

    • 6

      Track your progress. Tracking can be done in a journal, on a calendar, on the computer or a poster. Writing down your progress will help you stay motivated because you are repeatedly reminded of where you were and how far you have come.