How to set goals? Setting goals is not just writing down what you want on a piece of paper. There are various factors that make good goal setting practices. If you are going to spend time setting goals, you might as well do the best job that you can.

The next time you set goals, try to follow the guidelines below ;

1. Reason ” Have a strong reason for wanting to achieve the goal. Know and write out why you want it and what impact will the goal bring to your life. A strong reason will keep you motivated during times of difficulty, exhaustion or disappointment.

2. Be specific ” Be as specific as possible when setting goals. Being specific helps increase motivation (because there is clarity) and makes the whole process of achieving the goal easier. Things such as where/how to start, what to do etc are easier to figure out when you have a goal that is specific and in detail.

3. Short and long term goals ” Remember to set both short term and long term goals. The long term goal is your ultimate outcome or goal, whereas short term goals are to achieve the various stages or steps of getting the ultimate goal.

4. Schedule it – Have a timeline for achieving your goals. Make it practical but not too long. Set timelines for short term goal milestones, ultimate long term goal as well as schedule your action items. In addition to that, also schedule when to perform the required action steps.

5. Review and track your progress ” Consistently and review the goals that you have set. Track how far youve come and analyze the map of your progress. In addition to helping you identify obstacles or wrong turns, tracking your progress can be very motivating as you see the results of your hard work.

6. Be decisive – Be decisive in your goal setting and stick to it. Dont get into the habit of constantly changing your goals.

7. Reward & celebrate – Remember to reward yourself and celebrate when you have achieved a goal. Always reward yourself whenever you achieved a short term goal, and have a full on celebration when you achieve your long term goals.

8. Take action immediately ” Always perform an action towards the attainment of a goal after you have completed the goal setting process. Never leave the site of your goal setting without taking some immediate action. This takes advantage of the momentum built during the goal setting and amplifies your motivation.