5 Steps for Setting and Achieving Goals

With only 100 days to go until the end of the year, it's a good time to review our new years goals and how many we've completed. There is something refreshing about the idea of being able to start over that motivates us to sit and reflect on our lives and what we would like to change. The problem though is that most of our goals get abandoned or forgotten after a short time into the year. Does this happen to you?

But don't worry. You can actually set goals any time of the year. The important thing to remember is to choose realistic goals that will bring you value in your life. These 5 steps will help get you on the right track for the rest of the year.

1. Start with a vision: How can you determine what areas of your life need to be worked on if you don't know what you want your future to look like? Spend some time TODAY reflecting on what is good, bad or incomplete in your life. Then try to imagine your life if all of these areas are perfect.

2. Set challenging but realistic goals: Choose goals that stretch your ability, but are still realistic and therefore achievable. Focus on what you truly wish for your life and let this be your guide. Set appropriate and healthy limits in all areas of your life. Knowing your limits and enforcing them is a prerequisite to a healthy life and relationship.

Expand your horizons and make a commitment to learn something new. Challenging yourself will help build self-esteem as you realize what you can achieve. Developing new skills will also give you additional resources to help in your career and personal life.

3. Write them down: Write your goals down and put them somewhere you know you'll be able to read them regularly. Prepare action steps for each goal and write these down as well, and keep a record of your progress for each task.

A goal without an action plan is destined for failure. Break each goal down into small activities}. Set a date for completion to make sure you follow through. Make sure you check off each accomplishment as you go and be flexible and willing to make adjustments in your action plan as necessary.

4. Get organized: Get rid of the clutter. Sort through paperwork, files, old bills and receipts, cupboards, draws and storage boxes. Decide what you really need and get rid of the rest. Set aside some time each week for this task. After you have cleared out the clutter you can think about your existing systems of storage and filing, and see if these need improvement to make your life more efficient. Keep a calendar to record all appointments and events. Write everything down rather than relying on your memory.

5. Eliminate bad habits: And develop some good ones. Bad habits will sabotage your efforts and consume your valuable time, energy and focus. For each bad habit you decide to eliminate, have a good habit in mind to replace it.

So take the bull by the horns and start setting goals TODAY. After all, today is the first day of the rest of your life and there is no better time to start.
Make this year count by joining us on the 100 Day Challenge and get you copy of the special report "How to Create Your Own Big Bang!". You'll also find lots of free tips and tools on a range of self-improvement topics from success to people skills.