Five Tips for Personal Goal Setting

One of the best ways to change your life for the better, or to make advances in your personal life, career, education, or anything, is to set goals. Setting goals is a lot different than wishing something would happen, or even having a burning desire for things to get better. Goals are concrete statements of intention, followed up with a plan of action to get the thing done.

With these five tips for personal goal setting, you are more apt to achieve that which you want, rather than spending all your time wishing and hoping, but going nowhere.

1. Specific

Having a goal to "get healthier" sounds like a good one, but it is really too specific to accomplish with a set plan. You should make your personal goals as specific as possible. Instead of setting the goal of "get healthy," you might want to make a goal to eat five servings of vegetables every day, or take a one mile walk three times per week.

2. Measurable

Your progress in your goal must be measurable. That means that you have to be able to see how well you are doing at accomplishing your goal. This also helps in make step-by-step plans, or mini-goals, that will lead you to realize your master goal.

3. In Writing

Putting your personal goal in writing is said to help you stick to it better. Instead of just a good thought in your head, you have something to look at and remind you of your set goals and the plan you will take to accomplish it. Posting your written goal in a noticeable place will help you achieve it as well.

4. Realistic

As wonderful as any personal goal setting might be, it is important to be sure that your goal is realistic and can actually be reached. You should not make a goal to lose twenty pounds in two weeks. It is not a realistic goal and will only set you up for failure. If you fail at following the plan of your goal, or achieving it at all, it will make you more hesitant to try to accomplish something again.

5. Deadlines