Top Tips for Goal Setting

1. Write Down Your Goals

´Ink them, don't just think them´. The act of writing out your goals and resolutions will make them more real. Make sure you keep them some place visible where you can view them regularly.

2. Positively Worded, With Positive Impact

Do your goals have a positive intent? For example, 'losing weight' is not a positive goal. Having a 'healthy lifestyle' is.

3. Be Specific

Vague goals achieve vague results. Get specific about the exact goals you wish to achieve. Make sure you place a target date beside each goal; otherwise there is the danger of placing action on the long finger!

4. Your Goals – No One Else's

Goals are personal so set them for yourself and for your own reasons. If you have set a goal through a sense of duty or obligation then you will struggle to generate the passion and enthusiasm to achieve it.

5. Your Goals Must Stretch And Compel You

There is no point setting a goal that is too easily achieved. Set goals that make you stretch and grow as a person. Perhaps your goal will scare you a little. View that as a positive sign as it means you are expanding your comfort zone.

6.. Aligned With What Is Important To You

Your goals need to be in harmony with the things that are important to you in life. For example, if your family are your top priority, then working for a promotion that will mean you will barely see them during the week, does not make sense.

7. Absolute Belief

Do you really believe you can achieve the goals you have set? If not, then you are setting yourself up for failure. If you don't really believe you can achieve your goal of quitting smoking by the end of the month, chances are you won't. As the saying goes 'if you think you can or if you think you cannot - you're right.'

8. Visualise Your Success

Picture in your mind the image of successfully achieving your goal. This will harness the power of your unconscious mind and tap into your creativity. Experience in your body now the feelings you will generate when you reach your goal.

9. Know Your Motivation

Knowing exactly why you want to achieve your goal increases your chances of achieving it. So focus on 'why must you achieve your goal'. Motivation requires motive and knowing the reasons why you want to achieve a goal or stick with a resolution, will provide you with on-going motivation.

10. Likely Obstacles

What are the likely obstacles you will face in pursuit of your goals? Create a plan of action for overcoming or side stepping them.

11. Measure Your Progress

Evaluate your progress. Remember the definition of madness is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result each time. If you're not achieving the results you would like, then try something different.

12. Who First, What Second

Ask yourself 'who do I need to be to achieve my goal?' What personal characteristics do you need to display if you are to achieve your goal. For example, if your goal is to get fit, then to achieve this goal you need to be focussed, disciplined, positive etc. Remember we are human beings not human doings, so we have to be something before we can do something!

13. Share Your Goals With Supportive People

By all means share your goals and ambitions with those people in your life who will support and encourage you. However be cautious about sharing your goals with less supportive friends and family members. They will chip away at your confidence levels and discourage and distract you from doing what you know is right for you.

14. Celebrate Your Success

In many ways it is not the achievement of the goal that is important, but who you become in the process of working towards achieving it. Too often we can focus on what doesn't work out, ignoring everything that works well. It is important to recognise your own achievements and to give yourself a clap on the back for a job well done.