When it comes to going after your dreams, creating a detailed plan is the way to go. Goal setting gives you a clear plan of action to pursue your goals while allowing you to clearly see the steps you need to take in order to get there.

Rather than blindly going after your dreams with no direction, goal setting can give you a practical plan to achieving them.

Don’t feel intimidated by the goals you set for yourself, especially if you’re just starting out. Set a clear plan of action and pursue your goals with motivation and determination. If you don’t know where to start on your goal setting journey, this post is for you!

What is goal setting?

According to an article by Positive Psychology, goal setting is the process of creating a plan of action in order to pursue and achieve a specific goal. This means knowing what you would like to achieve and creating an step-by-step plan on how to get there. You can create positive habits, set rewards for when you reach certain milestones or have someone hold you accountable and motivate you to finish what you set out to do.

Why is goal setting important?

Goal setting is important because without it, we would have very little clarity on our goals and the best path to achieving them. Planning for our goals allows us to take the best possible action without wasting unnecessary time and resources.

By planning for the future, we have a clear path towards our desired destination, eliminating much of the stress and anxiety that comes from not knowing where we are going.

Although the journey may not always go according to plan, goal setting gives us a better understanding of how to make adjustments and move forward.

Set S.M.A.R.T goals

S.M.A.R.T goals stand for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This form of goal setting helps you to better understand your habits, why you want what you say you do, and the best plan of action for you to take. Having a better understand of yourself and your goals can ultimately lead you to achieving what you set out to do.

It’s up to you to find the best path for you to take, so make sure to ask questions and really examine your dreams and goals. And don’t be afraid to make tweaks and changes along the way!

S-Specific

Being specific about your goals is the first step to goal setting the S.M.A.R.T way. It might seem obvious, but if you’re not specific with your goals, it’s difficult to know exactly what you would like to achieve.

Write down your overall goal and try and make it as specific as you can. What would you like to experience? When would you like to achieve it? Knowing where you want to go is the first step to getting there.

To make sure your goals are specific ask questions like:

• What do I specifically want from this goal?
• Why do I want to achieve this?
• What are the steps I can take to get there?

M-Measurable

When it comes to setting goals and sticking to them, it’s important to measure your progress. This way you’ll be able to look back at how far you’ve come, which can then motivate you to keep moving forward.

You’ll also be able to measure whether or not your current plan of action is taking you where you want to go. If it’s not, measuring your progress can help you to make any adjustments you may need.

To make sure your goals are measurable ask questions like:

• How will I track my progress?
• What do I need to accomplish to achieve this goal?
• When will I consider this goal achieved?

A-Achievable

When planning for your goals, it’s important to make sure they’re achievable. If your goals are too large, you may feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount you have to conquer or by the amount of time it may take to get there.

If you find your goals too large to be achieved all at once, try breaking them down into smaller, bite-sized goals. By celebrating the small things, you become motivated to keep going.

To make sure your goals are achievable ask questions like:

• Is my goal something I can currently achieve?
• Is this goal something I want to pursue right now?
• Do I have everything I need to achieve this goal?

R-Relevant

Another important aspect to goal setting is making sure your goals are relevant. This step may seem obvious but don’t overlook it! If your goals don’t align with you, it becomes much harder to stay determined and consistent throughout your journey.

Why are you going after this specific goal? Are you doing it for yourself or for someone else? Will achieving this goal bring you joy? Make sure that your goal is something that you truly want so you don’t lose motivated and interest in your goals halfway through.

To make sure your goals are relevant ask questions like:

• How does pursuing this goal fit into my overall lifestyle?
• Does this goal align with me?
• Why am I setting this particular goal?

T-Time-bound

The last step to setting goals the S.M.A.R.T. way is to set a specific time frame for when you would like to achieve your goals.

Having a time limit can help you to be more resilient and feel that your goals are within reach. If you have a deadline for your goals, you are less likely to stray away from them. Plan a date for when you would like to achieve your goals in order to keep yourself on track.

To make sure your goals are time-bound ask questions like:

• When do I plan to achieve this goal?
• By what dates should I have reached certain milestones?
• If goals aren’t completed in time, what needs to change?

How to stick to your goals

It’s no secret that sticking to your goals is often the biggest challenge when it comes to goal setting. It’s easy to fall off the metaphorical wagon and get off track. When this happens, don’t beat yourself up over it!

When you hit a wall and fall down, it’s important to pick yourself back up. As long as you continue to pursue your goals, you’re on the right track.

Still, it can definitely be a challenge Thankfully, there are many ways to help you to stay on track. When it comes to sticking to your goals there are many ways to stay motivated, determined and consistent.

• Keep a journal. Having a journal can be a great way to keep you disciplined and aligned with your goals. You can use a journal to keep track of your goals, good/bad habits or notice the things that went right and what didn’t. If you need to make any adjustments to your plan, having a journal can be a great way to keep all your thoughts in one place.
• Take baby steps. Don’t go too fast when it comes to achieving your goals. Although it’s easy to be excited when setting a new goal, going too fast can cause you to lose motivation and abandon your project half-way through. Try taking baby steps and celebrating the smaller achievements. Eventually these will add up, taking you far on your journey.
• Put in the time. In order to achieve the goals you set for yourself, you need to put in the work. This can be scary for some people, especially if their goal is big and overwhelming. If you find it difficult to work towards your goals, try setting a timer. For example, when you don’t feel like working (but know you should) try putting a timer on for an hour and work towards your goals with no distractions.
• Set rewards for yourself. By having rewards for each milestone you reach, you encourage yourself to keep moving forward. Giving yourself a reward for your achievements doesn’t have to be anything complex, something simple that puts a smile on your face will do, maybe go to your favorite restaurant once you’ve completed a certain goal or give yourself a much-needed self-care day. Anything that puts a smile on your face and gives you something to look forward too.
• Get someone to hold you accountable. While setting your goals, let someone know what you’re doing. Better yet, if it’s possible, get a friend or family member to join you. If that’s not an option, simply tell them what you plan to achieve. This can help you to feel more motivated and determined to reach your goal.
• Revise your plans. Not every plan you set for yourself will work out, and that’s okay. As you go throughout your journey, chances are you’ll need to make adjustments. Evaluate the things that went right and the areas that need improvement. Once you do this, you can shift your future plans to better fit you and your needs.

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Final Thoughts

In the end, there is nothing better than setting goals and achieving them. Not only is it a show of determination and strength but it is also a great way to motivate you to go after bigger and better things in your life.

Setting and achieving goals gives you a stronger sense of faith in your abilities and shows you just how determined and disciplined you can be.

The path to achieving your goals isn’t always straight, but by creating plans using the S.M.A.R.T structure and being aware of the helpful tools to stay on track, you set yourself up for success in achieving everything you set out to do.