Setting goals for yourself is much more complicated than it may sound. It involves more than simply identifying that which you want to achieve. It also involves establishing methods for obtaining those goals and staying motivated, no matter what challenges you may face. Considering how difficult it can be to obtain a goal, following smaller steps can help you succeed.

Select a Goal That Inspires You
If you don’t feel passionate about achieving your goal, you’re more likely to lose interest in it altogether. It’s better to set a goal that you have a strong desire to achieve and something that is important to your life. If you feel compelled to realize your goal, it will keep you on course over the long road.

Set SMART Goals
If your goal is too ambitious or may take a long time to attain, it can be easier to divide it up into smaller goals. Each goal should be:

  • Specific
  • Measurable
  • Attainable
  • Relevant
  • Time-bound

This means selecting goals that are not subjective, such as becoming the best player on a sports team. Instead, focus on scoring a measurable number of points. When you decide on how many points you want to score, make sure you’re physically capable of scoring those points. Also, ask yourself if scoring more in a game is going to help you towards your ultimate goal of winning a gold medal in the Olympics. Finally, give yourself a time limit for reaching that goal, such as the first half of your next game.

Write Your Goals Down
By writing out your goals, you’ll be creating a visual reminder that you can look at every day. This will help you stay motivated over time and help to keep you on track in your day to day routines. Be affirmative and aggressive in the statements you make. Instead of “would like to” or “might,” use words like “will” and “must” to give your statements a more forceful and more motivating voice.

Following these steps can help you stick to your plans and realize your goals. Even if a goal takes years to achieve, using this system will help you stay on track. When you feel yourself losing motivation, look at your goals or find new ways to inspire your ambition. The important thing is that you don’t give up.