Michigan

In setting goals, it is critical to establish the type of person you want to become. Often, in setting goals, we concentrate too much on what we want and neglect who we are becoming. Pay particular attention to setting specific self-improvement goals that will allow you to accomplish your goals more quickly and effortlessly.

1. Important

- It must be important to YOU. Goals flow from your personal vision. Goals are our signposts on the way to excellence. As you clarify your personal vision, it is critical to break it down into various areas you can focus on. Typically, goals fall into the following categories:
- Family
- Social
- Financial
- Career
- Health
- Spiritual
- Mental State
- Community

2. Big - Like Donald Trump says "If you're going to think, think big." Don't worry about being perfect, rather, strive for excellence. Have confidence to set goals that produce excellence.

3. Realistic - As you are documenting your goals, be sure to identify the situations that create success. Determine how you can create the environment for the realization of your goals.

4. Positive - "I will never, ever, ever, waste money, ever again". This is an example of a negative goal. Instead, focus your energy on what you will do in a positive statement. "I will make coffee at home before leaving for work so that I can save $3.75/day."

5. Measurable - Find a way to measure your progress towards your goal. Celebrate the progress that you've made as you see the tangible results of your efforts.

6. Detailed - Often defining the goal creates the path to realization. Becoming physically fit could be a health goal that you've set for yourself. Defining what that means to you; ability to bench press 150 lbs, weight of 160lbs, able to run a 6 minute mile, able to run a marathon, leads to the specific action needed to achieve the goal.

7. Steps - Eat the elephant one bite at a time. Decide where to start, the tools, resources or support you will need. Treat your goal like a project, planning the steps it will take to make it a reality.

8. Scheduled - If not now, when? For each step, decide on when you will do these activities. Plan your days, weeks and months around these activities that move you towards your goals.

9. Vivid Picture - It's a movie and you are the star. Picture yourself achieving your goal. Imagine how it makes you feel. Think about what it means in your life. Seeing is believing.

10. Accountability - Weight Watchers works. When others know your goal and see the progress you are making (or not), you are accountable. Revealing your goals to supportive people in your life creates the accountability that makes our commitment to our goals stick.