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Goal setting is an extremely powerful tool to accomplish anything in life. However, effective goal setting is not about writing down what you want to achieve. It is important to set goals because it helps you determine your priorities and get organized. Goal setting is a prerequisite to achieving your dreams.

In order to effectively set your goals and achieve them, you need the following requirements:

Well-formed goal statements

Goal statements are the foundation of the whole process of goal achievement. Therefore, you need to place careful attention on formulating clear and accurate statements. Goals should be specific to illuminate what you are striving for. There must be a way of measuring your progress and a deadline to meet those goals. In addition, goals should be action-oriented in that they indicate an activity that will bring about their achievement. Lastly, goals should be within the limits of the available resources.

Breaking down goals into manageable steps

A well-formed goal statement needs some direction to follow. An action plan gives you a list of the important things that you need to do in order to achieve your goals. Even if you have long-term goals, you need to break down these goals into actionable steps that you can take every day to meet them. Break down your goals into smaller and much more detailed steps so that you don’t feel like achieving your goals is a monumental task.

Driven and committed

Being driven and commitment are what push us to achieve our goals. When you are driven and commitment, you will strive to achieve your goals. You will have the desire and resolve to complete all the other steps in the goal process. Some become driven from developing a statement that stirs a high level of emotion and energy that guarantees achievement. The only way to achieve your goals is to remain committed to them. Commitment sets you on the right trajectory to reach your goals.

Setting reminders and staying on track

In order for you to achieve your goals, you must be persistent and attentive to your progress on a regular basis. There is a need to have a system that keeps you accountable for your goals. Today, there are apps and websites that can assist you with accountability. If not apps, then you can involve specific individuals in your life to help you stay accountable to your goals. Many people are afraid of accountability because they are fearful of sharing their failures with others. However, overcoming this fear is necessary for goal setting and achievement.

Frequent reviews and re-assessment

The goal process occurs over time. At first, it may seem difficult but it only gets easier with time. You need to be patient. Review your goals in a weekly or even daily basis. Frequent review forces you to make big decisions and evaluate your priorities in life. Take note of the goals you are not achieving or those you keep extending the deadline.

Hopefully, you will be able to set your goals for more focus and direction and go a notch higher by achieving your goals.