How to Set Goals toward Success  

By Daniel R. Murphy 

Setting goals in the proper way and following through with action on those goals may well be the most important single thing you can do to achieve success. Setting goals and acting on them does not have to be difficult if you follow some basic proven steps. 

Choose Your Target 

First, decide for yourself what you really want to accomplish. Are you working toward retirement? Trying to get a big promotion at work? Looking for a new job? Working to win a competitive sport? Trying to lose weight? The ultimate objective really does not matter. What matters is the way you approach your objective. 

Take some time to clarify in your mind what you really want to achieve and how much time you want to give yourself to achieve it.  

Consider what price you must pay in self discipline, hard work and sacrifice to achieve your objective and decide whether it is worth it.  

If you decide it is worth it than settle upon this objective as your Chief Aim. 

Write it Down 

Write it down. This is critical. Write down your Chief Aim and when you want to achieve it. Let's say you think you can lose 8 pounds per week and you want to lose a total of 40 pounds. That will take you five weeks. You would write your Chief Aim as: 

I will lose 40 pounds in the next 8 weeks.  

Break it Down 

Then break you objective down in to step by step goals. It is difficult to do the whole 8 weeks as one goal. However if you break it down into shorter and smaller achievements it is much more possible.  

You might set your interim goals like this: 

First I will read every book I can find in the library on good nutrition and healthy weight loss and I will read them all in the next 30 days. 

Second I will begin by cutting out most sugar-laden foods in my diet. Starting today I will only eat one small sugar containing treat per day. Instead of a fist full of cookies every evening I will only eat one cookie each evening. 

Third I will begin a better exercise program. Starting today I will walk at least 30 minutes each day. I will increase the amount by 15 minutes each week so that by week 5 I am walking 90 minutes each day. 

And so on. You break your project down into simple goals or steps that can each be easily accomplished. If you slip up you just get back on the horse and keep going. 

As you discover the benefits of setting goals and acting upon them  you will begin to set goals in every area of your life where you want to or need to make improvements: your health, your diet, your exercise program, your investing program, your saving program, your career improvement program, your wealth building program, your family's happiness and security, etc. 

The important things to remember are: 

Carefully reflect upon and decide what your Chief Aim should be. 

Decide how big a price you are willing to pay for your Chief Aim. 

Decide when you want to or need to accomplish your Chief Aim. 

Break your Chief Aim down into smaller and easier steps. Identify what must be done and by when.  

Then, ACT on it. Do it. Follow through on your goals every day. When you forget for fail just get back in there and resume your work. 

Persistence pays off.  

The more you use goals the more you learn how powerful they are in achieving success in whatever you seek to succeed in.