Goal setting is important. It’s one sure way to help you accomplish meaningful things in your life that are high priority.  

Goals can be short or long term. Long-term goals – or lifetime goals – may seem overwhelming to some and are often best broken into many smaller goals. For instance, if you have a long-term goal of losing 50 pounds, it would be better to shoot for small milestones such as losing 2 pounds per week for 25 weeks. You will reach the goal of 2 pounds per week sooner than you will the 50 pounds. This is called setting “realistic goals.â€

Each time you meet a goal, give yourself a treat! You deserve it. But plan ahead. Tell yourself in January that if you reach a particular goal by March you will treat yourself to a special reward, such as a pedicure. Acknowledging to yourself that you can accomplish goals will raise your self-esteem and encourage you to continue meeting future goals.

When setting your goals, focus on them by writing them down in your calendar and making other people aware of them. Having others involved will give you much-needed encouragement and support.

Some tips for goal setting include:

• Be specific. Clearly state your goal and why you want to reach it, be it long term or short. List the exact details, dates and rewards. An example would be: To improve my health, I want to lose 5 pounds by August 10 and when I do, I will get a manicure.