If you want to make changes in your life--whether they are big or small--you'll benefit from setting goals. It's not as simple as making vague statements, such as "I want to lose weight." Goal setting takes consideration, time and effort. If you do it right, you'll be closer to making the changes that you seek.
Features
The Counseling Center of the University of New Hampshire recommends using the acronym SMART when setting goals. It stands for specific, measurable, action-oriented, realistic and time-oriented. This means you can't just stick with an unclear goal such as getting better grades. Instead, your goal could be to get an A on your math test next week. That goal meets all of the above criteria. When you set goals, you should also use positive statements. Make sure your goals are realistic. If you've never gotten higher than a C on a math test, you should set a realistic goal of getting a C+ on your next test. You don't want to set yourself up for failure.
Benefits
Goal setting can help you to change your life. The Counseling Center of the University of New Hampshire reports that goal setting can help you accomplish more, improve your performance and self-esteem, and increase your motivation. If you're serious about making changes, goal setting can stop you from getting overwhelmed while helping you to set the small steps it will take to reach your goal.
Considerations
If you want to hold yourself accountable, you should write down your goals. You could write down your goal three times on index cards and place them in areas of your home so that you'll see them often. Repeat your goal out loud each day. At the end of each day, remind yourself of your goal and ask yourself if you took steps to reach it.
Warning
Slip-ups don't mean failure. If you have a goal of losing 10 lb. and you give in to a doughnut craving, you shouldn't beat yourself up over it. Instead, understand that it's normal to have setbacks when you're trying to reach a goal. Be gentle with yourself and move on.
Help
Some goals will be difficult to reach on your own. For example, if you want to lose weight, you might need the support of a friend who'll exercise with you after work and you might need to consult a nutritionist to learn about how your eating affects your weight. Get assistance for your goals from friends, family members and professionals. You don't have to suffer from depression or anxiety to get help from a therapist or life coach. You can also see those professionals to get assistance for setting and reaching goals.
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