Goal Setting Rules

If you have big dreams, or simply want to break a bad habit, an important early step is to set one or a series of goals. Goals involve stating what you hope to accomplish and provide a means to figure out what you will do to achieve your ultimate aim, notes MayoClinic.com. By following the rules of goal setting, you will closer to reaching those goals.

Set Concrete Goals

By stating your goal in definite terms, and putting it on paper, you transform it from the realm of wishful thinking, the Utah State University website advises. Jennifer A. Kern, M.S., C.T.T.S., writing for MayoClinic.com agrees. As long as your goal remains something you'll do "someday," it is likely you will never actually achieve it. "The image that comes to my mind is of a donkey following a carrot on a stick that is dangled in front of it. No matter how much or how far the donkey walks, it never gets any closer to the carrot, " Kern points out.

Build in Accountability

By recruiting a friend or family member, you can ensure that you stay on track, Psych Central explains. "You need to kill the Culture of Best Intentions and create one of High Performance," says Greig Clark, a Toronto entrepreneur writing for for "Profit" magazine. In addition to being accountable to your friend or family member, you can provide support for one another. When one is lagging, the other can provide a boost. You can also gain a sense of satisfaction in helping someone else achieve her goals, according to Psych Central.

Include Rewards and Consequences

Include interim rewards to maintain your motivation as you work toward your ultimate goal, suggests Alexandra Levit, Author of "New Job, New You," writing for the CNN.com/CareerBuilder website. Plan an outing with friends or a spa appointment. On the other hand, failing to hit the mark must result in consequences, Clark insists, along with a plan to avoid failure in the future.

Maintain Manageability

If you want to lose 100 lbs., or finally clean out 20 years worth of junk from your attic or garage, it's easy to become overwhelmed. Break the task up into manageable segments, such as eliminating one sugary snack or pack up one box of clothes to donate to charity, Levit suggests. Aim high, but keep your goals realistic, the Utah State University website recommends. You may need to enhance your computer skills before you aim for that promotion.