What are your goals in life? What do you want to achieve?

For some of you, the answer to those questions might be easy, and top of mind.

For others, you may really have to think about your goals… and you wouldn’t be alone!

Numerous studies have shown that less than 3% of Americans have written goals, and less than 1% review and rewrite their goals on a daily basis.

Let that sink in: less than 3% of people in the United States have ever written down the things they want to achieve most in this world…

That’s crazy!

And when we look at that 3%, what we find is pretty amazing. The people who not only write down and document their goals, but also rewrite them and revisit them consistently, are at least 10 times more successful than their non-goal-writing counterparts.

So why is goal-setting so important? Yes, it will help you become more successful, but why is that?

This is because: If you create the habit of being able to set goals and achieve them regularly, you will have discovered the key to success.

So how can you get started with setting goals (and achieving them?)

Goal-Setting Tips

A great way to make your goals more tangible, actionable, and specific, is by thinking about them as SMART Goals, which adds specifics and measurable markers of “success” to your goals.

SMART stands for:

Specific – What exactly do you want to accomplish? Make your goal as specific as possible.

Measurable – How will you know when your goal is achieved? How will you measure success?

Attainable – Is your goal achievable? Goals should be challenging but attainable. Even if there is some sort of “barrier” (such as education, training, achievement) – the barrier should be something that you can overcome in time.

Realistic – This descriptor is similar to “Attainable” but much more basic – it’s grounded in reality. For example, “travel to the moon” is probably not a realistic goal. (Unless your tactic to achieve this goal is to go to school to become an astronaut! Which would be difficult, but attainable. Make sense?)

Time-bound – When will you achieve this goal? Adding a deadline will be the last step in taking your goal from a dream to a plan.

Being able to further specify your goals, and then coming up with a tangible plan for achieving them empowers you with confidence to then move forward with fulfilling that plan.

If you can plan it, you can do it. Simple as that.