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3. IT should be SPECIFIC. Don't say, "I want to go to San Francisco." Say, "I'm going to San Francisco, and first thing I need to do is get on I-40 and travel west."
4. It should be MEASURABLE. If it isn't measurable, how will you gauge your progress? Determine how far you'd like to "travel" each day. Set a specific goal for how many "miles" you'll cover.
5. It should be CHALLENGING. Pushing yourself and continuing to grow is a wonderful feeling. Do things you thought you'd never do before, you'll be amazed at adrenaline rush you'll get!
6. It should be ACTION oriented. State all of your goals in an active sense. "I will do....."
7. Finally, it must be ATTAINABLE or REALISTIC. Do you have, or can you get skills necessary to reach goal?
We've covered characteristics of goals with exception of most important part. You have to write them down. The difference between a goal and a dream is seeing it on paper.
You'll be amazed how clear things will be to you when you see them on paper. I'm not sure of science behind difference of just thinking about something, and putting a pen to paper. They say it has something to do with sub-conscious, but I know it works!
If you're really serious about establishing goals for yourself, check out this website: http://www.goalpro.com This is a really neat software that will help you establish your goals, and keep you on track.
As you go through next couple of days see if you can remember your "Resolutions" from last year. I'd make a pretty high wager you can't. Use information in this article, and next year you'll be sending me an e-mail telling me what wonderful things you've accomplished! Happy Goal Setting.
Jill Lambert is the publisher of Kidz Plan Newsletter, a bi-monthly publication aimed at helping people reach their financial goals. To subscribe to this inspirational newsletter, please visit: http://www.kidzplannews.org