6. Create a detailed plan to achieve your goal. Let’s say your goal is to eliminate clutter in your home. But how will you start when clutter is overwhelming? It may be helpful to break large goals into intermediate, manageable steps. Make a list of each area you need to tackle. Then break each area into even smaller segments that can be tackled easily. For instance, set time aside to clean out old clothes, then to organize sweaters, then to throw out old shoes, and finally arrange clothing by color or type. Don't forget to specify a time limit for accomplishing each of smaller steps. Before you know it, larger goal will have been met.

7. Recognize that you may encounter obstacles. Most people give up on their goals because they run into some type of obstacle along way. Obstacles can be internal or external. Examples of internal obstacles include negative self-talk, limiting beliefs and discipline issues. Some external obstacles are lack of time, money or resources. Know in advance what hurdles you may have to conquer.

8. Identify a plan of action to overcome obstacles. If you are trying to give up chocolate (I would never try this!), what are you going to do when you get a craving for chocolate, or when all your friends are chowing down on chocolate cake? Maybe your plan would be to carry a sweet substitute with you at all times. Or perhaps you could involve yourself in a fun activity when urge strikes. If your obstacles are tougher and you need more support, consider hiring a life coach to help you work through your blocks.

9. Enlist support of an accountability partner. As you work towards your goals, it can be very helpful to have someone in your life to be your support partner. Consider asking your partner or friend to help you stick to goals you have set. Use this person when you are struggling and set up a plan to check in regularly with him/her. As a coach, I have privilege of trading coaching services with my peers. My coach helps me achieve my goals, overcome any obstacles, and celebrate my success.

10. Celebrate success along way. One of most important things you can do for yourself is celebrate your small successes as you work towards your larger goals. Don’t wait until end to reward yourself. You deserve to be recognized for your efforts and your commitment, especially when your goals take a long time to achieve. If you don’t celebrate on your journey, you will lose your motivation. So celebrate, celebrate, and celebrate!

Achieving your goals can be tough work sometimes, but it is also very rewarding. If you fall off your path, remember you can always get back on. It’s okay to take a few detours. It’s also okay to take a break to rest. Don’t beat yourself up or give up hope. Start again where you fell down and before you know it, you will be a pro at accomplishing your goals.

* Work: I hate regularly working past 5 PM and on weekends.

2. Deal with unresolved issues. Is there something in your past that you have not dealt with – psychological barriers, untreated disorders, unfinished business from your childhood, unresolved relationships, addictions, or depression? If so, seek professional assistance to clear a path for a new beginning. Without first dealing with these obstacles, you may sabotage your efforts or find major resistance to making changes you desire.

3. De-clutter and create order. Creating order in your home and work environment may help you to gain clarity as you explore horizon of some new directions in other areas of your life. Here's my definition of clutter: Anything you own, possess, or do that does not enhance your life on a regular basis. It’s hard to make room for something new amidst all clutter ... whether that clutter exists in your physical environment, on your calendar, or in your head.

4. Move from complaints to solutions. Look at your list of things you hate (above), and design a vision around what you want and choose for future. Create a chart that includes complaints, solutions to achieve your vision, and projected dates of completion.

Tried everything and still cannot find a solution? Ask someone else to help you brainstorm a solution, or make peace with it and quit thinking of it as a problem.

Eliminate excuses that are undermining your vision. For example, if you feel like you have to work late, examine excuses that are undermining your desire to leave office by 5 PM. Are you staying late to catch up with e-mail or to meet deadlines? How can you eliminate excuse? Build in time to handle those activities during regular work hours.

Commit time to take positive action. Carve out protected time for working on an important project that would otherwise not get done until 11th hour (after hours or on weekend). For large projects, break them into smaller "bite-sized" projects.

5. Get support as you change behaviors. In order to create new behaviors which will get and keep you at enhanced level at which you wish to function, you may need support. An accountability partner or personal coach can help you:

* Reflect back what you say you want so you can hear yourself.

* Clarify what it will take to get you from where you are to where you want to be.

* Build in accountability check-ins (without judgment) around actions you choose to take.

Identify level of support you need in order to reach goals you've identified, and then ask for help.