How to set goals?

I always thought it was funny, that we spend all this time and energy talking about new year's eve that each day is it's a brand new day.  I do guess we can start referring to 2010 instead of 2009, but seriously what is the big deal?  People ask, "What are you going to give up or what will you do this year?" Then people's response is, "Oh, for the new year I will start or give up, so and so." 

Don't get me wrong it's good to set goals, but does anyone really know how to start goals and how do we even keep goals.

This post will be about goal setting.  I am the first to admit, I need goals.  I need goals as much as the next person, but I know I need them.  I love having a list of goals and the sense of personal accomplishment that I completed a goal.  So what is a goal? How do you go about achieving one?

In my previous employment, I was taught, when we set goals, we must set SMART goals.

• S - Specific
• M - Measurable
• A - Attainable
• R - Realistic
• T - Timely

When I set goals, I always ask myself,

• "How will this effect my personal, spiritual, physical, or professional life?"   In where I am in a my life right now, those are the four areas I want to be held accountable in, so I try to list one to two for each category.  
• "What do you ultimately what to accomplish in your life? How will these goals help you achieve this?

For instance, I want to renew my prayer life and start praying more often to Jesus, so I want to pray the rosary three times a week and will be consistent by beginning of March 2010. 

• S - Specific -- praying the rosary
  
• M - Measurable -- three times a week
  
• A - Attainable -- Do you have 20 minutes three days a week to pray the rosary? Yes or No?
  
• R - Realistic -- Can you actually achieve this goal? Yes or No?
  
• T - Timely -- give yourself a due date so you know if you are living up to this goal.
  

So now you are thinking okay, I can set some SMART goals for myself. The next step is accountablility somehow. Make a chart or find a good friend to assist you. There is no sense of setting goals unless you plan to achieve them.  The only way to achieve goals is to start goals. 

So what is preventing you to make this year count. Think about setting and starting some SMART goals in your life and achieve them. I am telling you there is nothing more exciting then knowing you are on the right path for success. Let's be honest, no one knows you better than yourself, so you will know if you are cheating.

Some helpful links:

• http://www.goal-setting-guide.com/smart-goals.html
• http://www.goalhappy.com/
• http://goal-setting-guide.com/7-goal-setting-tips.html
• http://www.mygoals.com/content/goal-setting-article-002.html