Regardless of what they may be, we all have goals of some sort. Maybe you want to lose weight, maybe you want to get promoted, or maybe you want to be a movie star. One thing is true of all goals though — we have a better chance of achieving them if we go about them the right and, properly prioritizing our time and energy. As explained in the video, well-crafted goals can serve as the GPS for your life, ultimately providing you a blueprint for what you want to be. Without clear goals to work toward, we can let ourselves get overshadowed by life obstacles and the agendas of others.

Here are 5 simple steps for setting up great goals and ensuring your success:

1. Set goals for the 5-7 most important aspects of your life. Think about what gives your life a sense of purpose and meaning, and prioritize goals in those areas. Maybe you’re a manager, a musician, a spouse, or a parent — you can’t be everything all of the time, so prioritize the most important roles in your life and set your goals accordingly.
2. Write your goals down. The same way an architect doesn’t keep all of his schematics in his head, you shouldn’t keep all your goals in yours. Writing them down makes them more tangible and real, and will be instrumental in keeping you on track and shaping your success.
3. Keep your goals visible. Going along with step 2, writing your goals down isn’t enough. You need to make sure that they’re visible, so you’re constantly reminded of what you’re working toward. By seeing your goals more often, you’ll notice ways to accomplish them that may have remained hidden otherwise.
4. Set SMART goals. SMART is a handy acronym for creating better goals that ultimately mean better results. A SMART Goal should be:
   • S- Specific. What exactly are you trying to accomplish?
   • M- Measurable. How will you judge progress?
   • A- Attainable.  Is this something you can actually do?
   • R-Relevant. What’s the purpose of this goal?
   • T- Time-bound. When does this goal need to be accomplished?
5. Schedule time to accomplish your goals.  Often times we know what we need to do, we just don’t actually get around to doing it, because there’s always something else taking up our time that we could otherwise dedicate to our goals. Whether it’s making time to get to the gym or finally getting around to taking an online class that will further your career development, make sure that you carve out time in your schedule each week to work toward your goals.

By making sure you’re setting the right goals, you’ll set yourself up for success when it comes to actually achieving them. Watch the video now for a full breakdown of proper goal setting.