Whether it is a personal or professional goal the steps to reaching them are the same. To be effective at achieving your goals start by writing them down.

The list may go something like this:

1.Take painting classes 2.Eat healthier meals 3.Exercise regularly 4.Read a book a month 5.Get a better paying job

Or maybe your list looks more like this:

1.Get up earlier each day 2.Get the kids to school on time 3.Do grocery shopping on lunch hour 4.Make mass meals ahead of time 5.Soak in the tub “alone”

Whatever your list is it can be overwhelming and seem un-achievable. The idea is to be able to achieve your goals, so you need to start by making it simple. There is something about having your goals written down that then makes them real. I have heard too many people say “I would like to

do this or that someday” but when I ask them is it on your goal list? They have never even considered writing it down, they are just hoping for the best and that someday their dream will come true. The only way that dream will begin to come true is by first writing it down. Next write the steps it would take for that goal to be achieved no mat- ter what they are or how hard they seem.

Goal: Exercise regularly

1.Determine what type of exercise you would enjoy. 2.What time of day could you do it? 3.How do you need to rearrange your present schedule to fit it in? 4.Do you need to purchase equipment or special clothing? 5.How many times a week will you be able to do it. 6.What will keep you motivated?

The next step is your goals need to inspire you to take action and have some sort of measurable result along the way. You need to be able to see that you are getting closer to achieving your goal. The fourth step goes along with this and it is making sure your goals are realistic. This does not mean you cannot shoot for the stars, but remember you will have to have a rocket ship to get there and is that realistic?

The fifth step is a very important one and that is you have to have a deadline. Otherwise, you do not have a workable timeline in complet- ing your goal. Even if it is a deadline of ten years from now, that is okay, because you will have those measurable steps along the way to show you are making progress toward your goal. You can even move your deadline if needed. If you do not have a deadline it is like an archer shooting an arrow without a target to aim for. Remember your

purpose is to hit your goal dead center.